Rapha Special Edition Wool Jacket

[ANAO]

They just released this for $500.

https://dyzmn8020x6cd.cloudfront.net/sys-master/products/h09/hcc/9184840777758/CWW01XXBLU-Product-H217-01_SMALL

https://www.rapha.cc/us/en_US/shop/special-edition-wool-softshell-jacket/product/CWW01XX

[Mzilliox]

it both adds watts and lowers weight, thus the price. because otherwise its a jacket right?

[Veloo]

Is it wool or "woolen acrylic"?

[ANAO]

Is it wool or "woolen acrylic"?

Does that actually matter?

[R3awak3n]

yes, $500 is stupid for a jacket BUT, before we go on a rapha hate sink hole, it is a colaboration with Loro Piana (which I had never heard of but) which jackets go for $3000 +

[El Chaba]

yes, $500 is stupid for a jacket BUT, before we go on a rapha hate sink hole, it is a colaboration with Loro Piana (which I had never heard of but) which jackets go for $3000 +

Awesome...So by buying this jacket, you can SAVE $2500!

[drewellison]

The zipper is off center. That adds hundreds to the manufacturing cost. Plus, wearing an off center zippered jacket makes you look intentional-design-centric, and the chicks go wild over that.

[BumbleBeeDave]

. . . enough cyclists out there with huge piles of money they don't know what to do with in order to keep Rapha in business. I have no doubt they will sell all of whatever limited run they do of this jacket.

I can rationalize spending big bucks on something vital for endurance comfort, like bibs, as different brands have different fits and pads, and those can really contribute to individual comfort on long rides.

But a jacket like this? And so many other of their products where way cheaper alternatives can be found that must work at least 95+% as well? I don't hate Rapha. I just don't get it why people are willing to pay their prices. Just to be in the Rapha Kool Kidz Klub? Maybe it's these folks? . . .

http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20171204-how-is-extreme-luxury-defined

BBD

[Bentley]

yes, $500 is stupid for a jacket BUT, before we go on a rapha hate sink hole, it is a colaboration with Loro Piana (which I had never heard of but) which jackets go for $3000 +

Not sure Loro Piana makes the Jacket. If you wear suits (unfortunately I do) I believe they are one of the top providers of fabric (generally wool and other natural fibers) for suits. They also do Cashmere and have a patented way of twisting the Cashmere “threads” so they repel water.

I would share you see their label in better (more expensive) suits, but I think they are like BASF, they make the fabric, not the jacket.

Ray

[CNY rider]

Awesome...So by buying this jacket, you can SAVE $2500!

Never have I so wanted a "like" button on this site.:banana:

[bicycletricycle]

I think that this jacket represents an interesting proposition for consumers. The suede shoulders really push it over the top to me, are there enough wealthy luxury/casual/cyclists/enthusiasts for these products to survive?

I fit this description pretty well, I can afford that jacket, I commute to work on bike and don't wear "standard cycling kit" doing it but find street clothes a little troublesome sometimes and I am a creative professional who can get away with wearing non standard issue dress clothes to meetings.

I don't own a suit and feel uncomfortable and awkward in dress clothes in general, perhaps companies like Rapha can provide me with "active" luxury clothing?

Obviously the price is silly if one only judges clothing based on utility, however, I would suggest that almost nobody does that. Clothing projects who we want to be and how we want to be treated to the world, pretending you don't know this or don't care about it is denial.

[cow]

The zipper is off center. That adds hundreds to the manufacturing cost. Plus, wearing an off center zippered jacket makes you look intentional-design-centric, and the chicks go wild over that.

I can see a scenario where someone will try to no-handed zip up their off-center jacket & lose their balance. At least they'll have a chance to try out the Rapha Crash Repair service?

