Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

The Golden Question: What is a realistic alternative to the Rapha Softshell Jacket, in terms of style and function? I'm contemplating the £240 price tag mainly because of the lifetime guarantee to fix their items if they get torn from a fall, for example. Obviously, I'd rather not part with that much £, but i just cannot seem to find an alternative.

Anyone?!

Gabba?

What he said

I am selling a Gabba!

As brilliant as the Gabba is, it's not a jacket. It won't keep you warm on a cold day unless you're riding at pace.

Castelli Alfa

It's in a class of its own. (-:

On five days this year it was. If you want to commute in it it is a different matter.

Pretty much lived in my Gabba all winter, only ever with a merino baselayer.

I guess everyone will be different.

For me the Gabba is good down to about 4° with two baselayers – so long as you keep it tempo and above.

The softshell is not similar to a Gabba at all. The Pro Team Softshell is. Hence why I said there's nothing comparable.

Jack, just be aware that softshells are very warm. I personally wouldn't ride in one, but it's a great pub jacket if you're gonna be pootling there and back. But I get very hot very easily...

Cheers all. I've been riding in a cheap Regatta soft shell with a couple of baselayers this winter and its been generally fine but the cut is crap, obviously, and my wrists freeze. Time to upgrade.

Jack - is this jacket purely for riding and commuting? If you're going to be doing pacey rides I'd recommend the pro team jacket over a softshell. Far more versatile. Wear it with only a base layer on cold days but on really cold days, wear it with a jersey too and you'll be good to go - mine has never failed me.

@JB — Yeah, to be honest, i just need a plain-ish jacket to cover my 10 or-so mile round commute and weekend rides. Usually I've got a bag on my back so the Pro Team Jacket isn't as appealing because it has all the usual jersey pockets on the back which, i imagine, would be annoying under a bag.

I used the PTJacket for commuting a lot this winter and also at weekends once it got below 6 degrees. This morning it was 2, wore the PTJ with a merino jersey under and was all good. The exterior pockets are not an issue. Only drawback I can see is I think the PTJ is not as waterproof as the softshell but I don't have one of those so can't say for sure.

The softshell is not similar to a Gabba at all. The Pro Team Softshell is. Hence why I said there's nothing comparable.

:]

Pro team jacket is one of the best bits of kit I have

OK so.... how do the Pro Team and classic Soft Shells differ? Bear in mind, i'm yet to actually get my hands on either of them!

SPAM

edit - Sold in 17 minutes.

The front panel and arms on the PTJ are windproof but the back panel isn't. The whole of the PT Softshell is windproof. The inside of the PTJ is fluffier too. There's not that much between them, TBH, although I've only worn my PT Softshell once so far.

The Classic Softshell is completely different to the PTJ.

The Classic Softshell is quite a lot like most hardshells in weight/protection and fit.

Yeah - this^. Get into the store and try both on.

I find the jersey pockets fine under a bag for the commute...

I'd still like a definitive comparison between the two ;)

If I needed two layers under a PTJ I'd have to size up.

I'd still like a definitive comparison between the two ;)