Rapha expands its Explore bikepacking clothing range with all-new insulated base layer options

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The dedicated bikepacking collection also gets a rebooted and improved Rapha Explore Down Jacket

Riders wearing the Rapha Explore Jacket
The Explore range is designed for the best bikepacking adventures (Image credit: Rapha)

The Rapha Explore collection is designed for the best gravel bikepacking adventures, like the brand's own Pennine Rally. The range is made for multi-day trips in changeable conditions, and Rapha has now expanded its dedicated bikepacking range with new additions to the Explore collection. They include an update to the Explore Down Jacket and two brand-new insulating base layers, that they say are lightweight, wind-resistant pullovers designed for adventures on and off the bike.  With the Rapha Festive 500 just around the corner, these items could be ideal for anyone weighing up their layering options for an attempt at the 500 km Christmas challenge, and we had a look over the features of the new pieces. 

Rapha Explore Down Jacket in Grey color

The Explore Down Jacket has new colorway options  (Image credit: Rapha)

Explore Down Jacket

First up is the new Explore Down Jacket, which Rapha says is the perfect companion for bikepacking and the best gravel bike adventures. Featuring a responsibly sourced goose down inner, making it warm, super compressible, and packable, and therefore easy to take with you on the go. Rapha says the goose down provides exceptional warmth with little weight, while the lightweight and durable ripstop shell with water-repellent treatment protects from light rain. Other additions are an improved ergonomic fit for freedom of movement on and off the bike. New colorway options include Pale Green/Dark Green, Light Grey/Brick, Black/Dark Navy and Black/Carbon Grey. Priced at $340 / £280 / €320. Sized XS-XXL.

Rapha Explore Pullover in Green

The Rapha Explore Pullover is a crew neck insulating mid-layer (Image credit: Rapha)

Explore Pullover

The new Explore Pullover is a crew neck insulating mid-layer that features a Polartec Power Grid fleece fabric aimed to provide maximum sweat-wicking and insulation. It's also water repellent and the wind block fabric on the chest is aimed to protect from showers and cool winds when riding. Available in Dark Grey, Dark Red, and Dark Green, priced at $134 / £110 / €125.

Close up on the chest zip on the Rapha Zip Neck pullover

The Zip Neck also has an integrated chest pocket for storing small items (Image credit: Rapha)

Explore Zip Neck Pullover

The Zip Neck Pullover is the same as the Pullover except as the name suggests, has a zip neck. It has the same key features meaning it is a lightweight, wind-resistant, and insulating pullover. Made with the same Polartec Power Grid fleece fabric for sweat-wicking. Two zips offer added ventilation plus access to an integrated chest pocket for storing small items. Colorways are Grey, Dark Grey, and Burgundy with Women's options in Dark Grey / Dark Navy and Pale Green / Dark Green. These are priced at $146 / £120 / €135.

Rapha Zip Neck Pullover in Grey

The Rapha Zip Neck Pullover is lightweight, wind resistant, and insulating  (Image credit: Rapha)

All items are available now to purchase from Rapha.cc and Rapha Clubhouses around the globe.

Paul Brett
Paul Brett
Staff writer

Paul Brett joined BikePerfect as a staff writer in 2022. He has been an avid cyclist for as long as he can remember, initially catching the mountain biking bug in the 1990s, and he raced mountain bikes for over a decade before injury cut short a glittering career. An award-winning photographer, when not riding a bike, he can be found at the side of a cyclocross track or a downhill mountain bike world championship shooting the action. Paul was the founder, editor and writer of Proper Cycling magazine, and he's traveled the world interviewing some of the biggest names in mountain biking and writing about some of the biggest cycling brands.

Current rides: Canyon Inflite, Specialized Diverge, Marin Alpine Trail 2