Holiday Gift Guide | For the Mountain Biker and Adventure Cyclist | 7mesh

7mesh

Revelation Men’s or Women’s Jacket ($450 MSRP)

One of the most enlightening conversations we had at the Interbike trade show took place at the 7mesh booth.

As makers of high-end cycling apparel, we were drawn in by their muted colors and clean, understated designs. What we didn’t expect was an EXTREMELY detailed primer on the science behind high-performance cycling wear.

As we found out, a lot more goes into a designing a jacket than choosing a material, sewing it up and adding some zippers. During our lengthy talk, the 7mesh team proved to be passionate beyond measure about every conceivable detail…whether that be the method in which a seam is taped, the direction a material is sewn (for example, to build in flexibility for ease of movement), or their proprietary “Helix Patterning” which delivers an anatomically correct shape for riding while minimizing seams (to reduce weight and enhance breathability).

While they don’t like to mention it, it’s worth note that the majority of 7mesh’s founders came from Arc'teryx. Located near Vancouver (arguably the extreme sports capital of the world), Arc'teryx enjoys a well-deserved reputation as a premiere maker of high-performance outerwear for harsh-weather activities like mountaineering, climbing and skiing.

So, what happens when a group of people with 80 combined years of outdoor apparel experience leave their employer and start from scratch a line of premium cycling wear? Cool products ensue!

One such product is their Revelation Jacket. This particular piece is the flagship of their “7 Day” collection, which is meant for extended adventures where the weather is unpredictable and you have to be ready for whatever Mother Nature throws at you. We could go into dizzying detail about all the tech that goes into this jacket. But instead we’ll discuss how it performs.

It is absolutely waterproof (as we discovered by riding in a very heavy rainfall). It’s crazy light (270g). It has a snap-off hood you can wear under your helmet. It has a trim, tailored-looking fit but with just enough room beneath to layer up for colder rides. It has clever pass-though zipper openings along the sides so you can access the contents of your jersey pockets without removing the jacket. It has subtle reflective accents. Most importantly, the cut of the jacket feels a teeny, tiny bit weird when you’re standing around (a little tight in the chest)…but when you pedal away on a bike, the fit is absolutely sublime.

Because the jacket is so thin and light, it “seems” fragile. But in truth, it is constructed of Gore-Tex Pro, which in addition to being waterproof and extremely breathable, is also designed to be highly durable and abrasion resistant. Time will tell on the zippers and snaps, which also "seem" light and fragile. But so far, so good. Provided you're not abusive to the jacket, I'm sure they'll last a good long time.

Bottom line: Pair up the Revelation with some smart layering choices and you have the ultimate jacket for unsupported bike touring and/or extended adventure rides in wet weather. And naturally, it will be your go-to for rainy day commuting too.

Purchase Information:

Product Page
http://www.7meshinc.com/7messages/product/revelation-jacket/

Men’s Jacket Shopping Page
http://shopping.na1.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.3890979/it.A/id.264/.f?sc=11&category=2455

Women’s Jacket Shopping Page
http://shopping.na1.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.3890979/it.A/id.275/.f?sc=11&category=2456

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