Rapha Pro Team Flyweight jersey review

I recently travelled to Tuscany and used it as an opportunity to test a range of hot weather kit, including the Rapha Pro Team Flyweight jersey as the temperatures were consistently between 30 and 40 degrees.

It proved an ideal testing ground and when riding through the hills and sweltering vineyards, this jersey performed brilliantly. It does an excellent job of wicking sweat and you don't feel it sticking to your skin, stopping the jersey becoming uncomfortable. The fabric feels really soft too and is no way itchy, as can be the case on lower quality and cheaper items.

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Despite being a lightweight item, functionality has not been sacrificed either - The pockets are a case in point. In a bid to shave grams, I have encountered lightweight jerseys with pockets sag like rocks in socks, as soon as you put anything useful in them. That isn't the case here, pocket construction is secure, solid and there is an additional, 4th zipped pocket for valuables.

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Sizing is consistent with other Rapha Pro Team kit, with a size small fitting me very well. For reference I am 185cm and 69kg. The fit around the torso is especially good and I didn't experience any riding up of the hem, or bunching. The fit of the sleeves could be more snug though as they had a tendency to ride up my arms slightly.

Although the Pro Team Flyweight is a great jersey, for just £10 more, you can get the Pro Team Aero Jersey. Interestingly, when I weighed it, the Pro Team Aero jersey also came out at 103g in a size small. Out on the road it doesn't feel noticeably hotter than the Flyweight jersey either.

The main difference is with the sleeves, which are a much better fit on the aero jersey, although they are longer. Aside from the slightly longer sleeves, perhaps making it a fraction warmer, I were choosing between the two, I would always opt for the aero jersey. I am convinced a bigger performance benefit is to be gained from the aero jersey.

That said, if you are less preoccupied with speed and prefer shorter sleeves the Flyweight is a great jersey.