Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

A quick 12 mile dash home in the pissing rain was a delight in the PS rain jacket.

Anyone feel they "will be able to marry a café, clothing retail and a brand experience to articulate what Rapha means in a physical space" ?!

Google translate is no help. Anyone?

+1 on emailing them. Customer Services are very good. They might well refund / replace as they care about their image / service.

Back to the Rapha Classic Softshell Vs. Swrve Milwaukee.
Which is the most waterproof?
And does anyone want to swap a Swrve for a softshell? :)

I haz 2 Milwaukees and would never wear either of them for cycling. They somehow manage to be too hot but also draughty (not in a breathable sense). And as for the hood, well, you can't wear it because it blows off - so it just sits there as a massive wind-break that you can't see past. One also has a faulty zip - albeit usable. I love Swrve stuff and they are great for off the bike - I'm just not sure why anyone would ride in one.

I'd swap both for one softshell! ;)

There's been a few more items added to the sale - mostly bibs and accesories.

Rapha - why you bring out the ladies' 'rain jacket in blue NOW? I waited all Autumn for it so got it in grey at Christmas :(

Return it?
http://www.rapha.cc/search/returns

I need some jacket advice.
I'd like to trade in my swrve Milwaukee and am considering the Rapha Bomber Jacket and the Classic Softshell. Bearing in mind it only needs to get me through this remaining British winter before hopefully the coldest temperature I will have to endure will be 6º, but a fair amount of rain.
So how warm and waterproof are both of these?
Thanks y'all.

The softshell isn't that warm per say. It really is just a shell. It's does need a base layer (or two) but once you're going it does heat up a treat.. I've been in absolute downpours in it and it has not let me down once. In fact I'm amazed at the level of waterproofness given it's a shell.

It is without doubt the best piece of cycle clothing I own.

Can't comment on the Swrve.

That's good recommendation, cheers Brave.
I have the Swrve but think it will be too much for Oz. It's uber waterproof and very warm once you get going. Too warm for this winter so far fwiw.

So it might be a good level for a Melbourne winter then?

I've got both and, as Brave says, the Softshell is pretty good in the rain, although it does lose it's waterproofness over time so you need to Nikwax it now and again.

The Fixed Jacket is warm, but is not waterproof at all so even a light shower will soak through.

bomber jacket about the right level of warmth, it's a bit too hot and a bit too drafty, if you know what I mean. not waterproof at all.

Wore my Milwakee today, over an icebreaker merino long sleeve, quite a pleasant temperature and bone dry when I arrived at work.

Is the Rapha softshell this sort of jacket- i.e. commuting, or more for "proper" riding?

(I ordered another pair of Rapha bibs yesterday)

I'll add my voice to the above sentiments. I've had both for a while now. I use the softshell a lot. It is a much better all round jacket than I imagined it would be. A decent level of warmth and the pit zips add a nice bit of ventilation. At the moment, I have been riding in it with a base layer and mid layer of some sort underneath and it has been spot on - for 'proper' weekend riding as well as commuting and general about town riding. I brought the bomber jacket a couple of seasons ago as I liked the idea of a less techy jacket to knock about in that didn't have rear jersey pockets, overt cycle styling etc. However, I don't wear it as much as the softshell.

This winter I've not needed more than the Classic Softshell and a base layer - usually a short sleeve Rapha merino baselayer but once or twice I've worn a longsleeve Helly Hansen one. It's plenty warm enough for London winters. Although I do tend to 'run hot', as someone described it. It's breathable though, definitely a 'proper' riding jacket.

The specs for the bomber jacket say 'weatherproof'.
So clearly the softshell is the way to go. Awesome, thanks everyone!

I wore my Milwaulkee today over a merino base and rode in relatively quickly. I couldn't tell if I was more or less sweaty than I would've been in the SJoD (RIP) but it's a nicer jacket and definitely feels warmer. Water was beading off it. The hood is slightly annoying - I wish it would zip off - doesn't obstruct my view or anything it's just a redundant piece of fabric for my needs. Still, this was 1/3 the price of a Rapha softshell and although Brave raves.. I'm not sure it's justifiable. I'm less concerned about getting wet, more with getting cold. Spring/Autumn might prove tricky if this jacket is as warm as people reckon. How durable is the Rapha shell - who's been using one the longest? Do you ride with a bag over it?

Does anyone have any experience of the MW Orion? (I know, I know, jacket thread >>> ). It seems to be V Pricey, but also rather nice. Might it be one to look at, Wicksie?

mine is 3 years old, ridden with a bag on top and the only bit that has suffered is the trim on the drop down cuff with the thumbhole

otherwise fairly much mint condition, though it needs to be washed with nikwax at some point

it has become mildly stinky

Is the Rapha softshell this sort of jacket- i.e. commuting, or more for "proper" riding?

(I ordered another pair of Rapha bibs yesterday)

I use the softshell to commute and weekend "roadie" training rides and find it suits both.

BTW. Mrs Brave has the woman's version and the cut is fantastic.

Mine is also 3 years old. It's taken a couple of big tumbles as well and hasn't scuffed or worn at all.

I wash with nikwax and softshell proof once a year after the winter

i have found mine a little too warm for a lot of this winter, best used for temps under 10 degrees

The specs for the bomber jacket say 'weatherproof'.

not even remotely - I wear it a lot but I think it's really an off-the-bike jacket.

I run naturally half a degree warmer than the rest of the planet. BS (before Softshell) I wore a North Face Windstopper with two layers underneath - generally some merino and such like. AS (After Softshell) I wear simply a merino layer and the Softshell.

It's like skiing - I can wear fewer layers and make a point of keeping on the move, but if there's a long chairlift then I generally get rather cold. Or wear more layers and sweat like I've been mastubating for a month.

Top information!

Had my softshell for at least 5 years...possibly 6 I think (I'm pretty sure I had it when I started going out with my girlfriend over 5yrs ago). It's still great. The only damage is the end of zip on the zipped pocket came off so it's 'tricky' (i.e. mildly less easy) to undo it and the Rapha on the arse panel has pretty much fallen off.

As everyone says it's warm. I only put mine on at about 6/7 degrees otherwise I overheat.

I don't care about the rain/it's waterproofness, as cold and wet only adds to my enjoyment of the pain cave. I don't ever remember it beign waterproof as such but it wicks it away and if you are using if for a commute if you get soaked on the way in it's dry by the time you go home.

My two cents: I have the softshell since a couple of months. Bought it for a fair price from someone who'd only worn it a couple of times, along with the winter thights (which are fantastic, I might add).

I was under the impression that I could wear it a bit more versatile, but simply walking around in it proved not te be a good option (too cold) and neither did cycling around 10 degrees (too hot).

So yeah, it's definitely a winter shell. And as such it only works for me when I'm on the bike, working up a sweat. And like others have stated - then it warms up quickly. Even a couple degrees above zero, I've only needed a baselayer and some arm warmers.