Held Carese/Torno Evo – well-designed ventilation and a flexible Gore-Tex solution

I tested the suit in temperatures ranging from around 12°C and rain to summer heat of about 28°C. What stands out most is just how many ways there are to adapt it to the weather and the type of riding.

Two ways to use the Gore-Tex layer

The Held Evo, with the Carese jacket and Torno trousers, has a removable Gore-Tex layer that can be worn either underneath or over the outer suit. The first time I rode in it, the temperature was around 12°C and fairly chilly, so I chose to wear the Gore-Tex layer on the inside.

That turned out to be a good choice. After a while it started raining, and eventually the rain became quite heavy. I stayed completely dry, while the Gore-Tex layer also worked as an effective wind barrier. I was warm and comfortable underneath.

The downside of wearing the waterproof layer on the inside is, of course, that the outer suit itself gets wet. For a one-day ride that was not much of an issue, but if you are heading out again the following morning, starting the day in an outer suit that is still holding moisture is less appealing. That is why I prefer the second option: wearing the Gore-Tex layer over the suit.

When the rain starts, it is easy to pull on, and the long zips in the trousers mean you can avoid a minor roadside gymnastics session. Once the rain stops, you simply take the layer off again and carry on in a dry textile suit underneath. The waterproof garments do take up some space in the luggage, of course, but not enough for me to see it as a major drawback.

For me, this flexibility becomes especially useful during more active riding. When riding on gravel or otherwise moving around more on the bike, your body generates considerably more heat. In those situations, it is nice to be able to remove the Gore-Tex layer completely rather than always having a waterproof membrane between you and the outside air.

Ventilation you can actually feel

When the temperature climbed to around 28°C, the Held Evo had a chance to show a very different side of itself. And this is where I think the suit really impresses.

The jacket has large ventilation panels at both the front and rear, which can be opened to allow air to flow through generous mesh sections. There is also ventilation along the sleeves. Together, they create a noticeable flow of air through the jacket rather than just a few small vents that you barely feel.

The trousers also offer several ventilation options. In fact, I rode for a large part of the test without even noticing the vents at the bottom of the legs. I only found them when I was going through the suit while filming. That perhaps says something about how well the rest of the ventilation was already working.

I often ride in MX boots, so the lower-leg ventilation naturally makes less difference for me than it would for someone wearing a lower touring boot. But in hot weather, every opportunity to get a little extra airflow is welcome.

Lots of small details

It is really the details that make the Held Evo feel so well thought out. The ventilation panels can be opened properly without anything starting to flap around. The sleeves and waist are adjustable, and the trouser cuffs can be adapted to suit different boots. I have tried the trousers over MX boots and it works, although it is a little snug.

The pockets are useful too. The front pockets are waterproof and easily accommodate, for example, my iPhone 16 Pro.

There are simply a lot of small solutions that give the impression that someone has really thought things through.

A wider range of fits

The Carese Evo/Torno Evo is available for both women and men, and Held uses a much broader sizing system than simply S, M, L and XL. For both women and men there are size charts for regular proportions, longer and slimmer builds, shorter leg lengths and a so-called tummy fit with more room around the waist. This makes it possible to get closer to the right proportions without simply having to size up or down in the usual way.

For men, the regular range starts at S, while the long/slim range uses the prefix L-, the short range K- and the tummy range B-. The tummy versions mainly provide more room around the waist in relation to the other measurements.

For women, D sizes are used. The regular range runs from DXS to D4XL in Held’s size chart, with an inside leg measurement of around 79.5 cm. Long/slim sizes are marked with L-, short with K- and tummy with B-.

I tested the women’s version in Held’s regular fit, with a DL jacket and DM trousers. At 172 cm tall, with a 77 cm inside leg and a relatively straight body shape, the regular fit worked well for me.

Tested jacket size: DL
Tested trouser size: DM

A suit I’d happily keep using

After riding in the Carese Evo in cold weather, summer heat and heavy rain, it is the flexibility that stands out most for me.

The Gore-Tex layer can be worn wherever it works best for the day, the ventilation is unusually generous and the suit has plenty of small details that work well in practice.

It is comfortable and fits neatly, a suit designed for varied riding and changing weather.