There’s a new line of insulated clothing that has me seriously geeking out as I head into the weekend. The company responsible for the clothes, Oros, has just launched a Kickstarter campaign to send its next project into orbit. Actually, maybe it’s more to bring orbit down to common and cold folks. The new Oros jackets, gloves, pants and beanies use NASA-engineered aerogel for insulation. Yes, that NASA. The technology inside Oros’ new clothing line was used in astronauts’ space suits.
Oros first deployed NASA-created aerogel last year, in its Lukla Endeavor jacket. The company’s newest mission extends beyond a single jacket, which is great to see. Oros’ new Orion series uses an updated spacesuit insulator that’s thinner and lighter than was seen in their 2015 jacket. Called SolarCore aerogel, the insulation allows the clothes to be warm and lightweight without the bulk traditionally associated with super-insulating winter gear.
Aerogel is actually 90 percent air, and it’s the lowest thermal conductor on Earth as well as off it. The material’s been used as insulation for space suits, space shuttle tiles and the Mars Rover. It’s also been used to blanket oil pipelines.
The SolarCore aerogel insulating the Oros jackets and apparel allows for clothing that’s just 3MM thick. That 3MM of SolarCore aerogel has laboratory-equivalent warmth of 40MM of goose down. I’m excited by the prospect of warmth without the added loft. I presume others will be as well, considering many outdoor enthusiasts want to avoid looking like the Michelin Man during high-energy activities.
“Aerogel is an amazing insulator; it has to be since NASA uses it in outer space where the temperature is only 2 degrees above absolute zero,” said Michael Markesbery, founder, Oros. “With [this] second generation, we have improved the aerogel to make the jackets even lighter and thinner and have added gloves, beanies and snowpants to our line so Oros can be the go-to performance apparel for your winter adventures and passions.”
That’s likely true, and I’m lining up an interview with Markesbery to find out more about the technology and new clothing line. I’m also hoping to test some samples so I can share with you some hands-on (and body-on, and legs-on) impressions from someone who gets very cold, very quickly due to Raynaud’s syndrome.
According to their Kickstarter launch announcement, the new Oros jackets, pants, gloves and beanies have been battle tested in Nepalese mountains and been blasted with liquid nitrogen (-321 degrees Fahrenheit) with no one getting too hot or too cold. The Oros jackets and other apparel are also billed as extremely breathable, which is important when the temperature and activity level pick up.
If you’re interested in learning more, check out my two-part Q&A, first about using spacesuit insulation in outdoor clothing, and the other more of an all-purpose Oros interview. With any luck I’ll be able to share some firsthand impressions of the clothing in action once it releases.