Established in 2004, it didn’t take long for Rapha to become a household name in cycling apparel and as such enjoys a dedicated following around the world. The products it manufactures are high quality and well designed and it has also carved out a very specific niche for itself in the cycling market. Rapha positions its brand on the lifestyle and adventure of cycling and that means doing things differently.
The brand mainly sells through its own online store and clubs, so the discounts are not as abundant as other brands. However, there are still some Rapha deals available if you know where to look, and in our experience the best place to look is the Archive Sale at Rapha.cc.
“Archive Sale” is Rapha’s name for discontinued items, so you may not see this year’s colors, but the discounts are often deep and regularly include products with a full range of sizes. It’s the same quality but not in the latest shades and styles, so if you’re looking to save some money, this is the place to do it. However, there is a finite amount of product and once it’s gone, it’s gone.
While the archival sale offers options for great deals on past items, it doesn’t help if you have your eye on something current. It may help to know that discounts on current items are virtually non-existent, meaning there’s no reason to worry about a price drop soon after making a purchase. There is, however, another option: if you buy more than one item anyway, you can bundle them together and save money on the set.
The best Rapha offers
Below you’ll find a hand-picked selection of our best deals on Rapha clothing and accessories, organized by price with options and prices for our UK, US, Australian and EU audiences.
But who is Rapha?
In 2004 Simon Mottram looked at the landscape of cycling clothing available and decided there was a gap in the market. He introduced Rapha with the aim of blending high fashion and high performance into one particular style. The result combines a simple yet bold style with high quality designs and fabrics. At one time Rapha was exclusively a road cycling brand and they still have a strong connection to road cycling. They sponsor the EF Education-Easypost WorldTour teams and the Canyon SRAM women’s team and are well represented in our road-focused buying guides, such as best cycling shorts, best cycling jerseys, best cycling shoes , etc At the same time, Rapha has doubled down on a sort of trekker, or audax, style of cycling that focuses more on adventure than on the road surface. With the new focus came new clothing options to cover gravel cycling and even mountain bike clothing.
Rapha’s well-thought-out kit caters to all levels of riders, whether you’re just starting out with their more affordable Core line or leading the pack in the WorldTeam kit worn by EF Education-Nippo and Canyon-SRAM. Rapha not only makes cycling clothing and accessories, but also casual clothing suitable for commuting, casual riding and wearing off the bike.
The brand’s loyal following is well deserved; Not only are Rapha clothing consistently well-reviewed, but they also stand out for the quality of their products. All of Rapha’s riding collections are backed by a 30-day free returns period, free crash repair service and even a 50% discount as part of its jersey discount offer.
Beyond apparel, Rapha works hard to build cycling communities by sponsoring unique events and through its global RCC (Rapha Cycling Club) community. If you decide to go all-in with Rapha and join RCC, you’ll be in the company of over 12,000 members and gain access to a host of perks and benefits. There are special group rides, a members-only kit and 50% off coffee at Rapha Clubs. If you travel often, RCC bike rental is an advantage that could be particularly useful. Access to a top quality bike and computer with local routes is hard to come by without RCC.
Rapha not for you?
Don’t worry, there are plenty of quality clothes on sale from top brands. Check out our cycling clothing guide for fantastic deals including Assos, Gore, Endura, Castelli and more.
