ASSOS launches Liberty RS thermo rain jersey

After more than a year of prototypes and testing with in the pro peloton, ASSOS has introduced their EQUIPE RS Thermo Rain Jersey, also known as the Liberty, as their race-bred, lightweight, waterproof jersey.

The Liberty was developed by ASSOS internal internal textile laboratory in conjunction with their partners at BMC Racing Team to satisfy what the team saw as a gap in their clothing arsenal.

As denoted by its internal label, the Liberty is classified as a “rain thermo racing device.” It’s a high-tech piece of equipment that has been stringently engineered to be as watertight as necessary, as aerodynamic as possible, and as low volume as needed when performing at your maximum. ASSOS is confident in the power of this short-sleeved jersey to play a vital role in keeping you warm and dry in the saddle. Unlike conventional approaches to thermal rain jerseys, the Liberty relies on our ASSOS’ Stratagon Light fabric, which remains lightweight and able to perform even when wet. It’s no surprise to us that other World Tour teams have expressed an interest in purchasing this product already.

ASSOS are the experts at fitting to the riders’ body and their cycling specific body mapping has informed the precise placement of 5 textiles, 13 patterns, and 10 components to ensure that this ergonomically cut jersey can slice through the air rapidly while being immune to wind, rain, and low temperatures. Efforts to elevate the Liberty’s performance are evident in the considered rear ventilation slots known as squamoVenTech; the reduction of the number of stitches to minimize the risk of water entering; the double, dual-direction zipper; the large reflective panel on the rear for visibility; three optimally positioned rear pockets lined with a breathable mesh for the rider’s comfort; taped seams; and ultra-sonic bonding.

The Liberty’s distinctive design is based on our latest intelligence and learnings. The left chest panel over the rider’s heart benefits from a layer of their Schloss Tex, thereby ensuring additional warmth and improved blood circulation by targeting the source directly. For ASSOS, this is aligned with our objective of reducing volume while riding – ensuring that riders are equipped for all conditions without the need for extra bulk when racing.

How to use?

The Liberty is designed with racing and high performance in mind, which means that ASSOS recommends that you use it over your normal short-sleeved jersey at the start of the ride. As the ride intensity increases the double zips allow you to tune to the conditions, using just one hand to increase or decrease the ventilation, making it an ideal choice for undulating routes and changeable conditions. If you’re lucky enough, drop back to your team car and leave it with them as the weather improves. However, now it’s no longer a World Tour exclusive, it’s a valid layering addition for any rider as it provides thermal protection and the necessary water-resistance in the event of rain and storms.

For added protection, ASSOS recommends pairing the Liberty with arm warmers. If the weather is cool, their Tiburu thermal bib shorts would be a good match.

ASSOS designed the Liberty to work like radiant floor heating, where cold water is heated prior to running through the system instead of emitting heat into a room with a fireplace or furnace.

In the case of cycling, the water refers to your blood. Through ASSOS’ HI – AMtec concept they essentially “inject” warmth into your system [in this case, your blood] by accessing this stream as it runs through the pump – your heart.

By doing so, the Liberty brings ‘hot water’ to the system, resulting in an elevated sense of overall body warmth, using the bloodstream as a conductor of warmth.

This tech has been prototyped and developed by the ASSOS Werksmannschaft and real-world tested by their World Tour roadLab tech partner, BMC Racing Team.

Key features

Stratagon Light: Windproof, water-resistant, and breathable material developed jointly with ASSOS fabric suppliers to meet their needs, allowing them to create highly effective and lightweight protective panels.

Schloss Tex: This purpose-created textile is ASSOS most lightweight and waterproof softshell. Stretchy, extremely comfortable, and highly packable, this 3-layer construction has excellent abrasion resistance and relies on a hydrophilic membrane. On the Liberty it is deployed internally on the left side of the chest to retain warmth around the heart and promote blood circulation.

Reflex: Highly reflective rear panel for riding in low-light conditions.

squamoVenTech: Strategically positioned ventilation slots on the upper back.

Aero Racing: The Liberty exemplifies the ASSOS competence of tailoring cycling-specific, high performance apparel, using custom-made fabrics that have been engineered with the sole purpose of performance cycling in mind. Ergonomically shaped to fit your body in the cycling position, it ‘clicks on’ then follows your movements thanks to the Aero Racing body-mapped performance.

Rear pockets lined with Tech Sheen: Three optimally positioned, raw-cut taped rear pockets constructed with a waterproof material. Low volume and minimal risk of abrasion. Lined with Tech Sheen 3D mesh for added breathability and moisture management.

Cordura: Aerodynamic and waterproof, this proprietary fabric has been deployed on the collar.

Taped seams: Deployed across the shoulders and the front zip, these increase the watertight properties of the jacket.

Internal silicon on the rear, wide, elastic hem: Added for stability and fit, these silicon grips ensure an ergonomic, race-tuned fit.

DWR: As not every day comes with unbroken sunshine, we’ve treated this product to our DWR (Durable Water Repellent) to protect you from rainfall.

Double, taped zip: Slim, lightweight double zipper for individually adjusting to the conditions. Anti-pilling protector eliminates the risk of abrasion when in contact with bib shorts.

Raw cut edges: Now tailored with a more ergonomic cut than earlier prototypes, the ultrasonic bonding and raw-cut design ensures the sleeves and collar are ultra-fast, comfortable, and able to withstand the elements.

Ultra-sonic bonding: Deployed on the front hem, sleeves, and ventilation for aero gains and longevity.

Understated design: Featuring red accents and two bonded ASSOS logos on the left shoulder and central rear pocket.