Utah-based company Klymit came up with a wild idea for cold-weather clothing: replace traditional insulation with gas.
Its NobleTek inflatable clothing. Klymit’s original argon-driven insulation, seen on garments like the Ulaar jacket, was designed to offer some clear benefits over traditional fill insulation materials like goose down and Primaloft. It offered the wearer the ability to adjust the garment’s warmth level throughout the day, adding versatility without so much emphasis on layering.
NobleTek worked wet or dry. The lightweight system also made for highly packable garments – instead of a big, puffy jacket, you could slide a deflated shell into your backpack or suitcase.
- Lightweight breathable Nylon stretch fabric contours to body
- Safe, non-toxic Argon gas inflated vest provides warmth without bulk
- Relief valve to control warmth
- Inflation port inside chest pocket
- Reflective accents
- Machine washable
- Drawstring closure bottom
- Includes three 8gm refill canisters (6902) of Argon gas
Air chambers on the Klymit Ulaar Jacket can be inflated or deflated to change the amount of insulation. If it’s colder, pump it up. If you’re out hiking and working up a sweat, let some air out. An air pump tucks away into the left pocket, and you can control both the deflation and inflation from there.
The idea is that the air chambers capture your body heat and keep it in circulation around you. The jacket’s also windproof and maintains its thermal abilities when wet.
There is an optional upgrade to an insulation called NobleTek. This uses argon gas for inflation rather than regular air. The company claims argon insulates three times better than the dead air trapped by other insulations. The argon itself weighs almost nothing.