This article was produced in association with Rapha
The saying goes that if you look good, you feel good. This is something to which most cyclists can attest – a brand spanking new jersey or fresh pair of socks often will improve both morale and power numbers. But what if the apparel offerings from cycling brands didn’t fit your needs? What if, when you searched the internet for a new riding outfit, there wasn’t anything that suited you at all? This is a problem that women in cycling have faced for generations.
For a long time, the industry-wide approach to female riding gear was simply to make clothing smaller, rather than specifically designing apparel to make it suited to the female shape or fulfil the unique requirements for women on bikes. Over the years as the sport has evolved, the options for women’s cycling clothing have increased many times over – both a cause and an effect of more women getting into the sport, whether riding recreationally or racing. Still, however, there is work to be done.
In its new women’s apparel collection, Rapha is aiming to address the gaps that have been left for decades when it comes to clothing options for women on bikes. Designed solely by an all-female team, the Women’s Road Collection, with new products in an expanded range, offers unique silhouettes with an overall aim of giving more options to female cyclists.
A crucial part of the new collection is a range of modest wear developed alongside the London-based cycling collective Cycle Sisters, an award-winning charity which inspires and enables many more members of the community to cycle. It’s a range that breaks the mould. One of the perceived obstacles for Muslim women wanting to ride bikes, for example, is having to wear lycra and tight-fitting clothing.
Rapha’s new additions to the range include a long jersey, riding pants and a hijab, all of which have been designed with the British brand’s usual expertise when it comes to the technical requirements of cycling kit, paired with input from Cycle Sisters regarding what Muslim women are looking for in their activewear.
These go beyond traditional cycling wear and cater to the needs of all cyclists who want more coverage. With three colour options across the range and a relaxed fit to suit a variety of body types, Rapha and Cycle Sisters have combined both style and practicality in the range. The long jersey includes targeted breathability, with a half-zip featuring a mesh panel beneath for ventilation without exposing skin. The longer length also provides extra coverage compared to a traditional jersey silhouette.
The women’s cycling hijab is designed to integrate with the jersey too – the lower hem can be tucked into the neckline of the jersey to create a seamless transition. Both the jersey and hijab are made with lightweight materials, using a breathable and sweat wicking fabric that is light and soft on the skin.
Anyone who has ridden a bike for an extended period of time will be aware of how crucial a good chamois is for a comfortable riding experience. Rapha’s streamlined technical trousers with integrated inner shorts and padding aim to tick this box while maintaining a comfortable, functional fit. The trousers have side-leg zipped pockets for phones and essential items, alongside a water repellent outer fabric and an optimised design with elasticated waistband for support and comfort.
The importance of a range of high-performance cycling clothing which appeals to a broader section of society should not be underestimated. Not only does it provide kit options for those already riding bikes, it also has the potential to make the sport more inviting to those who have historically been treated as outliers. While progress can sometimes be frustratingly slow, cycling is steadily becoming a more diverse and welcoming space, and Rapha is aware of its responsibility to be on the right side of that change.
There should be cycling clothing on offer that makes every rider feel empowered and confident, and Rapha’s new range is one key part of making that possible.
