Rapha’s latest Crit Collection leaves the oil slicks behind, in favor of new dynamic, colorful fades & road marking inspiration. Developed for flashy urban racing on tight technical courses, Rapha Pro Team Crit isn’t only about being seen, but also about packing in unique details catering to high-speed, hour-long, often night racing.
Earlier this week Rapha also dropped a limited edition Rapha X Geoff McFetridge artist collaboration collection only available to RCC members. And it sold out in just two days. But Rapha is bringing it back, so keep your eyes peeled.
Rapha Pro Team Crit Collection – criterium racing cycling kit
As it has been since Rapha first debuted their Crit Collection in iridescent, reflective oil slick green-to-purple, then again in more subdued shimmering grays, Crit has been about creating criterium race-ready kit for that odd urban night blend of cyclocross, track & road racing. Designed for “railing corners and turning heads” the high-intensity race wear carries over crit-specific features, with the addition of more color options and new reflective graphics that take direct inspiration from painted road markings.
The new Crit collection includes women’s & men’s Pro Team Crit jersey & Crit bibs, a Crit skinsuit, new Team Crit tech tees, and Crit socks. The entire collection is available in two color schemes – Rapha classic pink to purple fade (curiously labelled dark navy/red) or turquoise/dark green – and features a new more subtle, and almost unreadable Rapha logo throughout.
Individual Crit pieces & Tech details
The $150 / 135€ Pro Team Crit Jersey and $270 / 135€ Pro Team Crit Bib Shorts II ($270 / 230€ for women, $240 / 210€ for men) are the mainstays of the Crit Collection offering the most race versatility.
The jerseys are cut from lightweight, super-breathable fabric that stretches for a close aero fit, and get full length “easy-glide” zips, mesh-lined rear pockets, Crit’s dual-layer mesh pockets to mount race numbers without pins, and reflective detailing throughout.
The bibs are built just like standard Pro Team Bib Shorts, but in matching Crit styling. Crit bibs do get longer legs for more aerodynamic advantage, and “streamlined” single seam construction.
The light breathable mesh bib straps of course are color matched, while the women’s shorts only come in the ‘dark navy/red’ color.
The men’s Pro Team Crit Suit remains the premier bit of flashy new Crit kit at $285 / 250€ mixing a lightweight, breathable upper with a pair of the latest Pro Team Bibs sewn on with longer legs & single seam construction for full aero advantage. They also feature the Crit-specific mesh race number pockets, and are available only in ‘dark navy/red’.
New this season are $75 / 65€ short sleeve and $90 / 75€ long sleeve Pro Team Crit Technical T-shirts so you can warm-up before or cool-down post-victory in the same Crit style (long sleeve only in blue).
The loose fitting tees are made from the light breathable knot fabric of Rapha’s flyweight jerseys for optimal wicking & fast-drying.
Lastly, Pro Team Crit Socks because no kit is complete without matchy-matchy socks. The $20 / 17.50€ Crit socks are a simple, soft breathable nylon mesh to keep your feet dry & comfy on race day, or night, or whatever.
Get an early look at the new Crit Collection here, where RCC members can log in for their early access to purchase the new kit from today. It will open up for full public sale on Saturday.
Rapha RCC x Geoff McFetridge limited edition artist collection
So here is the Rapha X Geoff McFetridge artist collection that you can’t actually get right now, even if you are an RCC member. But as fast as it sold out, Rapha founder and self-proclaimed “RCC Club Captain” Simon Mottram was quick to apologize for underestimating demand, and promised to make more. So keep an eye out for it being restocked. In the meantime, Simon says they are also rethinking future RCC-only kit and may even set up a pre-order system so members won’t face shortages in the future. On to the kit…
Geoff McFetridge is a LA-based multimedia artist, and he teamed up with Rapha to craft a special limited edition cycling kit using his unique style, to be offered exclusively to Rapha Cycling Club members. The playful design plays on the idea of cyclists’ bodies contorted and conforming to their bikes, but features just those stylized cyclists, without their bike.
The special edition kit includes a $150 / 135€ blue Pro Team Midweight jersey in cuts for men or women, a $270 / 230€ pair of men’s Pro Team Bib Shorts II, a $125 / 110€ men’s white Pro Team Lightweight Gilet packable vest, a $65 / 55€ men’s Pro Team Sleeveless Bas Layer, $20 / 17.50€ white Pro Team socks, a $30 / 25€ cotton Cap, and a $20 / 17.50€ cotton Musette.
Every item is currently out of stock, but is expected to be available again, still exclusively for RCC members.
“McFetridge’s artistic practice speaks volumes about his exposure to a wide variety of subcultures and the will to observe and reflect. Growing up surrounded by skateboarding culture in the 80’s and 90’s, McFetridge started playing a key role in the American art scene early on. Geoff starred in the Beautiful Losers documentary amongst other emerging artists and designers in NYC and art directed Grand Royal and the Beastie Boys magazine. McFetridge’s love of the sport also emerged in his early years, he was one of the first to take up snowboarding and mountain biking in their pioneering period.”
“The artist’s creative language is influenced by his ability to observe and absorb life around him, extract the purest forms and present them back to the viewer. The collection created for Rapha is no exception – the design is a reflection of cyclists’ connection to their consciousness and a sculptural take on the simple form that body resembles becoming one with the machine – the bike.”
