Down jackets are fantastic insulators. They trap the warmth and retain heat, keeping us warm even in extreme weather conditions. But downs have adverse effects on wildlife and are not manufactured in the most environmentally friendly manner. In fact, most of the textile industry is ridden with a high environmental footprint. It is waiting for material innovation to decrease the footprints and herald a viable new beginning.
It would be far-stretched to say, but Japanese manufacturer Sumitomo Metal Mining could have a transparent way forward in this possible future. The company has manufactured Solament – a material innovation that produces heat using infrared light conversion. The Down-Less Down Jacket by designer Kosuke Tsumura is the first project that brings the material’s translucent nature and functionality to the fore.
Aptly named Solament, a combination word comprising “solar” and “element,” this is made of near-infrared ray absorbing nanoparticles. The material absorbs the rays present in sunlight and utilizes them to generate heat. Tsumura has used the material properties to create the down jacket silhouette that absorbs infrared light from sunlight and then generates heat through light conversion technology to keep the wearer warm.
Down-Less Down Jacket, as it is called, is like a puffer down jacket made from the translucent innovative material. According to the designer, the jacket provides warmth, comparable (if not better) to a traditional down jacket without using feathers. No animals hurt, no production footprints; such as apparel as this transparent down jacket can be the future of clean, conscious clothing.
Winner of the Red Dot Award: Design Concept for the year 2024, the Down-Less Down Jacket depicts well the material’s potential. Given its transparent nature, it can have many applications and industries it can influence. Sticking with the jacket at hand, the interesting wearable may for now appear directly out of a fashion show, but its benefits can certainly have a transforming effect on the apparel industry.
Jackets are more than just fashion accessories, especially if you live or visit areas with extreme weather conditions. We’re seeing a lot of brands that come up with lines that can withstand the cold, rain, snow, etc but also will make the wearers look good when sporting them. Volleback is one such brand and we’ve seen several products from them that use materials that are not the usual we see in most of these apparel. Now we’re getting a Full Metal Jacket that is made from one of the most advanced materials available – copper.
When you think of a jacket made from copper, you might think it’s something pretty heavy and bulky. But the process that they made to use copper in this jacket line is pretty interesting. They used 11 kilometers of copper for each jacket, using copper that is both extremely strong and malleable at the same time. Rods of electrolytic industrial copper pass through a machine repeatedly and turns them into thin copper strands. These yarns are then layered with thin coats of lacquer and go through a 6-day curing process and then laminated with an advanced waterproof and breathable membrane called c_change®.
The entire jacket is made from 59.5% copper, 20% polyurethane, 20% polyamide, and 0.5% other metals and is waterproof (fully seam-sealed), windproof, and breathable. Each Full Metal Jacket has 2 fleece-lined zipped side pockets; 2 giant front bellows pockets with angled storm flaps, 2 zipped upper chest pockets concealed behind storm flaps, and 1 zipped internal pocket. Despite the seemingly heavy material and all these features, the jacket is not bulky at all and looks pretty lightweight. There are three colors available – black, copper, and silver.
The reason why they chose copper as a material for this edition is that it can be used for disease-resistant clothing since it’s biostatic. In fact, NASA is now experimenting with the material to create medical instruments that can be used in the International Space Station to protect astronauts. So if we eventually get to space in the future, then this jacket can also help protect us from infection and diseases.
If you are someone who loves spending time in the outdoors, whether it is camping, hiking, or trekking, then you’re well aware that you need the ultimate set of clothing. Being outdoors gives us a major relief from our hectic lives, allowing us to soak up some sun, and get in touch with nature. But at the same time, you have to get down and dirty, live life on the road, and tackle the moodiness of the elements. Hence you need the perfect set of apparel to protect you from harsh weather conditions, and the inconsistency of the elements. We’ve curated a collection of functional, protective, and exceptionally designed outdoor clothing for you. Have a look!
