I’ve got my hands on the latest Assos Mille GT jersey and bib shorts, and I can’t believe how comfortable the ensemble is.
Comfort is always subjective, but consider the context. I’m a wide-built, 188cm-tall 36-year-old, who weighs close to 87kg.
Most kit I wear is compromised in some way, with spare fabric here and there, where I’ve had to go up a size to accommodate my broad-for-a-cyclist chest and shoulders. Likewise, when I stick to a size for desirable compression levels, I might find it’s a bit… snug.
But the latest Mille GT kit has some refined features geared towards making it more comfortable for endurance riding, with an accommodating cut suitable for more than just racing whippets.
Bearing in mind a reasonable total price tag of £250, don’t dismiss it on Assos’ premium-price reputation alone.
For the longest days: Assos Mille GT jersey
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Up top, the Mille GT jersey makes use of Assos’ lightweight AirCell fabric. Its hexagonal structure is engineered to promote airflow while remaining stretchy.
This helps it feel light and breathable, while avoiding the tell-tale flap of excess material or an overly tight feel.
The sleeves have been reworked using a new lightweight ‘Eclipse’ fabric and finished with a raw-cut hem. Even with my broader shoulders, the sleeves settle naturally around the mid-point of my arm without digging in or pulling on the neckline. It’s a subtle update, but one I suspect will prove comfortable on the long rides this kit is designed for.
Round the back, Assos’ familiar ‘Triple Ramp’ pockets are designed to help prevent sagging when you’ve packed in the supplies for an all-day ride. Fully loaded, I’ve found the jersey doesn’t feel too weighed down.
The overall cut is excellent, though, with generous enough proportions that it will accommodate riders like me who don’t conform to the snake-thin cycling stereotype, but still manage to flatter.
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Tried-and-tested and eco-friendly
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The matching Mille GT Bib Shorts S11 retain Assos’ slightly awkward naming convention, but the focus on endurance riding is clear.
Assos says the slightly longer leg offers a modern silhouette, and while I’m not a fan of shorts that extend right down to the back of the knee, this design seems to strike a happy medium.
The legs are made from Assos’ Quartz fabric, which is said to be permanently odour-free (ideal if you wanted to use the shorts on a light bikepacking trip).
80 per cent of the material is made from recycled polyamide, a welcome move for the eco-conscious, yet it feels tough-wearing and compressive. Assos says the fabric is engineered to remain a deep black even when stretched, saving potential blushes and retaining a premium look.
The GT chamois is based on highly regarded ‘S11’ tech shared with the brand’s top-level shorts, and is 12mm thick but designed to be as minimalist and breathable as possible to avoid the dreaded hot puffy-pillow sensation.
Assos’ Rollbar bib-strap design is said to keep the insert securely in place during hard efforts, by anchoring lower down the backside. It’s this that gives a real supportive, locked-in sensation when riding.
The brand’s Golden Gate 2.0 tech, whereby the pad is only partially stitched in, enables it to settle into the optimum position more easily before the bib-strap design does its work to hold everything in place.
I’m also a fan of the leg grippers, which use a textured design that I find slightly reminiscent of the first-generation Rapha Pro team bib shorts, offering a definitive feel to the end of the shorts. These are less tight-feeling, though, which helps to mitigate a sausage-leg look or unsightly marks on the skin.
The Assos Mille GT kit is available now, priced at £115 for the jersey and £135 for the bib shorts, both in multiple colourways.
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