[azrider]

They just released this for $500.

https://dyzmn8020x6cd.cloudfront.net/sys-master/products/h09/hcc/9184840777758/CWW01XXBLU-Product-H217-01_SMALL

https://www.rapha.cc/us/en_US/shop/special-edition-wool-softshell-jacket/product/CWW01XX

and cover up my tats? Pfffft............

[rallizes]

Is it wool or "woolen acrylic"?

93% wool
5% silk
2% elastane

[AngryScientist]

yes, $500 is stupid for a jacket

is it though?

its not much more than a good gore-tex jacket, and certainly less than all those Canada Goose jackets literally everyone in NYC seemed to have a couple years ago.

it's a downright bargain compared to other men's dress clothing, especially outerwear.

i have one of the original edition rapha softshell jackets that i must have bought 7 or so years ago, and it still sees regular use, without any discernible wear.

so, given all that, i dont think $500 bucks is an unreasonable number for that jacket at all, personally.

[AngryScientist]

oh-by-the-way

with Rapha's absolutely ridiculous business/pricing model, similar to Nashbar or Performance bike NO ONE is going to actually pay $500 for the thing, you just wait for a coupon or it goes on clearance sale.

with how often they post coupons and sales, you've got to be crazy to pay full sticker for anything Rapha.

[ANAO]

Doesn't TORM sell these for $80?

Discuss.

is it though?

its not much more than a good gore-tex jacket, and certainly less than all those Canada Goose jackets literally everyone in NYC seemed to have a couple years ago.

it's a downright bargain compared to other men's dress clothing, especially outerwear.

i have one of the original edition rapha softshell jackets that i must have bought 7 or so years ago, and it still sees regular use, without any discernible wear.

so, given all that, i dont think $500 bucks is an unreasonable number for that jacket at all, personally.

[AngryScientist]

Doesn't TORM sell these for $80?

Discuss.

doesnt nashbar make these for about $90 on sale?

Discuss

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171119/e0697ad81ab076d3f31d54c847a4b551.jpg

[instantturtle]

I can see a scenario where someone will try to no-handed zip up their off-center jacket & lose their balance. At least they'll have a chance to try out the Rapha Crash Repair service?



Or could it be ergonomic for right handed riders? I can imagine it’s a more natural length for righties to unzip from that length.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ANAO]

doesnt nashbar make these for about $90 on sale?

Discuss

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171119/e0697ad81ab076d3f31d54c847a4b551.jpg

:banana::banana::banana:

I literally laughed out loud.

[AngryScientist]

:banana::banana::banana:

I literally laughed out loud.

:hello:

[ANAO]

:hello:

I love my TORM, and just reminded myself maybe I should order a second one.

Things I would rather spend $500 on:

2 monthly car payments
A power meter
8 nights of gifts for my wife.
8 nights of gifts for my daughter + 7 nights of gifts for my wife.
1.5 custom Indochino suits
A Filson wristwatch
A Filson coat + a Filson vest
Cordovan shoes, sized 9.5 (or 9 on a barrie last)
A sampling of custom sterling Jen Green headbadges for my bikes
A small printing business that's about to go under for me to enjoy the resurgence of the printing press, or fail and enjoy a lesson in failed investments.

[torquer]

yes, $500 is stupid for a jacket BUT, before we go on a rapha hate sink hole, it is a colaboration with Loro Piana (which I had never heard of but) which jackets go for $3000 +

Loro Piano makes fabrics for other clothiers, none of them cheap but not necessarily $3 large, either. Seems like all the Italians have moved into the super-luxury realm, but this may be a way for them to maintain volume without moving (their own) production to Asia.
It still breaks my heart to recall leaving my LP "horsey" jacket (designed for the Italian equestrian team at the '92 Olympics) on Metro North, never to be seen again. Wasn't four figures, but worth every lira in any case.

[Drmojo]

Vulpine
the "other" uber high end Brit cycling clothing joint
No contest
Vulpine is so much better in so many ways.
Their biz model is more urban/inclusive, female cycling friendly, better photos, etc etc etc

[azrider]

I love my TORM, and just reminded myself maybe I should order a second one.

