Rapha Softshell: king of jackets?

The new Rapha softshell was on show at the Rouleur exhibition at the Host Gallery. Looks pretty much the same as the old one, just with grey lining, rather than pink.

This morning's rain made me reflect on the jacket. Great breathability, good fit, looks pretty good, too. Stitching can be a bit dodgy (at least on mine). And it's pretty water resistant - except at the seams on the arms and the Rapha logo. My shirt was soaked at the inner elbow. Perhaps I need to attack it with some seam sealant?

Paul Weller and Rapha

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/soldonsong/gallery_paulweller.shtml?select=04#photo

Is that a Rapha top?

Bad Beardie

Saw a bearded middle-aged cyclist heading off across a set of red lights, with a police car sat behind him. Two minutes later, went past him arguing with the policeman. Suspect he got a ticket. Ironically, of all the places to go across a red light, this was v. safe.

Also, B. is back from walking around the Balearics. Suffered from bike envy a lot of the time. Fantastic scenery, lots of cyclists. Can see why Rapha shot its last ridiculous catalogue in Mallorca.

While I'm at it, if any one is interested, did the Torrent de Pareis walk from Lluc to Sa Colabra. Park warden looked a bit suspicious of my shoes before I set off, but the Inov8 F-lite 300 were up to the task. Perhaps not as sticky as some proper approach shoes, but no slips and less wrecked by the rocks than expected.

Rapha Softshell Update

Still the best vast amount of money I've ever spent. Just wish it was, well... a bit brighter in parts.

Wore it during today's snow and rain storm on the way home. The fabric stayed perfectly waterproof, windproof and snug with my Icebreaker merino, but some seepage on the seams (esp. around the shoulder pads and the rapha arm detailing - the costs of vanity). But because it wicks so well, arms and shoulders of my inside top stayed dry. I suppose you could invest in some seam tape if you lived in Seattle... The jaunty rapha cap kept my head dry, too.

Other news. The cycle squad rallied around at work today and came up with a spare lock for someone.

Rather worse: Bromdinium will soon be homeless. Offers of flat-sitting, houseboat warming gratefully appreciated...

UPDATE: 1 year on. Jacket is still fantastic. Ok, so a couple of loose threads at the bottom have had to be tamed with a dab of superglue, but it's still almost as good as new. A wash now and then in Nikwax tech wash seems to keep the DWR going, and the water still beads. And Bromdinium has a new pad (sadly with a shorter commute). Would be tempted by the lighter softshell jackets (so can wear for longer in spring and even summer), or perhaps wait until Alpkit come up with their softshell. Only complaint: no zips/too tight on forearms to easily pull up - best way to cool down.

Rapha Jacket Review

It's been over a week since I've had my rapha softshell jacket. Apart from Bromdinum's wedding suit, this is definitely the most expensive garment he owns. And that includes a Daks suit.

Is it worth it?

First of, the fit is great. A bit tighter than your usual gear (Bromdinium opted for the large rather than his usual svelte medium). It's long on the sleeves, but not too long (with neat, spandex thumb loops), tight around the back and sides and long at the back. The shoulder patches give it a somewhat menacing air, but the pink inside sets it off great (even if some of Bromdinium's acquaintances have teased him for it). All pretty GQ, and got into Shochu lounge with the B. no trouble (full of idiots as expected). There's tons of neat detailing, which you can read about elsewhere (google rapha jacket review), including a slot to slip in a light, ipod loops, a bite bit to zip up one handed, asymmetric zip, black reflective piping (not too convinced this is bright enought), a fold down tail flap, etc. etc.

Second of all, it's great. I love it. The windstopper type material (10% Hytrel, 5% Spandex, 85% polyester) is brilliant. Keeps out the rain, doesn't run too hot, and breathes better than anything else I've got. Also keeps you warm when you need it. Suspect in a month or two it will be a little warm, even with the pit zips, but perfect 2/4 season jacket (in London anyway). Gets especially warm on the back, mind, because of all the pocket gubbins.

Finally, it's black. You may look so mean and sleek you get noticed, or you may not. I've gone back to the John Brown belt to keep Royal Mail van man at bay. But I have to say, it's nice not to be dressed like a canary.

Did I mention?

I picked up one of these? (The jackets, that is). Full report to follow...

Rapha part deux

It seems that Bromdinium was wrong. On his way to Blockbusters (now there´s a store without a future if there ever was one in the age of Netfliks, Virgin media et al) to return the Wedding Crashers (don´t you love Wilson?), Triple Agent (go Rohmer) and Serenity (not Wheedon´s best) DVDs, he spotted a Brompton lashing along Lupus Street.



And someone had been to the Rapha sale at Velurolution it seemed. Black rapha club cap, green club jersey, sportswool arm warmers. All rather natty. Put my retina-searing flouro to shame. B and R do mix

Velorution and Rapha

Just like bacon and eggs, some things go together. Brooks and Brompton being one of them. The craftsmanship, use of traditional materials and the classic lines (not to mention gentlemanly comfort of these superior saddles) seem to go together like horse and radish. However, I'm not so sure about Brompton and Rapha, despite both turning up in the cooler pages of the broadsheets. Some people would argue (wrongly) that the Bromptoneer is more suited to tweed and pin stripe than the courier/biker/GQ lines of the world's most metrosexual - and stunningly desirable - cycling gear.

Nonetheless, Velorution are having a massive Rapha sale (yes, those softshell jackets for £145 rather than and unbelievable £210). Bromdinium, being a bit short of cash, but still in the market for a jacket, went to have a look. I was expecting it to be full of the too cool for skool crowd, but friendly staff. Rather model-like customers, so turnip head here stood out, but a cool, roomy store, with bikes the like of which Monocle might approve. Bromdinium is now the proud owner of two-for-price of one (they couldn't find the price tag) Rapha hats. The softshell jacket looked like something out of Star Wars crossed with a rather dapper Action Man, but the real classic looked to be the Stowaway jacket. The fabric felt like butter. (Though I suspect that the GI Joe stlyle windproof is the best bet for round town wear.)

Wearing one rather than the more sensible helmet turned Bromdinium, hulk like, into a speeding bike courier, swinging dangerously left from Oxford Street onto TTR... Must be all that talk of brevets...

p.s., ask me nicely, and I'll give you directions to the secret sale area of the Rapha site.