7Mesh Women’s Resistance Jacket

Wind, rain, mist, and snow — sometimes all in the same bike ride — means more gear to carry with you. Luckily, 7Mesh has designed an ideal windproof, highly water-resistant jacket for women.

7Mesh is based in Squamish, British Columbia, so you can bet its designers and product testers see all kinds of weather throughout the year. The women’s Resistance Jacket is an obvious testament to those proving grounds.

Made with a WINDSTOPPER Active shell, this jacket is not only completely windproof, but it’s highly water resistant and only weighs 110 grams. It packs down to the size of your fist, so popping it into your jersey pocket once you warm up mid-ride presents no snagging issues.

There are mesh fabric hits at the wrist to allow for venting, in addition to large scapula vents on the back that keep precipitation from leaking in. Those same vents allow sweat to evaporate quickly. An ergo-athletic cut means the jacket won’t be form-fitting; there’s room to layer underneath for cold rides. Reflective rectangles on the wrist and a soft inner lining around the neck to prevent chafing are smart touches.

In four weeks of testing, this jacket came in handy on chilly morning commutes to work, long training rides on the weekend, and even for blustery trail runs. The fit, unique plum color, and attention to detail have earned it a permanent home in the shoulder season wardrobe.