On any ride, whether you’re commuting to work or bikepacking through the wilderness, the clothing you wear can be the difference between enjoying the ride, and enduring it. While a lightweight summer jersey can help you keep your cool, a waterproof jacket can save you from despair in a downpour. But to ensure our garments are able to look after us, we must first look after them.
To provide practical advice that helps improve the performance and longevity of your cycling clothing, we’ve put together a series of product care guides, complete with everything from general washing advice to tips on storage. With the right care, you’ll get the most out of your kit and potentially reduce your impact too.
Check out our sustainability hub for up-to-date and in-depth information on the impact Rapha is having now and the action we are taking to reduce it.
Product Care
A comprehensive guide to taking care of your Rapha cyclewear.
CARING FOR WOOL
Make the most of your merino wool garments with considered care instructions from Rapha.
CARING FOR DOWN
Improve the performance and extend the life of your down garments with these quick tips.
REPROOFING WEATHER-RESISTANT GARMENTS
Keep rain, and road spray at bay with our guide to reproofing.
GENERAL WASHING ADVICE
Perhaps counter-intuitively, our first piece of advice is to carefully consider how often you need to wash your most-used garments. Reducing the number of times you wash your garments can help to minimise fatigue caused by washing machine spin cycles and reduce your impact on the environment. In between washes, we recommend airing your cycling kit and using a sponge with mild soap or detergent to remove lighter stains or dirt.
When wash day arrives, it's important to wipe any excess dirt from your kit with a sponge and warm water to avoid damaging your washing machine. Separating clothing by colour and material can be time-consuming, but it helps reduce the risk of colours running and allows you to adjust the wash settings according to the fabrics your garments are made with.
Set the temperature according to the individual care instructions and avoid using fabric softeners which can leave a waxy film on the garment. This build-up of waxy residue can impair your garments’ sweat-wicking, quick-drying and high-stretch and water-repellent qualities.
Finally, try to avoid tumble-drying your cycling clothes. Tumble dryers use a vast amount of energy and can also cause shrinkage and degrade the quality of your garments. If you absolutely need to use one, make sure to select a low heat setting.
GENERAL STORAGE ADVICE
There are items in your cycling kit that you’ll call on daily. But as the seasons change and you’re using some garments less often, it’s important to store them in the right way.
Location is everything. In winter, damp, poorly ventilated areas are a breeding ground for mould, which can quickly ruin your apparel. Consider investing in moth- and dust-proof bags and be sure to keep the clothes in a dry, well-ventilated wardrobe or cupboard, away from direct sunlight.
