7Mesh Callaghan Hoodie - First Look
The sun has returned after having gone on its annual bender and I'm starting to put away the long-sleeves and rain jackets. Before I completely tuck all the cold-weather gear away, however, I wanted to roll out a preview on 7Mesh's Callaghan Hoodie. No, it hasn't hit stores yet, but, yes, it will definitely be worth rummaging about for next fall.
7Mesh Callaghan Hoodie Details:
• Soft wool inner lining
• Poly face fabric
• MSRP: $200 USD
• To be available in Fall of 2016
• www.7meshinc.com
• Soft wool inner lining
• Poly face fabric
• MSRP: $200 USD
• To be available in Fall of 2016
• www.7meshinc.com
Wait, before you start seeing red and frothing at the mouth, I will point out that, yes, $200 (USD) is a metric crap ton to pay for a jersey that doesn't also magically transform itself into a Porsche 911 at the end of each ride. I normally steer right past any piece of clothing that costs half this much, but last year I slagged 7Mesh's Revelation rain shell for the same reason.... and later came to realize that it was one of the most durable, waterproof jackets I've ever owned. So I tried this thing on. Then I wore it for a decent chunk of the winter. Now, I have to admit, the Callaghan Hoodie is solid. Spendy as hell, yes, but solid.
The main zipper gets the job done, even when you're hands are swaddled in gloves. It'd be even better if they added a chin guard and an internal draft flap.
Plenty of room in the pockets, though, I wish at least one of the pockets was zippered.
On the Trail
I am not a fan of the way most synthetic fabrics feel - particularly after a good drenching. I'm a wool guy. The Callaghan Hoodie is interesting in that it combines wool and polyester, but not in the usual way - the threads are not interwoven this time around. Instead, 7Mesh, for lack of a better word, laminates two layers of material. There's a soft, wool liner on the inside and a sleek poly layer on the outside.
Thanks to the dual-ply approach, the jersey has a warm, soft feel against your skin, but the synthetic outer layer offers up a nice bit of weather resistance, dries quickly and doesn't get all snaggly the way my wool tops do. It's a cool approach to combining two very different materials. The Callaghan is very comfortable, even in near-frigid temperatures and gusty winds. It does just fine when it's sprinkling outside, but it's never going to be your go-to garment on days when it's absolutely pouring. I spent plenty of days in it--sometimes wearing it directly on my skin. In particularly cold conditions, I'd layer it with a short-sleeve jersey. Either way, it was never lacking in the warmth department.
Construction is top notch. The stiching and seams are faultless, as they should be at this price. The fit is casual--you can wear it to the bar for a post-ride nip without immediately attracting a beat down because you look like you just stepped out of the peloton. The cut is fairly generous, though, so it's worth trying it on first, if you're considering buying one. If you're looking for a less baggy version, 7Mesh will offer a jersey (sans hood) that's a more form-fitting option.
I'm impressed with the Callaghan so far, but I'm going to keep riding it before offering up a verdict next fall. At this price, the 7Mesh better hold up to a ton of abuse...because that's precisely what it will be getting.
Pinkbike's Take:
 | It ain't cheap, but 7Mesh's Callaghan Hoodie is smartly designed, well constructed and a quality bit of kit on very cold, moderately wet days. We're going to give it a longer drag through the mud before issuing a final verdict, but so far, it impresses. - Vernon Felton |
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Member since Apr 11, 2014
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But the price is somewhat nuts.
"Plenty of room in the pockets, though, I wish at least one of the pockets was zippered."
Pfffftt! Whadda ya want for a lousy two hundred? This ain't something like you might expect from a classy joint like Bike Nashbar. Puleeease lower your expectations or expect to pay more.
Dr. Cap N. Tooth DDS
Decent merino, if you care at all for animals, costs a lot of money. That is, if you don't want to hurt the poor sheep to the point of risk of death from the museling process (read about it, if you can).
Alternatively, carry on in happy ignorance. But know this: sheep hate you.
Then I went for a very safe, warm, dry walk in the woods because I couldn't actually afford a bike anymore.
There is no use case, whatsoever. Too hot for summer riding or warm climate locales. Not water resistant to be worth carrying over a lighter, water resistant, just as warm, soft shell jacket during the spring and fall seasons in a place like the Pacific Northwest where rain is always a possibility. Too bulky for a winter mid layer, and a merino wool base layer is warmer anyway. When would I ever wear this? Never. Open pockets are of no use riding. There are so many more useful pieces of kit I could buy for less. And then, even if I could somehow find a day to pull this on, it's still $200 -- for a friggin hoody?!!! You must be joking! Complete fail, IMO.
What's worse, is there's a road jersey I saw on clearance once, that claimed to make you faster by adding carbon fiber to protect you from power line emissions.
XE.com says that your hoodie is currently converting at £141.50.
Give yourself a slap and review that price because that is in the realms of a quality Goretex jacket.
This will clash with my paint scheme...
Oh and the fact that everything they "make" is manufactured overseas and imported into Canada. But hey, "It's totally designed in 7mesh!"