Rapha + Gore-Tex, biking in extreme weather conditions

Rapha + Gore-Tex, biking in extreme weather conditions

Staying dry on bike when there are wet conditions is extremely important for cyclists. Don’t get too hot, then, it’s the top. To this end, Rapha and the GORE-TEX brand have signed their first collaboration aimed at developing three new jackets to ride bikes with the bad weather made with the technical fabrics of GORE-TEX. Waterproof and breathable, will allow cyclists to stay dry in wet conditions, avoiding the risk of overheating and ensuring maximum comfort.

Alex Valdman, Rapha’s Creative Director, says: “Rapha and the Gore-Tex brand have always been at the forefront of technical product innovation. This collaboration marks only the beginning of our joint commitment to the development of avant-garde products in the long term. Gore-Tex is an important part in the waterproof clothing for extreme weather and we are sure that the jackets Gore-Tex Rapha will withstand the worst conditions of wet”.
Professional cyclists cannot choose when to ride a bike: they have to train every day, regardless of the weather. The Rapha Gore-Tex jackets will allow sportsmen to face a race in the rain without fear, allowing them to stay in the saddle even in the most extreme weather conditions. We are very lucky to work with the worldtour professionals of the EF Education First Pro cycling and CANYON/SRAM Racing teams. Their ability to test our products at the highest sporting levels, combined with the experience and technical skills that have made the gore-Tex brand famous, has given rise to three new Rapha waterproof jackets: The Lghtweight Pro Team Gore-Tex, the Pro Team insulated Gore-Tex and the Explore Gore-Tex.
“The collaboration between Rapha and the Gore-Tex product technologies debuting this autumn is an exciting opportunity for two brands with a strong heritage in the field of technical products”, said Rick Macdonald, European Sales Leader at W. L. Gore & Associates Division Fabrics. “These collections demonstrate the innovative and forward-looking approach of gores in the field of fabric technology for road cycling”.

The new Pro Team Lightweight waterproof jackets for men and women are made with Shakedry, a revolutionary development that uses the waterproof membrane on the outside of the double-layer construction. This means that the water forms droplets that slip away without penetrating and cooling the fabric, thus leaving the sportsman warm and dry. The highly breathable fabric allows you to face intensive training without the risk of overheating, the ideal for fast racing of professionals, while, the 49 gm2 (grams per square meter) of the gore-Tex Shakedry fabric are incredibly light and compressible. This ensures protection always at hand in case of sudden rain.
To stay warmer in the worst conditions on the road, we propose the Pro Team insulated gore-Tex jacket, with Shakedry fabric coated Polartec Alpha, a synthetic and lightweight insulation developed for the US Army, offering an extraordinary heat/weight ratio. In addition to being tested under military conditions, Polartec Alpha has been used in a series of Rapha insulating products. The gore-Tex Stretch component on hood, lumbar area and cuffs ensures a more refined fit and a storm-proof protection.
With the Gore-Tex Explore, we used the light, triple-layer gore-Tex Active fabric to create a waterproof and breathable jacket with mini-zip and hood. This model, with a comfortable and soft cut on the skin, offers exceptional comfort in the saddle and on foot, regardless of the garment below.
All Rapha Gore-Tex products are characterized by taped belts, secure finishes, ventilation to increase breathability and elastic cuffs for a storm-proof seal, while the extremely low weight provides maximum compressibility. Rapha jackets with integrated Gore-Tex technology boast Guaranteed To keep You Dry promise.