The 7mesh Men’s Pace Short Sleeve Jersey is a lightweight, highly breathable and very comfortable top well suited to warmer weather and indoor training. Despite being very thin, the fabric feels rugged and the large-capacity packets are stable and secure. The zip puller is a little trickier than some to engage and I’d have preferred a higher SPF rating, but overall I’ve been impressed.
> Buy now: 7mesh Mens Pace Short Sleeve Jersey for £120 from 7mesh
Specification
While this is essentially the usual polyester/Elastane mix, in this case it’s a Bluesign-approved fabric, as well as fulfilling the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 criteria. These mean that the jersey meets certain environmental criteria, has been tested for harmful components and it’s PFC and PFAS free.
I liked the colour of our ‘Dark Velvet’ jersey, but you could also choose from bright red ‘Supernova’ or ‘Lemon Sorbet’.
While 7mesh describes the design as ‘pared down’, there’s a lot of detailing on show. There are mesh panels at the front and the underarm areas for maximising air flow, and the collar has a low-profile V-pattern with a subtle guard to prevent chafing.
The full-length zipper is welcome and the four rear pockets are thin and stretchy, but engineered with good support around the base. And given how thin the materials are, the pockets are pleasingly generous. The fourth is a zipped valuables pocket.
Cut and sizing
The Pace has a racing-snake cut that cheats the wind but also leaves nothing to the imagination, and if you’re carrying any extra weight this will be visible to all and sundry. The sleeves are long in the contemporary manner, which I like for the extra protection it offers.
Our large jersey felt tailor-made for my 181cm, 70kg frame, though I am proportionally short in the torso. And 7mesh’s size guide is very accurate, which greatly reduces the risk from online purchases.
Performance
The overall performance has been excellent – though this is what I’d expect for a jersey at this sort of price.
Our jersey arrived during April’s heatwave, and I found the fabric and mesh panelling very effective at keeping me cool. The wicking is very good too, kicking in after around 20 minutes or so, which helps to keep you dry.
It worked well in rides at 25°C, but I was also able to wear it down to 12°C before reaching for a gilet. If you are caught in a shower you will get wet very, very quickly, but if you’ve forgotten your micro-jacket, the good news is you’ll dry in around 15 minutes given a break in the cloud and a modest breeze.
The silicone arm grippers pair well with arm warmers.
The full-length zip lets you tailor additional air flow to suit the conditions, though I found the tag a little trickier to operate than some. I don’t have any feeling in the tip of my right index finger, but I thill think a bigger tag would have been welcome.
And while in the absence of a wind tunnel we can’t test aerodynamics, the jersey’s figure-hugging cut ruled out flapping on long, fast descents.
Though technically a road garment, you could also wear it on gravel outings and endurance rides. The large pockets coped with a 750ml water bottle, banana and smartphone without issue, with the zipped pocket taking a medium-size wallet. And I found this pocket’s zip tag easier to grip than the main zip, even in the saddle, though I would have preferred it if had been a little larger.
The close cut and the silicone hem gripper ensured there were no issues with the jersey bunching when I was alternating between hoods, drops and tops.
I found the long sleeves offered some protection from brambles and the like on off-road rides, and while the jersey’s SPF15 offers some protection from the effects of the sun, I’d have preferred a higher sun protection factor and for it cover all of the jersey rather than just certain areas.
The material can’t match merino wool when it comes to keeping odours at bay, but I was able to wear the Pace for three consecutive rides in temperatures from 15-23°C before a very slight smell of swear became apparent.
It’s simple to wash at 30°C and the fabric’s lightness means it dries on the line in 20 minutes with some warmth and breeze.
It’s come up well after washing, no doubt helped by its dark shade, with no trace of oil or much after carrying out roadside repairs. There are no signs of any bobbling or loose threads either, which bodes well for its long term durability.
Value
The Pace’s £120 RRP isn’t exactly small change, but it’s not out of the ordinary for a high-quality jersey.
The Castelli Espresso costs £125 and is more of an everyday summer jersey, but it also features recycled materials, generous pockets and has a flattering fit.
The MAAP Evade Pro Base Jersey 2.0 comes in at £165, is made from sustainable materials, employs vented fabric and has spacious pockets. Steve was impressed by its comfort, fit and good looks but wasn’t so keen on the price or weight.
The Lusso Paragon jersey is a little cheaper at £105 and Ben appreciated its generous pockets and a fabric that proved very capable in a wide range of temperatures.
For more options at a wide range of prices, check out our best summer cycling jerseys buyer’s guide.
