LE GUIDE DE LA SUPERPOSITION RAPHA
La logique de la superposition : ou comment maîtriser les conditions variables
Il est 20h un vendredi soir. Demain, vous partez pour une sortie longue, du genre de celles auxquelles vous n’avez cessé de penser depuis lundi matin. Vous checkez la météo. La température qu’il fera, quelle sera l’orientation du vent, les probabilités de précipitations annoncées : une véritable plongée dans le monde de la data et des statistiques. Mais comment interpréter tous ces chiffres et toutes ces données ? Comment en faire quelque chose pour savoir comment se vêtir afin de rester confortable durant toute la durée de la sortie ?
Créer une superposition pour sa tenue peut s’avérer compliqué, surtout lorsque l’on a le choix entre différentes matières offrant toutes des avantages divers selon la météo et l’objectif de la sortie. Mais avec une intention bien définie, et un vestiaire complet et varié, vous serez toujours en mesure de pouvoir créer une tenue qui s’adapte comme il faut aux conditions et à l’effort que vous devez fournir.
En règle générale, quelles que soient les conditions météorologiques, lorsque vous partez pour une sortie rythmée avec des phases d’intensité élevée, optez pour des produits de notre collection Pro Team, dont les matières conviennent aux efforts soutenus. Pour les sorties où le rythme alternera ou celles, plus longues, où l’écart de température pourra être important, la collection Brevet couvrira vos arrières dans toutes les situations. Pour les sorties à rythme constant, accordez-vous le luxe et le confort de notre collection Classic, ou optez pour des produits issus de la gamme Core, plus abordable et très confortable elle aussi. Les maillots de corps techniques, les « Base Layers », constituent la base d’une sortie réussie et sont conçus pour être portés avec toutes nos collections.
SYSTEM OVERVIEW
DEEP WINTER DEFENCE
For the coldest and windiest days, utilise brushed-back synthetic materials and wind-blocking membranes to trap warm air and manage moisture.
COLD TO COOL MODULARITY
Opt for a versatile system using a Merino Base Layer and a long-sleeve jersey for exceptional temperature regulation across wide ranges.
MILD WEATHER VERSATILITY
A modular approach is best, combining lightweight jerseys with insulated jackets or gilets to fine-tune your microclimate as the mercury rises.
HOT WEATHER PERFORMANCE
Focus on pinnacle moisture management and evaporative heat loss through open-knit structures and synthetic mesh foundations.
COLD: SUB-ZERO TO 6°C
FROID À FRAIS : DE MOINS DE ZÉRO À 12 °C
Maximum protection for freezing starts and biting wind chill.
Throughout cold winter days, your base layer is an essential starting point. To achieve maximum warmth, reach for layers that use brushed-back and gridded material structures. These trap air between the yarns, which then warms with your body temperature. Because cold wind can disrupt this warmth as it cuts through open materials, select layers with wind-blocking properties to counteract this cooling effect.
KEY COMPONENTS
Winter Tights are a must-have for comfort during the coldest days. Our Pro Team Winter Tights give you complete protection from wind and rain by using a three-layer membrane: the warmest combination we offer.
MATERIALS
For the coldest days, our Thermal Base Layer uses technical Polartec® fabric for supreme warmth. The brushed-back finish and grid pattern create air pockets trapped between the skin and the surface of the material for an exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio.
CONDITIONS
If changeable conditions are predicted for a higher-tempo ride, the Pro Team Shadow Winter Jacket ticks every box. With a grid fleece backer, fine-tuned membrane, and fully taped seams, it offers protective performance against wind and rain. This allows you to forego packing a rain shell unless the weather is truly inclement.
COLD TO COOL: 6°C TO 12°C
FROID À FRAIS : DE 5 °C À 12 °C
Modular layers for mixed-tempo rides and wide temperature swings.
In cool and mild weather, adjust your layering system to maintain a comfortable body temperature. Base Layers are increasingly desirable here as they efficiently regulate thermal comfort, absorb moisture, and resist odours. For exceptional all-day or multi-day comfort, pair these with our long-sleeve jerseys
KEY COMPONENTS
You may still need thermal bib tights if the weather is on the colder side. Our thermal base layers still perform well in cool conditions, but pair them with lighter-weight jerseys, or combine a jersey with a jacket or gilet for a modular approach to layering. This allows you to fine-tune your core temperature as the ride progresses.
MATERIALS
Our Rapha Performance Merino blend uses a mix of synthetic and merino yarns to create a superior balance of moisture management and luxurious next-to-skin feel. In the Brevet Merino Long Sleeve Jersey, this works to move moisture from your base layer to the outside of the material.
