Articles

Pre-Orders Are Surging for This 29,800 Yen Vest! Here's Why Pros Choose Workman's 'Peltier Vest.'

2026.08.03

Workman has unveiled the "WindCore ICE x HEATER Peltier Vest 7-Device Special Edition," a garment that uses semiconductor technology to directly cool and heat the body.

With traditional ice packs melting in a flash under the brutal summer heat, why did the company pivot from fan-based apparel to developing its own premium "wearable freezer"?

In this article, we explore the technological leaps in next-gen heat-relief wear and the unique design philosophy born from front-line feedback, straight from Kentaro Doi of Workman's Product Development Department 1.

The "WindCore ICE x HEATER Peltier Vest 7-Device Special Edition" directly cools the body with seven Peltier devices. Price: 29,800 yen (tax included).

The "Non-Melting Ice Pack" Born from Warehouse Challenges

Could you tell us about the concept behind this product and its development journey?

During grueling warehouse work where outside temperatures soar above 35°C (95°F), we faced a major problem: traditional ice packs would melt almost instantly. Our starting point was a simple goal: create a product that could provide continuous and effective protection against heatstroke.

We adopted 'Peltier technology,' which can cool or heat by passing an electric current through a semiconductor. Think of how a mini-fridge gets cold—we've integrated a material into the vest that can become cold or warm simply by changing the direction of the current.

The claim of cooling down in as little as one second is impressive. How is such rapid cooling possible?

While the Peltier element's properties play a role, the secret is really in using moderately sized devices designed to cool the surrounding plates efficiently, rather than just using bigger ones. It's not some magic design trick for speed, but rather a consequence of smart sizing and optimization.

A look at the Peltier device's structure, combining a large, graphite-coated plate with an air-cooling fan for maximum cooling efficiency.

The "Seven-Device" Strategy: Cooling Arteries and Listening to the Front Lines

The seven devices are strategically placed to maximize the cooling sensation without getting in the way of work.

The vest features seven Peltier devices. How did you decide on their placement on the back, lower back, front, and neck?

It's all based on anatomy. During development, we tested placing devices in various spots, and the neck was the clear winner. We also incorporated customer feedback suggesting that cooling the arteries provides a full-body cooling effect.

On the back, we chose a position that wouldn't hit the shoulder blades and hinder movement. For the front, the devices were placed as close to the armpits as possible without obstructing tasks—each location was meticulously selected with the typical movements of workers in mind.

Engineered to deliver a powerful cooling effect precisely to the back and neck.

Were there any other design updates inspired by feedback from the field?

Workers told us they couldn't wear their safety harnesses with the vest, so we raised the back devices to make room. To tackle the issue of the battery pack heating the chest area, we lined the pockets with "X-Shelterβ" insulation. Additionally, after hearing from female customers that last year's model had side gaps that reduced the cooling sensation, we redesigned the structure for a much snugger fit this year.

Outsmarting Your Senses: The 'Fluctuation' and Dial Features

The dial on the right shoulder that adjusts the device's position is a unique feature. What problem led to its creation?

The problem was that if you cool the same spot for too long, your body acclimates to the cold and you stop feeling the effect. So, we added a dial on the right shoulder that lets the user shift the position of the lower back devices up or down by about 5 cm.

Changing the location makes you feel the cold sensation anew, and it has the added bonus of improving the fit by molding more closely to your body. For the same reason, we included a "fluctuation mode" that cycles between 5 minutes on and 1 minute off—another trick to keep the body from getting used to the chill. This also doubles as a safety feature to prevent low-temperature burns from constant contact.

A quick turn of the right shoulder dial lets you shift the lower back devices up or down by about 5 cm.

Why did you decide to use graphite metal for the device's plates?

To boost thermal conductivity. In the past, we experimented with aluminum and stainless steel, but aluminum's conductivity was actually too high, causing the cooling sensation to spread out too much. On the other hand, stainless steel only cooled a very specific spot. We prioritized the actual user experience—'where and how it feels cold'—over just the specs on paper. After countless material changes and tests, we landed on graphite metal. We also switched the surface from a smooth finish to a textured, 'point-touch' design to fine-tune the heat transfer.

The graphite metal surface features a textured 'point-touch' design to fine-tune heat transfer.

The ¥29,800 Challenge and Expanding Uses

With more devices, the vest is heavier (around 950g), and Peltier elements naturally generate heat. How have you tackled these issues?

When it comes to weight, you can greatly lighten the perceived load by using the included extension cable to move the battery from the chest pocket to a waist pouch or your pants pocket. As for heat exhaust, it's a characteristic of Peltier devices that if you wear something non-breathable like a raincoat over the vest, the heat gets trapped, and the cooling effect diminishes.

That's why pairing it with gear that allows airflow, like a fan-equipped jacket, is a great strategy. However, to get the absolute coldest sensation, the best method is to wear it snugly right over a compression base layer.

An excellent base layer that feels cool the moment you put it on. "Cool Touch Compression Long-Sleeve Crew Neck," ¥980 (tax included).

A price tag of ¥29,800 is pretty steep for a Workman product. What's the strategy behind this?

We didn't initially plan on setting such a high price; it was a huge leap for us. However, we wanted to enhance its value as a professional-grade model, so we went all-in on functionality, adding features like LED lights for nighttime visibility and an extension cable. As it turned out, during the pre-order phase, we received about the same number of orders as the ¥19,800 model, which proved to us that strong demand existed.

Equipped with LEDs in two spots on the front and one on the back to enhance nighttime visibility.

Finally, as a developer, do you have any recommended uses?

The Peltier Vest doesn't just cool; it also has a heating mode, making it incredibly useful for staying warm at outdoor trade shows or during winter camping trips. You can secretly wear it under a jacket to keep cozy—the possibilities are endless, limited only by your imagination. We look forward to learning new uses from our customers as we continue to evolve the product.

Continuing to evolve as a "wearable freezer," the Peltier Vest offers a fresh alternative for Japan's increasingly harsh work environments. Unlike fan-equipped apparel that circulates air, it takes the direct approach of cooling the body itself.

The Peltier Vest, refined through real-world feedback from workers on everything from plate placement and materials to overall fit, has a price tag of ¥29,800 for good reason. It represents countless hours of trial and error aimed at creating not just another piece of cooling apparel, but a genuine tool to support professionals in their work environment.

PROFILE

Kentaro Doi

Workman Co., Ltd.
Product Development Dept., Division 1 (Work & Outdoor)