Rapha Merino Arm & Leg Warmers – alternatives?

[vickster]

Castelli or sportful no rain ,normal fitting

He wants merino though

 

[Mark pallister]

Where does he say that ?

 

[T4tomo]

I think merino wool is a bit flawed as a arm warmer as it doesn't have much natural elasticity, therefore you have to make the cuff ends very grippy.

with a "normal" roubaix lycra or whatever material it is, the whole length of it grips so the cuff doesn't need to be as tight.

legs / knee warmers less of an issue as your shorts help to keep them in place

 

[Blue Hills]

I think merino wool is a bit flawed as a arm warmer as it doesn't have much natural elasticity, therefore you have to make the cuff ends very grippy.

with a "normal" roubaix lycra or whatever material it is, the whole length of it grips so the cuff doesn't need to be as tight.

legs / knee warmers less of an issue as your shorts help to keep them in place

agree - merino is great for certain things, but such is the fashion for it it has been adopted for various other things.
For all I know Rapha does merino underpants, handkerchiefs, merkins etc etc.

 

[vickster]

Where does he say that ?

Post #12. States he wanted merino and presumably still does.
Otherwise why cough up £45 for Rapha merino in the first place

 

[Blue Hills]

Otherwise why cough up £45 for Rapha merino in the first place

now there's a question.

 

[HLaB]

@cool_hand I had these before and quite liked them.


https://www.sigmasports.com/item/DeFeet/Armskin-Merino-Wool/2QED

View: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Defeet-armskins-Merino-Wool/dp/B087Q2JBRB

 

[mustang1]

Lidl long thermal socks. I wear them sometimes with planetX 3/4 bibs.
Maybe rapha is trying to tell the OP they are too porky for their brand.

Rapha Classic
Rapha 500
Now introducing the new Rapha Porky range.

 

[cool_hand]

Rapha Classic
Rapha 500
Now introducing the new Rapha Porky range.

mustang1, jokes aside the average size of a man's bicep is 35 cm. Rapha's Merino Arm Warmers in size Large measures 24 cm at the gripper and stretches out to a maximum of 32 cm. go figure.

 

[vickster]

mustang1, jokes aside the average size of a man's bicep is 35 cm. Rapha's Merino Arm Warmers in size Large measures 24 cm at the gripper and stretches out to a maximum of 32 cm. go figure.

made with skinny racing snakes in mind clearly (or just get XXXXL)...or give your money to a firm making products that are realistically sized

 

[Peter Salt]

Just get the American variant

 

[mustang1]

mustang1, jokes aside the average size of a man's bicep is 35 cm. Rapha's Merino Arm Warmers in size Large measures 24 cm at the gripper and stretches out to a maximum of 32 cm. go figure.

FIFY:
mustang1, jokes aside the average size of a male bicep is 15 cm. Rapha's Merino Arm Warmers in size Large measures 24 cm at the gripper and stretches out to a maximum of 32 cm. go figure.

 

[Mark pallister]

Post #12. States he wanted merino and presumably still does.
Otherwise why cough up £45 for Rapha merino in the first place

Ah well if you’ve presumed you must be right
amd he didn’t mention the price ?

 

[vickster]

Maybe @cool_hand can say whether he’ll also consider synthetic alternatives 👍🏻

 

[cool_hand]

Maybe @cool_hand can say whether he’ll also consider synthetic alternatives 👍🏻

I didn't have much choice but to look at synthetic alternatives as there's not a lot out there in terms of merino. Pearsons appears to be closest thing to Rapha but they are sold out of leg-warmers (they do still have the arm-warmers though). De Marchi also have merino warmers but I don't think I want to take the risk on the sizing as returning anything to Italy is a complete nightmare at present as Italian Customs are currently in IT meltdown!

I have recently tried some synthetic alternatives all of which I still had issues with the fit with although certainly improved over Rapha's arm warmers. The synthetic fabrics were not nearly as nice in terms of comfort compared to the merino although I do appreciate merino does have a downside. Does anyone produce the merino in Navy/Blue - all I see is black when I find them.