Rapha Thermal

The Rapha Thermal men’s base layer is designed for cold training rides. The Polartec fleece, made from 85% polyester and 15% elastane, wicks moisture away from the skin quickly and also dries fast, so you don’t feel wet or cold when training hard in low temperatures. While the fleece fabric retains the heat generated by your body, the base layer is not so thick that it restricts your movement or bulges out from under your cycling jersey.

The rounded neck lies flat and snugly under a cycling jersey or jacket, so nothing rides up or shows. The base layer is designed to be worn as the first layer directly against the skin, under a cycling jersey or winter jacket. The thinner and tighter the base layer, the better the layering system works: retain heat, wick away moisture, and no bulk.

Polartec fleece

Polartec is a specific type of fleece known for its moisture-wicking properties and quick drying. Its structure traps tiny air bubbles that serve as insulation, similar to how a down jacket works but in a much thinner layer. Because the fabric actively wicks moisture away from the skin, you stay dry even when training hard. A wet base layer cools you down quickly; a dry base layer keeps you warm – that is the principle behind this choice.

Blend with 85% polyester and 15% elastane

The 15% elastane gives the undershirt enough stretch to move with you in any cycling position. Whether you are sitting upright on a mountain bike or leaning low over the handlebars on a road bike, the base layer follows your movements without pulling at your shoulders or lower back.

Suitable for:

• Temperatures between 0°C and 10°C, when you want a thermal base layer worn directly against the skin under your cycling jersey or winter jacket;
• High-intensity training in the cold, when you want a base layer that wicks moisture away quickly and stays dry;
• Cyclists who want a thin, close-fitting base layer that isn’t visible under their cycling jersey.

Not suitable for:

• Temperatures above 10°C – as the Polartec fleece traps heat, the base layer will be too warm in higher temperatures or during low-intensity activity;
• Cyclists who want a loose or roomier fit – the base layer is designed to be snug and worn directly against the skin.

Not sure about the size? Here’s how to check

Measure your chest circumference at the widest point. Select your size in the order box based on that measurement. A base layer should be tight-fitting; that’s the idea. If you are between two sizes, choose the smaller one for best moisture-wicking and insulation.

How to keep your Rapha Thermal base layer in good condition:

1. Wash on a cold cycle and inside out: Select a cold wash cycle and turn the base layer inside out to protect the Polartec fleece structure.
2. Use a mild detergent: Do not use bio-detergent or fabric softener. Fabric softener coats the fleece fibres and reduces moisture wicking.
3. Do not bleach or dry-clean: Both will damage the Polartec fleece.
4. Hang it out to dry: Do not tumble dry. Polartec fleece dries quickly on the line; tumble drying it is unnecessary and will damage the fleece structure with repeated use.

• Take the base layer off immediately after your ride and let it air out or wash it straight away. Polartec fleece dries quickly, but sweat that remains trapped in the fibres will eventually cause odours that are more difficult to wash out.
• The base layer works best when worn directly against the skin, not over another base layer. The fewer layers between the skin and the Polartec, the better the moisture-wicking works.