The Assos Equipe R Jersey S11, with its ultralight AirCell fabric, second-skin fit, and clever pocket features, is built for speed. It delivers on Assos’s reputation for blending cutting-edge tech, sleek aesthetics and premium pricing into its cycling kit. It features trickledown tech from its pricier Equipe RS range, aiming to be the perfect jersey for high-performance training and racing in hot conditions. It complements the Equipe R Bib Shorts S11 I reviewed recently, though the jersey has an even more lairy colour.
For more options, check our best summer cycling jerseys buyer’s guide.
Fit and comfort
Assos markets this jersey as second-skin aerodynamic, but not one designed to be aggressively compressive. My XL test sample was a perfect fit for my 189cm, 90kg slim mesomorph frame – no loose material flapping, no awkward stomach bunching, and no excess fabric around the shoulders catching the wind and stealing watts.
The AirCell fabric is outrageously light, and in hot weather it truly comes into its own. It breathes so well that you feel even the slightest breeze on your skin, making it ideal for mid-summer racing, high-intensity training or chasing your strongest mate up a climb while questioning your life choices.
Some race jerseys tend to creep up your back mid-ride, but to prevent this Assos has incorporated a microdot silicone rear band, which does a great job of holding everything in place. Whether you’re in the drops, on the hoods or grinding up a long climb, the jersey stays put – no adjusting required.
Storage and practicality
For a jersey built with aerodynamics and race performance in mind, the Equipe R still offers solid practicality. The three rear pockets are well-sized, stretching enough to fit everything from snacks and spare layers to a mini-pump.
A handy feature is Assos’s ‘lid’ pocket design – a small internal fabric flap that prevents your phone, gels or other essentials from sliding out. This might sound like a minor detail, but if you’ve ever had to retrieve an energy gel from the road mid-ride (or worse, had your phone eject itself on a descent), you’ll appreciate this.
Performance on the road
This jersey absolutely excels in hot conditions. It’s one of the most breathable race jerseys I’ve worn, keeping body temperature in check even during hard efforts in 25°C+ weather.
If you prefer a fully race-focused fit, it’s worth noting that this isn’t quite as aggressive as the pricier RS version. The £175 Equipe RS Jersey uses a warp-knit 550cx fabric, which offers an even more aero-inspired fit and texture around the arms and shoulders. But unless you’re obsessed with marginal gains and time trial-level aerodynamics, the Equipe R still delivers excellent performance for £45 less.
Crash replacement and sizing guide
Just like the Equipe R Bib Shorts S11, Assos offers the same crash replacement policy – if you damage the jersey in a crash within the first 30 days, Assos will repair or replace it for free. Beyond that, it says it’ll try to help with repairs or replacements at a ‘reasonable charge’, though, again, no details on exact costs.
Assos’s online size calculator is also handy if you’re unsure about fit, though if you already own Assos kit, you can probably stick to your usual size.
Colourways and aesthetics
My test sample came in ‘Halo Green’, which I’d describe as ‘Neon Mint on steroids’. It’s bright. It’s bold. It’s very visible. If you like standing out on the road, you’ll love it – but if you prefer more muted, classic tones, there are five other colours available, including black, dusk and sand.
Value
At £130, the Equipe R Jersey S11 is firmly in premium territory, but it still undercuts some key competitors such as the £165 MAAP Evade Pro Base Jersey 2.0 and the Santini Redux Speed Jersey, which costs a mighty £190.
And I feel the Assos’s price is an investment worth making, if you’re racing in hot weather or just want a super-lightweight jersey that keeps you cool on big rides.
If you’re not looking to spend as much on a jersey, you could consider the likes of the £60 Vanelli Proline, which still costs the same now as it did when we tested it and rated it very highly two years ago.
Conclusion
The Assos Equipe R Jersey S11 is a near-perfect summer jersey for those that ride hard in hot weather, offering exceptional breathability, a dialled-in fit, and thoughtful pocket features. The AirCell fabric makes hot-weather riding a dream, while details like the rear microdot band and ‘lid’ pocket design show that Assos has really thought about both performance and practicality.
At £130, it’s a premium investment, but one that beats pricier competitors while delivering top-tier performance. And if Halo Green isn’t your thing, other colours are available.
Verdict
Lightweight, breathable, race-ready option that works for long rides too – the Equipe R absolutely delivers
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Assos Equipe R Jersey S11
Size tested: XL
Tell us what the product is for
Assos website says:
“The core of the Racing Series, an all-new jersey engineered with trickledown technology for daily training and racing in hot conditions. The R S11 is defined by its ultralight, hyper-cooling AirCell textile and second-skin aerodynamics.”
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Assos website says:
“The all-new EQUIPE R Jersey S11 combines race-tuned aerodynamics with extreme cooling and a simplified construction. That simplicity matches the jersey’s style, with a solid color and subtle ASSOS branding on the central pocket only. The result is pure racing utility, infused with the DNA of the premium RS and pinnacle RSR jerseys but engineered for daily high-intensity riding. The ultralight body textile, AirCell, is so impossibly airy that it virtually disappears while you’re wearing it, making it an ideal choice for racing in hot conditions.”
Construction:
“Main Fabric 80% polyester, 20% elastane; Pocket, Hem Insert 82% polyester, 18% elastane; Pocket Mesh 94% polyamide, 6% elastane”
Excellent breathability offering maximum airflow without flapping about.
No issues so far after multiple rides and machine washes (30°C), but the material is so thin I think it could easily be damaged if you crashed or snagged it on anything.
Superb, no flapping even with my usually awkward tall, slim but broad shouldered build.
Great fit, and I found the size calculator on the Assos website a useful tool.
It’s up there (or down there) with the best for lightweight jerseys.
It weights just 133g – I’ve eaten Doritos weighing more than that in a single sitting….
I found it extremely comfortable and soft on the skin.
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
Responded fine to the recommended 30°C wash cycle, drying very quickly on the washing line as you’d expect
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Extremely well.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Fantastic fit and excellent breathability.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
As with the matching Assos shorts I tested at the same time, the Halo Green colour isn’t for me.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
At £130 it’s far from being a bargain, but it’s still cheaper than some other premium brand offerings such as the MAAP Evade Pro Base Jersey 2.0, which costs £165, and the Santini Redux Speed that’s £190.
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 overall score
It’s a fabulous jersey that I’ve enjoyed every minute I’ve worn it, though the colour wouldn’t be my first choice. As the weather warms up I can see it being my default jersey for fast group rides, as I think it feels fantastic when you’re riding, and looks great both on and off the bike.
About the tester
Age: 33 Height: 190cm Weight: 94kg
I usually ride: Santa Cruz Stigmata My best bike is: Factor One Disc
I’ve been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, touring, club rides, general fitness riding, Gravel, Track and Zwifting
