With its snug, stretchy fit and soft-touch fabrics, the Assos Dyora RS Spring/Fall cycling jacket feels more like a long-sleeved thermal jersey than an outer layer. So while during the testing period I treated it purely as a jacket, comparing it to the competition I’d be more inclined to wonder how it performs against the best cycling jerseys for women on the market, especially those designed for shoulder seasons.
The Dyora range, designed for spring and fall, emphasizes low-bulk fabrics, thermoregulation, ventilation and race-ready aero gear. Up there with the best cycling clothing brands, Assos is known for its sleek and stylish cycling apparel, showcasing the results of the brand’s innovative design and engineering. Aiming to outshine the competition, Assos’ Spring/Fall Dyora RS Cycling Jacket comes with a plethora of exclusive features, so read on to find out all about it.
Also don’t miss our Assos Dyora Spring/Fall RS S9 Bib Shorts Reviewbecause they go perfectly with this jacket.
Design and aesthetics
At this time of year, the weather can be very changeable, so it is important to dress in a way that constantly regulates your body temperature. The Dyora RS Spring/Fall Cycling Jacket is designed to bridge the gap between a lightweight softshell jacket and a long sleeve thermal jersey, resulting in a low bulk, stylish garment that is soft to the touch and intended to be worn as an outerwear lying down.
The front torso and upper back panels are made from Assos’ twinDeck fabric, a double layer construction of its Push-Pull and Rhombus textiles. Push-Pull is the outer layer, an elastic warp-knit fabric with a fine knit that dries quickly, breathes well and provides UPF 50+ protection. The Rhombus inner liner provides low-bulk insulation, by way of slightly thicker diamond-shaped patches that are thicker than the rest of the jacket, and presumably trap air in the channels between them, for added warmth.
The rest of the back panels are created from a much thinner translucent mesh fabric, for added breathability, and this has a beautiful geometric pattern that sits over the shoulder blades. Meanwhile, the sleeves are made from Assos’ Sonic-SN fabric, which is ribbed and highly elastic, and, according to the brand, “features a micro-sand brushed face for additional thermal protection.” The sleeves are cut raw, all in the name of smooth aerodynamics.
At the back, the three “Triple Ramp” pockets, as Assos calls them, are designed to provide easy access while preventing objects from falling out during high intensity efforts. The Triple Ramp concept includes an additional fabric flap (the purple stripe you can see at the top of the openings), which is sewn at the top and open at the bottom, creating an additional barrier.
Another interesting design aspect of the Dyora RS Spring/Fall Jacket is the Diffusor, an exclusive construction that creates a double valve on the front of the shoulders. They lay flat when you’re not on the bike, but once the riding begins they provide a small opening to draw in fresh air and add to the jacket’s overall ventilation.
Immediately above is a patch of reflective tape, while a second reflective surface is provided on the rear in the form of micro-perforated bonded tape. These reflective elements offer a minimum of visibility in low light, which is welcome on a jacket that only comes in black.
A final feature that aids in thermoregulation is the 2-way zipper, which lets you adjust how much air you want to let in for cooling.
Performance
When you put the jacket on, you immediately see how comfortable it is and how fitted the fit is. Designed with Assos women’s aeroFit, it is quite tight and close to the body. The brand states that the individual panels are preformed and mapped, and this is very clearly the case. The area around the front shoulders and chest looks restricted when standing, and you will notice the tightness around the chest in the photos. Despite this, however, the stretchy nature of the fabric means it is still very comfortable to wear off the bike, unlike aero garments made with stiffer or softshell fabrics.
However, as soon as you start pedaling, it all goes away and the jacket fits like a second skin. There is definitely some slight compression around the sleeves and torso, and while I can’t provide any quantitative support for Assos’ aero claims, not having access to a wind tunnel, I can say that riding outside in changing conditions, in headwinds and varying intensities, always felt effective with no noticeable drag which I would blame on the jacket.
Although I am not a runner, I can definitely see the Assos Dyora RS Spring/Fall jacket as a basic choice for race day. Not only is it sleek and aerodynamic, comfortable enough that you forget you’re wearing it, it also breathes exceptionally well while trapping heat where it’s needed. The very fact that I didn’t pay much attention to it when I first started riding it is a testament to the fact that it adapts so well and is easy to overlook. I had to consciously start taking mental notes after a few rides because otherwise I wouldn’t have had anything to write in this review.
After riding in this jacket all fall I have started using it again now that spring has arrived because it works so well. Low-bulk materials help you feel light and unrestricted as you move around in the saddle. On days when it’s chilly in the air, the core is protected by this dual-layer fabric construction, while the mesh back and innovative shoulder valves provide ample breathability and ventilation to keep you from overheating. Even on the rides where I pushed myself exceptionally hard, I never found my upper body clammy; the jacket does a great job of wicking and dispersing moisture.
As a bonus, although not mentioned in the marketing materials at all, the twinDeck fabric also offers surprising water protection. After being caught in a downpour, I found that the front of my body, despite feeling soaked on the outside, was completely dry under the jacket. The same can’t be said for my back, however, as the fine mesh does nothing to keep the rain out, so while it’s definitely not going to make for one of the best women’s waterproof cycling jackets a run for their money, it’s a nice bonus that says a lot about the twinDeck construction and the extra protection it can offer the most crucial part of your body to stay warm.
Verdict
I enjoyed riding the Assos Dyora RS Spring/Fall cycling jacket, I came back to it this spring, and I think it lives up to its promise. The fit is exceptionally comfortable and although snug it is not restrictive and feels optimized for the riding position. Once you’re on the bike, it feels like a second skin and is easy to forget, and that’s the best praise you can give for a jacket of this type. The fabrics are beautiful, it’s gorgeous and it’s a pleasure to wear. You can add a few thin layers underneath if you want and get superb warmth without the bulk that usually comes with it.
With so much design and engineering, it’s no surprise that the jacket has a significant price tag, but I think it’s a worthwhile investment, as it’s become a staple in my cycling wardrobe, and I imagine it will be in many others as well.
Tech Specs: Assos Dyora RS Spring/Fall Cycling Jacket
- Price: £265 / $365 / €322.77 / AU$495
- Materials: 38% Polyester, 26% Polyamide (Nylon), 20% Polypropylene, 16% Elastane (Spandex)
- Colors: Black
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
