Assos winter clothing in the test: Cold was yesterday!

Test: The Swiss manufacturer Assos has always stood for unique quality and stylish (racing) bike clothing and is for many the Porsche among the clothing manufacturers. With the new Equipe RS winter collection, the aim is to help drivers through the cold season in the usual way and also to offer them the best products for use on two wheels. We used the first icy days of 2020 to test the Assos Equipe RS winter collection in the Bavarian Alps. 

Assos winter clothing tested – the Equipe RS Johdah jacket

At first glance, the Assos Equipe RS johDah jacket is the ultimate winter gadget. Even in many years of cycling, we have never come across a jacket like this. With a double-layer concept, this jacket meets all requirements and redefines the winter jacket. Nevertheless, this part of the Assos winter clothing offers not only protection but also good breathability, especially during high performance and under harsh weather conditions, so that you don't sweat or even overheat, which subsequently causes you to cool down.

The new Assos winter jacket was specially developed for everyone who wants to ride all year round and doesn't let rain, snow and cold get them down so easily. However, this jacket only shows its full potential on ambitious trips under adverse conditions. Because of the different materials, the garment acts like a winterproof second skin that breathes, adapts to the body and at the same time has an optimal level of insulation to perfectly regulate body temperature during cold races and hours of training rides.

This jacket from Assos winter clothing uses fabrics that are equipped with a membrane and guarantee waterproof protection and flexible wearing comfort in different strengths. The jacket has been reinforced with several layers, especially in the chest area, which is constantly affected by the airflow. The first resembles a small vest or mid-layer with a short zip so that the chest is packed more precisely. Above this is a three-layer, windproof and waterproof light textile, which not only keeps you dry, but also has warming properties. However, too much heat is fatal, especially on strenuous rides, so on our test trips at an average temperature of around 0 degrees we really gave it a go to put the breathability of the Assos jacket to the test.

Thanks to the so-called diffuser "valves" on the shoulders, the air from outside is drawn between the fabric layers of the jacket and works like a kind of ventilation system. Even when we worked really hard, we only sweated heavily under the jacket and the unnecessary heat was transported away directly. This prevents overheating and subsequent cooling.

Special materials are used on the upper arms, back and forearms, which not only adapt comfortably to the body but, despite their robustness, do not cut in or press uncomfortably. Another special feature of the Assos winter jacket is the idea that everything is a building block in one system. A so-called thermal booster pod can be inserted into the pocket on the back for additional warmth on particularly cold days. Of course, with an RRP of 650 euros, the question arises as to who can and would like to afford such a jacket. But it is always a unique feature.

Assos Equipe RS johDah winter jacket features:

• SPHERE Light: This patented three-layer, windproof, waterproof and highly breathable woven softshell material with a sealed PU membrane provides additional water-repellent properties on the front and is the slightly lighter version of our SPHERE textile. Weight: 235 g/m²; Breathability: MVTR 30 g/m²/24 hours; water column: > 10 000 mm; Elasticity: 4-way stretch.
  
• Tibet: The bi-stretch circular knit, used as the innermost layer using SPHERE Light, adds slightly insulating properties and ensures that moisture is transported away from the layers of clothing underneath.
  
• SPHERE Media: The thickest version of SPHERE, used for the upper back and forearms, is a patented three-layer windproof and highly breathable woven softshell material with a sealed PU membrane for additional water-repellent properties. Weight: 320 g/m²; Breathability: MVTR 20 g/m²/24 hours; water column: > 10 000 mm; Elasticity: 4-way stretch.
  
• Rhombus: The innermost layer of the SPHERE Medium, made of polypropylene terry with a soft jacquard, has a 3D diamond-shaped mesh design to improve airflow, wick moisture and provide an additional insulating layer along the upper back and underarms.
  
• ZigZaggy Foam: The upper arms are made of this windproof material with a three-layer tricot construction. It has a foam-like core and a brushed fleece interior for added thermal protection.
  
• OSMOS Heavy: This tricot layout is used along the back section. It is the heaviest brushed material of the whole OSMOS family (290 g/m²), which also features asymmetric stretch and a soft, durable texture. The roughened inside provides a high level of insulation.
  
• diffuser: A sewing process creates two "valves" on the front of the shoulders, through which cool air can flow out and in for additional air exchange.
  
• Thermal booster pod: A fourth pocket in the middle of the back, extra for storing the Thermobooster midlayer or the Alleycat Clima Capsule.
  
• Triple Ramp Pockets: The three fabric-covered pockets, easy to access thanks to their ideal positioning, are color-coded and feature a micro-perforated sealed band for increased visibility.

Assos Equipe RS Bib Tights S9

Cycling pants from Assos have always been a highlight, because not only the comfortable padding, but the entire concept and the fit is still the first choice for many professionals and hobby cyclists. Of course, all the features and know-how of the Swiss can also be found in the long winter pants.

Long winter trousers in particular are often uncomfortable to wear, restrict freedom of movement or have poorly sewn-on padding. The Equipe RS trousers from Assos winter clothing are exactly the opposite, because in addition to the best insulation with wind and water-repellent properties, the bib tights offer a pleasant fit and a lot of comfort for long days in the saddle when the season is really uncomfortable.

A feature that has already established itself on the classic bibs from Assos can now also be found on the winter pants. We're talking about the proven A-Lock engineering, which ultimately means the two longer straps on the buttocks. This stabilizing system was specially developed by Assos to stabilize the pants and keep the padding securely in place. Each strap is sewn directly into the hem above the panel to ensure it is always under tension.

The upholstery is based on the race-proven Equipe RS upholstery, only without kraterCooler air holes in its popular basalt colour. As you are used to from Assos, this feels extremely comfortable from the very first moment, even in winter trousers. It is also equipped with a superAir microShock foam layer, the 3D waffle upper and goldenGate technology.

