Although our friends Down Under are gloating about their summer weather right now, many of the rest of us are still in the thick of winter, and Assos has some new gear for staying comfortable on those chilly rides. Known as much for the price as the quality, Assos has been expanding what it calls the "welcome, thank you" line. (Translation: less expensive.) Still, less expensive is relative, as the "affordable" Shaq jacket still runs $359/£216 and the LL.Uno_s5 bib tights are $299/£175. Having done a few rides in these pieces, though, we can vouch for the quality.
Assos revamped its baselayers for this season, replacing its interactive pieces with the new skinFoil seamless underwear. As with many Assos clothing, it comes in different thickness for (seven!) different temperature ranges. The longsleeve earlyWinter baselayer ($159/£99) uses woven polypropylene for warmth and moisture transfer. Assos claims the construction has anti-odor qualities as well.
The $359/£216 ShaqUno jacket feels immediately different than most winter jacket as the outer layer floats separately from the under layer for loft, and thereby warmth. The inner layer is a wicking fleecy material.
As some bib tights get more and more complex with windblock layers, zippered uppers and a multitude of fabrics, the LL.Uno_s5 bib tights ($299/£175) are refreshingly simple with RX fleece throughout, no zippers and an incredibly comfortable chamois that is positioned perfectly. The absence of zippers at the ankles seemed strange at first, but after a few rides we appreciated the svelte feel. No one has ever described zippers as comfortable, have they?
As with the bib tights, the legUno_s7 leg warmers ($79/£49) forego zippers for a lightweight, comfy fit. Cut for a bent knee, the legUno warmers have reflective panels stitched in.
Finally, the insulatorGlove_s7 ($49/£27) is a well-tailored RXQ glove that works as a standalone option on milder winter days or as a liner under thicker gloves for the nasty weather.
Check back soon for review on a few of these pieces. In the meantime, you can check out our tour of the Assos Ticino Showroom in Switzerland.
