A Classic, Recycled

Created 17 years ago as our first ever product, the Classic Jersey still serves as the purest expression of Rapha’s original idea: cycling clothing that’s at once functional, refined, durable, and classic. So this year, when it came to updating our longest-serving garment, we knew these principles were non negotiable.

Recently, we have also committed to improving our impact on the world around us by finding more sustainable ways of creating our products. Any changes we made would not only have to uphold the values the Classic Jersey represents but also reduce its environmental impact.

We’re aiming to be a carbon-neutral business by 2025. Along the way we’ll be reducing our impacts by transitioning to 100% renewable energy, 100% low impact packaging, and environmentally preferred materials across 90% of our seasonal production. It’s a long and challenging road ahead, but the greatest changes often come from the smallest starts.

From special editions to the Brevet collection across both men’s and women’s, RPM features in many of our garments and accessories – and rightly so. This innovative, proprietary blend of merino wool and polyester is a wonder material for cycling, providing excellent breathability, sweat wicking and natural odour resistance, all at a minimal weight.

The recycled polyester yarn in question is GRS (Global Recycled Standard) certified whilst the merino content – which makes up the remaining 36% of the RPM fabric – is sourced under strict adherence to animal welfare standards, and is non-mulesed, like all wool at Rapha. Next year, our RPM supplier will achieve RWS (Responsible Wool Standard) certification – the highest standard in the industry.

But the environmental positives that accompany the fabric swap wouldn’t count for much if the durability or performance suffered as a result. “Decreased product lifespan creates more need for new garments,” Emma continues, “and for Rapha, one of the most important elements of this process was to ensure we weren’t making any compromises. The new fabric must be as long-lasting, resistant to pilling, and durable as the fabric that we’ve known for the lifetime of the brand.” Afterall, quality, durability – both physical and emotional – and material impact are all equally important components in the larger definition of sustainability.

To ensure these standards are met, the new recycled RPM underwent the same rigorous wear testing programme that all Rapha garments must pass before making it to customers. Over a season’s worth of riding time, our riders each put the jersey through its paces in a diverse list of locations, spanning both hemispheres.

From Melbourne’s humid winter to the dry heat of summer in Barcelona, the new Classic Jersey excelled just as expected. Wash after wash, our prototypes did not pill, fade or become misshapen. Once thousands of kilometres of testing on the road had been completed, the product development team were convinced.

Standards met and fabric approved, the new Classic Jersey could now fulfil its potential as the beginning of our commitment to doing things better. And for Duncan, the emotional connection at play was as significant as the environmental one.