Another great feature of the Assos winter pants is the special reinforcement of the material in the shin area. It is precisely here that there is a great deal of headwind, spray water gets there directly and little musculature on the spot can provide additional warmth. The neoprene-like material keeps this area warm, protected and dry.

Assos winter trousers – features:

• A Lock Engineering: The S9 system combines materials and manufacturing processes to provide the shorts with maximum stability so that the padding does not slip.
  
• OSMOS Heavy: This jersey laying is mainly used. It is the heaviest brushed material of the whole OSMOS family (290 g/m²), which also features asymmetric stretch and a soft, durable texture. The roughened inside provides a high level of insulation.
• twin deck: Two-layer fabric that gives the bib shorts their full insulating properties. Made from OSMOS Heavy in combination with SPHERE Ultra.
  
• bubble protection: A belly and crotch panel made from our highly breathable, windproof and waterproof SPHERE Ultra fabric for extra comfort and warmth.
  
• ergoBox: A square pattern that effectively frames the pad at the back for added stability.
  
• Carbon Xbib: A single panel of stretch fabric that's folded over to create a supportive A-frame and gives limited vertical stretch at the back. A more flexible material made of an antibacterial carbon fabric was used over the "X" junction. It wicks moisture and lies flat in the front.
  
• Sealed Seams: The front sections have sealed seams, which further increases the waterproof properties of the trousers.
  
• DWR coating: This model has a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish so wind and weather really don't bother you.
  
• waterBarrier: The geoprene outer shell at the end of the leg section that repels water and fits securely to the overshoes.
  
• kukuPenthouse: A soft layer of OSMOS Heavy on the front part of the pad that supports the male anatomy, relieves pressure and improves air exchange.
  
• superAir microShock foam layer: A lightweight, open-cell foam with a shock-absorbing structure that always returns to its original shape, filling the gaps whenever your riding position changes due to weight shifts in the saddle.
  
• 3D waffles: A patented three-layer perforated foam that increases breathability and has no excess weight.
  
• goldenGate: A patented process technology in which the seams are interrupted along the side parts of the upholstery, allowing increased three-dimensional freedom of movement in this sensitive area that is always in motion.
  
• Reflective Bands: Attached to the back of the calves for better visibility.

Assos winter clothing tested – the undershirt makes the difference

The best winter jacket and all Assos winter clothing is worth little if you don't pair it with the right undershirt. After all, this acts directly on the skin as the immediate base layer as the first heat accumulator and temperature regulator and is therefore extremely important in determining how the layers above it behave.

As a continuation of the Winter LS Skin Layer, the Ultraz collection stores even more heat thanks to the wool blend and forms an even more effective protective shield against wind. Especially during our cold test rides, this base layer kept us dry on the body and offered enough warmth. The sweat is wicked away as quickly as possible thanks to the high-quality and ideally matched material. In addition, the undershirt dries very quickly, which offers a pleasant feeling, especially after short stops, because for us there is hardly anything worse when you have to go back into the cold with a damp undershirt after 5 minutes in the warm.

To deliver all of these attributes, the Skin Layer is a complete overhaul of its predecessors with a comprehensively revised, lighter design and a new blend of textile fibers. The Ultraz model is about 10% lighter than the old long-sleeved winter skinFoil because this model uses a circular seamless structure. In other words, you can do without scratchy side seams here. In addition, the fabric was worked on for optimal performance and everything is designed for rides in icy temperatures. A robust fabric made of polypropylene and wool is used for this. The Assos Ultraz Baselayer is available for 120 euros.

Assos winter gloves - cold hands were once!

The hands in particular cool down within minutes on the bike, of course, because the hands and fingers are not really moved. Thanks to the new Ultraz winter gloves, this should now be over and the new collection of Assos winter clothing should be rounded off.

Even at first glance, the gloves appear extremely robust and warm. Nevertheless, they adapt well to the hand and are not too rigid, but lie comfortably on the hand. Braking and shifting work with the Assos winter gloves without any problems and you hardly have the feeling of having blocks on your hands, unlike with so many other winter gloves.

According to the manufacturer, the glove should ensure that you can spend many comfortable hours with warm and flexible fingers, even under the toughest conditions outdoors. After a good three hours of driving with an average temperature of 0 degrees on the speedometer and light drizzle, we can definitely confirm that and were very satisfied with the performance of the Assos Ultraz.

This performance is made possible by the highly insulating two-layer fabric design "twinDeck" and is combined with the Airblock textile reinforced with a membrane. In addition, there is the thermal lining and the neoprene cuffs that keep hands and fingers warm and protect them from moisture. This combination of high-quality materials creates a high level of insulation and reliable protection against wind and weather while remaining breathable enough that hands do not get sweaty. The gloves are available for 110 euros.

Assos Winter Gloves - Features:

• air block: A windproof and highly breathable soft shell fabric with a bonded PU membrane for additional water repellency.
• Brushed Lycra: A flexible, ultra-soft textile engineered to wick moisture and provide some insulation.
• twindeck: The two-layer fabric design optimizes insulation through a textile combination of brushed Lycra and our membrane-reinforced Airblock.
• Microfiber palm: A light, soft material that favors an improved grip while supporting and protecting the hand.
• Palm Padding: Thoughtful placement of padding that moves with the hand to prevent heat build-up and prevent puckering.
• Anatomical cut: Wrinkle-free design that forms a rounded 3D structure made possible by processing three separate materials and five panels.
• Reflective Accents: Narrow strips attached to the side of the little fingers for better visibility.

WEB: assos.com