Assos layering system - where science meets art

This article was produced in assocation with Assos 

There’s a science to layering, and there’s also an art to getting it just right. The science says that multiple layers are more effective than one thick layer, at a basic level simply because warm air gets trapped between the layers and supplies better insulation. But cycling presents its own particular set of problems. Wind chill is high because riders are moving quickly, but at the same time hard cycling generates a great deal of heat that has to be dissipated in order to maintain core body temperature. And the art? Cycling apparel must be form fitting rather than bulky, lightweight rather than heavy, it must be smooth and aerodynamic rather than lumpy or flappy. And crucially, it must be comfortable as well as chic.

As the brand that first brought Lycra shorts to cycling in the late 1970s, Assos has more experience than anyone in developing the right clothing for the right situation with the right aesthetic. For 2024 the garments designed to work together for spring and autumn, when weather and temperatures are most changeable, are the Swiss company’s most sophisticated so far, and its most stylish.

Assos’s Mille comfort series is designed with streamlined regular fits, ultra-plus inserts and muscle-wrapping thermo-regulating textiles. The Mille GTS C2 jersey combines two proprietary textiles with a body-mapping pattern for a fit that’s unrestrictive but also lightly compressive and closer fitting.

The main body is Assos’s Sens SN, an ultralight, fast-drying warp knit, while a panel of Ossidia, first featured in the Mille GTS and GTO bib shorts, wraps the midsection, eliminating bunching across the stomach for a more streamlined, aerodynamic fit, providing stabilisation and extra support. There’s a threequarter-length zipper ensuring that the waist panel remains smooth and uninterrupted. Additionally, Louvre Tec tailoring removes material on the shoulder’s leading edge to eliminate wrinkling in the riding position.

Alternatively, for those looking for a more traditional full-length zip and a slightly lighter-weight jersey there’s the Mille GT C2 EVO, which is made with Assos’s Big Dual fabric, an interlocking knit that’s fast drying with excellent breathability. The sleeves and collar are made from new Speedy textile that has a body-wrapping, supportive fit.

The Mille GT Wind Vest C2 is designed to add some extra wind protection for minimal bulk. Weighing just 75g thanks to its breathable mesh back panel, it can be packed easily into a jersey pocket. Assos has improved its endurance gilet’s fit with a less rigid wind-blocking front panel, while the mesh rear panel is elastic and stretchy, allowing the vest to wrap the body for a rustle-free fit while also increasing breathability.

Updated armhole elastic reduces restriction and ensures no overlap with the Mille jerseys’ seams, increasing comfort and freedom of movement while eliminating friction between layers. Or, for riding in more challenging conditions, pair either of the jerseys with the Equipe RS Targa gilet, from Assos’s racing series that features WorldTour-tested products. This is made from a weatherproof three-layer softshell with a breathable rear panel. It has a close-fitting, aerodynamic race cut and is ideal for racing in unpredictable weather.

All come in a wide range of colours and sizes and in Uma women’s versions. And most importantly, all are designed to complement each other so that you can create the perfect layering system. Assos has got the science and the art – and your body – well covered.

More information on assos.com