Backercrew

Official: ✅ backercrew.com · Email: ✅ [email protected] · Not affiliated: ⚠️ thebackercrew.com / thebackercrew.net.
Security Notice →

Mar 31, 2026
14643 Views

All-Season Reversible Vest with Hemp & NASA-grade Aerogel

Written by

Hemp meets Aerospace-grade aerogel. One reversible vest. Two styles. Four seasons. Built for city streets and mountain trails
Check on Kickstarter

The Reversible Vest: All-Season with
Waterproof Hemp + NASA-grade Aerogel Insulation 


A Reinvention of the Modern Essential

From trading floors to tech campuses to early morning flights and weekend summits, the vest has become a modern uniform. It keeps your core warm without restricting movement. It layers precisely over a tailored shirt or under a shell. Vests create a sharper silhouette — structured, capable, intentional.

It is understated. It is efficient. It signals readiness without excess.

But the classic fleece vest hasn’t evolved.

Until now.

We asked a simple question: What if the most universal garment of modern life was rebuilt with the materials of the future?

The result is the Reversible Vest — engineered with a breathable, waterproof Hemp performance shell and insulated with ultra-light Aerogel technology, one of the most thermally efficient materials ever developed.

Designed to perform across -10°C to 20°C (14–68°F), this vest adapts seamlessly between environments — from climate-controlled offices to wind-exposed ridgelines, from city commutes to alpine mornings.

This is not just another fleece vest. It’s a scientifically upgraded essential — built for people who move between worlds and expect their gear to keep up.

Aerogel Insulated Side

The aerogel side’s clean black fabric is as versatile as it is refined. Its minimal, no-fuss aesthetic pairs effortlessly with anything in your wardrobe — dressed up, layered down, or worn solo indoors when you just need to stay warm. 3 pockets available and this is the side you’ll reach for every day without thinking twice.

The aerogel-insulated side represents a quantum leap beyond traditional down filling.  Originally developed by NASA for extreme environments, aerogel is the world’s lightest solid insulator — delivering superior heat retention at a fraction of down’s bulk. Unlike down, it’s inherently hydrophobic, repelling moisture and maintaining full thermal performance even when wet. 

Whether you’re navigating a freezing alpine morning or a cool coastal evening. Lightweight, compressible, and relentlessly warm, the aerogel side redefines what insulation can be.

Physical Properties (Vest/Apparel Form)

  • Garment weight: ~200g
  • Insulation fill weight: 70g
  • Pore size: 50 nm
  • Fibre denier: 3.5D 
     

Aerogel Reversible Vest — Scientific Data Reference


Material Composition
Aerogel is composed of a dendritic 3D network of SiO₂ (silicon dioxide) nanoparticles, with pore sizes ranging from 0.01–1 micrometers. It is up to 99.8% air by volume.  For apparel, it is typically infused into a flexible fiber or foam matrix to overcome the brittleness of pure silica aerogel.

  • Exceptional warmth, minimal bulk: Thin and lightweight, yet keeps you comfortable in cold conditions.
  • Flexible & compressible: Moves with your body, perfect for active sports and layered wear.
  • All-season comfort: Provides insulation without overheating, suitable for -10°C to 20°C (14–68°F). 
  • Moisture resistance & breathability: Keeps you dry during activity transitions from indoor to outdoor environments.
  • Machine-Washable: No dry cleaning, no special handling, no loss of warmth over time.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

    The Aerogel side is sleek, minimalist, and ready for activities where warmth and mobility are essential.


Waterproof Hemp Shell 

The reversible vest’s hemp side features 6 thoughtfully placed pockets for everyday functional use — because adventure demands more than just style. 

Built on our waterproof hemp fabric with PFC-free DWR coating, it sheds rain and resists the elements without sacrificing breathability. 

Hemp’s natural hollow-fibre structure keeps your temperature regulated whether you’re on the trail or in the city, making this the ideal layer for any outdoor excursion.


Hemp: Natural, Durable, and Breathable

Hemp isn’t just sustainable—it’s a high-performance fabric built for modern life:

  • Temperature regulation: Naturally breathable, keeping you cool during activity and comfortable indoors.
  • Durability: Resistant to wear, abrasion, and pilling—ideal for daily use and outdoor adventures.
  • Eco-friendly: Fast-growing, requiring minimal water and no pesticides.
  • Moisture management: Naturally wicks light sweat for all-day comfort.
  • Enhanced water protection: Finished with Bionic-Finish® Eco, a widely used, PFC-free, plant-based water-repellent treatment applied at the fabric level.

