The Assos SS.milleJersey_evo7 combines a relaxed fit with an understated style and impressive hot weather performance, making it a good choice for summer sportives and longer rides, even if it does cost a bob or two.
It's made from the company's own type.116 custom fabric which is soft against the skin and does a sterling job of wicking sweat away from the body. It really excels in warm weather, remaining dry even during particularly sweaty rides and intense climbing efforts.
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The sizing is more relaxed than the Campionissimo jersey I tested recently, ideal for people who don't want to look like they've been dipped in a vat of Lycra. The sizing is spot on really for people who don't have the body fat ratio of super-lean racing cyclists. Stretchy material in the side panels and armpits really enhances the fit and comfort of the jersey, with no restriction on your freedom of movement.
The sleeves are raglan-style and a bit roomier than the close-fitting sleeves of the Campionissimo. The openings aren't the raw-cut designed commonly used on more expensive jerseys, but a conventional stitched type hem/cuff. It's a comfortable design but the sleeves can shift around a bit.
Finishing touches include three regular rear pockets, with enough space for a few energy bars, a spare tube and pump, and other bits and bobs, and there's a small zipped pocket for your keys. Despite the looser fit of the jersey, heavily laden pockets didn't result in undesirable sag, thanks in part to the chunky elastic waistband in the rear section of the jersey. This is lined with silicone tape, and that helps stop the jersey shifting about when you're animated on the bike or stooped low in the drops.
The jersey has a full-length zipper and a dash of reflective details, handy when it's overcast or dark.
> Check out our guide to the best summer cycling jerseys
Durability has been good. The jersey has been through countless washes, and as the Assos website indicates, it's suitable for mountain bike use. I've been wearing it off-road when testing gravel and adventure bikes in the woods and on the trails; even with the overgrown nettles and brambles at this time of year, the jersey has coped admirably. Which is what you'd want, because £95 is a lot of money for a summer cycling top, although it does compete favourably against similarly priced rivals, and even some costing quite a bit more.
Verdict
A comfortable and nicely fitting jersey that copes very well in the heat and looks good too
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Assos SS.milleJersey_evo7
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:
Our brand new summer jersey. The combination of its relaxed raglan pattern design and the new type.116 custom fabric make the new mille an extreme "freedomFit".
It's ASSOS, so the SS.mille_evo7 Short Sleeve Jersey still uses the exact same high quality materials and technologies as their higher level jerseys. However to offer great value Assos have designed the jersey with a simpler construction. It's a great introduction to the world of Assos, where you will experience the care and attention to detail that goes into every one of their products. Once you have tried Assos you may never want anything else!
Mille Fit
The Mille fit designates a more relaxed cut tailored to comfortably fit an athletic body type without being too tight. Allows for excellent comfort and freedom of movement.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Mille Comfort Fit
Recommended for Summer use
3 rear pockets
Zippered rear pocket for valuables
Full zip
Elasticated hem for excellent grip and prevent riding
Yes, £95 is a lot of money, but the SS.milleJersey_evo7 competes favourably against similarly priced rivals, and even jerseys costing quite a bit more.
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
Very easy to look after, no problems in the wash.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Works well in hot conditions and mops up sweat a treat.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Understated styling and comfortable fit and sizing.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Nothing.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Maybe
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Maybe
Use this box to explain your score
Everything about this jersey strikes me as very good, fully deserving of an 8: very good wicking in hot weather, very well made, relaxed sizing. There's a lot to like about the SS.milleJersey_evo7.
About the tester
Age: 31
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 has worked on the road.cc tech team since July 2012. 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.
5 comments
Not just more relaxed but size down in my experience. So if you have an XL Assos get L in this.
https://roubaixcycling.cc/2016/06/28/assos-mille-jersey-budget-assos/
Nice review, thanks guys. Remember our crash / repair policy too.
The fit of this jersey is not designed to be 'tight'. It is a more relaxed fit, not one designed to show every [unsightly] curve.
If you want it to fit the way it was designed, do not go a size down. If you want it close fitting, and you are a slim jim, then go a size down, or chose one of our other jerseys, designed to be slimmer. At present, these are the Mangusta and The Campionissimo.
Rich @ Assos
Well, my Cape Epic, Rally etc are XL and race fit. My Mille is L, sized down, and relaxed as it should be. That has always been the case with this Mille and the previous version.
Did some measuring.
My Mille is bang on 20 inches across the chest in size large, probably the only Assos jersey I've owned to be true to the size chart. It is exactly as the fit above.
My Cape Epic is an XL and measures 19 inches across the chest. It's a slightly racier fit. I would expect a Campionissimo etc to be even more racy. So I do think that you can size down in a Mille
Why is there a jersey named "mangusta"? This is the Romanian word for mongoose. Does it allow you to slay racing snakes?!