Assos iJ. haBu Blue Calypso

As cyclists it is often difficult to know exactly what clothing you will need for any given ride and this is especially true in the Winter. Icy starts early in the morning often turn into sunny afternoons, the road dries and your confidence in the tarmac increases - you raise the pace and so your body temperature. We all know that sensible layering will help us meet the demands of the changing weather but it does leave us with one fundamental problem; where to put those layers. Being too hot can be just as distracting as being too cold.

Three or four pockets is the norm in a cycling jersey and when you have your wallet, keys, 'phone, energy food, pump, tube and tools stashed away it really doesn't leave much room for surplus clothing. Every now and then a product comes along that makes our lives that little bit easier. The Assos iJ.HaBu5 is one of them. Assos have engineered the Habu to be a low bulk, warm and windproof jacket and have thrown some very clever touches in for good measure.

First let's deal with the technical side of things. The Assos iJ.HaBu5 is far more than a windproof jersey yet it's weight and fit would lead you to believe that it wouldn't be up to keeping you warm when the temperature started to dip into minus figures. Assos'  AEPD II design approach focuses on getting the cut of the fabric correct in the cycling position thereby creating a garment that 'disappears' when riding but also one that maximises the technical advantage of the fabric - in Assos' own words "High Tech fabrics are useless if cut badly!" 

Assos have used their RXQ roubaix fabric and stratagonLight windproof material as part of their AEPD (Advanced Ergonomic Pattern Design) project to offer the rider all the benefits of insulation and impermeability but at the same time, have created a jacket that is still highly breathable. The RXQ has a channelled structure which increases it's thermo-regulatory properties, keeping the wearer warm whilst the stratagonLight windproof material (a fabric designed by and exclusive to Assos)  has a generous 4-way stretch for comfort without sacrificing it's impermeability to the wind. Ultimately this is the holy grail for a winter cycling garment - low weight for comfort, windproof and warm but with a high breathability in order to keep your temperature under control when the pace increases. 

For the average British Winter we can't envisage many circumstances where you would need much more than the Assos iJ.HaBu5 jacket and a base layer. Assos rate this for temperatures of between 6 to 12 degrees celcius but we've been comfortable right down to -1 or -2 degrees. Yes, there will be times when the temperature will plummet and depending on your cycling 'hardness'  you may need something of a heavier nature - the Assos fuguJack or Castelli EspressoDue for example.

The attention to detail on the HaBu is also very impressive, from the detailing on the inside of the zip-flap to the slinky Assos 'A' zipper. Assos have added an arm pocket to the upper right sleeve for your smart 'phone with the logic that, whilst riding it's not only inconvenient to interupt your rhythm but dangerous to fiddle around in your back pocket to fetch and answer your 'phone: the fabric of the arm pocket allows you to control the touch screen of modern 'phones so you can answer your calls and it's location on the upper arm is such that, if you have your 'phone on speaker you can have a conversation without having to hold it to your ear. As an aside, your author found that it is possible to operate the touch screen with the nose when thick winter gloves hinder your ability to do it by hand! (Although we don't recommend this). An added advantage of the arm pocket is that it frees up space on the back. The provision of 3 (two zipped and one open) capacious pockets mean that you have ample room for your nutrition, tools and other necessities as well as a rainproof shell should the need arise. Reflective detailing keeps you visible. A natty sunglass holder on the upper left breast means you'll never wonder where you left them.