Rapha hardshell Qs

First time Rapha buyer. The current deal on the hardshell got me. Yes, materials and quality are superlative. Purchased a L. It will work over a standard weight synthetic cycling jersey (i.e., thin base layer), but it's too snug to fit over anything thick or wool.

I know that Rapha says go ahead and test it, but it's been tricky to find time to get outside between travel and weather.

Questions for others who use this jacket:
- in practice, what do you wear under this jacket, and in what temp range/conditions?

- at 42", I'm at the upper end of the size range for L in the chest. I prefer a snug fit on the bike - no flappy garments - so the L fit is good, except for layering. Concerned that a step to XL will put me at the small end of the range, but maybe work better on winter days in NE when a base and middle layer are needed. Any advice on this?

I'd like this to be a late fall/winter/early spring jacket.

TIA!

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Originally Posted by TTX1

First time Rapha buyer. The current deal on the hardshell got me. Yes, materials and quality are superlative. Purchased a L. It will work over a standard weight synthetic cycling jersey (i.e., thin base layer), but it's too snug to fit over anything thick or wool.

I know that Rapha says go ahead and test it, but it's been tricky to find time to get outside between travel and weather.

Questions for others who use this jacket:
- in practice, what do you wear under this jacket, and in what temp range/conditions?

- at 42", I'm at the upper end of the size range for L in the chest. I prefer a snug fit on the bike - no flappy garments - so the L fit is good, except for layering. Concerned that a step to XL will put me at the small end of the range, but maybe work better on winter days in NE when a base and middle layer are needed. Any advice on this?

I'd like this to be a late fall/winter/early spring jacket.

TIA!

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Wear it over a winter-weight base layer, or a thinner, long sleeve base and long sleeve mid layer.
I's cut for riding, so it should feel a little tight when standing with your arms to your side.

Mine is a size M - winter race cut - not flapping and allows me to wear it in combinations as mentioned by Chasea. My only peeve is the back keeps riding up and I have to pull it down occasionally (when I think of it). Maybe more recent models have solved this (mine is about 2 years old)...

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Originally Posted by pajotfix

Mine is a size M - winter race cut - not flapping and allows me to wear it in combinations as mentioned by Chasea. My only peeve is the back keeps riding up and I have to pull it down occasionally (when I think of it). Maybe more recent models have solved this (mine is about 2 years old)...

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I have a current Hardshell and it doesn't ride up (also a medium).
Great jacket that fits really good on the bike, ok off the bike, very form fitting. I wear mine with a wool base layer and LS jersey and could probably fit another base under mine without an issue. With the LS and Wool I'm good into the 20s.

Thanks, all.

I'm tempted to give the jacket a shoveling test today...

This was also my first substantial Rapha purchase, as I was similarly motivated by the deep discount on the Hardshell.

I tried mine on with a medium-weight l/s wool jersey and found I still have room for another layer. I'm hoping this jacket offers me a level of protection that I've not gotten out of anything else I currently own, which was another primary motivation behind the purchase.

Hoping for an on the bike test this Sunday.