First Look: 7mesh Guardian Range

Over the last few years, 7mesh have quietly established themselves as the makers of some of the best technical clothing ever produced for cycling. Simple and clean, their range combines the highest quality fabrics with a minimalist approach to design and branding, to make riding apparel that works exceptionally well across a wide range of conditions and for every branch of the sport.

We’ve been using their Gore-Tex waterproofs (along with their other clothing) here for the last few years with a mix of both the lightweight Copilot jackets and the super durable Skypilots seeing daily wear by our shop staff, guides and coaches in every condition imaginable. 

Those garments have been essentially faultless for all of us but big changes are afoot at Gore-Tex this year with the waterproof fabric giant launching a completely new premium material, and as expected 7mesh have been among the first to get on board with it. 

With a global move to remove what have become known as forever chemicals, or PFAS, from as many production processes, supply chains and products as possible, Gore went back to the drawing board to work out how to make a high performing breathable and reliable membrane without the use of the ePTFE layer which has formed the core of their waterproof materials until now. 

That new material is Gore ePE, which sees Gore-Tex make the largest change to their waterproof membrane in decades. Fully PFAS free, new Gore ePE is based on an expanded Polyethylene layer, creating a fabric which can be made with none of the harmful byproducts of ePTFE making for a far more sustainable and environmentally friendly option. You might think that those changes would come with a performance compromise, but in fact Gore ePE also matches or improves on the previous generation in most areas.

Still boasting a massive 28000mm hydrostatic head, it is about as waterproof as a membrane can get, so until you literally wear your jacket away it’s not going to allow any water to pass. It’s also lighter and more packable than original Gore-Tex, just as breathable and providing it’s regularly re-treated will hold a DWR throughout its life, keeping water from saturating into the surface fabric. 

7mesh have taken two versions of the new fabric and used it to make two super refined waterproof lines: the Guardian Apex jacket and pants are tough yet packable storm shells for riding in any conditions, while the Guardian Air jacket is an incredibly lightweight and minimalist option for bikepackers, racers, or any application where size and weight are crucial.

Guardian Apex Jacket

Built from 3 Layer Gore ePE, the Guardian Apex is a relatively light but properly hardwearing jacket. It’s the kind of thing you’re going to wear for the full ride when you know that there’s going to be rain in the forecast and wetness around, or on colder winter days when you just want a solid barrier layer between your insulation and the outside world to keep wind, spray and cold at bay. 

The outer face of the Apex is a tough but pliable 40 denier face fabric, burly enough to provide plenty of resistance to abrasion and cuts without feeling like a cardboard box. The ePE membrane is bonded to the inside of that, then inside the membrane is bonded the third layer, a circular net recycled backer which serves two functions. Firstly to wick any internal moisture keeping you feeling dry inside, and secondly to protect the ePE membrane from being abraded from the inside when the jacket moves against your clothing underneath it. For anyone who rides with a pack, or who is hard on their kit, that 3 layer construction will make a huge difference to the longevity of a jacket compared to cheaper options which do without the bonded internal backer to save on cost.

The overall jacket design is quite minimalistic, with the features you need and nothing more. There are two vents available to dump heat when needed along with two hand pockets on the front of the jacket. All are positioned high enough to be accessible over a rucksack hip belt, and the jacket uses the 7mesh stash system we have been so impressed with already, where built in straps allow you to attach your jacket directly to either your bike or a waist belt for quick access.

The main zip can be opened up from below for extra venting, the cavernous hood will fit just about any helmet, but also reduces volume as needed and can even roll away to become an insulating collar when not required. Both edge trims and the seam sealing tape are narrow so there is no extra bulk or stiffness anywhere on the jacket and the velcro closures use a new velcro version which doesn’t stick to anything except its own backer. If you’ve ever had your velcro clog up with snow, dirt or stick to your other clothes, then that apparently small change is going to improve your life!

As usual with 7mesh, the cut is neatly designed for cycling & sport. Careful articulation, plus some built in stretch should keep the jacket from riding up no matter how you move, and generous arm lengths plus a drop tail look to make sure there are no gaps between your layers. 

Overall, it’s a clean, simple and carefully cut jacket, made from the best fabric on the market right now. It may not be cheap, but it’s functionally near perfect and it should last a long time.

Guardian Air Jacket

A much more specific and specialised design, the Guardian Air jacket has been designed purely to be the lightest and most minimal jacket possible, while still keeping a full level of protection from the elements. 

With an incredibly light 15 denier ripstop face over the ePE membrane, it still uses a full 3 layer construction with a backer fabric for comfort and durability, but whittles the weight of the jacket down to an incredibly tiny 200 grams (in Medium) with a super compact packed size to match. 

To keep the weight and size as small as possible, the Guardian Air has only a single internal chest pocket, plus a dump pocket for wet gloves or extra layers. The chest pocket also doubles as a stuff sack with the stash system built in to allow on bike storage when needed. As with the Apex jacket, the hood will fit over most helmets, rolls away when not in use, and the velcro tabs are all the new ‘non-stick’ version.

A two-way main zip creates extra venting options for when you’re going hard without time to stop and remove your outer layer.

Guardian Apex Pant

Using mainly the same fabric as the Apex jacket, the pant is a super simple, tough and adaptable fully waterproof trouser. The high wear areas have been reinforced with an even tougher 70 denier face fabric for maximum durability and a single leg pocket also doubles as a stash system pouch. At the lower leg, 3 different zip positions allow adjustment of lower leg volume to suit different footwear and aid removal of the pant. 

We’d love to give you a proper ride review on both jackets but ironically Scotland and the Tweed Valley have both been enjoying the driest summer on record this year, and since our jackets arrived all our rides have been almost bone dry with no more than the odd rain shower! Needless to say, we’ll be getting both versions of the Guardian into regular use when the weather does inevitably break and we’ll check in with a proper longer term ride review once we’ve had a chance to give them a decent amount of testing.

Want to have a look at them in the meantime? We’ve both Guardian Apex and Air jackets in stock now, so come by and have a look and a try, or pick one up online.