Things I would rather spend $500 on it:

2 monthly car payments
A power meter
8 nights of gifts for my wife.
8 nights of gifts for my daughter + 7 nights of gifts for my wife.
1.5 custom Indochino suits
A Filson wristwatch
A Filson coat + a Filson vest
Cordovan shoes, sized 9.5 (or 9 on a barrie last)
A sampling of custom sterling Jen Green headbadges for my bikes
A small printing business that's about to go under for me to enjoy the resurgence of the printing press, or fail and enjoy a lesson in failed investments.

My ol lady found me a Filson at Nordstrom Rack buried under few other items.....her bargain shopping abilities are impressive :p

[Tickdoc]

is it though?

its not much more than a good gore-tex jacket, and certainly less than all those Canada Goose jackets literally everyone in NYC seemed to have a couple years ago.

it's a downright bargain compared to other men's dress clothing, especially outerwear.

i have one of the original edition rapha softshell jackets that i must have bought 7 or so years ago, and it still sees regular use, without any discernible wear.

so, given all that, i dont think $500 bucks is an unreasonable number for that jacket at all, personally.

Agreed, but I'm fine to wait until one shows up used on the bay. I have a Rapha softshell I bought used that is just the bomb.

[benb]

is it though?

its not much more than a good gore-tex jacket, and certainly less than all those Canada Goose jackets literally everyone in NYC seemed to have a couple years ago.

it's a downright bargain compared to other men's dress clothing, especially outerwear.

i have one of the original edition rapha softshell jackets that i must have bought 7 or so years ago, and it still sees regular use, without any discernible wear.

so, given all that, i dont think $500 bucks is an unreasonable number for that jacket at all, personally.

I don't know where Canada Goose is made but a $500 Gore Tex Pro Shell is often made in the US/Canada. They're way more technical than these and have to go through a testing/certification process. If you don't want to pay for that certification you go buy a North Face or something that has a copycat membrane from a manufacturer that doesn't care what kind of garment you build with it's membrane.

We shouldn't be discussing this as a performance garment anyway. This is a fashion garment intended to appeal to cyclists' sense of fashion, not a technical cycling jacket. Rapha's description is crystal clear about that.

[R3awak3n]

Loro Piano makes fabrics for other clothiers, none of them cheap but not necessarily $3 large, either. Seems like all the Italians have moved into the super-luxury realm, but this may be a way for them to maintain volume without moving (their own) production to Asia.
It still breaks my heart to recall leaving my LP "horsey" jacket (designed for the Italian equestrian team at the '92 Olympics) on Metro North, never to be seen again. Wasn't four figures, but worth every lira in any case.

I know nothing about it. I did a quick google search and there is plenty of clothes they make and they are very expensive

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/Men-s/prod207110652_cat14890731__/p.prod?icid=&searchType=EndecaDrivenCat&rte=%252Fcategory.jsp%253FitemId%253Dcat14890731%2 526pageSize%253D30%2526Nao%253D0%2526refinements%2 53D&eItemId=prod207110652&xbcpath=cat14890731%2Ccat10360735%2Ccat000730%2Cca t000000&cmCat=product

[dbnm]

Did anyone buy the new Pro Team insulated jacket?

[FastforaSlowGuy]

Jeesh, people, it's just a jacket. It's a $400 softshell jacket redone in an extremely nice fabric for an extra $100. It's not for riding Paris Roubaix, but they aren't pitching it as such. They're marketing it for exactly what you'd expect a suit-fabric softshell jacket to be used for: riding around town in a little bit of luxury. I'd guess that it appeals mostly to those who like knowing they're wearing something different/special than those showing off, because really, nobody has any idea what we're wearing out there and we all look the same to 98% of the public.

