Assos Summergloves_S7

The Assos Summergloves_S7 are breathable and well padded with a great fit. They kept my hands cool and comfortable on rough roads in 30 degree temperatures.

• Pros: Breathable, nice amount of padding, excellent grip
• Cons: Not the easiest to take off

As the temperatures rise, I tend to go without mitts, but with the Assos Summer cycling gloves I found I didn't need to. They've been designed with summer riding as a key element, so have excellent breathability and even some noticeable wicking on the back of the hand.

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This is achieved through using as much mesh as can be fitted on without making them expensive lacy gloves. As you can see from the photos, they have it above the wrist, between the fingers and on the underside of three fingers, and there's double-thick mesh on the palm. It means that air flows through them really well – which was much appreciated in excessive heat.

In addition to being breathable, they also offer a medium level of padding, with enough there to deaden all but the most violent bumps without losing too much feel of the bars. They also have a lowered tab on the wrist which helps to protect your skin when riding in the drops.

As you would expect with Assos gear, the construction is of a high quality with strong stitching used throughout, so despite hours of testing there doesn't seem to be any damage beyond a few dirty marks on the white areas.

The pads aren't there simply for protection against bumps either, as Assos has also included silicone grippers on each, so you can get a decent grip on the bar even if your hands are sweaty.

They have also a microfibre fabric on the outside of each thumb, either for clearing your glasses or mopping your forehead while on the go.

Fit is pretty good on these without too much bunching of material on the palm, and they are easy to get on. Getting them off is a little more fiddly simply because of the amount of stretchy mesh on the fingers, but there is a small tab on the index finger that helps.

> Read more road.cc reviews of cycling mitts here

As you also might expect from Assos, these aren't the cheapest mitts, coming in at £40, though they are just a few quid more than the likes of the Alé Airs and Castelli Rosso Corsa Classics. However, you can get some decent pairs costing £25-30.

All-in, I really liked these mitts, which offer excellent breathability and a nice fit. They're a little fiddly to get off and there is no getting around the price, but if you're looking for a set of high performing summer gloves these are definitely worth considering.

Verdict

Really effective, high quality summer mitts, if a little on the pricey side