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7mesh Skyline Jersey

7
£200.00

VERDICT:

7
10
Fantastic and innovative aero jersey, but very expensive
Spray-on aero fit
Good pockets
Great wicking
Price
Weight: 
125g
Contact: 

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The 7mesh Skyline Jersey is a tight-fitting aero jersey that's very effective at dealing with sweat. It's a pleasure to wear, but there's no getting away from price – it's extremely high. It looks and feels great though, and is also available in red and black.

This isn't your usual lycra – that absorbs moisture too much for 7mesh's liking, which adds weight and is not that comfortable. Instead the fabric here is hydrophobic and quick-drying.

The body of the Skyline is a 78% polyester, 22% elastane mix with a waffled texture; the pockets have a slightly higher proportion of polyester and are smooth. The whole lot is treated with Schoeller Textiles' Coldblack, which resists heating under sunlight and gives UPF 30+ protection too.

> Buy this online here

This jersey is not ultra-breathable, but it does work well in heat – there's a full length zip to let the air in – and because the hydrophobic fabric wicks so effectively, the jersey won't be drenched when you get to the top of a climb.

Zipped up and going downhill, you get some protection from chills as the fabric is solid, rather than mesh.

2021 7mesh Skyline Jersey - chest.jpg

I didn't have access to especially hot weather or long climbs while testing this jersey, but I did have high intensity, sweaty Zwift races. This jersey is indeed very good at wicking sweat – it never feels soaked the way other jerseys do.

Also, a damp top and the fan at full chat usually remind me to switch off said fan when warming down, whereas I don't get that with this jersey.

I've noticed these same properties in the real world, too. Paired with a base layer it works really well in temperatures down to about 10 degrees, keeping out some of the wind but still dealing with sweat. It's not just for summer.

Fit and cut

The Skyline is designed to be aero. 7mesh says the waffled fabric 'encourages speed'... I don't have access to a wind tunnel either, so I can't honestly say, but it does feel fast. It's a spray-on type, race fit jersey, and the arms extend to just above my elbows.

2021 7 mesh Skyline Jersey - pockets.jpg

The seams are extremely smooth too – barely there, in fact – as they're ultrasonically welded and taped on the inside. The arms are laser cut at the ends, again to minimise any aerodynamic disturbance.

> Why riders like you need to get more aero and wheel weight doesn't matter

Because the fabric is so stretchy, the minimalist silicone grippers on the hem – and the 2cm band of dots inside the arms – are sufficient to stop the jersey riding up. They're judged well, being comfortable and effective.

2021 7 mesh Skyline Jersey - gripper.jpg

Pockets

7mesh uses a slightly different arrangement than most, and calls it the 7mesh Anything pocket panel. You get five: the usual three, plus two zipped pockets that sit behind them. One covers one third of the width, the other the remaining two thirds.

2021 7 mesh Skyline Jersey - zip pocket.jpg

The whole thing is a separate panel that's attached at the top and sides, but not the bottom. The idea is to maintain the jersey's shape even when the pockets are stuffed full. This is another feature that works well.

Sizing

I'm in the middle of the medium sizing range for most non-Italian brands, and the medium here fits me perfectly: it's skin-tight, but not hold-your-breath tight.

2021 7 mesh Skyline Jersey - shoulders.jpg

My chest size (98cm) is actually between small and medium on the 7mesh chart, and the fabric is so stretchy a small would probably fit me around the chest and waist – but I don't think it would fit my arms.

> 26 of the best summer cycling jerseys — tops to beat the heat from just £10

Then again, I'm a tree surgeon and my shoulders and upper arms are not small. It's obviously not me in the pictures...

Value

Good as this is, you can spend a lot less for similar functionality. Castelli's excellent Aero Race 6.0 Jersey has very similar characteristics and is £120 (£10 more than when we reviewed it). Meanwhile, Dave liked the dhb Aeron LAB Raceline jersey a lot, and that's £110.

