Rapha Pro Team Training Jersey

Very comfortable, with a relaxed fit that is ideal for long summer rides, the Rapha Pro Team Training Jersey is a very nice thing. It's relatively inexpensive by Rapha standards but there are cheaper jerseys out there offering similar performance. If you want Rapha, though, this is a good option – and it comes in a range of fetching colours.

• Pros: Comfortable, good fit, breathable, choice of colours
• Cons: There are cheaper jerseys offering similar performance

Training rides, for the pros at least, are usually very long so a bit more comfort than the second-skin type aero jerseys they commonly race in is desired, and that's what the Pro Team Training Jersey is designed for: all-day comfort with a more forgiving fit.

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I'm a long way from a pro, but I found the general comfort and fit of the jersey very pleasing. It's all very well having the most aero jersey for those times when you are really putting power to the pedal, but often you just want a comfortable fit with a bit more room to breathe.

The jersey is made from a mid-weight fabric that is soft next to the skin, breathable, stretchy and sweat-wicking, with mesh side panels for dispensing extra heat to keep you cool on warm summer rides.

Although the fit is a bit more relaxed, it's still fitted enough to avoid being excessively baggy. For reference, I tested a size small and that's me in the photos.

There's a full-length Vislon zipper for extra ventilation and out back are reflective tabs for late evening ride visibility. You also get very generously sized pockets for carrying all the food and spares you'll likely need for an all-day ride. And, joy of joys, there's a zipped pocket – ideal for safely storing the house keys and keeping paranoia at bay.

Load the pockets up too much and they will sag a little, the downside to the looser fit of the jersey, but it's not excessive. A grippy silicone lining the rear hem helps keep the jersey in place.

There's a choice of colours with contrasting armbands and 'Convict Stripes', a style detail I'm personally less sold on – I think the story behind those has been forgotten a bit so might appear a bit random to the uninitiated. I do like that you can choose from a raft of colours, though.

It might be more laid back than Rapha's aero jerseys from the Pro Team collection like the Pro Team Aero Jersey, but as the name indicates it's still aimed at pros and one thing they all have in common is a slim build. So yes, this is still a slim-fitting jersey, so pay attention to that size guide.

The weather has been a bit haphazard recently, but despite that I've been able to get in loads of rides in this new jersey, and even managed a cheeky trip to Vermont where the hot weather was ideal for testing it. Simply put, it's a really good go-to jersey for fast or long rides, with a good cut, great comfort and understated looks, and it copes well with warmer weather.

It's not as airy as the Pro Team Flyweight jersey I tested, but it's a better choice for typical British summer weather. You won't have to reach for the gilet quite so soon.

> Buyer's Guide: 17 of the best summer cycling jerseys

It's not going to reduce your drag as much as an aero jersey, the fit and comfort are more suited to less speedy rides over long distances, but there's no reason why you couldn't use it for racing. It's also ideal for off-road exploits thanks to the breathability of the fabric and the relaxed fit.

The price isn't insanely expensive as many Rapha garments are, and a look through the road.cc review archive shows that it sits roughly in the middle between the cheapest and priciest. You can certainly pay less for a similar style of jersey, though, such as the Castelli Entrata 3 FZ (£70), Santani 365 Classe SS (£70) or the Lusso Dash SS (£65) – or even Rapha's own Core jersey (now £60).

Verdict

Nice breathable summer jersey, with good fit and comfort