1. Aerogel Puffer
Dubbed the Aerogel Puffer, this jacket is made from the lightest solid material in the world, which is utilized to line spacesuits and insulate electronics. The jacket is pretty lightweight since Aerogel is made of individual neoprenes that are 10,000 times thinner than human hair.
Why is it noteworthy?
The jacket itself has advanced synthetic insulation and its outer shell uses ultra-lightweight yarn so that you’ll be protected from extreme cold weather (even -30 degrees!). Still, it also won’t weigh you down totally.
What we like
Features five zipped pockets, two large ones on the side to keep your hands warm and the others to hold your stuff like phone, wallet, keys, etc
What we dislike
Not sure if it’ll be as effective as puffer jackets made with down
2. UZE Heated Jacket
The UZE Heated Jacket changes the jacket game completely, providing you with a jacket that you can wear in all four seasons while allowing you to have the power to decide how warm you really want to be.
Why is it noteworthy?
It uses the same graphene technology that the brand uses for popular power banks. It features four graphene heat zones and three heat settings of 120°F, 140°F, and 160°F, so with the simple click of a button you can select the level of warmth that will be comfy and cozy for you.
What we like
Can keep you warm for up to 10 hours and charges in 45 minutes
10x faster than your usual heated jacket
What we dislike
Available in black color, no other color options
3. Indestructible Hoodie
The Indestructible Hoodie is a high-durability design built using materials such as Cordura and Dyneema. It is designed for a comfy and neat fit, and is equipped with two side pockets for storage, and is wind-resistant as well.
Why is it noteworthy?
This hoodie looks like it was made for extreme athletes with a need for serious protection. Vollebak advertises it as being “highly abrasion and rip resistant,” even so far as being able to mitigate damage caused by an “extreme 4-way stretch”.
What we like
Lightweight and breathable design
What we dislike
A hefty price tag that may not be preferred by everyone
4. Omega Pants
The Omega Pants by Graphene-X is designed with a 3-layer fabric and can be used for any activity that requires pants. It is stretchable, waterproof, and can regulate your body temperature.
Why is it noteworthy?
The fabric as well as the construction of the pants help it play multiple roles. It is styled like a pair of all-purpose pants with removable leg pieces, so it can transform from full pants to a pair of durable everyday shorts within seconds.
What we like
Allows complete freedom of movement
The pants allow you to stretch around while rock climbing, trekking, or engaging in any outdoor activity
What we dislike
The pants run hot and don’t have enough vents to cool them down
5. The Indestructible Belt
Recently launched by Vollebak, the Indestructible Belt is designed to be the strongest belt ever made. It is designed to be a true marvel in engineering, as well as a major fashion statement that will definitely grab eyeballs.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Indestructible Belt is built with the ultimate strong core which is made from Dyneema – the single strongest fiber known to man today. Vollebak uses Dyneema in its Indestructible range. Dyneema is supposed to be 15 times stronger than steel, which basically signifies that the belt strap is only breakable if you hang more than 4 tonnes of it.
What we like
The buckle never releases under pressure and can tolerate 1.8 tonnes of force before it breaks apart
What we dislike
The price tag is quite heavy for a belt and may be considered unreasonable by some
6. Baubax
Baubax created the world’s best travel pants! They are designed and engineered for durability, comfort, and dirt-dust-stain resistance. They are comfortable, stylish as well as breathable.
Why is it noteworthy?
They’re engineered to be UV-resistant, anti-microbial, and anti-odor, allowing them to be worn for as long as 3 days without needing a wash. When you eventually do need to wash them, they wash easily and dry quickly.
What we like
Features five pockets
Available across trousers, chinos, leggings, and joggers
What we dislike
We’re not sure how comfy the pants will be to wear for longer durations
7. The Century Jacket
The Century Jacket is made using all-natural, non-synthetic fabrics, and is designed to be functional in 100 years. It is designed to be water, wind, fire, and abrasion-resistant, and is applicable for free repairs for life.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Century Jacket is designed for outdoor use and features a construction that is equal parts durable, comfortable, and functional. It is made using Ventile cotton which gives it its durability.