The most expensive comparable jersey we've reviewed lately is the Velocio Men's Concept Jersey at £162 – still a good deal cheaper than the 7mesh, then, although it relies on mesh panels so has more limited use.

Amazingly, you can spend more: the Assos Equipe RS Spring Fall Aero SS jersey is £250, but that has some clever windblocking and ventilation aimed at the shoulder seasons.

Overall

There is no getting away from the fact that £200 is a lot of money for a jersey. It's certainly more than I would spend.

Having said that, I can see why you might want to. 7mesh has used expensive materials and expensive construction techniques, and it works very well. There's a crash replacement discount too, though the website does not specify how much.

The 7mesh Skyline Jersey has a great fit, is a pleasure to wear and is very good at what it does. It's too expensive for me, but if you're happy with the price, you won't be disappointed with the performance.

Verdict

Fantastic and innovative aero jersey, but very expensive

road.cc test report

Make and model: 7mesh Skyline Jersey

Size tested: Medium

Tell us what the product is for

7mesh says: "A featherlight, ultra-fast road jersey with Coldblack, built for making the break and beating your best in the heat of competition. To shave seconds against the clock, Skyline features almost invisible ultrasonic stretch seams. A race fit, waffled fabric encourages speed and boosts thermal regulation during the season's hottest rides, while Coldblack 30+ UPF protection reduces heat buildup, and blocks out damaging rays."

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

Anything Panel 5-Pocket System (3 Rear floating pockets and 2 zippered side pockets)

Wicking and thermal regulating material

Coldblack treatment; cooling effect

Full-length front zipper

UPF 30+

Weight: 120g

Body: 78% polyester, 22% elastane

Pocket: 80% polyester, 20% elastane

Front zipper: #3 reverse coil

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for fit:
 
9/10
Rate the product for sizing:
 
7/10
Rate the product for weight:
 
7/10
Rate the product for comfort:
 
9/10
Rate the product for value:
 
3/10

£200 is very expensive for a jersey.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

The instructions say: "Machine wash cold, do not bleach, do not iron, hang to dry, do not use fabric softener, do not dry clean."

I ignored the machine wash cold bit, and just bung it in the wash at 40 degrees with my other stuff... it still looks new.

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

I can't tell you whether it saves precious seconds because that's all but impossible to test. I can, however, tell you it's a race fit, lovely to wear, and I would choose over any other jersey I own for any hard ride – including on the turbo.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The fit, the feel of the fabric, the pockets.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The price.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

You can spend a lot less for similar functionality. Castelli's excellent Aero Race 6.0 Jersey has very similar characteristics and is £120 (£10 more than when we reviewed it). Meanwhile, Dave liked the dhb Aeron LAB Raceline jersey a lot, and that's £110.

The most expensive jersey we've reviewed lately is the Velocio Men's Concept Jersey at £162 – still a good deal cheaper than the 7mesh, then, although it relies on mesh panels so has more limited use. Amazingly, you can spend more: the Assos RS Spring Fall Aero SS jersey is £250.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Absolutely not – the price rules it out

Would you recommend the product to a friend? A very rich one, yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

7mesh's Skyline Jersey is a spray-on tight jersey that wicks sweat better than most. The pocket arrangement works well, and it looks good too. It is very expensive though, you can get similar performance from other brands for considerably less.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 44  Height: 1.78m  Weight: 77kg

I usually ride: All of them!  My best bike is: Ribble Endurance SL disc

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: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, club rides, mtb, Zwift

Add new comment

14 comments

Avatar
Sriracha | 3 years ago
0 likes

"This isn't your usual lycra ... The body of the Skyline is a 78% polyester, 22% elastane mix..."
I thought lycra and elastane were the same thing?
https://sewport.com/fabrics-directory/lycra-fabric
Lycra is a brand name for elastane,...

