Through a new range of Performance Trailwear, a dynamic athlete roster, and new commitments to advocacy initiatives, Rapha extends its ambition to make cycling the most popular sport in the world to mountain biking.
Press Release
Rapha exists to make cycling the most popular sport in the world. In everything we do, from the clothing we design to the stories we tell to the communities we celebrate, we portray our deep and honest love for the sport in all its forms. We draw endless inspiration from the simplicity of riding a bike, from the beautiful places to which it takes us, and from the people we meet along the way.
While our heritage lies in road racing, we’ve been pushing the envelope in off-road exploration for years. We’ve raised the bar in technical apparel for adventures far beyond the tarmac, and now we’re going even further with performance-engineered, style-driven trailwear.
In the shape of a diamond trail marker, we have a new emblem. But our mentality towards riding will never change. The beauty of mountain biking for us lies in the commitment, the repetition, and the countless hours it takes to cast your own progression on the trail. Nothing worthwhile ever comes easy, but for those willing, the rewards are infinite.
What’s In The Range
“Performance, style, sustainability, durability – pick two” has been the motto of mountain bike apparel for some time. With Rapha Performance Trailwear, we set out to use the toughest technical fabrics tested in the roughest natural environments. We’ve incorporated environmentally preferred materials and have opted for a progressive fit and refined aesthetic to ensure you don’t have to sacrifice performance for durability or style for sustainability.
The collection consists of nearly everything you need to ride your favorite local trails, from trail shorts and cargo bib liners to technical tops and jackets.
The cornerstone of the Rapha Performance Trailwear range, the Menʼs Trail Shorts are durable, fully-featured mountain bike short with a contoured, variable width belt for locked-in comfort on the bike. Constructed from a durable yet forgiving plain weave stretch nylon, these shorts are tough enough to handle the abuse of all-mountain riding while still prioritizing flexibility and breathability. An ergonomic pattern means the shorts move with you, with seams and panels placed strategically to allow for freedom of movement– whether you’re grinding up a climb or going for it on the descent. The fIt of the shorts has been sized to comfortably accommodate a liner and tailored to be used with or without modern trail knee pads. An anatomically contoured variable-width belt system locks you in behind a button closure at the waist to keep the shorts secure. Two large hand pockets provide rapid access to the front, while two zipped side pockets offer storage for keys or other essentials. And for the inevitable crash that causes more damage than you can ignore, included are a set of repair patches in the same color and fabric as the shorts that offer a handy at-home repair option so you and your shorts can get back to the trails. It also comes in a Women’s specific version. MSRP $150
The Men’s Trail Cargo Bib Liner Shorts are a lightweight underlayer constructed from recycled materials designed to work seamlessly with the Men’s Trail Shorts. Drawing on 15 years of innovation, we’ve carried over technology and fabrics from our award-winning bib short-range to create a pair of fast-wicking and durable cargo bib liners that will boost comfort on any mountain bike ride. Mesh uppers promote airflow to keep you cool on the hottest days, while the fast-wicking and lightweight main fabric promotes next-to-skin comfort. To the back, two rear cargo pockets offer extra storage space for essentials. MSRP $135
The Men’s and Women’s Trail ¾ Sleeve Jersey is a modern take on the classic ¾ sleeve mountain bike jersey. Constructed from a 100% recycled, light, and breathable fabric to keep you cool in the heat, it’s also durable and snags resistant, thanks to an incredibly high strength knit. A textured fabric back not only wicks sweat away from the skin but also disperses the moisture over a greater area, creating an incredibly fast-drying shirt that remains comfortable. On the sleeves, a strong, double weave fabric keeps your arms shielded from stray branches or a light tumble, while an antibacterial treatment maintains freshness for longer days on the bike. And for the inevitable crash that causes more damage than you can ignore, included are a set of repair patches in the same colors and fabrics of the jersey that offer a handy at-home repair option so you and your jersey can get back to the trails. MSRP $100
The Men’s and Women’s Trail Technical T-Shirt is a light and breathable top designed specifically for mountain biking. Constructed from recycled materials, the Trail Technical T-Shirt is durable and snag resistant thanks to an incredibly high strength knit while remaining incredibly airy and lightweight. A honeycomb fabric structure not only wicks sweat away from the skin but also disperses the moisture over a greater area, creating a swift drying shirt. The textured fabric combined with a loose ft helps the t-shirt stand of a rider’s skin for improved comfort, while an antibacterial treatment maintains freshness for longer days in the saddle. And for the inevitable crash that causes more damage than you can ignore, included are a set of repair patches in the same color and fabric as the t-shirt that offers a handy at-home repair option so you and your shirt can get back to the trails. MSRP $75
The Men’s and Women’s Lightweight Trail Jacket is a packable windproof shell made for mountain biking in changing conditions. Made with a lightweight yet breathable ripstop nylon fabric treated for durable water repellency (DWR), this jacket offers unrivaled weather protection in a seriously small package. A helmet-compatible hood features an adjustable cinch cord to offer a locked-in ft when the conditions turn nasty. At the same time, an oversized TPU zip puller allows for easy ventilation while riding. When you’re not wearing the jacket, it stows into its chest pocket for maximum packability. Further still, the Lightweight Trail Jacket comes with an added strap that allows you to cinch your jacket down to your frame for a clean, off-body storage solution. MSRP $180
