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Workman's Secret Weapon Against Heat Stroke: The "XShelter Heat Hoodie"
Japan's summers are getting more intense every year.Workman has long been a specialist in heat countermeasures, supporting people working outdoors for many years.
This time, we're focusing on the newly released spring/summer 2025 heat protection wear, the XShelter Heat Hoodie, and Workman's official ambassador, Koji Yamada, spoke with Yutaro Hagura, Chief Buyer, Product Development Section 6, Workman Co., Ltd., about the product’s development story.
Koji Yamada (hereafter Yamada)Workman's "XShelter," which started in fall/winter 2024, has become a hot topic as "heat protection wear." The "XShelter Heat Hoodie" we're spotlighting this time is designed with a special focus on heat protection. To start off, could you tell us what kind of heat protection products Workman has offered up until now?
Yutaro Hagura (hereafter Hagura)For many years, we've offered summer wear like this Double Mesh Heat Block Short Sleeve Work Shirt, which uses fibers infused with minerals to reflect sunlight and suppress temperature rise. It remains a popular bestseller even now.
HaguraSimilarly, we've had contact-cooling wear on the market for many years. On top of those, products that have become especially popular in recent years are "air-conditioned wear," which uses electric fans to circulate air, and Peltier vests, often referred to as "refrigerated clothing."
YamadaOur previous article also introduced the spring/summer 2025 new "XShelter" product, but could you remind our readers about its main features?
HaguraThe original idea was to make comfortable clothes that could withstand external conditions like heat and cold. We took inspiration from the insulation materials used in houses. For fall and winter outerwear, we used mid-layer padding with heat-generating features for cold protection. For spring and summer products, we focused on in-depth countermeasures against heatstroke risks such as temperature, humidity, radiant heat, and wind.
No matter how much you block heat from outside during summer, your body heat will make you feel warm. That's why the "XShelter Heat" series not only incorporates the unique "insulation" technology of "XShelter" but also focuses on the effect of "evaporative cooling."
YamadaEvaporative cooling refers to the heat absorbed from the surroundings when a liquid turns into vapor, right? In this case, does it use the wearer’s sweat?
HaguraThat's right. Cooling effects can be achieved not only with sweat but also by simply wetting the product. Like the "XShelter Ultra-Breathable and Moisture-Releasing Jacket," the "XShelter Heat" series uses a newly developed material that blends "breathability" and "moisture release."
The outside uses a special titanium oxide-infused polyester yarn, while the inside uses a multi-layered hydrophobic polypropylene yarn. This not only protects the body from UV and infrared rays but also draws excess moisture out and quickly releases it outside, boosting comfort and further lowering temperature.
Even if you sweat, it dries in 18 minutes. In addition, the fabric is made thin using a special 3D skeletal structure weaving method.
HaguraTesting by third-party laboratories shows that evaporative cooling provides a cooling effect about 9°C lower than conventional clothing.
YamadaFor this article, you’ve especially brought out the "XShelter Heat Hoodie." What are its key features?
HaguraFirst, the design. We kept it simple so that you can wear it not only for work, but also for outdoor activities, sports, and daily life.
HaguraThe hood comes with a zip all the way around like this, allowing you to cover your face when needed.
HaguraThe fabric of the hood has tiny holes, so you can still see through even when the hood is fully closed.
HaguraThe front zipper is made from a material that turns blue when exposed to ultraviolet light.
HaguraFor Spring/Summer 2025, we are releasing ten items including this "XShelter Heat Hoodie."
YamadaRecent summers have been so hot that it's hard to play outside with kids, so personally I'm really glad to see kids' items like these.
HaguraWe've set up a booth at this exhibition where you can experience the features of the "XShelter Heat Hoodie," so Yamada, please give it a try!
So, I went ahead and tried on the "XShelter Heat Hoodie" at the experience booth set up in one corner of the exhibition.
Even when I brought my arm close to the heat-emitting lamp in the booth, I hardly felt any heat at all.
I put on the hood and zipped it all the way up. My vision was still totally clear.
To check the evaporative cooling, one of the staff members sprayed water on my sleeve with a mist bottle.
Using a thermographic camera, the blue area on the right—the sleeve where water was sprayed—was 21.5°C, clearly lower than the surrounding temperature of 32.1°C. It made me want to try wearing it on a really sunny summer day to test the effect myself.
PROFILE
Yutaro Hagura
Workman Co., Ltd. Product Development Division 6 Chief Buyer
PROFILE
Koji Yamada
Fashion analyst/official Workman ambassador
Works as a freelancer mainly through fashion blog "Tokyo Fashion Dig." Author of "結局、男の服は普通がいい 世界一かんたん、一生使えるオシャレの方程式" (KADOKAWA).
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