The iJ.intermediate_s7 Lady – Assos never score any points with me for their product names – is the successor to the high-end Swiss brand’s intermediateEvo and is effectively a long sleeve summer jersey but with a windproof panel on the front.

As a result it’s plugged a handy gap in my cycling wardrobe. When cycling, the front of your body takes the full impact from the breeze and so the windproof fabric provides a built-in layer of protection without having to pull on a gilet.

The fact the arms and side panels are made from a conventional summer-weight fabric helps regulate body temperature, though the upper arms have a very light feature fleecy lining to add a little more warmth, bliss!

The jacket is still light, especially compared to the type of jacket we’d use at this time of year, so it’s best used as an outer layer in autumn and spring, down to about 10 degrees when combined with a long sleeve base layer (though that may depend on your tolerance for the cold). However at the moment, now we’re in to winter proper, it still works well over a base layer and beneath an outer shell.

Assos’ sizing is generally on the small side and that’s the case here. The medium sample tested is just about the right size for me (size ten). The fit is very close and the jacket can feel quite restrictive around the shoulders when you first pull it on, however it’s cut to suit the riding position, rocked over at the pelvis and with arms stretched out, and so it feels comfortable on the bike and the fabric sits close to the skin to ensure there’s no excess material flapping about in the wind. As ever, try before your buy if you’re concerned about sizing.

The jacket shares a similar pocket layout to the Assos jersey I reviewed, with two open pockets, one on either side at the rear of the jersey, that are easy to dip into thanks to their anatomic shape – the pockets are angled so it requires a little less effort to reach around on the move. There’s also a zipped middle pocket big enough for a mobile phone and valuables.

VERDICT

The Assos iJ.intermediate_s7 Lady is a versatile lightweight jacket that offers a close fit which works well on the bike as a jacket in its own right in milder temperatures or as part of a winter layering system.  Like all Assos clothing it’s one of the most expensive options out there at £222.99 but value is relative and only you can decide if the price is right.

PROS

– Lightweight
– Snug fit, no excess material left to flap
– Effective front windproof panels

CONS

– Expensive
– Inaccurate sizing, we recommend buying a size larger than you would normally

Sizes available: XS (UK size 6), S (8), M (10), L (12), XL (14)
The sizes bracketed are our estimated guide for readers.
Colour options: Black/White
Price: £222.99
More information: Assos

What Assos say about the iJ.intermediate_s7 Lady Jacket

This is it! The successor to the intermediateEvo Lady. This is the brand new, next-generation successor to the legendary intermediateEvo longsleeve jersey. Before intermediate, this type of cycling jersey did not exist.

Very simple in concept, very effective on the bike: it is a summer jersey with long-sleeves and a protective airBlock front panel.

With the introduction of the iJ.intermediate_s7, we have elevated its performance, lowered its volume and increased your comfort, providing ideally light protection against chilling winds without overheating.