There's not really an analogy in the market that I'm aware of, which either validates the price or proves what a stupid idea it is, depending on one's perspective. But if you compare it to softshells, I can find others more expensive, and if you compare it to just about any jacket made with that wool, all of them will cost more. So I have a hard time getting exercised about this. If you want to gripe about price, let's talk about the cost of those Silca allen wrenches. Wowser.

[redir]

Aw shucks it said that it's designed for life in the city. I guess this country bumkin will have to take a pass.

[FastforaSlowGuy]

Or could it be ergonomic for right handed riders? I can imagine it’s a more natural length for righties to unzip from that length.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The off center zip was (I think) made popular by Arc'teryx to prevent the zipper from rubbing on one's chin. It's pretty common in ski/climbing wear, and only a few companies (Rapha among them) have translated it to cycling. I started seeing it around 2002-ish when I did a stint in outdoor retail, but maybe it was earlier than that.

[AngryScientist]

i thought the point of the offset zipper originated on motorcycle jackets, to allow some overlap material underneath the zippered section to prevent wind from getting through...

[R3awak3n]

i thought the point of the offset zipper originated on motorcycle jackets, to allow some overlap material underneath the zippered section to prevent wind from getting through...

I think I read that it was so that when zipped all the way up to not hit your neck and be in the way.

[buddybikes]

Meanwhile IBEX goes under, shame :-(:confused:

[fiamme red]

If you're criticizing the cost of this jacket, you just don't understand how versatile it is.

It would go great with a pair of Rapha city jeans when you're hanging out at the Rapha clubhouse in Soho (London) or SoHo (Manhattan), or when you're just taking it easy and trying to look cool while leaning against a post. It would even work when you're sitting on your top tube for aerodynamics, flying downhill at 100 kph.

http://theswagger.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/rapha-jeans-Specially-designed-for-city-bicycle-riders_1.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qFM0-KYauSQ/Vp5BJNaFRKI/AAAAAAABDyE/OouejEMoCxg/s1600/nov25-1.jpg

https://stiantveitofficialdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/rapha-pro-team-softshell-grey.jpg

[cow]

Or could it be ergonomic for right handed riders? I can imagine it’s a more natural length for righties to unzip from that length.
There's too many right-handed people in the world. Thin the herd a bit, I say.

[commonguy001]

I think I read they offset the zippers so that you don't have multiple zippers overlapping which would be less pleasing to the eye as they could look bulky... or something like that.
I don't have any strong feelings on the offset zipper but will say that the pulls they use suck when you have gloves on.

[R3awak3n]

Meanwhile IBEX goes under, shame :-(:confused:

its a big enough space that both could happily coexist. Its not because rapha releases a $500 that IBEX is going under.

[oldpotatoe]

They just released this for $500.

https://dyzmn8020x6cd.cloudfront.net/sys-master/products/h09/hcc/9184840777758/CWW01XXBLU-Product-H217-01_SMALL

https://www.rapha.cc/us/en_US/shop/special-edition-wool-softshell-jacket/product/CWW01XX

Y’all Rapha ‘haters’ can whine all ya want but they will sell everyone they make w/o breathing hard.

Yup, for right above, Ibex isn’t going under because of Rapha, Ibex is going under because of Ibex.

IMO of course, -‘pal’...
:)

[cow]

I think I read they offset the zippers so that you don't have multiple zippers overlapping which would be less pleasing to the eye as they could look bulky... or something like that.
I don't have any strong feelings on the offset zipper but will say that the pulls they use suck when you have gloves on.

Bad zippers are a dime a dozen, so you really notice when you get a good one. I was given a Castelli Gabba & was amazed how easily it pulled using gloved hands & even more impressed that the zipper stayed exactly where I wanted it to stay. More of this, please.

[R3awak3n]

Y’all Rapha ‘haters’ can whine all ya want but they will sell everyone they make w/o breathing hard.

Yup, for right above, Ibex isn’t going under because of Rapha, Ibex is going under because of Ibex.

