7Mesh Compound jersey review

7Mesh offers the Compound as a light and fast-wicking mountain bike jersey with a difference – the shoulders and chest get extra thickness, which is claimed to make it more rugged. It's still a bit fragile though, and fairly expensive too.

With a fit designed to feel 'like your favourite tee,' the Compound proves very comfortable. It leaves you enough room to move, without feeling baggy. The arms are a great length – if bordering on a little long – and give full coverage even when at full stretch.

The look is casual too, subtle on the trail and acceptable whilst dropping into the pub post-ride. Pubs still exist, right? I've lost track.

Most of the jersey is very thin and super breathable, which does a great job of keeping you cool. Unfortunately the durability has been sacrificed to achieve such breathability, and during testing a bramble pulled a couple threads in the arm – disappointing, but to be expected of such a thin material.

The abrasion-resistant material on the chest and shoulders is much tougher, without feeling cumbersome, and it's a shame it's not on the arms too.... the jury is out on why those areas were chosen, but the real bonus is the fabric's effectiveness as a wind breaker. It keeps your front from chilling, while allowing your back and arms to breathe.

At £70 the Compound is on the pricey side. For example, the Leatt DBX 2.0 Long jersey is only £40 and does well in spring/autumn too, though it lacks the breathability the 7Mesh offers.

To be fair to the Compound, it looks better value against the 100% R-Core X jersey, which is the same price but less versatile as an all-out, super-thin summer jersey.

The 7Mesh Compound is a well-made jersey which manages those unpredictable spring and autumn days well. It is on the flimsy side and perhaps expensive, but the fit is great and is the build is good – for me, it's worth the money.