Rapha Brevet vs Le Col Pro Jersey: luxury cycling jerseys go head-to-head

Rapha Patent vs. Le Col Pro Jersey is a Clash of the Titans (things you wear on your chest when you ride a bike).

There is a reason why the pro peloton can be found in one of the best cycling jerseys, because as a good set of bib shorts or a carefully thought out pair of cycling shoes, the fit, breathability and durability. a garment’s performance can go a huge distance over big mileage.

Even if you are not convinced of the aerodynamic benefits of a quality cycling jersey, you will most certainly appreciate something that fits properly and therefore does not start to get irritated or fidgety as you go. as your mileage progresses. Believe me, two hours on a bike with something rubbing under your armpit is deeply unpleasant and can cause some discomfort the following days.

Rapha and Le Col are both deeply rooted in the best road bike team and both produce beautifully designed cycling kit parts. The stylish Le Col Pro jersey and the Brevet lightweight jersey by Rapha cost about the same, cater to the savvy / wealthy rider and feel like natural competitors. I donned my helmet, slipped into a tight-fitting polyester load, and tested the two to find out which works best on the open road.

Rapha Brevet Lightweight jersey vs Le Col Pro jersey: price and availability

In the UK you can pick up the Rapha Brevet lightweight jersey direct from rapha for £ 120. Alternatively, you can buy the Le Col Pro offer at, quite logically, The Col for £ 125.

The Rapha jersey is also available from various retailers around the world, priced around $ 180 in the United States. However, it does not appear to have entered the Australian market yet. The Col Pro Jersey is more widely available and will set you back $ 175 or AUS $ 230. Check out the pricing widgets below for the best deals on both.

Rapha Brevet vs Le Col Pro jersey: materials and cut

Let’s face it, road cycling gear is always tight, but some manufacturers are drastically wrong when it comes to size. Le Col clothing, which like many Italian-made clothing is extremely small and is worth ordering a size or two above what you would normally do with t-shirts and sweaters.

Rapha isn’t much better and it’s worth the extra caution and ordering one size over all tops. Strangely, his shorts seem more developed. In short (s), unless you are built like an up top whippet, you will find that you have to get deep into these pro spec luxury swimwear.

The Rapha Patent is made from a lightweight 100gsm polyester which doesn’t look particularly premium, but it’s a high performance fabric that offers a lot of stretch and breathability, which means you stay cool on the toughest rides. There are also mesh sides for extra cool ventilation.

The collar opts for 91% polyamide and 9% elastane, so it is immediately a little more adjusted when first put on and its silicone grip at the back grips well to the shorts when riding and stays in place. up, even when the back pockets are packed.

Rapha’s jersey is generally slightly more relaxed and its clip isn’t that aggressive, but I found it didn’t go up or come off with equally bulging pockets.

Rapha Brevet vs Le Col Pro jersey: features and style

Rapha recently redesigned his Brevet jersey so that there are now more pockets than ever before, making it perfect for those really long hikes or for venturing out a bit with maps and compasses. In addition to the traditional trio of cargo pockets on the back, there is a neat zipper on the chest, which is large enough to store cash for the return bus and a few credit cards in case of a major problem. .

Meanwhile, there is a larger secret zip pocket on the left side, which is conveniently handy when you’re on the bike. Sticking something too big here makes things pretty big, but it’s good for maps, directions, or the weird protein bar.

Finally, the back zip pocket looks perfect for a compact vest or waterproof jacket, while the traditional cargo pockets are strong enough and deep enough to keep tools and puncture repair kits safe. Granted, with all your pockets full, you’re starting to look like the Michelin man, but it’s handy to have options.

The Le Col Pro jersey is a bit more traditional and has a trio of cargo pockets on the back, one of which has a very small zippered section on the front, which is really only big enough for a key. and a few credit cards. I used my phone in the right cargo pocket, which has a neat waterproof liner and a hole for the earphone cords.

Both jerseys feature reflective details for low-light riding, although Rapha steals a few points for its sleek integration. One of its iconic Patent stripes on the chest is high visibility and the other is reflective, while another reflective strip is located on the left arm. It’s a bit of an oversight for British bikers, where the traffic will be largely overtaken on the right. Alternatively, Le Col’s reflective stripe is in the middle of the back pocket, so it makes more sense.

The style really depends on your personal preferences, but I think Rapha has his branding on point and the Rapha logo has so much cachet in cycling circles. The Le Col Pro jersey, especially in striking black and gold, looks quite classy, ​​but I’m not as big of a fan of the embroidered logo on the chest or the patch on the back.

It looks a bit cheesy and the back of the ‘The Col’ embroidered design is a bit messy, with a whimsical fabric backing that tickles the chest a bit. This support fades and peels off after a few washes but it is palpable from the first outings. There is also a large embroidered patch under the neck on the back and again you can feel it while riding. Personally, I would have thought that professional peloton jerseys like this, apparently wind tunnel tested within inches of their lifespan, would eliminate patches and embroidery in search of maximum comfort and aerodynamic gains.

That said, the rest of the interior seams are exceptional and the flat seams are nice and soft against the skin. Although I found some wayward threads around the back pocket zipper.

Rapha Brevet against Le Col Pro Maillot: performances

Without building my own wind tunnel in the garden, it’s hard to say which one is statistically better. It all depends on your personal preference, but I would say the Rapha Brevet feels like it’s more suited to runners who put in for miles, rather than run full blast.

More attention has been paid to its appearance and especially how it pairs with the brand’s collection of stylish cycling shorts and shoes, while its plethora of pockets and small details make it ideal for the loading for a long day in the saddle.

Equipment The Collar feels more useful when put on and features such as its silicone hem and grips on the sleeves ensure it stays in place when you pedal hard, while a racy collar design the makes it fast from the start. The Rapha Brevet has a raised collar to protect the neck from the sun, so you can see how the designers approached each item with different riding styles in mind.

Rapha says her clothes can be washed and dried overnight, while an antibacterial coating means hers don’t smell too much if worn at a trot for several days. However, Le Col gear is so light that it also dries incredibly quickly.

Personally, I’ve found the Ultralight Patent to be the slightly more comfortable jersey for long trips, simply because the fit isn’t as sleek or aggressive, while the myriad of vents help keep things nice and smooth. fresh. Plus, the lack of embroidered elements meant everything sat against the skin very comfortably. But these are really very minor differences.

Let’s not ignore the fact that these jerseys cost £ 120 or more which is insanely expensive for a polyester slither. I have personally found that anything that has aggressive silicone hems can disintegrate with a lot of washing, especially if it accidentally ends up in a tumble dryer.

Rapha Patent against Le Col Pro Maillot: verdict

The two jerseys take a slightly different approach and the Le Col gear is most certainly designed for marginal gains. The company claims to have been thoroughly tested on the road by its founder and former professional racer, Yanto Barker, while the time spent in the wind tunnel means that it is genuinely faster in terms of power saved over a set distance than its predecessor.

But does all of this really matter to the everyday cyclist? I don’t think so and the Rapha Brevet is by far the most practical model. Despite Le Col’s pretty cardboard display box, Rapha gear still feels more upscale and better designed for longer hours in the saddle.