CONDITIONS
Master variable conditions with a modular layering strategy. Pair a temperature-appropriate base layer with a long-sleeve jersey, a gilet, or a lightweight jacket, giving you the flexibility to shed or add layers as the forecast evolves.
MILD: 12°C TO 18°C
DOUX : DE 12 °C À 18 °C
Breathable foundations for high-output training.
Even when the weather warms up, your layering strategy matters. Managing heat is a delicate balance; getting too hot is just as disruptive as catching a chill. You can achieve the perfect thermal equilibrium by pairing a light jersey with an insulated outer layer, or a midweight jersey with a thin base layer and a gilet.
KEY COMPONENTS
Our Pro Team Lightweight Tights provide full-length coverage in a lightweight package for higher-tempo riding. Alternatively, Bib Shorts and Leg Warmers are an excellent option for versatility: you can strip off the warmers should the temperature rise. Short-sleeve jerseys with arm warmers also allow for incremental protection.
MATERIALS
Our lightweight synthetic base layers are the choice for pinnacle moisture management. Layering these underneath our short-sleeve or lightweight long-sleeve jerseys accelerates evaporative heat loss through rapid moisture wicking across the surface of the material.
CONDITIONS
If it is dry, or you do not want to compromise on breathability, consider packing a lightweight wind or rain shell in your pocket. These lightweight layers can be removed and stored with ease once the intensity increases.
WARM TO HOT: 18°C TO 25°C
Engineered for high-output training in warm 18–25°C conditions
As the air warms, your layering strategy moves toward active cooling and consistent airflow. In these conditions, efficient moisture wicking is the key to maintaining a high pace without the discomfort of sweat-soaked fabric. Maintaining a steady core temperature is vital; managing excess body heat is just as important as protecting against a cooling breeze. Achieve the perfect balance by pairing a breathable technical base layer with a lightweight jersey, or use a short-sleeve jersey to provide the right blend of protection and permeability.
KEY COMPONENTS
In warm conditions, choose our short-sleeve jerseys, designed to be layered with a thin base layer for optimal moisture transport during sustained efforts.
MATERIALS
To assist your body’s natural cooling, layer with a fine-gauge synthetic mesh. This structure creates a capillary action that pulls sweat away from the skin and into your jersey, where it can evaporate quickly in the wind.
Conditions
These lightweight synthetic foundations are built for high-tempo riding in warm, shifting environments. Helping you stay dry and regulated so you can focus on the intervals ahead rather than the rising temperature.
HIGH HEAT: 25°C+
CHAUD : 18 °C ET +
Engineered for high-output training in 25°C+ heat.
When the temperature soars, your layering strategy shifts from insulation to maximum ventilation. In extreme heat, efficient moisture wicking is the difference between a breakthrough session and total heat exhaustion. Managing your core temperature is critical; heat soak can end a ride faster than any headwind. Achieve total thermal regulation by pairing an ultralight mesh base layer with a ventilated summer jersey, or opt for a UV-protective jersey alone to maximize direct airflow and rapid sweat evaporation.
KEY COMPONENTS
On the hottest days, opt for our lightweight jerseys or Pro Team Ghost System, which is intended to be worn without a base layer.
MATERIALS
To maximise evaporative heat loss, layer under a lightweight synthetic jersey with an open-knit structure, which allows for increased airflow to cool the sweat on your skin.
CONDITIONS
Synthetic lightweight base layers are designed for high-output riding in hot and humid conditions. They facilitate the conversion of liquid sweat into vapour: an essential regulator that accounts for the majority of heat loss during exercise.
LA TOUCHE FINALE : PROTÉGER LES EXTRÉMITÉS
Pour qu’un système de couches superposées fonctionne bien, il faut protéger les points qui demeurent exposés. Lorsque la température chute ou que le vent se lève, votre buste peut rester au chaud, mais votre performance dépendra du confort que vous ressentirez au niveau des points de contact. Nos accessoires, qui vont des jambières et manchettes fines, aux gants imperméables, sont conçus pour s’intégrer parfaitement à votre maillot et à votre veste. En ajoutant à votre tenue un couvre-chef, une casquette technique par exemple, pour retenir la chaleur, et des surchaussures solides, pour vous protéger contre les éclaboussures de la route, vous bénéficierez de la modularité nécessaire pour vous adapter instantanément aux conditions changeantes, et garantir que votre équipement soit aussi polyvalent que le terrain sur lequel vous roulez.
Complétez votre tenue
