7Mesh Roam Shirt LS review – cosy and eco-friendly

7Mesh’s new long sleeve trail top prioritises distinctive fit and eco fabrics over features

7Mesh Roam LS jersey being worn by a man near a river
(Image: © GuyKesTV)

Bike Perfect Verdict

Subtle cosiness, three sleeve length options and minimal environmental impact are all pluses for the Roam Shirt LS, but it lacks pockets and glasses/goggles wipes though, the price is premium too.

Pros

  • +

    Mobile fit without excess flap

  • +

    Fast wicking and drying with a comfortable feel

  • +

    Recycled, PFC and PFAS-free material

  • +

    UPF50 sun protection and antimicrobial treatment

Cons

  • -

    No glasses wipes or essentials stash

  • -

    Reflective sleeve detail is on the wrong side for UK traffic

Why trust BikePerfect Our cycling experts have decades of testing experience. We\'ll always share our unbiased opinions on bikes and gear. Find out more about how we test.

Like the very best MTB jerseys, 7Mesh have taken a typically responsible, practical and premium approach to their new temperate weather trail orientated Roam Shirt LS and it works great – as long as you don’t want to carry anything in it. 

Design

The Roam uses a mid weight, internally textured, easy stretch polyester that offers a bit more warmth than average without being obviously chunky. The material is recycled too with no PFC or PFAS pollutants. It gets a Polygiene antimicrobial treatment though and it’s UPF 50 rated if the sun comes out.

The cut is distinctive too, with a section of ‘heatmap influenced’ patterned cloth forming a large ‘bib’ on the front of the shirt. A second patterned strip runs across the shoulders and forms the front, upper section of both sleeves. A solid color version of the same fabric is used for the lower body, lower sleeves and back. The sleeves are generously long with doubled back cuffs in a subtle contrast stitch and there’s reflective 7MESH lettering on the left hand sleeve and a small logo at the nape. You can also get the Roam in a top of the forearm 3/4 sleeve and a traditional short sleeve, as well as women’s versions. But there’s no hidden stash pocket or specific lens wipe cloth built-in.

7 Mesh Roam shirt back view

There's some innovating pattern cutting on the Roam (Image credit: GuyKesTV)

Performance

I’ve been wearing the Roam regularly since it arrived a couple of months ago. That’s because the lofted feel and way it traps warm air makes it slightly cosier than a standard LS shirt, so leaving the jacket behind is less of a risk. The textured backer treatment also shifts sweat or post rain shower dampness really quickly, so whether it turns out warmer or wetter than expected then you won’t be soggy for long.

The bibbed cut with prominent seam can look a bit odd depending on body shape and the shoulders have a slightly boxy '80s vibe. The three piece, diagonally seamed sleeve cut works really well though and the shoulders are bag strap friendly. There’s enough stretch to go snug if you want too, but even in a small (I’m 180cm / 70kg) arm and body length were generous and it goes up to XXL. I’ve had no issues with pulled threads or tears despite some shrubbery misadventures and while the anti-bac treatment reduces washing urgency (in turn reducing eco impact) and  it scrubs up well on a cool cycle.

Price looks expensive when you consider there are no pockets or glasses wipe though and the reflective arm detail is on the wrong side for riding in UK traffic.

7 Mesh Roam shirt sleeve

Three-piece sleeve fit is a highlight but reflective detailing is the wrong side for the UK (Image credit: GuyKesTV)

Verdict

If you want a bit more warmth for ‘will it, won’t it' shine/shower/shiver days jersey in a natural feeling, free moving but not overly baggy, eco responsible, pocket free format the 7Mesh Roam is spot on.

Tech specs: 7Mesh Roam Shirt LS

  • Price: $80.00 / £58.33 / €57.85
  • Sizes: XS to XXL
  • Colors: Douglas Fir Green (tested), Cinnamon Brown, Bottle Blue, Black 
  • Weight: 150g (S)
Guy Kesteven
Technical-Editor-at-Large

Guy Kesteven has been working on Bike Perfect since its launch in 2019. He started writing and testing for bike mags in 1996. Since then he’s written several million words about several thousand test bikes and a ridiculous amount of riding gear. He’s also penned a handful of bike-related books and he reviews MTBs over on YouTube.

Current rides: Cervelo ZFS-5, Specialized Chisel, custom Nicolai enduro tandem, Landescape/Swallow custom gravel tandem

Height: 180cm

Weight: 69kg

Read more
100% Celium – one of the best MTB gloves
Best mountain bike gloves – top-rated full-finger gloves for every trail and situation
A rider wearing the best mountain bike goggles
Best mountain bike goggles 2025 – top-rated models that provide clarity and protection on the trails
The best MTB grips are the ODI Reflex seen here fitted to a mountain bike handlebar
Best MTB grips 2025 – our testers' picks of the models that will improve your mountain bike's comfort and handling
Latest in Mountain Bike
Calibre Bossnut 2025 seen side on
Don't buy a budget hardtail! The full-sus Calibre Bossnut is the best-value MTB right now with a massive £500 price cut in this Black Friday MTB deal
Continental Race King XC tire side view
Continental’s Olympic and World Championship XC winning Race King Protection is the fastest rolling MTB tire I’ve ever ridden, but it’s not for the nervous
Schwalbe Rocket Ron
Schwalbe Rocket Ron XC tire review – our favorite all-condition race tire
Pinarello Dogma XC bike
Golden beginnings – How Pinarello’s Dogma XC HT rose to the top of cross-country mountain biking
GT Sensor ST Carbon Pro
Is GT's Sensor ST Carbon Pro full-suspension MTB cheap at half the price?
Calibre Bossnut 2025 seen side on
The all-new Calibre Bossnut is a fantastic comeback and only a shock tweak away from being a totally awesome budget full-sus MTB
Latest in Reviews
Continental Race King XC tire side view
Continental’s Olympic and World Championship XC winning Race King Protection is the fastest rolling MTB tire I’ve ever ridden, but it’s not for the nervous
Schwalbe Rocket Ron
Schwalbe Rocket Ron XC tire review – our favorite all-condition race tire
GT Sensor ST Carbon Pro
Is GT's Sensor ST Carbon Pro full-suspension MTB cheap at half the price?
Calibre Bossnut 2025 seen side on
The all-new Calibre Bossnut is a fantastic comeback and only a shock tweak away from being a totally awesome budget full-sus MTB
Alpinestars Vector Tech Solid helmet seen side on placed on grass
Alpinestars Vector Tech Solid helmet review – a trail lid from a brand well-used to high-speed off-road endeavors
Vittoria Peyote XC Race Formulation
Where does Vittoria’s new Peyote XC Race Formulation tire rank in the race rubber grid? Veteran velocity tire tester Guy Kesteven has been riding one for months to find out