CELL PHONE: Winter rain gear

Monday 16 July 2012

Winter rain gear

We put some hands on a few of Assos’ new Winter 2011/12 rain gear at PressCamp this summer, but somehow posting it when temps were topping 100º just didn’t see right. Besides, it wouldn’t have been available until about now and our pictures turned out pretty crappy.

So here we are on a cool, rainy day wishing we had a stockpile to go around.

Built around their new Clima X system of rainproofing the cycling, the “system” is comprised of five pieces, the sturmPrinz jacket, sturmNuss knicker shorts, Rain Gloves, Rain Bootie and Rain Cap. From our first glances at them, they’re all super nice, and we’re really lusting after the knickers and rain cap for sure.

The main material in the garments is a thin 3-layer fabric with a hydrophobic triple-laminated PTFE membrane to repel rain and keep it from getting through. Wind blocking panels are selectively placed to keep you warm. Even with all that, Assos says the pieces are light enough to wear during summer downpours, too, and are designed to fit over their other “systems” to build layers for winter warmth. The upper back panel is ventilated, and there are access slits to get through to your jersey pockets. Elastic shoulder sections maintain range of motion. MSRP is $529.99