Is the Assos Equipe R Habu Winter Jacket S9 the best the brand makes?

Assos continues to evolve its jackets year over year, does the latest option make the rest obsolete?

Assos Equipe R Habu Winter Jacket S9
(Image: © Josh Ross)

Cyclingnews Verdict

Every Assos piece builds on the last. The Assos Equipe R Habu Winter Jacket S9 takes lessons from the Mille GT Winter jacket and the Johdah jacket then combines them into a more comfortable option that will handle cold and a significant amount of rain.

Pros

  • +

    High stretch materials are exceptionally comfortable

  • +

    Excellent pockets have lots of room and high-stability

  • +

    Mesh breast pocket is perfect for gloves

  • +

    Stretch fabric at front and strip of elastic in rear keeps jacket from riding up

  • +

    Zipper pull is easy to grab with gloves

  • +

    Neckline is very comfortable

Cons

  • -

    Single-direction zipper

  • -

    Neckline is comfortable but visually odd

  • -

    Focus on breathability limits performance in harsh weather

You can trust Cyclingnews Our experts spend countless hours testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

The right winter cycling jacket is an investment that will last years. Some of the best tend to also handle a wide range of temperatures and will help you ride from late fall all the way through the winter and into early spring. As I put together our list of the best winter cycling jackets, high quality and warmth in the worst weather were definitely on my radar and so were comfort and usability. As you browse that list, you might notice Assos is well-represented. The brand has a lot of options and they tend to be some of the best on the market. 

This year brings a new choice, the Assos Equipe R Habu Winter Jacket S9. While our list includes the two options from the long-distance-focused Mille GT line of Assos clothing, this new entry brings winter warmth to the Equipe Racing Series of clothing. Like other options in the same category, it brings with it a focus on aerodynamics and high-intensity riding. Now that I've put it to the test, I'm ready to share how it compares to the other Assos jackets as well as how it compares to the broader market. If you are looking for a new winter cycling jacket, keep reading to see if this one is the right choice for you. 

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Testing scorecard and notes
Design and aestheticsDesign is good but would benefit with less breathability and more warmth. Aesthetically this is not the strongest Assos has. Despite these critiques it’s still an excellent piece. 8/10
Thermal managementAssos uses their own fabrics and they are the best of the best.10/10
StorageAbsolutely excellent. Plenty of stability and space. Other brands should take notes.10/10
Comfort and fitPerfect sizing and incredibly comfortable.10/10
ValueThe competition is Rapha and the pricing is the same. This isn’t a bargain but it makes sense where it is.8/10
OverallRow 5 - Cell 1 92%
Josh Ross

Josh hails from the Pacific Northwest of the United States but would prefer riding through the desert than the rain. He will happily talk for hours about the minutiae of cycling tech but also has an understanding that most people just want things to work. He is a road cyclist at heart and doesn't care much if those roads are paved, dirt, or digital. Although he rarely races, if you ask him to ride from sunrise to sunset the answer will be yes. Height: 5'9" Weight: 140 lb. Rides: Salsa Warbird, Cannondale CAAD9, Enve Melee, Look 795 Blade RS, Priority Continuum Onyx