The Trail Hip Pack is a dependable companion for long days on the trail, capable of safely stowing your things while you ride. Constructed from a fully recycled, durable ripstop fabric that’s easy to clean, this comfortable hip pack features multiple storages and fixing solutions for your essentials – including two water bottle pouches, a 3-liter internal capacity, and an external drawcord that can be used to strap down a jacket or extra layer. A further front valuables pocket inside the pack includes a key clip for the safe carriage of your valuables. Adjustable waist straps provide a locked-in fit, while a form-fitting and breathable back panel boost comfort at the same time as preventing the pack from jostling while you ride. Finally, an aquaguard zip seals things up, adding an extra layer of protection against the elements. MSRP $80
The Pro Team Full Frame Glasses are designed to ensure a clear line of sight and complete stability on even the roughest terrain. The frame is made with lightweight, injection-molded Grilamid that securely holds that lens and protects from the elements. Megol arm grippers provide high levels of grip in all conditions, and the nose piece, made with the same material, comes in two sizes for an adjustable fit. Snap lock hinges make the glasses easier to put on and remove while adding further stability. And for improved ventilation, subtle vents are positioned along the edges of the hydrophobic, anti-fog lens, which is interchangeable with a wide range of spare lenses for clear vision in any light conditions. MSRP $165
Created in collaboration with Smith, the Rapha + Smith Forefront 2 combines two cutting-edge technologies to provide state-of-the-art impact protection out on the trail. A Multi-Directional Impact Protection System helps reduce rotational forces caused by angled impacts to the head whilst complete Koroyd® coverage provides further impact protection without compromising ventilation. Designed to work with goggles or sunglasses, the helmet features an adjustable visor for storage between laps and twenty air vents that keep the air flowing and help you keep a cool head. Smith’s VaporFit™ dial adjustment system makes locking in the perfect ft quick and easy so that you can get to the trailhead sooner. MSRP $240
Tested To The Limit
What is Rapha Performance Trailwear? It’s far more than the fabrics and features you see on the shelf – behind every garment is a story. From backcountry bikepacking trips and World Cup competitions to afternoon laps around our US headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, our elite athletes and wear-testers have tested every garment we make. And with a roster that includes Olympic medallist Jill Kintner, EWS racer Ella Conolly and XC legend Adam Craig as well as Bryn Atkinson, Eliot Jackson, and Joey Schusler, we’re able to push our products to the limit. Riding and racing in locations around the globe, our wear-testers have put this kit through its paces on the world’s best trails to guarantee that it won’t crack under pressure or fade over time.
Consciously Designed, Built To Last
No matter where your local trails are, every ride leaves its mark on your apparel as surely as your tires leave tracks in the dirt. But Rapha Performance Trailwear is designed to last, lap after lap, season after season. Even if you do come off and rip your kit, most of our products include repair patches made with excess fabric from the same garment that would otherwise have been headed for the landfill. You can use the repair patch kit to easily fix your garment and get back on the trail as quickly as possible. For more serious stitch-ups, most pieces of Rapha Performance Trailwear can also be sent back to us for a free repair.
We’ve repaired more than 34,000 garments since 2004, and every repair we make not only extends the life of your kit and investment but also helps us to reduce excess and minimize our environmental impact. Lastly, we’ve used environmentally preferred materials across the range wherever possible. In 2021, 43% of Rapha Performance Trailwear, by volume, is made using environmentally preferred materials, with a commitment of reaching 90% across the range by 2025.
Trail Advocacy And Stewardship
Mountain bikers are deeply connected to the places they love to ride and are intimately aware of the threats that exist to their local trail networks. Trail centers are often left in flux, whether that’s due to forces of nature, land rights, or an explosion of new users.
Beginning in 2021, Rapha will launch a series of initiatives to support organizations across the US and UK that create better opportunities and access for mountain biking.
Partnering with advocacy groups like the Oregon Timber Trail Alliance who work on the ground with local municipalities to repair and build new trails, programs like NICA who can educate the next generation of mountain bikers on maintenance and trail etiquette, and by leveraging the Rapha Foundation to improve access in under-represented communities, we will continue to give back to the sport that’s given us so much.
“As relentless enthusiasts of cycling in all its forms, we’ve long been inspired by mountain biking,” says Rapha MTB General Manager Jake Rosenbloum. “After 17 years of innovating road and gravel cycling apparel, now is the right time for Rapha to enter the mountain bike market, and we’re confident we can have an equally meaningful impact on the future of the sport. This is a huge milestone for the Rapha brand, and we couldn’t be more excited to kick off this new chapter.
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