Rapha Merino Stand Collar Dot Print Jersey

The Rapha Merino Stand Collar Dot Print jersey is a great jumper for those casual city rides in colder conditions, when you don't want to be in Lycra but you do want a bit more protection than a non-cycling jersey gives. As you might expect, it doesn't come cheap – though it is currently reduced to £98.

• Pros: Effective for cooler city rides, looks good off the bike
• Cons: Expensive, a little noisy

The idea behind the Dot Print jersey is pretty simple: it is a high-quality, double knit jumper with a sewn-in windproof layer that keeps you warm when riding in colder conditions. It isn't a cycling-specific jersey, but it has some of the useful elements of one, including relatively good breathability and a zip pocket for whatever you may need.

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The main selling point of the jersey is its windproofing, which works really well. It's a fairly basic system – a windproof layer sewn in across the front of the body – but it's effective and keeps the wind out nicely. This is also helped by the high collar, which gives a bit of protection to your neck too, which is nice to have on cold winter night. Tass reviewed the similar women's version before Christmas – though no dots or pocket there, and women get a short zip collar.

As with the women's, Rapha has included a high-vis element with the roll-up cuffs that look like regular cuffs when not rolled. Roll them back, though, and they reveal an area of reflective cotton and a luminous pink strip which helps to be seen at night. The zip pocket is useful, too, something the women's doesn't have.

The jumper has a casual fit but is still designed to suit the sizes you would expect if you were buying one of its cycling-specific jerseys. I have always worn large Rapha tops, and the large jumper here fitted me nicely.

There is little to suggest there's a windproof layer underneath the front when you look at it. The only giveaway is that the jumper does make a little noise when moving about as the smooth windproof layer rubs against the wool. It isn't anything too noticeable unless you are in a quiet place, but when you're wearing it on the bike the only thing you notice is how well it blocks cold wind.

It doesn't come cheap, at £140, but it's a well made and good looking piece of kit that also performs well on casual bike rides.

> Buyer's Guide: The best casual cycling kit for commuting

Overall I was impressed with the jersey. If you need a jumper that looks good off the bike and performs well on it, it's a great choice. Breathability isn't as good as you would find with a traditional cycling-specific jersey, but when you compare it to any similar jumper not designed for riding, it's really good. The windproofing, which is the main selling point, is impressive in keeping the cold out.

Verdict

A well made and good looking casual riding jumper that's great for when the mercury drops