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Bike Perfect

Lifestyle

James Blackwell

Rapha Trail Lightweight jacket review – packable lightweight weather-resistant workhorse

Rapha (Organization) Georgina Hinton

Rapha Trail Lightweight jacket being worn by model.

Ah, summer. Time to ditch the riding trousers, slip on a short-sleeved jersey and head into the hills for endless dry and dusty trails. Well, it’s an unfortunate truism that needing to carry a lightweight weatherproof jacket – even in the summer months, is a necessity. I always pack a windproof jacket, unless I’m 100 percent convinced that the Met Office have the report nailed, and we all know how that sometimes turns out…

Rapha’s Trail Lightweight jacket could be your perfect partner. A highly breathable lightweight windproof and water-resistant jacket for use in changeable conditions. It packs up in its own pocket or can be stashed on your bikes frame using a small strap.

There are lots of choices on the market so it will be interesting to see if the Rapha tag justifies the cost and delivers on performance amongst best windproof jackets out there.

This jacket doesn't have a dropped back as it's more about blocking the wind than beating the rain and mud (Image credit: Georgina Hinton)

Design and specifications

This windproof jacket is made from breathable lightweight Ripstop nylon fabric which gets a DWR treatment to shrug off light showers. Designed for maximum movement out on the trails, Rapha describe it as a regular or standard fit, it’s roomy enough for layering in cooler weather but not too loose to hold a great silhouette over just a jersey. It’s cut straight at the waist, without the need for a dropped rear, which gives it a nice casual look off the bike and there’s a small elasticated pull toggle to cinch it in, if the weather turns nasty. With good length arms the cuffs have a simple elasticated hem and the hood is also elasticated with a small formed peak and elasticated pull toggle at the back to tailor fit. It’s not a helmet compatible hood, rather designed to wear under your helmet.

Two small pull toggles offer the option to cinch yourself in fully if the wind really kicks in (Image credit: Georgina Hinton)

The whole jacket can pack down into the chest pocket for easily storage and it also features a small strap that allows you to strap it onto your bikes frame which is a really neat feature.

Performance

I’ve always been a massive fan of windproof jackets. I really hate overheating whilst riding and would rather suffer a soaking than overheat for the entirety of a ride. In the summer months when the winds up and I know I’ll be gaining elevation or exposure I always pack a windproof though. I’ve been wearing the Trail Lightweight jacket since Rapha first launched their mountain bike line in 2021, and I love it. Yes, I do like the fact that it sports a subtle Rapha logo. But for me it’s all about performance, and it doesn’t hurt that it looks great too.

I’ve worn this jacket all-year round. With layers in the winter – if I know I won’t get soaked and of course into spring with its showers and packed for emergencies during the summer months too.

The elasticated cuff is simple and effect. No unnecessary straps or faff (Image credit: Georgina Hinton)

It’s really comfortable, and does a sterling job of windblocking and batting off light showers. The close fit means it’s not at all flappy when the wind really tried its hardest whereas some jackets can sound like a broken tent flapping around in a storm! Testing it in some ‘proper’ rain, it did wet-out, but that took an impressibly long time – something that’s to be expected of a wind-proof rather than waterproof jacket. This jacket is especially good in warm and wet changeable conditions where I didn’t experience the dreaded ‘over-cooked’ feeling when cranking up climbs.

Neat, secure and clever. The jacket packs up into its own pocket and can strap to any frame – given the space (Image credit: Georgina Hinton)

Having the ability to either stash it in my hip pack or strap it to my bike is awesome. It fitted all my bikes, from my gravel bike to my trail and enduro rigs with fatter tubing. It didn't get in the way when pedaling and if it did get caked in crud whilst strapped to the bike washed up really well. The strap can be removed from the loop inside the pocket if not needed, but it doesn’t feel bulky if left in.

I’ll admit I’ve never worn the hood under my helmet just hoicked it up to a point over my trail helmet on those mid-ride faff stops, which does make it tight to the chin so a helmet-compatible hood would be a bonus. For such lightweight material, it’s pretty tough, shrugging off any interference from bramble attacks so far – which I’m amazed by as I’ve shredded a lovely RAB jacket in the past at this time of the year, but a big crash would destroy it. That’s said I’ve been brave enough to wear it many times to Bikepark Wales on the toughest of trails and it’s survived.

The DWR coating does a sterling job of shrugging off showers whilst allowing the jacket to breathe. (Image credit: Georgina Hinton)

Verdict

OK, so it’s quite pricey, and only gets knocked down by half a star because you can get great performance for less. But the styling, performance and construction is right up there and with its proven longevity should see you through the seasons.