Rapha has an all-new stretchy Pro Team Shadow membrane fabric that promises enhanced foul-weather protection “without compromising on comfort”. It’s the latest shift away from “magic” entirely waterproof materials that turned out to be quite harmful to the environment. And it sounds like a further shift towards prioritizing breathability to keep riders dry and comfortable from the inside during high-intensity efforts. The all-new Rapha Pro Team Shadow fabric debuts in a packable vest and a more robust winter jacket, first to RCC members today, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see it expand throughout the coming cold-weather riding season.
Rapha Pro Team Shadow all-new weather-resistant membrane
Windproof, water-resistant & PFAS-free. Those seem to be the key performance characteristics of the next generation of top-tier cool, cold & wet-weather cycling gear these days. Hardshells are out, smart membranes are in.
Rapha developed this latest iteration of their Shadow fabric in direct collaboration with the EF Pro Cycling teams for the demands of pro cyclists – both in training and racing. The result is a new highly stretchy fabric that moves with you as you move. It keeps out cold winds, breathes well, and sheds rain in those changing conditions where a hardshell rain jacket will just make you sweat more. And while the new fabric is the key to performance, Rapha gave each element of the new Pro Team Shadow kit a full set of rear pockets and 2-way zips for everyday usability.
“When we developed the Rapha Pro Team Shadow range, we wanted to address some of the key pain points which riders experience during winter. The primary objective was comfort, which led us to focus closely on material choices. Our development process and decision making was informed by extensive climate chamber and real-world testing with pro and amateur riders. We opted for high-stretch fabrics for comfort across a range of body types and an all over membrane to eliminate cold-spots. This combination hits the sweet spot between protection and breathability, so you can head out and ride in changeable conditions whilst remaining totally comfortable.”
– James Stannard, Rapha Head of Product Management
Key features
- Developed in the WorldTour in the toughest racing conditions
- High-stretch fabric for complete comfort and unrestricted movement.
- Lightweight, breathable, and windproof microporous membrane with PFAS-free water resistance, plus taped critical seams for prolonged weather protection.
- 3 rear pockets for storage, plus an additional zipped essentials pocket on Winter Jacket.|
- Double zips for temperature regulation.
2025 Rapha Pro Team Shadow – pricing, availability & options
Available exclusively today to RCC members – and tomorrow to the general cycling populace – Rapha Pro Team Shadow comes in 3 pieces of kit. There’s a packable vest (they Britishly call it a gilet). Then, a long-sleeve jersey. And lastly, a more full-featured lightly insulated jacket – all in six sizes XXS-XL for both men & women.
The $300 / 260€ Pro Team Shadow Gilet is a lightweight, but full-featured vest designed to pack down into a regular jersey pocket. The 178g vest comes in three men’s colors (black, carbon navy & bright blue) and in two women’s colors (black & aqua white) – each with silver reflective details for added visibility.
The $365 / 320€ Pro Team Long Sleeve Shadow Jersey is meant to be a light, single-layer windproof top for changeable weather. The 240g jersey comes in four men’s colors (black, carbon navy, moss “green” & aqua white) and in two women’s colors (black & aqua white) – each with reflective details.
The $435 / 380€ Pro Team Shadow Winter Jacket combines the new Shadow fabric with a “grid fleece” inner thermal lining for riding down to freezing temps. The 408g jacket comes in four men’s colors (black, carbon navy, bright blue & moss green) and two women’s colors (black & moss green) – each with reflective details.
(All weights are Rapha claims for men’s size medium.)
What’s next for Pro Team Show?
Rapha was admittedly vague, both about their new Pro Team Shadow membrane fabric itself, and about the three new pieces of kit that roll out today. Party, that seems to just fit their MO of launching it first exclusively to their RCC members. Everyone else gains access midday tomorrow. It also seems this was an early look at what they’ve already teased. “Chapter 8: Forged in darkness, proven in light. Stay tuned for our next Pro Team chapter.”
Perhaps that will mean even more from the new Shadow. Like updated accessories? Or even an updated set of winter riding tights with the same fabric?
For nearly a decade, I’ve been a fan of the previous generation of their stretch-woven Shadow fabric. It has a unique ability to survive riding in the wettest weather. It was never fully waterproof. But it shed rain & road spray really well. It didn’t really absorb water. And, it both breathed and wicked surprisingly well, making it ideal for changing conditions. I plan to test out the new Pro Team Shadow Winter Jacket in the coming weeks. And hopefully it will live up to my Shadow expectations!
