Assos Spring Fall Headband P3

The Assos Spring Fall Headband P3 is the lightest form of head protection you can wear while cycling; it covers your forehead and ears, and nothing else, which is just what you need on those mornings when it is 13°C as you set off and the wind feels just a bit too chilly to ride with your ears exposed.

This may sound like a small issue, and it is. But it is your ears and forehead where you first feel the cold air, and without coverage a dull pressure may develop above your eyes after an hour or so. By covering only that area, you keep the top of your head clear, which is why you will leave the headband on during a climb rather than having to stop and stuff it into a pocket as soon as you start to sweat.

One of the big pluses of this headband is its packability: With a rating of 5 out of 5 – the highest score on Assos' scale – there is no reason to leave it at home. You will not even notice that you have it in your back pocket until you need it, and that time comes more often than you might think in spring and autumn!

Light insulation in two areas

The Spring Fall Headband P3 covers your forehead and ears, leaving the rest of your head exposed. This is a deliberate choice – the top of your head is where you lose the most heat, and that is what you want to be able to keep doing at 15°C. Assos rates the insulation at 2 out of 5 and the breathability at 4 out of 5, which is an optimal balance for rides where you will be stopping at traffic lights as well as pedalling flat out on open roads.

Design with 71% polypropylene for excellent moisture management

As polypropylene absorbs virtually no moisture, your sweat is wicked away to the outside rather than remaining trapped inside the fabric, where it would cool you down as soon as you come to a standstill. This explains the 4 out of 5 score for "Quick-drying"; if you hang the band to dry after your (wet) ride, it will be ready for use again before you know it!

Compatible with:

• Any cycling helmet – this band is so thin, you may not even have to adjust the fit of your helmet.
• Temperatures between 12°C and 20°C, according to Assos’ classification.
• Cycling glasses – the band sits just above your eyebrows and doesn’t get in the way of your sports glasses.
• A cycling cap – if you want to keep the visor down but cover your ears.

Not compatible with:

• Winter rides – with an insulation rating of 2 out of 5, the Spring Fall headband falls short as soon as the temperature approaches freezing.
• Rain – the headband is not waterproof and leaves the top of your head uncovered anyway.
• Use as a thin hat – this is a headband that does not cover the top of your head.

What size do I need?

The Spring Fall Headband P3 is available in two sizes: S-M and L-XL. Measure your head circumference with a tape measure, just above your ears and across the widest part of the back of your head, and enter that measurement in the size selector at the top of this page. If your measurement falls between two sizes, choose the larger one; a headband that is too tight will start to press against your ears after an hour.

Included as standard:

• 1x Assos Spring Fall Headband P3 in the colour black (Assos' blackSeries)

Other recommended items:

• Lightweight gloves – your fingers will cool down almost as quickly as your ears in temperatures of 12 to 15 degrees.
• Assos Active Wear Cleanser– a protective laundry detergent that ensures the fabric retains its moisture-wicking properties.

How to make the Assos Spring Fall Headband P3 sit securely under your helmet:

As this is not a full-coverage helmet beanie, you may not have to readjust your helmet. The headband is thin and sits only around your head, not on the crown where your helmet rests. However, there are a few things that make all the difference.

1. Put the headband on before putting on your helmet: Pull the bottom edge up to just above your eyebrows and make sure your ears are fully covered.
2. Check the back: The headband should run across the widest part of the back of your head, not down your neck. If it is too low, it will slide up while cycling and no longer cover your ears.
3. Put your helmet on: The front edge should be two finger-widths above your eyebrows, just as it would without the headband.
4. Check the chin straps: These should now run along the edge of the headband. If there is room for one finger between the strap and your chin, everything is fine.

If you put your headband on at some point during a ride, do so by pulling the whole thing over your head with both hands rather than pulling it down from one side. This reduces strain on the seamless construction.

• Take the headband with you on every ride in spring and autumn, even if you are not going to wear it straight away. It folds up into a small bundle that easily fits in a back pocket, and you know you are going to need it on the very day you left it at home!
• If you get too hot while cycling, put it around your wrist instead of stuffing it into your pocket. That way, you can quickly put it back on for a descent.
• Wash the headband at a maximum of 30 degrees with Assos Active Wear Cleanser. Do not use fabric softener because it leaves a film on the fibres that prevents your sweat from passing through.
• Leave the headband to air-dry. Polypropylene doesn’t handle heat well, so don’t put it in the tumble dryer or on a hot radiator.