When something is first launched at Assos, you know to expect something that shatters molds -- even those set by Assos itself. Such is the case with the iJ. intermediate_s7. Is it a jacket, or is it a jersey? Well, it's kind of both, but Assos simply calls it "intermediate." The list of work that went into the iJ. intermediate_s7 reads more like the demands of a lunatic fashionista than a jersey -- 17 patterns, 14 components, and six different textiles. Now, we're not saying that quantities alone make the intermediate exceptional. It's Assos' technical design prowess and proprietary fabrics that bring the iJ. intermediate_s7 to fruition. Starting with the materials themselves, Assos spared no expense in placing the perfect fabric at the ideal location.

The front panel is comprised of the windproof stratagonUltra airBlock fabric. This material protects the torso from icy winds while providing ample stretch for movement. Additionally, its low volume makes it highly breathable for thermo-regulation. For the sides and rear panel, Assos used its new ASSOS Type. v X121 summer textile. Why a summer-weight material on a cold weather jersey? Easy -- speed. Your sides and back are the focal points of ventilation, meaning that heat escapes at these regions. And according to Assos, this material dries 34% faster than prior iterations. So your internal temperature will remain consistent, and your skin will stay dry. The top of the arms use a lightweight, low-volume insulation fleece that conforms to your contours. Working as a cohesive unit, the materials keep you dry, protected, insulated, and unrestricted. However, this would all mean nothing without Assos' signature, precision fit. Combining what Assos calls its Advanced Ergonomic Pattern Design (AEPD) racing cut with its cycling-specific body-mapping pattern design, the iJ. intermediate_s7 benefits from the most thought-out design process in the business. Assos is the first to tell you that high-end materials mean nothing.