Eye candy for fabric-and-features fans…
Founded by a bunch of outdoor apparel industry veterans, Squamish, British Colombia’s 7Mesh was born of the realization that most cycling softgoods are not built to nearly the same standards frames, forks, wheels, and the like. Their goal, “to become the world’s most respected cycling apparel brand,” is an ambitious one- but their Interbike debut suggests that they are off to a good start.
Broken into two categories, 7Mesh apparel is designed for either 7-hour or 7-day use. The former is lighter and simpler, intended for days in which conditions are largely known and clothing won’t see much off-bike duty. The latter is for the big trips and epic days in which anything might happen, versatility is more critical, and clothing might see use off the bike.
The Revolution jacket is a 7 Day piece and the first cycling application of GoreTex’s top-level Pro membrane. Though the GoreTex brand has been around for donkey’s years, the fabrics have continued to evolve and numerous technologies fall under the banner. Unlike lower-level Gore fabrics, Pro evacuates moisture regardless of the inside/outside temperature differential. It’s not terribly stretchy, making cut key- look for long panels cut along the fabric’s bias on the Revolution’s back and wrapped in a helix around the arms, both in order to make the most of the material.
A removable under-helmet hood has built-in hearing panels to keep crinkle to a minimum. Forearm vents replace pit zips, providing thru-cooling without letting rain in and all zipper pulls are light, quiet cord. The jacket is available in both “goldstone” and black, with cuts for boys and for girls.
The Re:gen jacket is a stripped-down 7 Hour top that keeps wind and moisture out during high-intensity rides. The GoreTex Active Shell is waterproof- but given the amount of dampness that a rider working hard will generate, is less dense and more breathable than the Pro fabric. Minimal cuff and hem grippers look to have been taken from a high-end short’s cuff- a very cool idea.
shirts and shorts and
shirts and shorts.
The Glidepath is a lightweight overshort designed for big rides. The quick-drying fabric has a DWR finish to keep it from getting too wet in the first place. The fibres themselves don’t relax when moist- meaning that the shorts don’t droop in the damp. Up top, the S2S Shirt is a trim-not-slim jersey intended for mountain biking and casual cycling. The zippered side pockets stay out from underneath hydration packs. The top’s low-Lycra fabric has a non-technical feel- and less stretch makes the top’s considered cut that much more critical. The front is more densely-woven than the back, keeping wind at bay while remaining cool under a pack.