Aerogel fibers
The greatest change brought about by the Internet era is that the interaction between people has shifted to the online realm.
More and more people have realized that this type of interaction hinders the transfer of energy and emotions between people, as well as between humans and nature.
Therefore, in recent years, outdoor sports have shown a vigorous development momentum.
However, the new generation of outdoor enthusiasts has also put forward new demands for outdoor equipment, shifting from “basic protection” to “intelligent adaptation”, and manufacturers have also followed suit and entered a new realm of imagination for outdoor equipment.
Scene refinement: Developing differentiated products for scenarios such as hiking, rock climbing, and urban commuting.
For example, high-elastic aerogel cushions are embedded in the elbows and shoulders of rock climbing suits to balance flexibility and anti-collision buffering.
Durability economics: The tear resistance should be stronger than that of ordinary materials. Coupled with self-repairing coating technology, the service life of the clothing is extended. After frequent machine washing, the thermal insulation performance only decays slightly.
Upgraded sensory experience: Through phase change microcapsule technology, the fabric generates an instant cooling sensation when it comes into contact with the skin, solving the problem of stuffiness during the noon in spring, and increasing the temperature adjustment response speed by 50%.
There is one material that has already become the focus of attention of countless outdoor equipment manufacturers.
Currently, there have been three major innovative practices in the lightweight design of spring outdoor clothing:
First, the all-weather self-adaptive jacket: The terminator of temperature differences.
The temperature difference in the mountains in spring can reach more than 15℃. Traditional layered wearing solutions often result in a bulky backpack.
The aerogel fiber jacket, through a composite structure design, uses windproof and waterproof fabric for the outer layer and embeds aerogel imitation silk cotton in the inner layer, enabling a single piece of clothing to cope with a temperature range from -5℃ to 15℃.
Its porous structure locks in body temperature at low temperatures and accelerates air convection through micro holes when the temperature rises. Coupled with the breathable and sweat-wicking functions of other fabrics, it keeps the body surface dry.
Second, lightweight hiking pants: A new paradigm of dynamic thermal insulation.
Traditional thermal pants are prone to pilling due to friction during exercise and have insufficient breathability.
The fabric made by blending aerogel fibers with elastic spandex not only reduces the weight by 40%, but also maintains a constant temperature when the legs are bent and stretched.
The knee area adopts a thickened aerogel honeycomb knitting method, providing targeted thermal insulation for areas prone to cold. At the same time, it quickly conducts away the sweat generated during exercise through the moisture-conducting channels, avoiding the embarrassment of “cold outside and wet inside”.
Third, modular outdoor accessories: The warmth of technology in the details.
Detachable aerogel fiber inner lining scarves, antibacterial and odor-proof aerogel fiber socks and other products achieve “multiple uses for one item” through modular design. For example, the inner lining scarf can be used alone as a neck thermal insulation layer, or it can be inserted into the collar of the jacket to enhance the windproof performance; the socks use the antibacterial properties of aerogel to suppress the odor generated during long hikes and reduce the frequency of equipment replacement.
The rise of aerogel fibers marks a new stage in outdoor clothing, transitioning from “passively adapting to the environment” to “actively regulating the microclimate”.
It is not only an evolution of materials, but also an upgrade of the way humans communicate with nature – endowing clothing with intelligence through technology, making every journey through the mountains and wilderness a burden-free and poetic experience.
