Rapha and Castelli Reveal New Aero Jersey Technologies for 2026

Rapha and Castelli have both announced 2026 flagship aero jerseys with new fabric treatments and pattern revisions. Both claim measurable aerodynamic gains in wind tunnel testing.

Rapha Pro Team Aero Jersey 2026The new Rapha flagship uses a proprietary dimpled fabric on the front and shoulders (similar to a golf ball), claimed to reduce drag by 5 watts at 45 km/h compared to the smooth-fabric 2025 model. Rapha also revised the back panel for better moisture management. MSRP $390 USD.

Castelli Aero Race 9.0 JerseyCastelli鈥檚 9th-generation aero jersey uses a redesigned sleeve with raw-cut edges and a textured forearm panel. Independent wind tunnel testing at the Politecnico di Milano shows a 12-gram drag reduction versus the 8.0, equivalent to about 4 watts at 45 km/h. MSRP $349 USD.

Independent verification pendingBoth brands鈥?claims rely on in-house wind tunnel testing. JoyVelo plans to independently verify these figures on the road in Q3 2026, using a controlled field test with paired riders and matched power outputs. Subscribe to our newsletter for the results.