Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

They look like Honey Monster hands.

Look like an anorexic ski glove, bit overkill, but then again, I forget how cold England can get in winter...

They look more Scotland spec TBH.

Something to match the Hardshell I guess.

Made for @dammit

I bought the deep winter gloves last year. Highly recommended! Don't get effing hi-vis though...

Why not? I find it very useful for signalling.

I disagree with some of that.

If you need them. Merino knee and arm warmers by Rapha are fecking amazing. As is the merino skull cap. Weren't they on a bundle offer?

But if you need bibs....

To be fair if its as cold as last year they may be overkill at least in london?

I think I only used full fingered gloves maybe twice all winter last year.

Can they be 10x more amazing than the £3.99 planet x merino armwarmers though?

Yes. PX Merino is baggy fitting and shite. Life is simply too short.

That's not my experience, although I don't have Rapha armwarmers to compare, just baselayers.

My (carefully, 30° washed) px arm warmers have shrunk.

They're now forearmwarmers only but fit in a jersey better than ever :-/

I have both and apart from the merino ones having shrunk a little in the wash, the rapha ones also keep the wind out better. They are not the merino type but I actually prefer the rapha ones. Just wish they did a plain black design.

Weird, I've washed mine at 50° in the past and they're fine...

only trouble with the rapha one is the little stickr on one arm fell off. :( thats a tenner off the resale value right there.

Funnily enough I have the törm version of those (non-merino) and I prefer the PX merino precisely because it lets more air through, whilst still remaining warm.

Different batch/tension in the loom perhaps?

I've had a couple of Howies wool things shrink too. Does water quality or something make a difference?

I've had both. I recently Ebay'd off all my PX merino gear. One of my jerseys still had the label Attached after several years. I just dont use it as the fit, stretch, and function are just below par IMHO.

The PX armwarmers work as you'd expect merino to, although they are a little uncomfortable. The Rapha merin arm warmers have a Nice snug stretch, and actually keep the Wind out a bit. Which I didnt expect.

I wont pretend to ride around feeling the £100 hipster excess for a Rapha jersey. Its a vanity purchase for me.

But when I summit a mountain to be suddenly hit by icy Wind, while being soaked With sweat, simply roll my arm warmer back up and carry on. I am not thinking about the extra £25 they cost.

Also the PX merino beanie. Who is that designed for? I have a 60cm noggin and its still a super floppy fit. I'd sell it. But after one Wash its worthless.

I have loads of decent gear from Planet-X. That was cheap, and has served brilliantly for many years. But I cant include any of their merino stuff in that.

/end rant.

my planet x merino base layer is super itchy - is this a general trait of merino or would something nicer but pricier be softer?

The second one.

@Smallfurry

Yes. PX Merino is baggy fitting and shite. Life is simply too short.

Your too short

I am large in Rapha.
Fuck that.

I've never been a large in anything.

#Medium4Lyf
#BoycottRapha

I've never been a large in anything.

That's what she said etc.

My short stumpy arms still get cold like a 'normal' persons.

:(