Assos Dyora R Jersey S11

The Assos Dyora R Jersey S11 is very light and breathable, bringing high-performance features and comfort from Assos’ top-tier models. It offers a race fit and clever pocket features, complementing the Dyora R Bib Shorts S11 that I reviewed recently.

As with those bib shorts, the Dyora R Jersey arrived in sleek, well-considered packaging, despite being less expensive than the Swiss company’s ultra-premium offerings.

The Dyora R Jersey S11 sits at the core of the Racing Series, with trickledown tech from the premium RS series, and is designed for daily training and racing in hot conditions.

The design is simple, featuring a solid colour and one mesh material across the body and sleeves. It’s called AirCell fabric, and it has an open hexagon pattern designed for maximum cooling and breathability. While you can see through the material when held up to the light, it isn’t as thin as the Le Col Women’s Pro Air Jersey that I tested a couple of years ago. That said, it still performed very well in temperatures around 25°C. It’s extremely breathable and very lightweight.

Assos markets this jersey as second-skin aerodynamic, with the AirCell fabric offering bistretch properties for body-wrapping stretch and support. It also features built-in odour control, which proved effective during testing.

Overall, the jersey is really comfortable and strikes a good balance between offering a close fit and being comfortable for longer rides.

Sizing & fit

The Dyora R Jersey S11 comes in six sizes from XS to 2XL. I opted for a size medium, as recommended by Assos’ online size calculator and the jersey fitted me well in the body and arms, with no bunching around the stomach. However, I did notice excess material around the neck/shoulders, especially when riding in the drops, so a slightly closer fit in that area would have been ideal. I am on the cusp of a small/medium so perhaps I could have benefited from sizing down.

That said, if you’re looking for a more performance-orientated, race-cut fit, the higher-end RS version is designed to be more aggressive and aerodynamic.

As is common with much of Assos’ kit, the jersey features a dropped tail design, with the front being noticeably shorter than the back, the idea being to provide a better fit when you’re in a riding position. This worked well on the bike and didn’t feel too short at the front when standing upright off the bike.

Sleeves, pockets & other details

The edges of the sleeves are bonded, to offer a frictionless finish and increase durability for daily use. It worked really well at holding the sleeves in place without adding bulk or digging in anywhere.

There are three pockets at the rear of the jersey, all made from a different fabric. When empty, they initially felt quite loose and baggy. I often ride with just my phone in the middle pocket, and it seemed to move around more than I’d prefer. However, each pocket is topped with a small internal fabric panel that acts as a ‘lid’, which did a good job of keeping the contents secure. This might seem like a minor detail but I appreciated it, especially as there’s no zipped pocket for valuables.

Underneath the pockets, the rear hem features a band with silicone dots to stabilise the back panel and maintain grip in the wet. It worked well at holding the jersey in place; it didn’t creep up my back mid-ride.

The full-length zip has a grippy tag, but there’s no guard at the top. However, the collar is low cut, so the zip is away from your neck anyway.

My test sample came in black, but there are four other colours, some very bold and visible: Flame Orange, Halo Green, Stella Lavender and Terra Sand.

Crash replacement policy

Assos offers a crash replacement policy in which it will repair or replace the item free of charge if it’s damaged during a crash in the first 30 days following purchase. After that period, it’ll still aim to repair or replace the item, though it will charge ‘reasonably’ for this service.

Despite not knowing exactly what this cost is, it’s still a useful policy, particularly when investing in premium kit.

Value

At £130, the Dyora R Jersey S11 isn’t cheap for a summer jersey, and sits in premium territory.

The Le Col Pro Air Jersey I mentioned earlier is only a tenner more, at £140, and I found it a great lightweight top, though you could get some interesting tan lines.

You don’t have to pay that much for a good jersey, though. The Bioracer Icon Coldblack Women’s Jersey Olive, for example, is now £57, up a couple of pounds since we reviewed it, and it’s a comfortable and breathable top that’s ideal for summer riding.

Check out our guide to the best women’s cycling jerseys for summer for more options.

Conclusion

Overall, the Assos Dyora R Jersey S11 is a lightweight, breathable and comfortable option for hot-weather riding, offering premium features at a slightly lower price than the company’s top-tier range. It fits well overall, though the neck and shoulder area could be more refined.

Verdict

Premium summer jersey balancing a close fit and all-day comfort

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