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road.cc has published a review of the Rapha Men’s Brevet Merino Jersey III, a £195 merino-blend jersey for multi-day and endurance riding. The reviewer praised the fit, wind resistance and pocket design, but noted it gets smelly faster than purer merino mixes and carries roughly a 33% premium over rival merino jerseys.
Rapha’s updated Men’s Brevet Merino Jersey III has been put through an extended hands-on test by road.cc, which concluded that the £195 jersey is “a winner” for riders undeterred by its price. The third-generation Brevet brings a shorter cut, a new silicone-gripper elastic hem and the line’s signature “floating” rear pocket construction, and is aimed at multi-day and endurance riding rather than racing.
The Brevet range is designed, according to road.cc’s review, for multi-day riding rather than full-on race performance, prioritising usefulness over aerodynamic claims. The fabric is a blend of 64% recycled polyester and 36% merino wool, giving what the reviewer described as a more relaxed stretch than purely synthetic tops, plus the plush, thick feel that befits the price point.
The key update in this third version is the shorter cut paired with a silicone gripper-covered elastic hem, which the reviewer found kept the rear of the jersey secure even with the pockets fully loaded and while testing a size larger than usual. Sizing is described as accommodating and trustworthy: the reviewer, at a 100cm chest, sized up from medium to large and got a comfortable, relaxed but not loose fit. Rapha itself recommends sizing up if you are between sizes.
The pocket system uses a “floating” construction: the three main pockets are attached only at the top and sides, with the jersey’s back panel continuing uninterrupted to the hem. Rapha uses a fine mesh behind the pockets to limit heat build-up, and the reviewer found it works, cooling the lower back effectively. The three rear pockets vary in width for carrying options, and behind them sits one large zip-accessed pocket running the width of the jersey — though the reviewer wished the vertical zips were a centimetre longer, describing hand access as “a bit of a battle.”
On performance, the jersey is described as relatively warm and usefully wind resistant — not fully windproof, but close enough to be appreciated on fast descents. The reviewer found it acceptable on 30°C+ days but “wouldn’t be my first choice,” calling it ideal for typical UK summer temperatures. One caveat: despite the merino content, the jersey started to smell after just two or three uses, which the reviewer attributed to the blend being less resistant than a purer merino mix.
Why a £195 Jersey Draws Scrutiny
The review lands on the central question for buyers: whether Rapha’s pricing is justified. At £195, the jersey carries roughly a 33% premium over comparable merino short-sleeve jerseys from boutique brands, most of which cluster around £150. road.cc compared it directly with the Q36.5 Adventure Tech Merino Jersey at £150 (23% merino) and the Velocio Merino LUXE Colorblock Jersey at £143 (71% merino), noting that the premium is not explained by the merino content itself.
The reviewer’s verdict frames the purchase decision plainly: “You’re paying for the branding and the looks as much as anything, but if those feel worth it, you’ll find the comfort and performance worth it too.” For endurance and audax riders, the floating pocket design, wind resistance and durable construction are the practical arguments in the jersey’s favour.
How the Third Generation Changed
The “III” in the product name marks this as the third iteration of the Brevet Merino Jersey. According to the review, the most notable changes are the slightly shorter cut and the addition of the silicone gripper-covered elastic hem, which together are intended to keep the jersey in place under load.
The Brevet line sits within Rapha’s endurance-oriented range, and the jersey’s visibility features — the signature coloured bands, made from sewn-in sections of different fabric rather than printed panels, with highly reflective dots and logos — are consistent with the range’s long-distance positioning. Riders who prefer a subdued look can choose an all-black variant. Construction quality was praised: seams are overlocked or flatlocked as needed, and the reviewer said the complex build “impressively doesn’t look it.”
“The Rapha Men’s Brevet Merino Jersey III is a lovely thing with a great fit, usefully large pockets and a thick, plush feel befitting its price. If the price doesn’t scare you off, it’s a winner.”
— road.cc review
What the Test Didn’t Cover
The reviewer explicitly noted limits to the testing. The jersey was evaluated during a prolonged drought, so its behaviour when soaked by rain — a scenario where merino’s warmth-when-wet properties matter — was not assessed. The reviewer tested a size up from their usual size, and while they expressed confidence that their normal medium would also fit well, that was inference rather than direct experience.
Long-term durability is another open question: the reviewer wrote that the jersey “feels built to last many summers, springs and autumns,” but this reflects an impression from a limited test period, not verified long-term use. The full review text was also truncated in the source material, so the complete value comparison and final scoring details may contain additional detail not covered here.
Buyer Considerations Ahead
Riders weighing the purchase can compare it against the sub-£150 merino alternatives road.cc referenced from Q36.5 and Velocio. Those between sizes should follow Rapha’s guidance to size up, which the reviewer’s experience supports. Buyers prioritising odour resistance over the Brevet’s feature set may want to consider jerseys with a higher merino percentage, given the reviewer’s observation that this blend began to smell after two or three uses. As with any cycling kit purchase, checking the retailer’s returns policy is advisable given fit sensitivity — particularly relevant here as road.cc noted the matching Brevet Cargo Bib Shorts, tested alongside, did not share this jersey’s trustworthy sizing.
Key Questions
How much does the Rapha Brevet Merino Jersey III cost?
The jersey is priced at £195. According to road.cc’s review, that is roughly a 33% premium over comparable merino jerseys from boutique brands, which typically sell for around £150.
What fabric is the jersey made from?
It is a blend of 64% recycled polyester and 36% merino wool. The reviewer found the blend comfortable with a relaxed stretch, but noted it is less odour-resistant than jerseys with a higher merino percentage, starting to smell after two or three uses.
Should I size up when buying?
Rapha recommends sizing up if you are between sizes, and the reviewer — who tested a size up from their normal medium — found the fit comfortable and the sizing trustworthy, though they noted the matching Brevet Cargo Bib Shorts did not fit as reliably.
What is the ‘floating’ pocket design?
The three main rear pockets are a separate construction attached only at the top and sides, with the jersey’s back panel continuing uninterrupted to the hem. A fine mesh behind them limits heat build-up, and behind the three pockets sits one large pocket accessed via vertical zips on either side.
Is it suitable for hot weather?
The reviewer said it is acceptable on 30°C+ days but “wouldn’t be my first choice” given its thickness. It was described as ideal for typical UK summer temperatures, with useful near-windproof protection on cool descents and a zip that can be lowered for extra cooling.
Source: rss
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