Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

I've got the softshell gilet and the brevet jersey gilet. Both are excellent pieces of kit. It was not cold enough this winter to break out the softshell gilet but I usually ride in most mornings with the brevet gilet on as a windbreaker. It performs perfectly.

The softshell was also a lifesaver in really cold temperatures where it saves you form the windchill but does not let you overheat from not having any sleeves.

No doubt there are cheaper alternatives but I have found so far with Rapha, you get what you pay for.

Honestly gilets are just a bit of semi waterproof material - they don't have to have the wicking properties of jackets because they are naturally ventilated. I had a Rapha gilet given to me, it was nice but absolutely no different to my champsys-made club gilet ( cost £30), or the £15 hi-viz Craft one I bought for night rides.

Things that Rapha make which are worth the money: bibs bibs bibs, softshell, wind jacket and merino socks. Everything else can be bought from competitors of similar quality for considerably less money.

Thanks, this is what I was after. Proper info, for and against.