7Mesh: The Unique, Canadian-Born Apparel Designed for Cyclists

A decade ago, in the town of Squamish, British Columbia, 7Mesh was founded with a mission: to create a cycling apparel brand that delivers ultimate comfort. By leveraging innovative materials and meticulous details, 7Mesh has carved out a diverse approach for cyclists, earning a global reputation that extends far beyond its native Canada and Japan.

We sat down with Yu Sato, Store Manager at Sunwest Ltd., to discuss 7Mesh's 10-year journey and what the future holds for the brand.

7Mesh: Born in a Land Rich with Nature and Perfect for the Outdoors

"7Mesh is a cycling apparel brand founded in 2015 by Tyler Jordan, the third president of Arc'teryx.

He launched the brand with a philosophy of 'stripping away the unnecessary, protecting you from harsh natural environments, and providing ultimate comfort for stress-free movement.' The brand name '7Mesh' is derived from a part of 'SKWXWU7MESH,' the name for Squamish in the language of the indigenous First Nations people of Canada."

"The town of Squamish, located north of Vancouver, is blessed with incredible nature. Together with Whistler just a bit further north, it's known as one of North America's premier resort destinations. With mountains, lakes, rain, and snow, it's a place where you can enjoy every kind of outdoor activity through all four seasons.

While outdoor pursuits like climbing and cycling are deeply ingrained in the local culture, there was a noticeable lack of options for cycling apparel. Tyler saw an opportunity to apply the experience he gained at Arc'teryx to this field, and so he launched 7Mesh—a cycling apparel brand designed for everything from mountain and road biking to gravel riding."

Apparel Engineered for Cyclists

Now that we've covered the brand's origins and background, let's dive into the apparel itself. We'll start with a piece that truly represents the roots of 7Mesh's cycling gear.

"Although it's no longer in production, I want to start by showing you the 'Revelation Jacket,' a piece that really embodies our heritage. It's an item made with GORE-TEX®. At the time, I don't think there were many cycling apparel pieces that used GORE-TEX®.

This is because a brand needs to reach a certain scale to be able to use GORE-TEX® materials. In that regard, Tyler had already built a strong relationship with the GORE-TEX company during his time at Arc'teryx, which allowed 7Mesh to release items using GORE-TEX® materials right from the brand's inception.

Before this, when cyclists needed a highly waterproof jacket, many would just wear a standard outdoor shell. The Revelation Jacket, however, is ergonomically patterned specifically for the cycling position, not for standing upright."

"Items using GORE-TEX® have continued to be released as successors to the Revelation Jacket, and our current staple cycling jacket is the 'SKYPILOT JACKET.' It uses 'GORE-TEX® Active with C-Knit' technology.

C-Knit refers to the backer fabric, which is woven like a knit. While it doesn't stretch, its key characteristic is exceptionally high breathability. This jacket has several unique details. The sleeve construction and cutting are unlike anything else on the market, and the back is designed with a longer droptail to provide coverage down to the lower back.

Additionally, the hood is designed to fit over a helmet, and the seam tape used for waterproofing has been made as narrow as possible. The result is a meticulously crafted model that perfectly balances high-end functionality, including waterproofing, with sophisticated design."

Functionality is Key for Cycling Bottoms

Next up, let's talk about pants. Pants are a crucial piece of cycling apparel, and we're told that 7MESH has a must-see lineup, meticulously designed with cyclists in mind.

“I'd like to introduce the 'GLIDEPATH PANT.' Its most distinct feature is its cut, which is crafted with a pre-articulated knee shape. It uses a 4-way stretch material, ensuring comfort when bending and extending your legs. It's also treated with a water-repellent finish.

To avoid uncomfortable pressure on the stomach, the waist features a double-snap front closure that can be adjusted from both sides. Beyond that, it's packed with cycling-specific features, from pockets you can access while on the bike to the overall silhouette, materials, and fine details.”

What is 'TRY ON,' the Unique Rental Program for Cyclists in Japan?

Sunwest, 7MESH's Japanese distributor, has launched 'TRY ON,' the only rental program of its kind in the country. We sat down to learn more about this exciting new service for cyclists.

“This program is available at the Sunwest Store, the 7MESH flagship store in Japan. It’s a rental program designed to let you deeply experience the world of 7MESH, featuring mainly new products and signature models. Customers can bring their own bikes to the store, get fitted, and head out for a ride.

This allows you to truly feel things you can't grasp from a simple in-store fitting, such as the on-bike fit, how the apparel manages temperature and humidity during exercise, and its overall comfort.

The goal is for you to accurately experience the functionality of our items and to make new discoveries, even if you're already a fan of 7MESH products. You can visit anytime after the store opens and ride as much as you like, as long as you return the gear by 5:30 PM. It’s a fantastic way to fully test out the items that 7MESH so confidently recommends.”

Beyond Cycling Apparel: The 7MESH 'Guardian Collection'

This September, 7MESH launched a new line: the 'Guardian Collection.' After a decade of crafting cycling apparel, this collection marks the brand's next chapter.

“The keyword for the Guardian Collection is 'adventure.' This is a collection that transcends the boundaries of cycling apparel to offer highly versatile outdoor wear. Let me introduce one piece from the collection: the 'Guardian Apex Jacket.'

This jacket also uses GORE-TEX® Active with C-Knit. It’s durable enough for harsh conditions like rocky terrain or snowy landscapes, yet the 40-denier fabric feels incredibly smooth and supple, not stiff at all. As for the details, the position and size of the vents are particularly unique.

Previous models had vents running straight under the arms, which could be difficult to open and close. For this jacket, we tested various sizes and placements for optimal airflow and landed on a design where the vents run diagonally downward from the armpit toward the back.

Additionally, the hood can be rolled up and secured with a snap button, and the entire jacket is packable. What’s especially handy is that when packed, it has an attached strap, allowing you to secure it to your bike frame or elsewhere.”

7MESH has already garnered a global following among cyclists, and its journey in Japan began right from the brand's inception. Moving forward, its high performance is sure to become widely recognized by more than just the cycling community.