While this is the kind of technology that would normally live and die in an innovation lab, our Solar Charged Jacket performs amazingly out in nature. It stores sunlight, protects you from driving rain and headwinds, and glows in the dark. And this is what makes it the Swiss army knife of jackets – you can use it day or night for almost any type of sport or adventure to light you up and keep you safe and dry. Whether you’re heading out training in the dark, running an ultra through the mountains, climbing, riding, or out on the water, it works as a phenomenal lightweight rain jacket, windbreaker, emergency layer or safety device. It’s ultra light and packable at 230g so takes very little space or weight when not being worn. And unlike most tech it can’t fail. The core technology that enables the jacket to glow is its waterproof membrane. It’s been engineered with a phosphorescent compound that rapidly absorbs and stores light, then re-releases that light slowly as day turns to night.
- Constructed from a 3 layer stretch fabric
- Weight 230g
- Waterproof to 2,500mm
- Breathable
- All seams are fully taped and waterproofed
- Waterproof front zipper with concealed storm guard
- Rear zipped pocket with waterproof zipper
- Peaked hood with elasticated drawcord for adjustability
- Adjustable drawcord at the waist
- Articulated sleeve shape with extended underarm panelling
- Welded eyelets under the arms for additional ventilation
- Laser-cut bonded sleeve cuffs
We shot the Solar Charged Jacket on climber, extreme skier and wingsuit BASE jumper Tim Howell, who is 6ft 1 and wearing size medium. The jacket fits true to size and you can easily fit a baselayer or midlayer underneath.
See our size guide for more advice on sizing.
And don’t worry if you order something and it doesn’t fit – we have a free, no hassle 30 day return and exchange period.
| S | M | L | XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chest | 91-98 | 99-106 | 107-114 | 115-122 |
| Waist | 76-81 | 81-86 | 86-91 | 91-96 |
| Arm length | 62-64 | 64-66 | 66-68 | 68-70 |
| Back length | 73-75 | 75-77 | 77-79 | 79-81 |
| S | M | L | XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chest | 36-39 | 39-42 | 42-45 | 45-48 |
| Waist | 30-32 | 32-34 | 34-36 | 36-38 |
| Arm length | 22-23 | 23-24 | 24-25 | 25-26 |
| Back length | 28.5-29.5 | 29.5-30.5 | 30-31 | 31-32 |
Charge your jacket with the sun
The Solar Charged Jacket is fuelled fastest by sunlight as it’s brighter than anything else you’ll find, so the simplest and most efficient way to charge it is by wearing it outside during the day. Whether it’s for 2 minutes or 2 hours, the jacket will simply store the energy from the sun and start glowing as soon as it gets dark. With just a couple of hours’ charge it can still be glowing up to 12 hours later. Even on cloudy days, or left near a window, daylight is bright enough to charge it up.
You can use any light source to charge the jacket
The fabric reacts so rapidly you can see the jacket’s tech at work in as little as 2 seconds by holding your iPhone’s torch against the surface of any part of the jacket to pinpoint charge it. A small spotlit patch will instantly start glowing green – the darker the room, the brighter the glow. So if you’re heading out at night and your jacket has been stuffed in your bag all day, you can use whatever you have to hand to charge it – a head torch, your car headlights on full beam, even standing near a 60 watt bulb will do it.
Your jacket can glow for up to 12 hours
The logic behind the jacket is really simple: the longer you charge it, and the brighter the source you charge it with, the more energy it will absorb and the longer and brighter it will glow. The glow is at its brightest immediately after it has been charged but can remain for up to 12 hours. In broad daylight the jacket will only ever be a subtle light grey, and it will stay that colour until you go somewhere dark or the sun sets. When it’s fully charged at night it glows in the green spectrum at around 530 nanometers before fading to silvery green then white.
The science behind the glow
The core technology that enables the jacket to glow is its membrane – an ultra thin layer housed inside a translucent mesh that keeps rain out and lets sweat escape. Engineered with a phosphorescent compound it rapidly stores any light it comes into contact with and re-emits it slowly over time. The membrane acts as if it’s alive, absorbing sunlight like a plant and then lighting up as day turns to night. And with the phosphorescence engineered into the membrane itself, the tech sits at the very centre of the fabric, so it can’t wash out or rub off.
Works out in nature, not just in a lab
Even if you took away this jacket’s ability to store sunlight, you’d still be left with one of the most technologically advanced jackets ever made. That’s because the light-responsive material is also insanely high performance. While the jacket is waterproofed to keep you dry in anything from a summer shower to a downpour in the mountains, it’s also soft and breathable enough for any sport, and so thin you can roll it up into your hand.
Super stretchy and built for speed
The fastest way to see how much the jacket stretches is to pull it tight over your back – the elasticity is more like a baselayer than a traditional shell. We've also engineered the jacket for movement. The sleeves naturally take the shape of someone running, with an articulated bend and extra underarm panelling. So whether you’re climbing, running or riding, the jacket will never restrict you. And weighing just 230 grams, whether it’s on your back or in your bag, the jacket feels like it’s barely there.
Minimalist design with precise engineering
The Solar Charged Jacket is fully waterproofed, with all seams sealed with specially designed transparent tape, so that none of the glow is lost. The hood and waistband have elasticated drawcords that can be pulled tight rapidly. Welded eyelets at the underarms provide additional ventilation without letting water in. It has a waterproof front zip with a concealed storm guard for extra protection, the cuffs are laser-cut and bonded, and there’s a waterproof zip pocket at the back with enough room for your phone, card and keys.