What we like
Zipper-lined pockets on your chest and waist hold and store your EDC
The pockets are silk-lined for comfort and to protect your valuables
What we dislike
Not recommended to machine-wash it, as it may dampen its life cycle
8. Deep Sleep Cocoon
The Deep Sleep Cocoon is a jacket designed to aid you in sleeping almost anywhere, on Earth and off Earth. It draws inspiration from the protective exoskeleton of the woodlouse and the cocoons weaved by caterpillars.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Deep Sleep Cocoon is a self-contained microhabitat that will lull you to sleep whether you’re on a plane journey on Earth or on a space shuttle to Mars. The star of the jacket is its hood! Mimicking a visor on a space helmet, the hood has been crafted from five different segments, which can be conveniently folded over your face, forming a protective cocoon and allowing you to sleep peacefully.
What we like
Waterproof and windproof as well as abrasion-resistant
Perfect for catching some shut-eye irrespective of your location
What we dislike
The jacket is quite big and could occupy a substantial amount of space in your bag/suitcase
9. Carbon Fiber Shirt
This Carbon Fiber shirt is made using Carbon Fiber as its name implies, and it is a material that is found exclusively in jet engines, supercars, and missile housings. It is lighter than aluminum and stronger than steel.
Why is it noteworthy?
Designed to be worn close to the skin, the material is breathable, lightweight, and wicks moisture incredibly well. It is designed to last longer than any traditional t-shirt, even in the toughest of scenarios.
What we like
The fabric also protects your skin, preventing any damage from occurring to you
What we dislike
The aesthetics of the shirt are a bit unassuming, it could have been more stylish
10. Off Grid Shirt
Called the Off Grid shirt, this unique shirt was designed to help you live off the grid. It is made using materials before the grid even existed, and this shirt is designed to withstand ‘unconventional living’.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Off Grid shirt works rather well in heat and humidity, and just by virtue of its fabric, has these unique wrinkles on the shirt that contribute to its character. The shirt uses a proprietary blend of ramie (nettle fabric) and Pima cotton.
What we like
The shirt is ideal for humidity, as it wicks moisture well, and dries off quite fast
What we dislike
It has only 2 pockets, so could be considered less for those who prefer loads of hidden storage
Have you ever had one of those dreams, or rather, nightmares, when your clothes suddenly fall off your body like it was decomposing or something? That will probably not happen in real life, at least not instantly. But for those who are pursuing sustainable fashion, this is actually a good dream and not a nightmare. We’re seeing clothing brands experiment with biodegradable clothing and Champion is one such brand to do so.
Designer: Champion
The Reverse Weave Eco Future Collection is a line of biodegradable sweatshirt and joggers made from sustainable materials. You can wear it repeatedly until it naturally breaks down and decomposes over time. They use the CiCLO technology which helps bring about this natural decomposition process over time and help reduce the impact of plastic textile fibers and lessen microfiber pollution which is one of the major effects of the clothing industry on our carbon footprint.
The technology uses an additive that is combined with polyester and nylon during the fiber-making process. The process called melt extrusion turns them into liquid when heated and then they are turned into long threads. Other elements of the sweatshirts and joggers also use eco-friendly materials like the tags and labels ause pure cotton while the hangtags are printed with soybean ink. Even the colors used are from dyes extracted from pomegranate rinds, annatto, Terminalia Chebula fruit crusts, and kerria lacca insects.
In terms of the design, the sweatshirts and joggers in the Reverse Weave Eco Future Collection are just your usual. They do look comfortable since they’re oversized and unisex, so that’s another plus. The joggers have hip pockets and a drawcord waist for added comfort. But of course the main reason why you’d want any of these pieces is that they are biodegradable and friendly to Mother Earth. They’re available in different sizes and colors so there’s a variety to choose from.