Why Kickstarter backers would love it 

  • All-day Comfort: Breathable and temperature-regulating across indoor and outdoor use
  • Built to Last: Durable, abrasion-resistant and holds its shape over time
  • Lower Impact: Hemp uses less water and no pesticides – better for the planet
  • Stay Dry, Stay Comfortable: Naturally wicks moisture during daily activity
  • Real-world Protection: PFC-free Bionic-Finish® Eco repels light rain without sacrificing breathability

Reversible Design 

Two Vests in One. Reversible Intelligence 

Wear Option 1 — Hemp Out

  • Breathable, natural, storage-rich.
  • Ideal for indoor environments, mild weather, active movement.

Wear Option 2 — Aerogel Out

  • Thermally efficient, sleek, insulated.
  • Ideal for colder outdoor exposure.

Wear Option 3 — Layered Integration

  • Use the vest as a mid-layer under or over a shell for extended cold conditions.


Nordic Inspiration & Design Features

Design Inspiration 

Inspired by Nordic simplicity, this vest balances function with quiet elegance. Every detail is intentional — nothing excessive, nothing unnecessary.

  • Clean full-zip closure for adjustable comfort
  • Structured high collar to shield against wind
  • Lightweight and packable for effortless layering
  • Streamlined silhouette suited for city streets and open landscapes
  • Reinforced stitching and thoughtfully placed panels for lasting durability
  • Purposeful pocket layout: 6 on the hemp side, 3 on the Aerogel side — designed for intuitive access and secure storage

    The result is a vest that feels calm, refined, and dependable — built to perform beautifully, season after season.


Size Guide

The Reversible Vest is unisex
https://ibb.co/RT2B5ZtJ

Suitable Activities

The Reversible Vest is designed for a wide variety of uses, thanks to its temperature adaptability and lightweight performance:

  • Indoor: Office, co-working, casual wear
  • Outdoor activities: Hiking, skiing, fishing, cycling, photography, travel, camping, urban commuting, and more
  • Layering: Works under jackets or over hoodies for colder conditions

    No matter where life takes you, this vest adapts instantly.

Add-On Rewards
 

Base-layers (Long-sleeve top, pants and socks)

To get the most out of your reversible vest, what you wear underneath matters just as much as the vest itself. Our recommended base layer — a 70/30 Wool/Tencel blend at 160–180 gsm — is engineered to work in perfect harmony with both sides of the vest. Merino’s natural fibre structure actively regulates your body temperature and wicks moisture away from the skin, while Tencel accelerates that moisture transfer outward, keeping you dry whether you’re pushing hard on the trail or settled into an indoor environment.

1. The Fabric Blend

  • 70% Wool / 30% Tencel
  • 160–180 gsm — active 3-season weight (Fall, Winter & Spring) 
  • 17.5–18.5 micron superfine merino — next-to-skin soft
  • Natural moisture wicking, antimicrobial, and biodegradable
  • Tencel adds drape, smoothness, and accelerated moisture transfer
  • OEKO-TEX certified

2. Temperature Range

  • Base layer alone: -5°C to +20°C / 23°F to 68°F
  • With Reversible Vest : -20°C to +15°C / -4°F to 59°F

3. Add-on Price

  • Tops: 99 HKD/13 USD each (Retail: 179 HKD/23 USD)
  • Pants: 129 HKD/17 USD each (Retail: 219 HKD/28 USD)
  • Socks: 79 HKD/10 USD each (Retail: 149 HKD/19 USD) 
  • Bundle (Top, pants & socks each): 260 HKD/33 USD 
     


Design & Prototype

Inital Sketch Idea 

The Reversible Vest was developed through user surveys and multiple prototypes. Our design team asked backers, outdoor enthusiasts, and commuters what they wanted most in a vest — pocket layout, layering options, mobility, and comfort. Each iteration was tested in real-life indoor and outdoor conditions. After countless prototypes, we finalized the dual-layer reversible design, ensuring every feature is intentional, functional, and stylish.

The patterns are especially challenging to make because there are two patterns made into one vest. Each side has their special pocket placements, and the technicality and innovation is of high level in this Reversible Vest. It is very rare in the market to find such innovative fabrics used in one single vest. 

professional patterns for making of the Reversible Vest
Factory environment

Why Kickstarter Matters

By launching on Kickstarter, we can:

  • Source high-quality Hemp and Aerogel fabrics
  • Produce responsibly in limited batches
  • Offer backers early-bird pricing below future retail

Build a community of supporters who value science-backed, sustainable, and functional apparel.

We want the Kickstarter community to help us bring a truly versatile, innovative vest to life — designed for both everyday living and extreme outdoor performance. 

Thank you for your time & support!

Article Tags:
Article Categories:
All · Design · Featured

Comments are closed.