IMO of course, -‘pal’...
:)

I mean, why even compare IBEX to rapha, they are 2 completely different beasts...

[crankles]

I like it. There, I said it.

[fiamme red]

"Specialist dry clean only"

:confused:

[azrider]

If you're criticizing the cost of this jacket, you just don't understand how versatile it is.

It would go great with a pair of Rapha city jeans when you're hanging out at the Rapha clubhouse in Soho (London) or SoHo (Manhattan), or when you're just taking it easy and trying to look cool while leaning against a post. It would even work when you're sitting on your top tube for aerodynamics, flying downhill at 100 kph.

http://theswagger.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/rapha-jeans-Specially-designed-for-city-bicycle-riders_1.jpg

https://media.giphy.com/media/sfAKlRF87apIk/giphy.gif

[cachagua]

Cars and bikes need to be predictable and visible.


https://dyzmn8020x6cd.cloudfront.net/sys-master/products/h09/hcc/9184840777758/CWW01XXBLU-Product-H217-01_SMALL


That's five hundred dollars worth of fail, there, buddy.

[ANAO]

https://media.giphy.com/media/sfAKlRF87apIk/giphy.gif

I love this.

[dbnm]

And there's this...

[nighthawk]

If you're criticizing the cost of this jacket, you just don't understand how versatile it is.

It would go great with a pair of Rapha city jeans when you're hanging out at the Rapha clubhouse in Soho (London) or SoHo (Manhattan), or when you're just taking it easy and trying to look cool while leaning against a post. It would even work when you're sitting on your top tube for aerodynamics, flying downhill at 100 kph.

http://theswagger.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/rapha-jeans-Specially-designed-for-city-bicycle-riders_1.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qFM0-KYauSQ/Vp5BJNaFRKI/AAAAAAABDyE/OouejEMoCxg/s1600/nov25-1.jpg

https://stiantveitofficialdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/rapha-pro-team-softshell-grey.jpg

BEST POST EVER. Thanks for the laugh.

"or when you're just taking it easy and trying to look cool while leaning against a post."

[Drmojo]

https://dyzmn8020x6cd.cloudfront.net/sys-master/products/h09/hcc/9184840777758/CWW01XXBLU-Product-H217-01_SMALL


That's five hundred dollars worth of fail, there, buddy.

Black is SO 2000 late

[bicycletricycle]

"Specialist dry clean only"

:confused:

AKA- probably impossible to not screw this up washing it.

[StephenCL]

I love it...but then I love foul weather riding, and foul weather riding gear.

I will wait for a coupon and then hope and pray they still have my size when I find one.

Its a lovely piece that will last a lifetime if cared for correctly..

Would be nice to see where they had it constructed though. I have seen a fair amount of variability in some of their other products....

[Davist]

suede shoulders.. isn't the first rule of suede not to wear in the rain? Or are we headed toward being the "other" type of bikers? Loro Piana storm system fabric makes great jackets, see Brooks Bros, but they're expensive. Not my style, don't dry clean my bike clothes, either.

[simonov]

Black is SO 2000 late

Except it's not black.

[rallizes]

Except it's not black.

LOL as they say

[Fiertetimestwo]

Vulpine
the "other" uber high end Brit cycling clothing joint
No contest
Vulpine is so much better in so many ways.
Their biz model is more urban/inclusive, female cycling friendly, better photos, etc etc etc

Not sure their business model was all that great -unfortunately, Vulpine entered insolvency administration in May 2017.

Website is still up, but no new "news" posts since April. Lots of things available at steep discounts (consistent perhaps with a run out of existing stock).

Clothing looks good though.

