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review

7Mesh Revelation Jacket

8
£339.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Exceptionally good cycle-specific waterproof with superb breathability, but it's going to cost you lots
Weight: 
282g

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The 7mesh Revelation Jacket is an exceptionally good cycle-specific jacket made from superb Gore-Tex Pro fabric but – wow – it's expensive.

This is the first product from Canada-based 7mesh, although the guys behind the brand have been in the outdoor clothing industry for years. The Revelation comes with a little 'Launch Edition' crest on the right sleeve.

Speaking of firsts, the Revelation is the first cycling jacket made from Gore-Tex Pro three-layer fabric (many are made from other Gore-Tex fabrics) which is waterproof, windproof and surprisingly breathable. This really is a high-end material – Gore's best. It's tough too. This jacket thinks nothing of getting scrunched up in a rear pocket with a bunch of other ride essentials and it'll brush off the odd scrape without any trouble.

You know how some waterproofs can feel fine until you get on the bike, and then they feel tight around the shoulders and you get acres of spare fabric bunching up at the front? This one isn't like that. The cut is designed especially for cycling so it's slim to avoid flapping and it sits right without any restriction when you're bent forward with your arms reaching out to the handlebars. If anything, I found the chest just a little tight when off the bike, but it was really comfortable as soon as I got into the saddle.

Obviously, the fit will be affected by what you're wearing underneath. I've worn this over a long sleeve base layer and a thick windproof jersey lately and I've found it perfectly comfortable while riding.

The rear of the Revelation is cut longer than the front but not by loads (about 5.5cm on our medium sample when laid out flat). That meant that I didn't get as much butt coverage as you get with some cycling jackets to protect from road spray although, on the plus side, you can wear it off the bike without looking too freaky. Zipped side pockets are handy off the bike too.

I found the arms plenty long enough to keep my wrists covered when reaching out to the bars – hurrah! some brands still get that wrong. The neck sits high and close to stop the weather from getting in there. The inside of the collar is brushed so it's comfortable next to your skin and a little fold-over chinguard stops the zip from scratching.

The Revelation keeps water out superbly. I've ridden in the rain lots lately and it has kept my upper half dry throughout. Gore-Tex Pro really is an excellent fabric and 7mesh have used it really well with super-neat seam taping throughout. Several washes down the line and the 8mm micro tape is showing no signs of lifting or bubbling. I'd be massively surprised if it started leaking any time soon.

To let out sweat and hot air you get a full-length front zip, 30cm side vents with water resistant zips (you can open them from either the top or the bottom, and you can use them to access your jersey pockets too), and 11cm vents on the forearms, again using water resistant zips. You also get hook and loop adjustable wrists and a one-hand adjustable drawcord around the waist.

All of that, combined with the breathability of the fabric, means you can let lots of moist air escape. I've been using the Revelation over the winter so I can't comment on the performance in hot weather, but I've managed to stay reasonably sweat-free inside when I've put it on with all of the vents open. The arm zips in particular are very effective at keeping you cool and overall it's one of the most impressive waterproofs I've ever used in terms of its ability to let humid air out – perhaps the best.

One unusual feature for a cycle-specific waterproof is the removable hood. It's cleverly engineered using very little fabric so that you can wear it underneath a helmet without much of an effect on fit. It works well but I'm not a big hood wearer so I put it to one side most of the time.

At 282g, the Revelation is light for a jacket that provides this level of protection and features so many zips (there are seven). You can roll it up and slot it into a jersey pocket easily enough.

The only sticking point is the price. Gore-Tex Pro is expensive stuff. All Gore-Tex Pro jackets that we know of are at least £240 and, as I mentioned, this is the only cycle-specific one available so far. The bottom line is that this is a great jacket but it's going to cost you. Lots.

Verdict

Exceptionally good cycle-specific waterproof with superb breathability, but it's going to cost you lots

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road.cc test report

Make and model: 7Mesh Revelation Jacket

Size tested: Mustard - Medium

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

7mesh say: "This flagship, maximum-protection jacket is designed to enable comfortable riding in the worst of conditions. Its 7 Day fit is patterned for riding position, but is eased enough to allow layering and off-the-bike versatility. Key design features include forearm and side vents to extend riding comfort, and a removable low profile under-helmet hood that provides excellent protection without compromising vision. Slim hand pockets hold essentials,while the adjustable hem, cuffs, and hood provide customized fit.

"The Revelation is the first cycling garment to be constructed using GORE-TEX Pro fabric, the pinnacle GORE-TEX technology. This unique membrane technology, with the widest functioning range of use of any GORE-TEX material, is ideally-suited for a versatile piece like the Revelation.

