Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

I don't really enjoy softshells, I like
a medium weight waterproof for days it's raining (gore-tex active or pro)
a lightweight windproof for other days / summer showers (anything cheap, often designed for runners)

I understand its a pro team fitting. Which long sleeve jersey did you wear?

I only have winter jerseys which are a little thicker compared to long sleeve jerseys. I will have to go to try it out this weekend. Hoping they have some in stock.

There is plenty room in the sleeves for thick jerseys; thats not a problem.

Thanks. Im just worried about your torso comment :)

I have pro team soft shell jacket which is snug fitting. Either way I will go and try it on this weekend.
The thing is. I wanted a do it all type jacket. I have an original hardshell, a race cape and also the rain jacket. Each has its own uses and I was on the line of thinking that the gore tex "could" replace my rain jacket and race cape all in one.
With your comment on wearing the winter jersey etc made me think it is an upgraded rain jacket but probably not as warm as the race cape.

Its definately not as warm as a race cape. The best thing to do is try it on & see.

Presumably the rapha gore jacket is just a gore shakedry c7?
Is the arm stripe worth an extra 30-40£. silly question (:

If it is basically a C7, you don't need to wear much underneath to stay warm. I've only been caught in an hour of rain but could happily ride for hours in it, even when not raining.

Blacks seem to have larger sizes at £150

Im fine for a non rapha shakedry also if the price is fair. Just because I have the £100 voucher it was just thinking out loud.
So thats why i commented on how it works vs go to jacket for rain and cold days etc. Instead of having an item for each element. I could technically sell the race cape and rain jacket to semi fund the difference and not be too out of pocket.
That was my own maths. Thanks Alan. I will factor in blacks for that matter too ! :)

No more archive stores.

https://road.cc/content/news/270197-rapha-close-two-archive-stores-firm-reverts-direct-consumer-model

Women's non padded leggings have disappeared from the website, any idea if the outlet stores still have some?

Sorry to hear about Kilver Court esp for the staff

How do the explore shoes size up? Reviews on the site suggest they come up a touch bigger than Shimano.

Edit and are they comfy? Reviews are pretty positive.

I can't compare to Shimano having previously used Giro shoes but compared to those they are true to size. I am a UK 9 in regular shoes and a 42 in the Explore works. They are really comfy to ride in, I wouldn't say they are amazingly comfy to walk long distances in but that's about what you'd expect.

I recommend them, the only thing I have an issue on is the fact that they are perforated, to me this doesn’t really make sense given that they’re marketed to be worn in all conditions. If its slightly wet out, you get wet feet. Having said that I rode them on a little tour round Belgium last summer when it was disgustingly warm and they were great.

I would say that they are pretty true to size, with a bit of room in the toe box. And yes, super comfy.

Technically... they are a gravel shoe, not an MTB shoe. Get some waterproof socks (Sealskinz or Dexshell) and some thin merino ones for them to go over. Even with wet feet, still warm.

I’m a wide 8 in proper leather shoes, 9 in trainers, I wonder is 42 going to be bang on then (true) or too large... when you say regular shoes are you taking trainers?

Resounding yes for comfy then. They looks very well priced in the sale atm

Bought the Explore in 43 to replace my 43.5 'winter' i.e. thick sock Sidis which are dead. I'd say they come up the same size but the Explore has much more room in the toe box as mentioned above.

I'd suggest this is pretty spot on: https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/stories/shoe-comparison-guide

I'm an 8.5 in my proper leather shoes.

Oh nice. Thanks.

Ordered 42, 42.5, and 43 to check

"Neck cover length exact same as Mitch Docker’s mullet"

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Wow, couldn't they at least make the pattern consistent

I went to Rapha over the weekend and tried on the shake dry. I didnt try the hooded version.
However is anyone using the hooded version. Im gutted I didnt try it for size, but perhaps could be something I can look to replace the race cape/hard shell instead. Would anyone have this as comparison?

Wapha jeans ever coming back?

Hooded version is very very good in very cold/wet weather but I found it uncomfortablely hot over 6 degrees.

Thanks Slatanic. So today would have been a perfect time to use the jacket. I mean I have used the hardshell on days where its been windy and up to 11c but with a summer baselayer. I am not that keen that the fact it has no back pockets. in which the hardshell has which is very useful.
Granted this is the reason why its a pro team jacket and not a multi purpose use.
:)

Wife bought me a brand new pair last year - from a charity shop in Crouch End for £6.