[pdmtong]

Given that the "classic softshell" was $375, this wool for $500 is not outrageous.
expensive yes, outrageous no.
the raeburn wind jacket they made from recycled parachute material - now that was expensive and outrageous.

the true test is if it works and how it fits. I wear a large in most rapha jerseys but need a XL in their jackets to fit my shoulders. so that leaves some extra torso material I would rather not have in the classic cut.

ever heard of arc'teryx veilance (https://veilance.arcteryx.com/Home.aspx?country=us&language=en)?
you better bring twice the bag of money to shop those products

[Tickdoc]

Never thought a jacket would get so much play.

[ispy]

Only 4 pages in 8 hours? Sad!

I'll join the minority: It looks thoughtfully done although the suede patch give me giggles (and I'd personally want to be visible). Not necessarily saying the pricing is sane, but IMO it doesn't command any more of a premium than many of the other bikes/stuff we regularly ogle/trade/use here. Many fashion brands and other sorts of companies regularly trot out impractical/costly designs to gain attention or show what can be done, so why not Rapha? Maybe this is just a high profit margin exercise slapped onto an existing product (ahem, Leica Panda). But then again maybe it might just perform quite well; after all wool isn't some mysterious fabric and mfg's continue to refine it for "sports" use...

[huck*this]

Pftttt $500 jacket. Send in the German's... This bad boy is $700!!

https://shop.lightweight.info/out/pictures/master/product/1/shop_xxl_sakko_stadtwandler_front_01.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbVo3QKaORk

[R3awak3n]

Given that the "classic softshell" was $375, this wool for $500 is not outrageous.
expensive yes, outrageous no.
the raeburn wind jacket they made from recycled parachute material - now that was expensive and outrageous.

the true test is if it works and how it fits. I wear a large in most rapha jerseys but need a XL in their jackets to fit my shoulders. so that leaves some extra torso material I would rather not have in the classic cut.

ever heard of arc'teryx veilance (https://veilance.arcteryx.com/Home.aspx?country=us&language=en)?
you better bring twice the bag of money to shop those products

arcteryx does amazing stuff. Its one of those things, they are expensive, sure, but also excellent

https://veilance.arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/Patrol-Down-Coat

I wish I had $1800 for a jack, damn thats sweet.

[Lovetoclimb]

We've been here before. Remember the $700 Mac Softshell?

[IJWS]

Maybe somebody already said this but: this jacket costs a lot less than :

A nice watch, a track day for a Ferrari, or Ducati, or a plane ticket, a rare scotch, lingerie from Agent Provocateur, ahem, Braces for your kid, a roof rack, a big t.v., some nice speakers, a 10,000 mile service for your BMW...oh wow, the list goes on and on.

The point I want to make is: this jacket is pure profit for Rapha and it will give them a chance to offer their core products at a lower price and/or pay for their instagram-based R&D team. If someone is willing to pay for it, then caveat emptor. No Biggie--it serves the sport.

The only real issue I see here is that a lot of people are worried about Rapha turning cycling into golf. I wholeheartedly concur with this concern...and they are.

BUT, at the same time as a kid that grew up in the 90's, when cycling was so unapproachable because it was a sport where only a few people existed that had hundreds of dollars to spend on itchy shorts, bouncy bikes, and endless razors. I really like that Rapha has turned Cycling, a sport, into a LIFESTYLE, like skateboarding surfing, or more realistically, hiking/golf/fishing.

What a transformation.

If you combine Rapha's romantic imagery with the interest in cycling drummed up by Lance. A...you get a really approachable sport, (financially and socially) that more and more people are interested in.

And

The best part is that it's all still bikes.

All still two-wheeled fun that everyone is excited about. The only drawback I suppose is that a lot of people know about it. Rapha freakin' leveraged our elitism against us.

For me, I'm into sharing and if there's a market for a $500 jacket, I at least know that there's also a CAAD 8.

[ispy]

Maybe somebody already said this but: this jacket costs a lot less than :

A nice watch, a track day for a Ferrari, or Ducati, or a plane ticket, a rare scotch, lingerie from Agent Provocateur, ahem, Braces for your kid, a roof rack, a big t.v., some nice speakers, a 10,000 mile service for your BMW...oh wow, the list goes on and on.

