First, the fit. They call it offroadrally AEPD; it means it has been cut to fit best in a traditional mtb riding position. In Assos nomenclature, it’s more of a cento fit. Some might see merely the “marginal gains” ethos of the road coming to fat tires, but there’s something more important afoot. By hugging the body, the material wicks better. It also means that jersey features remain in place, no matter how much you move. And, yes, the aerodynamic gains could make you faster as well. A big feature that the second-skin fit helps with is 3D foam shoulders. They’re sewn into the jersey because just about everyone rides with a hydration pack, and the light padding will not only keep the straps from rubbing, but also improve sweat transpiration under the straps. There are also meshy panels on the arms, under the arms, and on the sides of the ribs. Here, too, they’ve chosen the area for maximum sweat evacuation. And the lower back itself is a very thin mesh. So thin, you could well get sunburned through it if you leave your back exposed. The design is intended to work with packs, but it also means that Assos has included a summer skinFoil baselayer with the jersey. The NS.skinFoilSummer_s7. You don’t have to wear it, but if you don’t, you might well want to apply sunscreen to your back before riding. The pockets have tapered edges on the right and left sides for easier access. The pockets are reinforced by reflective tape sewn under the hem. The middle pocket has a zip pocket big enough for electronics, and is ported so you can run headphone wires through the jersey to your ears. And the material itself is unique. While it possess the bland name of type.188, it is a durable, abrasion-resistant, stretch fabric that wicks, and is designed to take the moisture off your skin and transport it to the outside of the jersey, where it can quickly dry. The Assos SS.rallytrekkingJersey_evo7 might well change how you think about off road clothing.
