New Women's Classic Collection

An evolution of the first jersey we ever made, the Classic Jersey II has a highly refined design. But some things never change – the jersey is still made with our own merino wool blend fabric, a natural wonder material that is ideally suited to riding in changeable autumn and winter conditions.

A ride in the mountains can feel like a trip through all of the seasons in one day. Where better to reaffirm the versatility of our Rapha Performance Merino (RPM 150) fabric, used in our Classic Jerseys?

Our most recent high altitude test took us to Colorado where riders wore our Classic Jersey II throughout, from valley roads to altitudes approaching 4,000 metres on the iconic ascent of Independence Pass. Climbing over a thousand metres from the high altitude ski town of Aspen, weather conditions on the pass can be extremely varied. Thicker than other fabrics used in cycling clothing, merino has a highly breathable, hydrophilic interior that wicks moisture away from the skin and releases it as vapour, regulating body temperature in the process. The sweat-wicking properties and breathability of the fabric helped prevent overheating in warmer temperatures, particularly on the lower slopes of long climbs. By trapping a layer of air against your skin, the fabric also provides additional insulation as the temperature dropped towards the summit and on descents.

Meanwhile, the outside of the fabric is hydrophobic, meaning that it sheds water and provides additional warmth and protection in a downpour. When riding in changeable conditions, there’s no fabric more adaptable than merino. As the racing season draws to a close, many cyclists head out purely for the pleasure of riding. The added thickness and versatility of merino is ideally suited to more casual riding. After your ride, the softness of merino feels amazing when recovering with a coffee.