Rapha launches new range of ‘Performance Trailwear’ for mountain bikers

“After 17 years of innovating road and gravel apparel, now is the right time for Rapha to enter the mountain bike market”, says Rapha’s MTB general manager, Jake Rosenbloum.

The new Performance Trailwear range that launches today includes both men’s and women’s lines and comprises pretty much everything you’d need to wear out on the trails.

All of the new Trailwear incorporate “environmentally-preferred” materials – as it stands, these make up 43 per cent of the fabrics currently used, but Rapha has committed to using 90 per cent environmentally-preferred materials by 2025 across the range.

Rapha says that these fabrics are technical, tough and have been tested in the roughest natural environments.

			
Five things you need to know about the new Rapha Performance Trailwear

The new Rapha MTB range has a separate women’s and men’s line of clothing
Along with clothing, Rapha is also offering a number of MTB-focused accessories, including a hip-pack and co-branded Smith Forefront 2 helmet
Made using “environmentally-preferred materials"
Most garments will include a repair patch kit for quick and easy fixes. For bigger repair jobs, clothing can be sent back to Rapha to be fixed for free
Rapha to launch a series of initiatives to support trail organisations across the UK and US

Rapha launches new range — Pro riders provided technical feedback on the performance of the kit during product development. - Rapha

Rapha has been smart with the riders it's chosen to help develop and test this latest line of kit. Riders such as Jill Kintner, Ella Conolly and Bryn Atkinson know what it takes to perform at the highest level and, between them, have years of experience when it comes to providing technical feedback for product development.

What’s a real bonus for many mountain bikers is that Rapha will supply a repair kit with most products, which should help to deal with quick fixes if you snag a jersey or get a small rip in your shorts.

But, thankfully, if your nice new kit is in need of a bigger repair, Rapha says that you can send the product back for it to be repaired free of charge, when possible.

Rapha Repair kit — Most products come with a repair kit. - Rapha

Women’s Rapha Performance Trailwear range

Here’s what’s included in the women’s Rapha Performance Trailwear collection.

Women’s Trail Technical T-shirt

£55 / $75 / €65

This light and breathable tech tee should be durable and snag-resistant, and do a good job at wicking sweat from your body.

It’s made from low-impact recycled materials and comes with a patch kit to repair it should you need to.

Women’s Trail Tank

£50 / $70 / €60

If you like to ride in hotter climates (so probably not the UK, then), this might well be for you.

Like the tech tee, the Trail Tank is designed to be light and breathable, and is made from recycled materials.

Women’s Trail Lightweight Jacket

£130 / $180 / €155

The Trail jacket is constructed from a windproof, ripstop nylon fabric that’s claimed to be light, breathable and tear-resistant.

It comes with a storage strap that, once the jacket is packed up inside its very own chest pocket, will let you attach it to the bike. The under-helmet-hood is adjustable.

While this isn’t going to keep you dry and warm in a heavy downpour, it should be easy to carry and will keep the chill out on a blustery day.

Women’s Trail ¾ Sleeve Jersey

£75 / $100 / €90

This jersey is snag-resistant, made from 100 per cent recycled materials and is designed to be light and breathable.

Women’s Trail Shorts

£110 / $150 / €135

These are made from a plain weave stretch nylon and feature a low-profile stretch waist to try to help boost on-the-bike comfort.

There are two zipped pockets, one of which features a phone sleeve and Rapha says that the cut will work just fine with or without knee pads.

Women’s Trail Short Liner

£80 / $110 / €95

Using its years of experience in making road kit, Rapha has tried to apply this to the new Women’s Trail short liner.

Mesh panels at either side are there to help prevent overheating, while the chamois pad should hopefully keep you comfy while pedalling.

Men’s Rapha Performance Trailwear range

The men’s range doesn’t offer quite as many products as the women’s, and while Rapha offers equivalents in both lines, there are some differences.

Trail Technical T-shirt

£55 / $75 / €65

Just like the women’s version, this tech tee is designed to be light and breathable, and should wick sweat away from the skin.

Trail Lightweight Jacket

£130 / $180 / €155

Rapha says that the cut of this easy-to-pack jacket should work on and off the bike.

While it’s windproof, it has been given a DWR (durable water repellency) treatment so should help to fend off lighter rain showers too.

Trail ¾ Sleeve Jersey

£75 / $100 / €90

The cut may be very slightly different, but the features here are otherwise the same as on the women’s version.

Rapha says its strong, durable woven fabric should help to protect the jersey from branches and brambles, as well as the odd tumble.

Trail Shorts

£110 / $150 / €135

The men’s shorts get two hip pockets, plus two zipped pockets lower down the legs to stash essentials, and an integrated phone sleeve.

While there are two adjusters at the waist to tailor fit, Rapha has included belt loops too, which seems an odd move on a trail short. The cut should work with or without knee pads.

Trail Cargo Bib Liner

£100 / $135 / €120

These bib liners feature two pockets at the rear to help carry essentials and avoid having to wear a pack.

Mesh side panels help to keep them cooler and a padded chamois should keep your undercarriage comfy on long rides. These are made from recycled material too.