Avatar
wycombewheeler replied to Sriracha | 3 years ago
0 likes
Sriracha wrote:

"This isn't your usual lycra ... The body of the Skyline is a 78% polyester, 22% elastane mix..." I thought lycra and elastane were the same thing? https://sewport.com/fabrics-directory/lycra-fabric Lycra is a brand name for elastane,...

so polyester is now being sold as a premium product? did I miss something?

Avatar
Cycloid replied to wycombewheeler | 3 years ago
0 likes

You are not missing anything, this jersey may have been made from recycled lemonade bottles.

OK it may be made of very fine fibres, and the knit may be a special construction, designed to maximise moisture transport, but it's still polyester.

As I said - Emporer's new clothes

Avatar
Cycloid replied to Sriracha | 3 years ago
0 likes

Lycra and Elastane are both brand names for elastomeric fibres

Avatar
skeuomorph replied to Cycloid | 3 years ago
1 like

The important thing here is that Lycra is brand that's owned by the Koch brothers. The Koch brother fund far right wing politics. So every time you buy Lycra you fund hate, which is sad given how prevalent it is in cycling culture.

Yes I own Lycra too, but we should applaud brands that avoid it.

Avatar
Jetmans Dad replied to skeuomorph | 3 years ago
1 like

I don't think I own anything that claims to have actual lycra in it ... always elastane. I think I might be a cheapskate ... as evidenced by the fact I didn't even look at the price of this shirt at first. 

Two of these shirts costs more than my Triban 500SE cost me!

Also, I still don't get the comment in the review. Most cycling gear has a roughly 80/20 mix of polyester/elastane. 

Avatar
MattieKempy | 3 years ago
3 likes

F*ck me that's expensive! Makes Rapha & Le Col look bargain basement! As they say, a fool and their money are soon parted and clearly you'd have to be a fool to pay £200 for a cycling jersey. 

Avatar
mdavidford | 3 years ago
0 likes
Quote:

the fabric here is hydrophobic and quick-drying

Do you mean hydrophilic? Surely hydrophobic is the exact opposite of what you want in a jersey like this?

(Also quite confused as to what "clever windblocking and ventilation aimed at the shoulder seasons" is supposed to mean.)

Avatar
Cycloid replied to mdavidford | 3 years ago
1 like

A cotton T shirt is Hydrophilic, it absorbs moisture and gets wet and soogy.

This jersey is hydrophobic, it is made out of polyester blended with some lycra.

All Polyester is hydrophobic and I am not aware that there is a big difference between different types. Any moisture will essentially be trapped in the interstices between the fibres. It's absorption depends on the fabric construction, not on the fibre type

I still reckon it's all Emporer's new clothes suff

Avatar
mdavidford replied to Cycloid | 3 years ago
0 likes

Surely if the moisture is just going into the gaps between the fibres then it's not really wicking then?

Avatar
Cycloid replied to mdavidford | 3 years ago
4 likes

That is exactly what wicking means.

With hydrophilic fibres like cotton it is the fibre itself which soaks up the moisture.

Hydrophobic fibres do not attract moisture (think of the fibre as being made from plastic bags (polyethylene). moisture (Sweat) is trapped in the gaps between the fibres where it can be evaporated by the air flow from riding.

Your Skin produces the Sweat on the inside of the garment, but evaporation takes place from the outer surface, hence wicking.

I'm trying to be helpful, not putting you down, but I do have a degree in textile chemistry

Avatar
Fluffed replied to mdavidford | 3 years ago
0 likes

Hydrophobic is right in respect to the material, there may be a hydrophlic coating applied, but that's a different kettle of fish.

Avatar
EddyBerckx | 3 years ago
2 likes

£200 for a see thru jersey? No...just no!! 😉

Avatar
Captain Badger replied to EddyBerckx | 3 years ago
3 likes
EddyBerckx wrote:

£200 for a see thru jersey? No...just no!! 😉

TFTFY

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