Just in time for all of those sweaty indoor training sessions to begin, Rapha has released a new line specifically for your indoor training needs. Whether you are jumping on your smart trainer and tackling Alpe d’Zwift or taking a Les Mills The Trip class at your local studio, Rapha’s new indoor line will help keep you cool and comfortable in ways that traditional kit typically can’t.
The line consists of a cycling cap, sleeveless top, cycling shorts. and a towel. Each piece has been specifically designed for indoor use, though I would also think the cap could be used on excessively hot days outside.
Indoor Training Sweat Cap
One of the big challenges I always face riding indoors, whether it is on my smart trainer or at the studio, is sweat dripping from my head. Most cycling caps are too hot and offer no ventilation because that isn’t what they were made for. Headbands are an option, but not always absorbant enough to manage hours on the trainer.
Rapha’s Indoor Training Sweat Cap uses a highly spacious mesh, allowing for plenty of airflow through the cap. The front panel features the same fabric as the Indoor Training Sleeveless T-shirt overtop the mesh. Inside, a sweatband is in place to soak up all of the sweat before it drips down into your eyes, or in my case, my glasses. A short peak gives it a traditional cycling cap look and functionality.
The cap is available in black for $40.
Indoor Training Sleeveless T-Shirt
Not many people wear full kits when it comes to training indoors. It’s just too much, and frankly, a jersey is not needed. For many, a base layer or nothing is what they go with. The problem with no top though, is you become a dripping, sweaty mess, and you have to wear a shirt at the gym or spin studio.
Rapha’s Indoor Training Sleeveless T-Shirt isn’t just another base layer though. Made from a lightweight, breathable fabric, it has a slightly looser cut than a typical form-fitting base layer. This, along with a wider neck and sleeveless design, provides some airflow from your fans without sacrificing comfort or sweat-wicking. The cut of the shirt is tailored to riding, with a shorter front to avoid bunching, longer in the back for coverage, stretchy side panels and the armholes cut for the riding position.
Sizes are available in men’s and women’s, and colors are white, navy, and olive green. The Indoor Training Sleeveless T-Shirt is available for $75.
Core Cargo Shorts
Rapha’s take on bottoms for indoor training does away with the bib straps. When looking at the concept of their indoor kit, I understand it, as the bibs would either be extra sweaty fabric under the Indoor Training Sleeveless T-shirt, or it would fit tightly over the shirt and not allow as much air to flow through.
Instead, they go with shorts. They are similar to Rapha’s other cycling shorts and bibs but offer a cargo pocket on the side to hold food, a phone, or other items that you want to have handy. This could be nice for a spin class where you don’t have a table or anyplace to put items like you would in your home pain cave. Rapha doesn’t skimp on the chamois, keeping you comfortable on those epic indoor days.
The shorts come in black, and are available in men’s and women’s sizes for $130.
Indoor Training Towel
The final item will help dry you off and protect your bike. A towel is a pretty common item, but Rapha adds a twist to make it more functional on the bike.
The classy black towel with a white Rapha logo, include two loops to go around your brake hoods. This should help keep it in place on even the most vicious indoor sprint and also protect your bar wrap and handlebars from your corrosive sweat. The almost 26″ length of the towel should extend to cover your stem, headset, and a good bit of the top tube to protect your bike. It’s lightweight and highly absorbent to soak up all of your sweat. At a little over 18″ wide even a 46 or a 48cm wide bar should be no problem for the loops to fit.
The Indoor Training Towel will run you $15.
All items are available now through Rapha’s website. Get your orders in now so you’ll be ready for training indoors after completing the Festive 500 later this month.
Heckling Editor, Image Taker, Crash Test Dummy, and Beard Master at Bikeworldnews.com
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