A new functional fashion brand has just made its debut on Kickstarter with its Smart Heated Hoodie, packed with 22 features, including quite a few wearable technology solutions, created for the needs of the urban lifestyle. The campaign is already live, offering early bird perks reaching 50% off.
High successes of functional clothing campaigns on Kickstarter in recent years prove that there is a great need for outerwear which can perform more than its basic functions. It’s no longer only about protection from weather conditions, or appearance. We’ve seen a few travel jackets or clothes dedicated for specific activities. Now, a new brand of functional fashion, Jay23, enters with its interesting approach.
2-in-1 hoodie with heating pockets
Regarding appearance, the brand prioritizes minimalism and versatility, proposing a hoodie that suits many occasions. But its uniqueness relies on the creators’ commitment to solve the problems of urban lifestyle. The Jay23 hoodie will perform perfectly in changing weather conditions. It seems to be sufficient even at very low temperatures, thanks to the 2x 10W heating panels sewn into the front pockets. The brand also dealt with the opposite problem – where to keep your outerwear, when it gets too warm throughout the day? The Jay23 hoodie can be easily converted into a backpack, so, instead of dragging it in our hands, we can carry it comfortably on the back, and gain some additional storage space. And the water repellent coating ensures protection from the rain.
Lots of practical storage
The brand creators came up with even more solutions to increase your mobility in urban spaces. For example, the patent pending suspenders system with a detachable waist sack, which can be fastened inside the hoodie or worn separately. It is one of the many thoughtful storage solutions, since Jay23 declares this hoodie to have 16 pockets for various purposes. Like the back pocket, designed especially for cyclists, ensuring an easily accessible and safe place for your smartphone or other valuables. Or the large internal pocket, perfect for an iPad or tablet, an Apple pencil pocket, or a secret pocket for the upcoming AirTag. Also worth mentioning – a special wallet or credit card pocket, provided with an RFID blocker.
Wireless smartphone charger
In general, an emphasis was placed on the „cooperation” between the hoodie and smartphones. It’s not just a few dedicated pockets, but also a connection to the Jay23 mobile app, which you can use to regulate the power of heating pockets. But the most practical solution, which will definitely be very appreciated, is the smartphone charger – a battery placed inside one of the pockets. Its wireless version will be added to the hoodie after the campaign reaches one of the stretch goals.
Blackout hood
With the current world situation in mind, the creators have equipped the hoodie with a built-in face mask, so that you can always have the much needed protection at hand. But another interesting solution which can additionally shield you from big crowds is the full-length zipper which allows you to zip up the hoodie all the way up, including the hood. Jay23 describes their blackout hood as a way of isolating yourself from surroundings, giving you some private space to calm down or focus, which can be helpful among the urban hustle and bustle, in public transportation, etc. The zipped hood will also prove useful in cold, windy conditions, giving you some extra face coverage at freely adjustable height.
Thoughtful details
The Jay23 brand declares that their design inspirations were drawn from sportswear solutions, which are meant to ensure lightness, freedom of movement, comfort, and practicality. Therefore, you can enjoy such functional little bits as holes for headphone cables, or thumb holes in the sleeves. The logo, as well as back and front prints, are reflective, which not only looks good, but also increases your nighttime safety. The hoodie can be additionally personalized by picking your own patch to stick to a special velcro on the right sleeve. During the campaign, you can order a patch with the US or Canada flags, or send your own design to the producers, and they will make it for you.
Already live on Kickstarter
The Jay23 hoodie is available in four different colors, a wide variety of sizes, and both men’s and women’s styles. During the campaign, it will be possible to choose from two options: PRO and ULTRA PRO, which is the premium version. These designs mostly differ when it comes to the wearable technologies equipped, but you will easily find the differences in a table provided on the project’s site. The producers have declared two stretch goals: a wider color palette, and a 3-coil wireless charging module built into one of the pockets.