The point I want to make is: this jacket is pure profit for Rapha and it will give them a chance to offer their core products at a lower price and/or pay for their instagram-based R&D team. If someone is willing to pay for it, then caveat emptor. No Biggie--it serves the sport.

The only real issue I see here is that a lot of people are worried about Rapha turning cycling into golf. I wholeheartedly concur with this concern...and they are.

BUT, at the same time as a kid that grew up in the 90's, when cycling was so unapproachable because it was a sport where only a few people existed that had hundreds of dollars to spend on itchy shorts, bouncy bikes, and endless razors. I really like that Rapha has turned Cycling, a sport, into a LIFESTYLE, like skateboarding surfing, or more realistically, hiking/golf/fishing.

What a transformation.

If you combine Rapha's romantic imagery with the interest in cycling drummed up by Lance. A...you get a really approachable sport, (financially and socially) that more and more people are interested in.

And

The best part is that it's all still bikes.

All still two-wheeled fun that everyone is excited about. The only drawback I suppose is that a lot of people know about it. Rapha freakin' leveraged our elitism against us.

For me, I'm into sharing and if there's a market for a $500 jacket, I at least know that there's also a CAAD 8.


+1

I also think that Rapha isn't as elite as they/we might think they are. The really elite don't feel the need to scream out their name in large letters ;) .

[pdonk]

arcteryx does amazing stuff. Its one of those things, they are expensive, sure, but also excellent

https://veilance.arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/Patrol-Down-Coat

I wish I had $1800 for a jack, damn thats sweet.

I have a veilance jacket. Well worth the money. 4 years old and looks like new. It is a combo jacket, so it is good for year round wear and I do, summer it is a rain coat, fall, I use the liner and winter it is a really warm coat.

Also it is made in Canada with high end materials and finishes.

If you search you can usually find arcteryx on discount at end of season, my wife got mine for $750 USD, down from $1500USD. I would pay the $1500 USD for it if I had to replace it.

[velofinds]

+1

I also think that Rapha isn't as elite as they/we might think they are. The really elite don't feel the need to scream out their name in large letters.

You mean like this?

https://puncheur.rapha.cc/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Winter-riding-winter-jersey.jpg

:D

I kid -- I'm a fan (but that particular jersey was a miss).

[Tickdoc]

It's time to pull this one out again.....

https://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/s480x480/e35/21433356_2008936632659080_1077566634111008768_n.jp g?ig_cache_key=MTU5NzA4MjgzMTUwOTc3NzUyNw%3D%3D.2

[verticaldoug]

A Loro Piana Ribbed Cashmere Beanie Hat is like $315 at Neiman.
Their normal winter coats are $5,000.

$500 for a jacket, seems like a bargain.

[bicycletricycle]

Those suede bits just seem really out of place to me.

[torquer]

Pftttt $500 jacket. Send in the German's... This bad boy is $700!!
https://cdn.hibike.com/image/product/ACS/ACS_LwKLB_Kleiderb%C3%BCgel-is.jpg
Hanger included?

[FastforaSlowGuy]

Let's not forget that for less than half the price of that new Rapha jacket, you can be a weight weenie coffee drinker (watts saved sipping espresso = watts available for pedaling, right?):

https://fairwheelbikes.com/tune-coffee-mug/

[pavel]

The point I want to make is: this jacket is pure profit for Rapha and it will give them a chance to offer their core products at a lower price and/or pay for their instagram-based R&D team.


yes exactly, just like giving tax cuts to corporations and the upper .1% will trickle down and create jobs and salary hikes!

[velofinds]

Now on sale for $375, reduced from $500. All sizes available as of this writing except for L.

https://www.rapha.cc/us/en_US/shop/special-edition-wool-softshell-jacket/product/CWW01XX