Rapha Leg Warmers review

When it’s that bit too cold for just bib shorts or its getting towards the temperature when you are not quite sure whether full leggings are the best choice, a good pair of leg warmers is a great option. As we’ve come to expect from Rapha’s cycling apparel, the Rapha Leg Warmers are well made, do a simple job well and have a few nice details.

Firstly, the fleece backed Roubaix lining is soft on your legs and more importantly does a good job of keeping your legs warm.

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Compared to most other leg warmers the Rapha leg warmers have a relatively high number of seams. However, the seams have been positioned to avoid chafing or irritation and along with the left/right shaped cut the leg warmers were comfortable on both short (like the prologue of the Tortour Cyclocross race) and long days in the saddle.

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A complaint for some leg warmers is that they can slide down your legs meaning that throughout a ride you are regularly pulling them up or they ride up leaving a section of your lower leg exposed to the elements. The gripper tape at the top of the Rapha Leg Warmers holds them in place well and I rarely had to pull them up. Equally, although some people may prefer an ankle hoop, the combination of the zipped ankle and gripper tape on the cuff meant the leg warmers didn’t ride up and they were easy to put on.

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The Rapha Leg Warmers have reflective tags (with a hint of pink) for improved visibility and Rapha fans will appreciate the subtle logo on the side of the calf.

Costing £50, the Rapha Leg Warmers are in direct competition with the Castelli NanoFlex leg warmers. Both sets of leg warmers are good quality, however Rapha’s offering are slightly thicker (better insulation) and feel a bit more durable. On the other hand, when the heavens open the water-resistant coating of the Nanoflex leg warmers is a welcome addition.

All in all the Rapha leg warmers are hard to fault. The only real criticism is that they are not waterproof.