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Tech specs
Price: $365 / £275 / €320
Sizes: XS to XXL
Colours: Three
Weight: 232 grams – Small
Material: 73% recycled nylon / 27 elastane
At the end of September last year, Rapha relaunched its Shadow clothing range after a few years of it being out of the line. There is now a new Pro Team Shadow collection, comprised of pieces designed for ‘the toughest racing and training conditions’. The range is currently made up of a jacket, long sleeve jersey, and a gilet.
I’ve been testing the long sleeve Pro Team Shadow jersey since just after launch, and have ridden with it through late summer, autumn and the depths of winter at home in the UK to see how it stands up against the best cycling jerseys.
This is the thinner, lightweight jersey, not the heavier-weight Shadow jacket. The brand says it is breathable, windproof and water-resistant, with a temperature rating guide of 5-12 °C / 41-53°F, which should suit autumn, winter, and spring riding, depending on what you are doing.
In theory, that description gives you a thin long-sleeve jersey that is a little jacket-like to wear in cool to cold temperatures over a base layer, negating the need for a full-blown winter jacket.
What it isn’t, however, is cheap, with an RRP of $365 / £275 / €320. For this price, top-level performance is required.
I’ve put more time than usual into testing this piece; its performance has disappointed me in a few areas, and I’ve repeatedly wondered about where it performs best.
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Design and aesthetics
The Pro Team Shadow Jersey comes in both mens and womens versions, and there’s a choice of three colours for the men and two for the women.
Curiously, the Aqua/White reflective (pictured) colour I have been testing seems to have been switched out from the mens options. I have got in touch with…
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