The Rapha Core Winter Jacket is an impressively specced jacket given it sits in the Core range, Rapha’s more budget lineup, which is below the pricier Classic, Pro Team and Brevet lines. The Core Winter Jacket misses out on the heavier weatherproofing found on the Pro Team winter jacket but still has a DWR treatment and fleeced internal lining for insulation and weatherproofing.
Additional features such as storm cuffs boost insulation further while more breathable rear-facing panels assist in insulation. Reflective detailing and large cargo pockets add to the great performance at good value.
Related questions you can explore with Ask Cyclist, our new AI search engine.
If you would like to ask your own question you just need to Login, Register or subscribe.
Rapha Core Winter Jacket design and specs
The Rapha Core Winter Jacket is made up of 49% recycled polyester, 42% new polyester and 9% polyurethane, and features an array of features aimed at improving performance in wintery weather. The front of the jacket uses a wind-blocking material with a DWR coating for protection in showers. This material is also designed to be breathable internally and aid sweat-wicking without affecting warmth. On the upper back, side panels and underarms a knitted fleece material is used to again boost insulation.
The sleeves feature Rapha’s Storm Cuff where there is a more flexible internal cuff to stop airflow up the sleeve and a looser external cuff to fit over gloves and provide ample warmth and protection from the elements. For visibility, there is a reflective arm cuff on the upper arm, with additional reflective tabs on the hem and rear of the arm. The jacket uses three pockets at the rear with a zippered valuables pocket as well.
Sizing covers XS to XXL and five colours are available. Recommended temperature use is 1-8˚C.
Rapha Core Winter Jacket performance
The Rapha Core Winter Jacket is straight away a very comfortable jacket. The fit is close, but more towards the relaxed end of things than the race fit of its Pro Team range. Testing the jacket in proper wintery conditions where temperatures were between -1 and 5˚, the insulation of this jacket was very impressive.
Internally the jacket features a fleece lining that works brilliantly to keep you warm, even when standing still in colder conditions. However, it does this without sacrificing too much in terms of breathability. It does so due to the front-facing panels featuring more wind and water resistance to provide a great level of waterproofing to reduce the chance of cooling down too much. However the rear-facing panels are more breathable, allowing excessive heat built up during efforts to dissipate quite nicely. I found this perfect for single figure temperatures, however above 10˚ the jacket does become uncomfortably warm, but it is a winter jacket after all.
Another key feature that I loved about this jacket is the Storm Cuffs. Normally found on skiing jackets, the Storm Cuff features two cuffs, one elasticated internal cuff that prevents wind from going up the sleeve and a thicker external one. When wearing winter gloves the external sleeve fits over the cuff of the gloves while the internal one goes under. The result is almost no air can move up the sleeve of the jacket, which really boosts insulated in cold and windy conditions. It’s a feature I’ve not seen on most winter cycling jackets but is a truly great addition.
I also appreciate the large and thick zip tab on the front of the jacket. This zip tab is very easy to operate even when wearing thicker gloves, so it makes unzipping to regulate temperature a bit, say when riding up steep climbs, very easy. On the rear pockets, this design is also carried over to the valuables pocket zip, again handy for getting cash out for any winter cafe stops. The main pockets themselves are well positioned to make accessing them easy when riding and deep enough to easily accommodate a large phone, a packable jacket and plenty of food.
A critique I sometimes have of Rapha kit recently has been that the bold and brash bright colours of the past have been replaced by more muted ones. Stylish, but blacks and dark blues are not the best for winter cycling. Fortunately, the Core Winter jacket is available in both those darker colours but also the bright orange tested. Add to that the reflective armband and tabs on the rear and visibility is great out on the road in almost any conditions. I’m also very impressed with the value, as at £150 this jacket offers incredible performance for the price. The DWR treatment won’t keep heavy rain from penetrating the fabric, but thanks to the levels of insulation it doesn’t negatively affect internal temperature.
Rapha Core Winter Jacket review verdict
The Rapha Core Winter jacket is all the winter jacket that most people could ever need. Incredible levels of insulation make it perfect for low single-figure temperatures, while decent breathability means it can be used for higher intensity sessions as well. It’s also nicely practical, with a great fit, making it exceptionally good value as well.
