Rapha Pro Team Softshell Jacket v Castelli Gabba

The Gabba is the jacket that redefined what poor-weather clothing should look like. Rather than beng a flappy waterproof shell, it has a close and stretchy fit that does a good job of being waterproof and windproof at the same time as being breathable.

The Rapha Pro Team Softshell is one of a number of jackets from different manufacturers that are looking to to take on the Gabba. I've ridden a lot in both, so how do they compare?

Fabric
At the heart of both these jackets is the breathable waterproof fabric that defines how they work. Whilst I'm sure there are lots of technical differences, they feel very similar in terms of weight and texture and perform in a similar way on the road. The Rapha jacket's seams are better sealed and it's probably warmer overall but there's not much in it.

Fit
I've found the jackets size differently: I'm an XL in the Castelli and a large in the Rapha. For me the Rapha is a better fit overall: I like the high collar and the fit around the arms and shoulders is good for me. The Castelli is good too, although I’m not a fan of the exaggerated flap at the back (it’s designed to keep the mud off but it doesn’t really work for me).

Style
A subjective one but Rapha scores well here. The reflective patches are subtle but give a good effect, and there are a range of shades beyond the usual primary colour offerings for this type of jacket.

Price
Neither of these are cheap options, and at full price are in the £150-£200 range, but you can usually find them cheaper online and you'll generally find better deals on the more widely available Gabba. These jackets are hard wearing so it’s worth checking eBay for a used one in good condition, you’ll find loads of Gabbas there.

Features
The Rapha jacket has more features, and I particularly like the wipe-clean patch on the rear pocket which really helps on wet rides.

Overall
These are both great jackets, but for me the Rapha Pro Team Softshell is probably the best cycling jacket you can buy. It looks great and fits well and manages to be warm yet breathable across a range of weather conditions. I've found that with a light long-sleeve merino base layer underneath this jacket will cope with most autumn and winter weather in the UK (with perhaps an extra layer added for the coldest days). Importantly for a jacket you expect to last, I've used mine regularly over the last year, with dozens of 30 degree washes in the machine, and it's not showing any noticeable signs of wear.

Comments

Nitto S83 v Thomson Elite seatpost

If you're looking for a high quality alloy seatpost then two that stand out are the Nitto S83 and the Thomson Elite. I own both, so how do they compare? Looks The S83 is a smooth, classic looking seatpost which is similar to road seatposts of a few decades ago. The Thomson has more of an industrial look, particularly with its textured machined surface. Versions Thomson have loads of different versions available: in just about every combination of length and diameter you could want. The S83 is more limited, but if you like something a bit different you won't see so many of them out there on other bikes. Weight Thomson is a clear winner here. Depending on the exact version you get it's around 200 grams, which is pretty good for an alloy post. The Nitto is around 100 grams heavier. Saddle clamp The Thomson uses a tried and tested two bolt design which uses surprisingly small diameter bolts, but grips securely. The S83 uses large diameter bolts and is probab

Nitto S83 Seatpost Review

So, first things first: if you judge a seatpost by maximum lightness for minimum money then you might as well stop reading now, this isn't for you. However, if you're looking for a quality seatpost and weight is a secondary issue then read on. The S83 is a beautifully crafted piece of engineering that has a quality finish. It's a nice alternative to all the black carbon out there and looks particularly good on a steel or titanium bike. Most of the ones you'll find have got a silver finish, although black ones are available, you might need to search a bit on the internet and perhaps order directly from Japan. One issue that frustrates me with some seatposts is the poor quality of the saddle clamps, which can be flexy, with poor quality easily rounded bolts, often in the name of reducing weight. No such issues with the S83, which has large, high quality bolts that grip the saddle firmly. Both of the bolts are accessed from below making adjustment straig

Rapha Classic Gloves Review

These full-fingered gloves from Rapha have quite a different feel to any other cycling gloves you might try. Slipping them on you feel like you should be getting ready to drive a classic MG rather than ride a bike. They have a great soft feel, the leather palms in particular are beautifuly made and surprisingly supple. The gloves are thinner and more grippy than most full winter gloves, which definitely helps to give a better feel on the bars and better control of the gears and brakes. Despite the thin construction they are warm enough for most UK autumn and winter conditions, and only when the temperature has been around freezing have I wanted something warmer. There’s not a lot of padding in these gloves, just a small pad on the palm. This suits me as I think it gives a better feel. The gloves also have a close, fitted feel which works well without being constricting or making the gloves difficult to take on and off. The workmanship on these gloves is first rate, with detail

Justcyclingstuff

Search This Blog