Each year, time seems to pass a little faster. 2025 feels like it was packed with amazing memories, but it's only now, when I sat down to write this, that I've really started to take them all in and, admittedly, realised how busy a year it was. Busy in a good way, I should clarify, and filled with happy family moments back home in Finland, but also with plenty of work-related trips, moments and products.
I've never been one for New Year's resolutions or end-of-year reflections – this article is probably as close as I get to either. So as I noted down my favourite things from the year, it didn't take long to realise that the riding I enjoyed most happened away from busy roads. And though 2025 was the year I took gravel racing more seriously than before (read: still not very seriously), the rides that stuck with me were the ones with other people, with no number pinned to my back.
I have a feeling that many of my favourites below are not going to be surprises, as such, because many of them have been part of the Collective Favourites series we've been doing all year. But well, guess this just reaffirms that these are my favourites.
7mesh Guardian Apex jacket
Vents, two-way zip and QR code for care instructions... what else could you ask for. Well, packability.
I'm starting with this jacket because it was the first thing I wrote down, and I've been quietly praising it in my head all year without finding the right place to give it a proper review. The Guardian Apex is one of 7mesh's new rain jackets for this year, and I was fortunate enough to test it already in its pre-production phase before the official release in September. It's been the jacket I've worn the most, but before we get into the whys, yes, I do know this is a pricey garment.
Yet, I do think that the price is somewhat backed up by the features. The main aspect I like about this jacket is its versatility; 7mesh dubbed it good for running, skiing, cycling, walking, pootling about – and it really does all of those things well. The fabric has been great at fending off the odd scuff from a branch or a bike on my shoulder, and of course, the rain, and the large (but easily foldable) hood has made riding in strong wind and rain much more enjoyable.
The hood goes either over the helmet, or stashes away to a high collar-style fit, secured with a snap button.
This was the only jacket I packed for two bikepacking trips, as well as a work trip to Italy, which turned out to be a lot wetter than anticipated. After a climb up Ghisallo in the rain, I got back indoors to find my jersey still completely dry underneath. Even though it was rather warm that day, the underarm vents really helped in getting that sweat vapour out, too, and I was much more comfortable than many of my riding companions.
7mesh has used a PFAS-free Gore-Tex membrane on this jacket, and this does require a bit more care, but this far, each wash and reproofing has brought it back to almost factory-fresh. Taking it out of the tumble dryer and seeing water bead up neatly on the surface genuinely makes me happy. And if joy about a working DWR coating isn't a telltale sign of adulthood, then I don't know what is.
Price: USD$600/£500/€550 at 7mesh.com
Ortlieb Seat-Pack
On the topic of bikepacking, this year I finally decided that the days of borrowing an Ortlieb seatpack from a friend had to end, and it was time to get my own. I went for the 16.5-litre version, which is big enough for overnight trips but also easily cinches down to about half of that max volume, for when I don't need to pack for many days.
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