Setting a high watermark for everything that comes next: 7mesh review

New releases from BC-based 7mesh feature materials typically reserved for high-altitude mountaineering and snow sports gear, borrowing from the backgrounds of several of its founders and current employees (former Arc’teryx staffers). With select notable exceptions, the kit is almost without equal; alpine-grade, exceptional across conditions and a genuine unicorn in a crowded wood.

We connected with the company’s European general manager to discuss a world beyond colour blocks and font tweaks - the one which 7mesh inhabits: true originality.

On the road to growth: uniquely executed designs have sales close to doubling every year.

“The initial idea was to create alpine-grade stuff that protects against the elements, not just lycra with big logos and high prices,” explains John Zopfi, the company’s European GM, recently over Zoom. “I think it’s important when you design something that you’re adding something to the market, not just being a copycat or building something that’s already there. On the functionality and fit side, there’s lots of innovation still possible in cycling.”

You needn’t look further than the company’s do-everything gilet for an example of what Zopfi believes is 7mesh’s hallmark. A feature-rich vest with GORE Infinium paneling that cuts wind, keeps in warmth, and has stretch fabric in the back to allow heat escape and back pockets to be loaded. Rear zippers provide venting and are easy-to-access (string toggles, too. A touch normally seen on snow jackets. Extremely practical.). It is cut slim (medium; 185cms, 73 kgs) with taped seams and at a meagre 93 grams, is a lightweight packable worth carrying and worn when needed. In light rain it beaded water and trapped heat brilliantly.

The Ashlu Merino Jersey Sustainable. Stink-free. Comfortable AF. If you’ve debated a merino jersey until know, this is the one. Rather than stitch the bottom and top of the jersey pockets to the merino directly, 7mesh stitched a separate, structured panel of pockets to the jersey (see first image); not only is it durable and harmonious with the lightweight 150 weave, it maintains the jersey’s integrity, giving it heavy duty carrying capacity without unnecessary pulling or stretching. It also adds a pretty cool gradient dimension borne from function. Two additional secure pockets on the left (oversized) and right. Perfectly suited to any kind of riding. (Size down for a snug, tapered fit.)

MK3 Cargo bib short At 214 grams, the new MK3 cargo bibs might not be the lightest bibs we’ve ridden in lately; they are however one of the best and most functional. The high-density elastane weave is similar to other cherished bibs from Ashmei, Q36 and others. It is compressive without being tight and offer the kind of support you want on long rides.

Three stash pockets in the rear store food or tubes; the cargo pockets are useful but need a more elasticized strip at the top to ensure what’s put in (particularly an oversized mobile) stays in. A new performance chamois from industry titan Elastic Interface is pressure-free and seems to be getting more comfortable with each use. Great silicon grips on the legs keep everything where it should be. I loved this short.

We never wanted to be the biggest kit maker, just the best

7mesh’s Skyline Jersey and the already widely reviewed Oro Jacket were still unboxed at the time of writing this review, however anything that comes in its own wash sack is immediately recognizable for being well-conceived. I almost look forward to being caught out in the rain to try it out.

As more people continue to recognize the quality coming out of Squamish, and as cycling’s more adventurous side more broadly explored, interest in 7mesh will deepen, and rightfully so. There is a meticulousness that is clearly being applied here; every item we tried seemed to be widening cycling apparel’s ultra high-end while at the same time being incredibly functional. They clearly excel at working with finicky, high-functioning materials, cut and sold in sizes to accommodate body types and ride styles.

Undeniably other heavyweights helped create and pave the road they are going down, but 7mesh intends broaden it, motivated by a specific, product-focused vision of what cycling apparel could (should?) look like.