Conclusion
The 7mesh Mens Pace SS Jersey is comfortable, has great pockets and does most things very well. I’d have preferred a higher SPF rating and for it to cover the whole of the jersey, and while the figure-hugging cut suited me just fine, it may not be to everyone’s taste.
Verdict
Comfy, cool, airy and light with a close fit and good pockets, but I’d have preferred a higher SPF
> Buy now: 7mesh Men’s Pace Short Sleeve Jersey for £120 from 7mesh
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road.cc test report
Make and model: 7Mesh Mens Pace Jersey SS
Size tested: Large
Tell us what the product is for
7Mesh says: “A light, fast and highly breathable road jersey, built to beat the heat and reach the summit in record time. Pace sets the road alight with a skin-fit shape that feels fast from the off with an ultra-lightweight fabric enhanced with front and underarm mesh zones to encourage airflow at speed. To the rear, a simplified Anything pocket system in mesh maintains a slim profile while providing space for essential snacks and supplies. An easy-access zippered pocket to the side of the main storage area keeps your valuables secure until you need them. In keeping with the pared-down aesthetic of the jersey, Pace features a narrow race-cut collar with a chin guard to protect against chafing.”
I found it a comfortable, lightweight and generally well-designed jersey for summer rides and indoor training. However, I would’ve preferred a higher SPF and a bigger zipper tag for the rear valuables pocket.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Mapped with mesh at front and underarm
UPF 15+ material on back and sleeve for protection
Simplified Anything Pocket made from mesh to keep it light and breathable
Elasticized top edge of pocket for security
Zippered pocket back side pocket
Narrow race cut collar with chin guard to protection
Bluesign® approved fabric- Highest standard of safety and environmental safety.
* Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 certified fabric- basically means every fibre has been tested for potential harmful components to humans and contains none.
PFC and PFAS Free Fabric
Three Colours – Dark velvet, Supernova (red) Lime Sorbet
Feels very thin, yet my regular off-road excursions showed that both the materials and construction were sturdy.
Light, very airy jersey with excellent comfort and moisture management.
I’ve used our test jersey on a fair bit of gravel and trail riding with no sign of bobbling or deterioration. Dark colours undeniably help with when it comes to stains, but ours is washing and wearing very well.
Felt as if it was made-to-measure for my 181cm, 70kg frame but the design is second-skin snug, which may not suit everyone.
Bang on and 7mesh’s sizing guide seems comprehensive and accurate, taking the guesswork out of online purchases.
Very light, which is great for hot summer days and indoor training. In spite of that, however, it doesn’t feel delicate.
Excellent moisture management, longer sleeves offer excellent defence against the elements, foliage and the like, and the jersey deep pockets hold your kit stably and securely. So it’s a big thumbs-up for me when it comes to comfort.
Relatively pricey but the cost is justified by the specification and performance.
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
Very straightforward. I just popped it in the machine at 30°C with minimum detergent and let it dry naturally. It’s easy to hand wash too, which coupled with its rapid drying could make it a good choice for bikepacking and touring.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Overall performance has been very impressive. The fabric feels good despite being very light, the generous pockets support bigger loads well. The ventilation panels are effective, with the full-length zipper allowing you to add extra air flow. And the fabric, while thin, has proven surprisingly rugged, shrugging off the effects of riding through foliage. The SPF15 is welcome and buys time if you’ve forgotten to apply sunscreen, but I’d have preferred a higher SPF given the asking price. This isn’t the most important issue but a number of other jerseys have SPF50.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Classic colour, great fit, cut, good pockets, excellent moisture management and ventilation.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
I’d prefer a higher SPF rating and a larger zipper tag for the valuables pocket, but those are minor quibbles.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
The £120 price is typical for a higher-end jersey.
The £125 Castelli Espresso impressed Ben Woodhouse, and though more of an everyday summer jersey, it also features recycled materials, has generous pockets and a flattering fit. The £165 MAAP Evade Pro Base Jersey 2.0 is also made from sustainable materials, employs vented fabric and has spacious pockets. Steve was impressed by its comfort, fit and good looks but was less keen on the weight and price.
Lusso’s £105 Paragon Jersey has generous pockets and a versatile fabric that works at a wide range of temperatures, though you’ve only one colour to choose from.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
Excellent jersey for warmer weather and indoor training. However, I’d prefer a higher SPF rating and welcome a bigger zip tag on the valuables pocket.
About the tester
Age: 51 Height: 1m 81cm Weight: 70kg
I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road
I’ve been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,
