7mesh Rebellion Jacket

The 7mesh Rebellion is an excellent bike-specific jacket that offers Gore-Tex Active waterproof protection, a slim fit and easy packability.

• Pros: Waterproof, slim fit, lightweight and packable
• Cons: The price, only one colour option

Gore-Tex Active is used throughout. It comprises a nylon ripstop outer fabric with a durable water repellent (DWR) treatment and a lining that's integrated into the Gore-Tex C-Knit membrane.

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It's impressive stuff that keeps the rain out superbly. I've been using the Rebellion for all kinds of rides since early November – everything from all-weather commuting to long Sunday morning jaunts – and the fabric hasn't let water through. The seams are sealed with 13mm tape that shows no signs of lifting or bubbling several washes in, which is a good sign that they'll keep the outside world outside for a long time to come.

The membrane is thin, as is the fabric as a whole. As well as keeping the weight down, this is designed to improve breathability and, as far as I can tell, it works. You can ride pretty hard while wearing this jacket without things getting uncomfortably sweaty inside, although the external temperature does have an influence, of course. A waterproof fabric that can breathe as fast as you can sweat has never been made, but Gore-Tex Active puts up a good showing. It's certainly not a jacket you're dying to take off the very second that rain stops falling.

One of the downsides of Gore-Tex Active is that it isn't as durable as some other Gore-Tex technologies. That said, I've found it to be considerably tougher than Gore fabrics without an outer layer over the top of the membrane (such as is used for the 7Mesh Oro Jacket we reviewed), which will come as no great surprise.

I actually came off the bike on black ice while wearing the Rebellion and slid along the road (yeah, I'm fine, thanks for asking). The jacket came through the experience unscathed other than a bit of ground-in dirt on the forearm. Granted, that doesn't prove a whole lot, but some lightweight waterproofs would rip like cling film in that situation, and the Rebellion didn't.

One other feature of the fabric that's worth mentioning is that it's relatively comfortable next to the skin. Don't get me wrong, it's no merino wool, but it's not cold or slippery to the touch like some, so wearing it over a short-sleeved baselayer feels absolutely fine. 7Mesh has added a soft brushed panel to the inside of the collar which adds a little more comfort around your neck.

You aren't bombarded with features here – less is sometimes more – but everything is well thought out and high quality.

The front zip, for example, is from YKK (it's a #3 Vislon, if you're into your zips) and it's surprisingly good at keeping water out. You get similar zips at the wrists that both act as vents and allow you to get the sleeves on and off over big winter gloves.

You get a watertight – or at least water resistant – zipped side pocket that's big enough to take even the largest of smartphones, plus house keys, a credit card and whatnot. It also serves as storage for the jacket itself if you want to fold it in there. Do that and the Rebellion will fit into the rear pocket of your jersey. I'm not too bothered by weight but the ability to store a garment of this type in a rear pocket is essential, from my point of view.

Speaking of jersey pockets, vents on either side of the jacket's lower back give you quick access to them without letting rain in. It's a design feature carried over from the Oro jacket and it works well. I'd far rather use jersey pockets than the jacket's zipped side pocket I mentioned, so this is a good solution.

The Rebellion comes in a race cut, which is to say that it's of the slim and, most importantly, non-flappy variety. I like that a lot because, well, flapping does my head in! I also like the fact that the sleeves are long enough that your wrists are always well covered when you're stretched out on the bike and the front isn't so long that it forms countless waves when you lean forward.

According to 7Mesh's Size Guide I needed a medium, so that's what I got – it seemed the obvious thing to do – and it fitted a treat. There's no stretch in the Gore-Tex Active fabric so make sure you use the Size Guide too if you're buying online. The only stretch comes courtesy of the elasticated cuffs and a couple of elasticated tabs to hold the waist in. A little band of gripper tape helps keep the dropped hem in place while reflective trim on the outside is noticeable in headlights.

And so to the price... £280 for a waterproof jacket? Like it or not, Gore-Tex Active jackets are pretty expensive. The Gore 30th Oxygen 2.0 Gore-Tex Active Jacket that we reviewed a couple of years ago was £219.99, for example. That said, Gore's C3 Gore-Tex Active Jacket is quite a bit cheaper at £169.99. The Rebellion is up there with the Assos Equipe RS Jacket (£265) and the Gore C7 Gore-Tex Shakedry Stretch jacket (£279.99) in terms of price – in other words, top end.

> Buyer's Guide: 21 of the best waterproof cycling jackets

The Rebellion is a great jacket for riding in wet and changeable conditions. The fabric is waterproof and breathable, the cut is slim, and it packs down small enough to fit into a jersey pocket when not in use. Judging by the clothing that we've reviewed on road.cc and sister site off.road.cc, the team at 7Mesh knows what it's doing. You should take a good look at the range. Yes, this jacket costs a lot of money, but in a country like the UK where rain is an ever-present possibility, some things are worth paying for.

Verdict

A superb performance and an excellent bike-specific fit, although the price might make you think twice