Assos Equipe Spring/Fall Skin Layer P1 Short Sleeve

The Assos Equipe Spring/Fall Skin Layer P1 Short Sleeve is a close-fitting base layer for the in-between weeks, when the morning is cold and the afternoon is not. It is designed to sit against the skin under a jersey and manage moisture, and the fabric is built to do that across a wide range of temperatures.

Fabric and Weave

Assos builds the P1 from a synthetic blend that includes Dryarn, carbon fiber particles, and elastane. Dryarn is the part that handles breathability and moisture, and Assos describes the carbon fiber particles as giving the fabric long-lasting antimicrobial odor control. The elastane keeps the layer stretchy enough to sit snug without restricting your movement in the saddle. If you have ever worn a synthetic base layer that still smelled after one wash, this is the problem the carbon fiber is meant to solve.

The weave changes across the body. Assos uses a tighter weave over the front of the torso and shoulders, which is where cold air hits you when you ride, and an open weave under the arms and across the back, where heat and sweat build up. That kind of body mapping is what makes a base layer usable across a wide temperature range instead of a narrow one. The P1 has a close, second-skin fit so it can move moisture away from your body, and it sits smoothly under a jersey and a jacket without bunching.

What Changed From the Earlier Version

Assos states that this Spring/Fall Skin Layer is 15 percent lighter than its predecessor. It also has a higher collar, better odor control, and a more streamlined, body-mapped fit. The short sleeve length makes it a good match for jerseys with short sleeves and for pairing with arm warmers when the temperature moves around.

Sizing and Where It Fits

The layer comes in Blackseries in four Assos sizes. Size 0 corresponds to jersey sizes XS-S, size I to M, size II to L-XL, and size III to XLG-TIR. Because the layer is meant to fit close to the body, choose the size that matches your jersey size and check the chart if you are between two.

In Assos's range, the Spring/Fall layer sits between the lightest summer options and the heavier winter layers. It suits shoulder-season riding, cool early starts that warm up as the day goes on, and cold-weather riding as the first layer under a jacket. At $200, it is a premium base layer, and it makes the most sense for riders who wear one on most of their rides from autumn through spring.