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Rapha’s Pro Team Thermal Aerosuit will push through the winter cold

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Rapha_Pro-Team_Thermal-Aerosuit_winter-training-skinsuit_Peter-Kennaugh-front

As winter looms near in the northern hemisphere, Rapha claims a new kit to be the best thing to stick it out and ride hard all the way through the winter. For those of us who take pleasure in heading out on the cold dark days, and need gear that is up to the challenge of pushing hard, training and racing year round, the new Pro Team Thermal Aerosuit is a one stop solution to staying comfortable. Combining Rapha’s best Pro Team-level jacket and tights into a single garment with an aero skinsuit style, the Thermal Aerosuit can serve just as well for winter racing and training. Zip in after the break to get a closer look at the details with Sky rider Peter Kennaugh…

Rapha_Pro-Team_Thermal-Aerosuit_winter-training-skinsuit_Peter-Kennaugh-side

The Aerosuit was conceived as a reaction to bulky winter wear, with layer upon layer that often ends up either restricting movement or flapping in the wind. Even the pros struggle with training through the winter, and Peter Kennaugh gives a good take on what winter riding means to him on the Isle of Man over on Rapha’s story blog.

Rapha_Pro-Team_Thermal-Aerosuit_winter-training-skinsuit_Peter-Kennaugh-top

The Thermal Aerosuit pulls the best features from the Pro Team line-up to create a single piece of kit to rule them all. The top is based on the excellent windproof, weather-resistant, and breathable Pro Team Jacket that we reviewed and raved about last winter, while the bottom is a variation on the similarly techy Pro Team Winter Tights.

The lower half of the suit uses a mix of windproof and breathable fabrics to protect the legs. The bottoms are lined with a waffle-shaped fabric that captures pockets of heat next to the skin and whose extra surface area is better at wicking away. For a chamois, it uses the same thick one sewn into the Pro Team shorts.

Rapha_Pro-Team_Thermal-Aerosuit_winter-training-skinsuit_studio-front Rapha_Pro-Team_Thermal-Aerosuit_winter-training-skinsuit_studio-3-4 Rapha_Pro-Team_Thermal-Aerosuit_winter-training-skinsuit_studio-back

The Aerosuit gets three full-sized pockets that sit flat when empty to keep the aero gains found in their warmer weather aero jerseys, and includes reflective details for improved visibility. The front of the suit gets a 3-layer waterproof fabric for the top and legs (53% polyester, 34%polyamide, 13% lycra), while the back use the breathable brushed fabric (85% nylon, 15% lycra).

The Thermal Aerosuit just came into stock at Rapha HQ and is available to ship from their site today in any color as long as it is black (thankfully with reflective accents). Pricing is quite high at $440/395€, which sounds pretty astronomical until you add the prices together of a separate Pro Team jacket and tights. We’ll update with official pricing as soon as it is confirmed. We’re not sure about how performance will last on the softshell fabric that you have to wash after every ride, but it certainly looks to be the nicest winter onesie we’ve seen yet.

Rapha.cc

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Stravarious
Stravarious
8 years ago

Why wear black on an overcast winter day?

Wheel Fan
Wheel Fan
8 years ago

Rapha Pro Fred Thermal Onesie. Waiting for a limited edition white with red polka dot colourway. I also hope they will bundle at least a gallon of their softshell impregnation solution, it’s going to wear super-fast from the top, given you’d have to wash the whole thing after every ride. And let’s hope that stuff is gentle on your ass, since the chamois will be impregnated, too.

I think somebody really jumped the shark here.

James
James
8 years ago

A few reflective accents don’t do much to improve visibility. Us cyclists are already invisible enough out on the road –– being a bike ninja (albeit a fashionable one) doesn’t help matters.

bbb
bbb
8 years ago

Re: James and Stravarious

A set of powerful lights in a flashing mode is all you need on most of winter days.

James
James
8 years ago

@bbb — maybe, but with drivers paying less attention to the road than before and claims of “I didn’t see you!” commonly heard, what’s the harm in being a bit more visible? I’m not arguing in favor of high-viz everywhere, but let’s be real here, being seen is being safe.

Trail Dog
Trail Dog
8 years ago

I wish it wasn’t so obvious when someone is self-consciously holding their elbows in.

Gonz
Gonz
8 years ago

It’s like a wetsuit, but for cycling.

WV Cycling
WV Cycling
8 years ago

@Gonz – I’ve been thinking about a 40% Neoprene panel, 60% Spandex kit for a while.

Allan
Allan
8 years ago

So many dudes love their blackity black blackness. Head to toe black on a blacked out black bike. WHY ARE WE SO AFRAID OF COLOR, PEOPLE!?

Mr. P
8 years ago

Doesn’t look that aero with all the folds. Besides, if it’s a training ride, wouldn’t a bit of air resistance help get that bit more workout?

Agree on the full black winter clothing. Don’t you want to keep your customers (alive)?

beezus
beezus
8 years ago

Is all this “hi-vis or death” talk serious? How is an actively blinking, bright red light like bbb mentioned not a better option? If I were to rely solely on reflective clothing to be seen, I would expect to get run over.

Pete
Pete
8 years ago

A certain long-ago famous entrepreneur said of his product: You can have any color as long as it’s black. Seems we’re still in the “dark” age. Pass.

General Boy
General Boy
8 years ago

“Now is the time on Sprockets when we dance!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHZR9SA5pOg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaWCHSofq9A

PS> Black is slimming.

Sam
Sam
8 years ago

All I see are Rapha brand jammies

Mike
Mike
8 years ago

Just buy a Gabba Jersey like god intended.

Ralphing
Ralphing
8 years ago

Sweet Onesie

Jeff the pastry chef
Jeff the pastry chef
8 years ago

Reflective details to improve visibility? What bollocks is that? It’s black, plus there’s not much room for cakes in the rear pockets.

Steve h
Steve h
8 years ago

this would make a great outfit for people who like to ride in snow.

Harry Ramsbottom
Harry Ramsbottom
8 years ago

or for special forces cyclists for night time operations

Bill
Bill
8 years ago

Actually, I’m surprised it’s black. Agree with the comments above, but surprised because Rapha is definitely not a company to shy away from neon, coral, etc..

Tom
Tom
8 years ago

Cool idea, but…….layering lets me make so many more fine tuning clothing adjustments in the winter based on temp, wind, type of ride, etc.

Then there is the price, but it is Rapha, so I was actually expecting $500 as I read through the article.

Andre
Andre
8 years ago

Certainly not a new idea. I have a Decca one piece with a hood on it (sort of like a scuba suit) that comes from the mid 80s. It’s similar to neoprene but is breathable.

Carl Sundquist
Carl Sundquist
8 years ago

Descente made these more than 25 years ago. I had one with a Fluo-yellow top half and a purple lower. Everyone called me a Teletubby.

Roel
8 years ago

Personally i still think Tempest from Bioracer is the future.
They are Aero fitting, water proof, wind blocking, fleece layered, pixel reflection, custom or stock sublimated and available in jersey , jackets, tights, knickers, arm warmers, leg warmers, …

mathew
mathew
8 years ago

team sky has the right idea.

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