Rapha’s newest elements of their Brevet collection may be based on the long distance riding that gives them the name, but they look to be aimed squarely at the gravel-grinding trend sweeping across cycling. The new products are designed to be a bit more rugged, with some expanded details, while maintaining the quality and style cues the brand is known for. Alongside the updated Brevet collection, Rapha also has just unveiled several seasonal updates and color changes across their entire range, with a few more long sleeve options, plus thermal short options to cover both men and women for a fall of cross racing and through the winter…
The Brevet Collection features many of the more popular styling cues from past Rapha seasons but applied to new cuts and fabrics. Most of the new pieces promote warmth and creature comforts such as water resistance and thermal materials. All outerwear pieces have had reflective accents added to give a little visibility to riders during the dusky winter months.
Their mantra of long rides seems to fit well both with gravel exploration and the whole bikepacking movement. Not coincidentally, the Brevet pieces come in stock colors that match Rapha’s lightweight Apidura bikepacking bags.
Two of the more intriguing new jerseys, the Windblock jerseys for men and women. Essentially they took their long sleeve thermal jerseys and added windblocking material to the chest and back. Kind of a permanent jersey/brevet vest combo in one. They’ve toned down the women’s Brevet kit with smaller stripes that they said are meant to be more flattering, apparently as a response to rider feedback. For the Brevet-ers on the bottom half of the globe getting ready for summer, Rapha also has a new lightweight Brevet jersey that packs all the storage and versatility into a top for much hotter riding.
Besides the Brevet expansion, Rapha’s venerable lines also got seasonal updates to colors and designs, with a few more pieces for cool weather thrown in. Classic collection kit receive new colors while the Classic long sleeve has been totally overhauled. Updates include new cuts, materials and more secure pocket storage. Pro Team pieces now feature more wind and waterproofing for all weather training and racing, and are now available in chic hi-vis yellow. The Core collection even adds an affordable long sleeve jersey in simple colors.
The women’s Souplesse line now finally features the same excellent thermal bibshort that got us through a few seasons of cross racing and winters of riding, plus gets some new to the series colors. Both men & women get updates to the urban City line that continues to broaden, transitioning well from on bike to off, with stylish yet functional pieces. And rounding it out Rapha’s Cross line, developed with their top CX pro riders Jeremy Powers and Ellen Noble, receives some love in the form of new patterns, a reworked color palette, and a few new materials to survive another season in the mud.
Check out the new products in Rapha’s New Season Guide.
