Designed for hard and fast riding in cold weather, the Pro Team Jacket isn’t the warmest – but it’s an incredibly comfortable, tight-fitting performance garment.
The Pro Team Jacket is protectively lined on the front to block the chilling wind, yet the rear is far more ventilated and features just the warm fleece. With a soft, comfortable lining, this jacket feels great against the skin and we found as comfortable to wear as a good-fitting jersey.
Rapha are known for the little details and the Pro Team Jacket didn’t disappoint. The collar, which features a soft-touch material, didn’t irritate sensitive skin in the slightest. And even the main zipper is insulated with a flap overlapping behind to block the cold.
This is not a rain jacket – Rapha offers other items for wet weather riding – but the Pro Team jacket does have a water repellent coating. We experienced light rain beading off it before a heavy downpour proved too much.
The jacket's simple styling was a hit at our UK office
With temperatures in the range of 4°C (39°F) and on the move, we were warm and comfortable without getting sweaty (unfortunately we didn’t get to test in colder conditions). Standing still for a post-ride coffee, the effective breathability of this jacket soon becomes apparent as the chill sets in.
The jacket features three jersey-styled pockets, and a zippered side pocket to stash additional winter essentials within. The middle rear pocket even includes the neat touch of a pump loop to ensure your pump or Co2 remains where it should. Although not the purpose of the jacket, these pockets also allow the jacket to be used as a thermal winter jersey over a base layer if so desired.
The fit of the Pro Team Jacket is for the well-trained athletic rider. Our tester shown in the photos usually wears a size small, yet the medium sized jacket pictured is reasonably snug fit across the chest, yet clearly a size too big in the arms.
There is no denying this is an expensive piece of cycle clothing that is limited to drier, cold days on the shoulders of athletic builds. However – price aside – the Pro Team Jacket is comfortable like a blanket, built to last and simply stylish.
There is a small valuables pocket on the side