A superlight, packable rain vest with proper rain protection that blocks yet breathes is a crucial piece of gear for a race-driven cyclist. Too many rides have been spoiled by rain and road spray, but the Assos Equipe RS Rain S9 Vest can keep your core and back comfortable, with a short or long sleeve cycling jersey, and/or arm warmers. Flexibility, versatility, and easily stored and employed, that is the purpose of a great vest, or gilet, as it is known in Europe.

Assos started with the same fabric used in the jacket version of this piece, their Schloss Tex polyester fabric, constructed in a fine, 3L softshell configuration. The material is quiet, features some stretch, blocks and breathes equally well. High-output training is no match for this piece. Assos uses sealed seams and water-shedding hems on the arm holes and waist to keep the water out and the fit close to the body, as befitting it's raceFit cut and aerodynamic function. The details are superb, with a soft, tall, blocking collar design, and a dual zipper that allows you to ventilate from the top or bottom as desired when the rain stops. Large pulls allow for long-finger shoulder season glove use with no fumbling around. A reflective strip bonded to the rear finishes off this simple but highly effective rain vests to boost visibility in low-light conditions.