"All of our products are designed to be light, durable, functional, and beautiful, and the Revelation has been meticulously engineered to minimize material usage and weight. With trimmed seam allowances and 8mm micro tape to optimize weight, drape, and comfort, the Men's Revelation jacket weighs only 270 grams (9.5 oz), making it an ideal choice during inclement weather or on multi-day trips.

"The Launch Edition jacket is customized with a commemorative sleeve graphic and unique colour details and is available while quantities last."

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Gore say: "Garments engineered with GORE-TEX Pro fabrics are built for maximized ruggedness and are ideal for extreme and extended use."

For more info on Gore-Tex Pro go to http://www.gore-tex.com/remote/Satellite/content/outerwear-technologies#....

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

The quality of the construction is super-high. The seam taping, for example, is probably the best I've ever seen.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

It keeps the rain out and the fabric is highly breathable. Open all the vents and you'll be surprised at how cool and comfortable you can remain.

Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10

The Gore-Tex Pro fabric is very rugged and durable. The high build quality should add to the durability.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10

It's small and light enough to roll up and store in a jersey pocket until needed and that's all I care about, really.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10

The breathability and cut make for superb comfort.

Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

Well, this is the tricky one to mark. Taking cycling waterproofs as a whole, this is right at the top of the scale. You can get something that's, say, 70% as good for a fraction of the price.

On the other hand, if you pay RRP for a Gore-Tex Pro jacket, you're looking at £240 or possibly much higher. This price isn't out of line with other Gore-Tex Pro jackets, believe it or not.

So, them's the facts; you have to make up your own mind on whether you think the Revelation is worth it!

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

It is a superb jacket for keeping you dry and well ventilated in wet weather.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The breathability is superb. I really like the cut too although a clip away bum flap might be a good addition.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Well, there's that price!

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? I'd never trust myself in a jacket of this price.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yeah, if any of my friends could afford it (which, looking at the state of them, is doubtful).

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

I can sum this up simply: fantastic jacket that's very expensive. It's a clear 9 but for a price tag that has to drag it down a mark.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 43  Height: 190cm  Weight: 75kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding,

 

Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. We send him off around the world to get all the news from launches and shows too. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

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5 comments

Avatar
KiwiMike | 9 years ago
0 likes

The last triple-layer Gore-Tex jacket I purchased was in 1997, for hill walking. It's still good as new, even though its primary use case is with a 20KG rucksack on the shoulders. FWIW it cost the equivalent (in NZD) of around £400. 18 years on, I have no reason to suspect it won't still be useful in 2032.

£339 is only expensive if you plan to buy one every few years. Otherwise buy it once and enjoy it every mile of every wet ride, whilst those who couldn't justify the cost experience lesser levels of performance/comfort. I'm a big fan of 'value' at every price point. The Decathlon stuff is fabulous 'value' at £30-ish, the Vermarc one I reviewed recently is fabulous 'value' at £80, my Shutt Performance Jacket is awesome 'value' at £150 and I'm sure those with the cash will find huge 'value' at £339.

Incidentally, riding to a pub and café once each week, our club spends per person circa £500/year on drinks/Cake alone. Perspective, folks, not absolutes.

it all depends on your ability to justify comfort/performance for a set price.

Avatar
Comrade | 9 years ago
0 likes

On the £35 jacket I got from mountain warehouse, the hood rolls up in itself to store in the collar....and now I need to think of what to spend the other £304 on. (I know, before you start, my jacket probably isn't as good!)

Avatar
don simon fbpe | 9 years ago
0 likes

That's a nice looking jacket and doesn't look to bad as a pub jacket. I think it only looks expensive if you're in the market for a 10 quid Aldi special. I'm sure there are plenty of places on the High St that will happily relieve you of £300+ for a fashion jacket. £200 was deemed over the top and expensive not so long ago and yet now Rapha seems to be quite reasonably priced...
Cycling the new golf?

Avatar
fenix replied to don simon fbpe | 9 years ago
0 likes

No it does really look expensive.

Does anyone wear a hood on a bike ? Where does it go if you don't wear it ? Hanging there like a drag chute ?

Any reflectives ?

Fit doesn't look great on the model - maybe it's better on the reviewer.

Tail too short ?

I can't see why it gets so many stars at that price.

Avatar
bashthebox | 9 years ago
0 likes

What's this for? Is it for riding on your long rides? It looks like a sail. Is it for commuting in? I'm not sure the hiking jacket look would go down so well running between the office, coffee shop and meetings.

And that price! Holy jesus. Move over Rapha, Vulpine et al. You've been usurped.

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