The Rapha Pro Team Ghost range is new for 2025 and has been used by sponsored World Tour teams in the hottest of environments. Much of the design is based on the Pro Team III shorts but with a few key changes aimed to enhance breathability and temperature regulation. Will this help them to perform like the best cycling shorts for men should?
Construction
(Image credit: Future / Andy Turner)
Leg length wise, these are only available with a long leg, whereas the Pro Team III shorts come in regular or long fittings.
Another carry over from the Pro Team III is the new updated chamois. This uses a thinner but denser material than previous and a single density design to distribute pressure well over the soft tissue and bony structures without adding excessive bulk which can add weight, reduce breathability, and increase friction potential.
Colour options are just this iron grey colour while sizes range from XS up to XXL.
The ride
I’ve already become quite a fan of the Rapha Pro Team III shorts, which are what the Ghost have essentially evolved from. However, the only thing that really remains consistent between the two is the chamois pad, with almost every other aspect being brand new.
Once on, there are a few things that quickly become apparent. Firstly, the long leg is certainly on the longer side; the same length as the Powerweave shorts they sit just above the knee joint. I am personally more a fan of a shorter length for the sake of not having incredibly tanned knees and pale thighs. However, this has likely been done to improve temperature regulation.
(Image credit: Future / Andy Turner)
It’s also noticeable that the new perforated side materials feel rather fragile, so I have been pulling the shorts up using the solid fabric panels which add structure.
This material is of particular interest as Rapha designed it using climate chambers to validate the claims of enhanced thermoregulation and temperature loss. In practice, it does dry out exceptionally fast, and appears to wick moisture from the skin quickly into the fabric, and then evaporate. This is the primary way in which we lose body height, through transport of heat from the inside to outside via sweat and evaporation, and why humidity and reduced evaporation ‘feels’ warmer. Kit items that can speed this process up essentially help cool you down faster or reduce the build-up of heat.
(Image credit: Future / Andy Turner)
It’s actually an exceptionally good material at this process, and although in structure it looks similar to some other hot weather kit items, the material is far thinner and appears to have greater moisture transfer properties.
In dry heat, it is amazing at helping reduce temperature build-up. In humid weather, this effect is a bit more limited, but then so is every kit item. These shorts remind me of the Le Col Pro Indoor bib shorts in terms of structure, but that mesh relied more on having less fabric to allow sweat to transfer and evaporate, whereas Rapha has used a material that speeds up that process itself.
(Image credit: Future / Andy Turner)
The straps cross over at the back, in a similar fashion to Assos shorts. This keeps them in place but removes the need for a central panel of material, reducing weight and contact patches. I’m a big fan of this new pattern for the bibs as it works brilliantly for support and also temperature regulation. I think the straps however are a little at odds since they’re on the thicker side; not as thick or warm as the Powerweave straps, but not as light and breathable as say the PNS Mechanism shorts.
(Image credit: Future / Andy Turner)
The chamois is a low volume, high density offering. and I’m a big fan of it. I’ve always tended to get on well with Rapha chamois, as the coverage is good and the support around the sitting area works well for me. Being lower volume but higher density, there is now a bit less material and reduced chance for any friction or bulk while also feeling a touch more planted and connected with the saddle. However, that higher density means that vibration dampening and comfort have not been compromised in any way. Using these shorts for 100km+ rides in the heat they have proven wonderfully comfortable.
Value & conclusion
With all this performance, comes a price, with £275 / $335 being on the upper end for most bib short pricing. It’s cheaper than the likes of the Castelli Premio Evo (£299.99 / $350) and Assos Equipe RSR (£315 / $400) but is a premium on the Rapha Pro Team III, in the UK at least (£240).
I would argue that the best value higher performance bib shorts are the Rapha Pro Team III and PNS Mechanism. However, the Ghost shorts fit into the niche of hot weather performance shorts, which also extends to indoor use.
Although the Ghost bibs are not perfect – I think the straps could be more breathable without impacting support – they are still the best performing shorts when it comes to moisture wicking and temperature regulation. If you struggle in the heat, have hot weather events as target events, or want a comfortable pair of shorts for hot indoor riding, then the Ghost is likely going to be one of the best options you could go for.
(Image credit: Future / Andy Turner)
The Rapha Pro Team Ghost bib shorts are somewhat of a specialist piece of kit being designed for hot weather performance. However this usage stretches beyond riding in hot weather, as they are also ideal shorts for indoor training sessions where heat can build up quickly and temperature regulation is essential to comfort and performance. The only area these shorts don’t feel as optimised for hot conditions are the thicker straps, but they are very supportive and not the worst by any means. The innovative fabric and impressive comfort are what make these shorts stand out, even at such a high price, but the high premium over the Pro Team III shorts feels tough to justify.
