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Assos SS.equipeJersey_evo8

9
£120.00

VERDICT:

9
10
Great style, excellent fit and superb breathability from Assos' eighth generation Equipe jersey
Weight: 
126g
Contact: 

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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Assos' new SS.equipeJersey_evo8 is the eighth generation of the classic Equipe, a racing jersey with a high tech design but at a price that makes it competitive with rivals from other premium brands. It offers style, an excellent fit and superb breathability.

The new Equipe represents a change of style for Assos, with a hazard pattern replacing stripes on the left sleeve and an asymmetric design. It's a bold looking jersey, especially in this yellow option (other colours are available, including a more muted black) and you'll definitely stand out on the club run. (And you could win yourself one – and more – if you enter our competition here!)

> Find your nearest dealer here

> Buy this online here

Rather neatly, Assos has given the jersey a black band around the back, covering the pockets, and extending around the sides. This ensures the jersey blends seamlessly with a pair of black bib shorts and provides a smart appearance. The white rear panel has the added benefit of not showing any salt stains on particularly hot and arduous rides.

assos equipe jersey  - back.jpg

The Equipe is made from a 3D structure material that Assos claims increases the surface area, ensuring the jersey is better able to keep you dry by pulling sweat away from your body, while offering improved breathability. That large mesh back panel also helps the jersey in expending excess heat.

assos equipe jersey - close.jpg

Preventing sogginess and heat buildup is the biggest challenge for any summer jersey, and on both fronts the Equipe impressed. It remained dry during long mountain climbs under the intense heat of the sun, and moderated body temperature during intense chaingang efforts.

assos equipe jersey  - top.jpg

Assos is a performance-focused company, and that shows in the fit of the jersey. It's certainly on the close side, but the smartly shaped panels and fabric stretch ensure that it's not at all uncomfortable on the bike. The jersey sits flush with the body well, especially around the shoulders and arms, and the lie-flat waist and sleeve edges enhance the streamlined fit. There's a full length zipper with a dropped V-neck shaped collar designed to offer a good fit when riding in an aggressive position, which it does.

assos equipe jersey .jpg

With summery weather making a more regular appearance, plus a trip to Mallorca last month, I've had many opportunities to put the new Equipe jersey through its paces. It copes exceptionally well in hot weather, providing good cooling benefits, and the material remains dry even during the most sweaty, prolonged climbs.

> Buyer's Guide: 15 of the best summer cycling jerseys

The fit is comfortable for long rides, especially around the shoulders and neck. The three pockets are generously sized and you can load them up without negatively affecting the fit or dealing with dreaded saggy pockets, helped by the section of elastic band at the rear to keep the jersey in place. A strip of reflective material is a nice touch for evening rides.

assos equipe jersey  - sleeve.jpg

Assos calls it an entry-level racing jersey and that's a fair description; if you're not a member of a club and you race as a private member, the Equipe would be a good choice. It's more likely you'll be using it away from races, where it offers excellent performance for demanding conditions and riders who want the best jersey they can get for their money. It's not cheap, but there's a lot to like.

Verdict

Great style, excellent fit and superb breathability from Assos' eighth generation Equipe jersey

If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website

road.cc test report

Make and model: Assos SS.equipeJersey_evo8

Size tested: Small

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Assos says: "The SS.equipeJersey_evo8 strikes the perfect balance between performance and price point. Call this our entry-level racing jersey. Designed for the rider who wants a daily workhorse jersey focused on performance, it is the perfect partner for the équipe shorts. When performance is on the agenda, we strongly recommend choosing this piece from your ASSOS wardrobe. Cut in our racingFit, it is designed for cycling rather than sitting in the coffee shop, so put those thoughts of a third macchiato to sleep. With its v-shaped, slightly lower collar, it has been designed for riding on the drops. If, however, caffeine is called for, the sartorially-inclined cyclist can rest assured that this jersey's black waist will keep you looking sharp and slim at the coffee bar. Brief stops only.

With performance in mind we have taken key technologies used in our Campionissimo jersey, including notable design features such as the mesh back for increased breathability. Moreover this jersey welcomes a wealth of new technologies including the 3D structure of the material to increase the surface area making it faster-drying, a more open structure for improved breathability, as well as a bonded, zip, waist and sleeve edges to render it more aerodynamic.

Perfect when combined with any of our summer skinFoil base layers, this is the jersey to use with our équipe short, giving you the perfect race outfit to meet the demands of the fastest riders. Designed for speed yet good enough for the coffee shop, the SS.équipeJersey_evo8 is all about performance without breaking the bank.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

_ Designed for the racer

_ V-shaped collar for improved comfort while on the bike

_ 3D material for faster drying

_ New material with open structure for improved breathability

_ Bonded zip for improved aerodynamics

_ Mesh rear for increased breathability

_ Triple ramp pockets as a new patent

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

Usual excellent Assos construction and quality.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

Very comfortable for performance-focused cyclists wanting a race and aero fit jersey that works well in the heat.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

No problems throughout the test period.

Rate the product for fit:
 
8/10

The fit is close but that's by design; it's a good shape and fits well.

Rate the product for sizing:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort:
 
8/10

A comfortable race-fit jersey good on short or long rides.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

It's not cheap but it's offering a lot of performance and technical fabric design for the price, and compares well against rivals from other premium brands.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

Very easy to wash and it has remained looking box fresh the whole time I've been testing it.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Works well in demanding race-like situations.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Looks great! Fits well and performs in the heat.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Hard to find much to dislike.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your score

Typical high quality design and construction from the legendary Swiss company, this jersey is worth a look if you're in the market for a new summer top for racing or fast riding.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 31  Height: 180cm  Weight: 67kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, touring, mountain biking

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

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6 comments

Avatar
The _Kaner | 6 years ago
0 likes

Assos logo needs to be on the right arm for us lefty road users.....but other than that looks fairly snazzy

Avatar
Nfoxton | 6 years ago
0 likes

Why do brands think it's ok for you to dress this way when you ride a bike.  

Avatar
Chris Hayes | 6 years ago
2 likes

Truly awful jersey....

Avatar
bendertherobot replied to Chris Hayes | 6 years ago
0 likes
Chris Hayes wrote:

Truly awful jersey....

Looking or wearing? 

If the former, I suspect you haven't done the latter.

If the latter, let us have your thoughts.

Avatar
Grahamd | 6 years ago
0 likes

Not my style, thank goodness, having bought more jerseys than I can wear in a week I really ought to stop looking...

Avatar
alexn | 6 years ago
1 like

I have this jersey, and I love the fit of it.

Inside the pockets, there is a flap which you can tuck your phone under, or money, or whatever. It stops it falling out, and works as well as a zip.

I am looking forward to the matching socks now…..

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