Vollebak's Full Metal Jacket Gold Edition: A Fusion of Advanced Materials and Futuristic Design

Vollebak, the innovative clothing brand known for pushing the boundaries of material technology, has unveiled the Gold edition of its Full Metal Jacket. The jacket combines cutting-edge engineering with striking aesthetics, making it look like something designed for Mars exploration. With its unique copper-based construction, advanced weather-adaptive membrane, and antimicrobial properties, this jacket is poised to redefine functional and futuristic fashion.

A Jacket Built from Copper: A Material with Cosmic Origins

The Full Metal Jacket is composed of 59.5% copper, a material that originated billions of years ago as interstellar clouds floating through space. This copper is transformed into ultrathin yarns through a meticulous process involving lasers and specialized machinery. Each jacket contains 11 kilometers of copper threads, which are lacquered to prevent corrosion and undergo a six-day curing process to ensure durability.

Copper's atomic structure plays a pivotal role in making this jacket possible. Unlike most metals, copper's face-centered cubic crystal structure allows it to be both strong and malleable. This unique property enables the creation of a three-layered jacket: a soft inner layer for comfort, a high-performance waterproof membrane for weather protection, and an outer layer crafted from copper yarn.

Antimicrobial Properties: A Step Toward Disease-Resistant Clothing

Copper’s natural antimicrobial properties make this jacket particularly relevant in today's health-conscious world. Copper releases electrically charged ions that disrupt microbes' ability to breathe, penetrate their membranes, and destroy their DNA, preventing future resistance. This feature ensures that bacteria and viruses cannot survive on the jacket's surface, making it ideal for environments where hygiene is critical.

Advanced Weather-Adaptive Technology

The Full Metal Jacket incorporates Schoeller’s Swiss-engineered c_change® membrane, which mimics natural structures like pinecones or flowers by opening and closing in response to temperature changes. This adaptive membrane keeps wearers comfortable in varying conditions:

• In Cold Weather: The membrane contracts to retain heat close to the body.
• In Heat or Rain: The membrane opens to release excess heat and sweat while remaining completely waterproof.

This dynamic functionality ensures optimal temperature regulation, making the jacket suitable for extreme environments.

Design and Features

Despite being made from metal, the jacket feels soft and malleable to the touch, offering everyday wearability. Its surface appears computer-generated due to the rippling effect created by thousands of moving copper parts reflecting light. Key technical details include:

• Fully seam-sealed for waterproofing
• Multiple pockets (fleece-lined side pockets, bellows pockets with storm flaps, concealed chest pockets)
• Heavy-duty two-way metal zipper
• Adjustable cuffs and hood with elasticated cord adjusters
• Weighing 1400 grams

Available in four colors—Gold, Copper, Black, and Silver—the Gold edition stands out as a bold statement piece.

Applications Beyond Fashion: NASA’s Interest in Copper

NASA is exploring copper-based medical devices to address immune system dysregulation experienced by astronauts during long missions. Copper’s antimicrobial properties could help reduce infection risks in space exploration—a testament to its versatility beyond clothing.

Pricing and Availability

The Full Metal Jacket Gold Edition is priced at £1495 GBP (€1795 EUR / $1895 USD). It exemplifies Vollebak’s commitment to creating garments that tackle challenges like climate change, human health, and sustainability.

About Vollebak

Founded by British designers Nick and Steve Tidball in 2016, Vollebak specializes in pioneering material technology for extreme environments. Their portfolio includes the world’s first graphene jacket, solar-charged clothing, and programmable garments. Twice recognized by TIME as one of the Best Inventions, Vollebak continues to innovate at the intersection of science fiction and reality.

With its blend of futuristic design and practical functionality, the Full Metal Jacket Gold Edition represents a bold step forward in wearable technology—ready not just for Earth but potentially for Mars.