7mesh Women’s Re:Gen Jacket
Material: GORE-TEX Active 3L – 20d Nylon Plain Weave / Tricot Backer
Stated Weight: 210 grams (size Large)
Stated Features
- Watertight #3 Vislon Front Zip
- Watertight Zippered Rear Pocket
- Passthrough vents for jersey pocket access
- Wrist vents
- Watertight Zipper Cuff Vent Closure
- Soft Brushed Collar and Chin Guard
- Gripper Elastic Hem
- 13mm Seam Tape
- Reflective Details
MSRP: $350
The 7mesh Re:Gen jacket is designed for short higher intensity rides. It’s intended for riders who don’t haul around a pack, who do prioritize efficiency, and who avoid changing layers mid ride.
Fit
The Small Re:Gen is more form fitting than the Revelation. The jacket is a bit tight around my chest, and I can only wear a jersey and light thermal layer beneath it. But despite being tighter, there is still extra space in the back of the shoulders and elbows to allow for riding.
The Re:Gen was designed to be worn over a jersey and without a pack—it has a lot of extra space in the lower back to accommodate fully stuffed jersey pockets. I can fit tools, a tube, food, a phone, and even an extra water bottle under the Re:Gen. When my jersey isn’t stuffed full, however, the Re:Gen bulges out in the rear. Functionally this is not a problem, but it decreases the Re:Gen’s post-ride style points, and I don’t foresee myself wearing the Re:Gen out and about as I would with the Revelation.
Features
The Re:Gen has “passthrough” vents on the back for jersey pocket access. Thanks to a sewn flap that covers the opening, water doesn’t enter these vents even though they are permanently open. The passthrough vents allow for some airflow, but it is noticeably less than the side-zippered vents of the Revelation.
The vents are placed well for accessing food or tools out of the Re:Gen’s jersey pockets, but it’s basically impossible to get large things out of both the jersey pocket and vent.
The other venting the Re:Gen supplies is at the wrists, via moto-style cuff zips. The cuff zips run about 4 inches up the arm, and are backed with mesh to prevent them from flopping around too much.
I found the cuff zips to significantly decrease the functionality of the jacket, since they don’t allow the rider to change the sleeve diameter around the wrist. Even with the cuff zipped up all the way, there is too much room and the sleeves can go over my hand.
With the cuff unzipped this problem is increased. The flaps will cover my palms and get in the way of riding, especially if I shift my hand to reach my dropper (Reverb remotes aren’t the most accessible for small hands, and I have to shift with my palm to engage mine fully).
And since the sleeves get in my way when they’re open, I tend to keep them closed at all times. This doesn’t help with airflow, and makes the venting all-around inferior to the Revelation Jacket.
Lastly, the zippers at the wrists are stiff. My wrist range of motion while riding isn’t affected too much, but the zippers make movement uncomfortable.
The extra features of the Re:Gen are very minimalistic. There is one zippered pocket on the back that is just big enough to fit a phone. The zipper is annoying if the jacket is worn under a pack, but otherwise, it works well.
The gripper elastic of the hem is very thin and helps to keep the jacket from creeping up. This has worked well for me so far, but seems fragile and I worry about it wearing out over time.
Construction, Durability, and Breathability
The Re:Gen is made with Gore Active, a 3-layer material from Gore-Tex that is geared toward very high intensity efforts during cold or inclement weather. The Re:Gen is rated as 20-denier, and is a noticeable lighter material than the Gore Pro of the Revelation. So far I haven’t had any durability issues with the Gore Active material. It has kept me dry in small rainstorms, and comfortable in 30° F temperatures.
Gore Active has an RET value of ≤3, signifying that it is extremely breathable. I found that the material of the Re:Gen does a better job of letting out excess heat than the Revelation, but the Re:Gen’s venting doesn’t work as well.
The Gore Active material is comfortable against the skin—even while sweating—due to the inner textile that is laminated to the Gore-Tex membrane. Even if the Re:Gen gets a bit hot and sweaty during a long climb, it never feels sticky.
Bottom Line
The 7mesh Re:Gen and Revelation jackets both work well for their intended uses, but I found the Revelation to be much better suited to all-around riding. The fit, sleeves, and venting of the Revelation are better and more versatile than the Re:Gen, and the detachable hood is a nice option.
If you only do day rides and don’t wear a pack, the Re:Gen may be a better option to allow for fully stuffed jerseys and better breathability. But the do-it-all features and Gore Pro material of the Revelation make it an easy choice as an everyday riding jacket for me.