Skip to main content

Glow like kryptonite with the Solar Charged Jacket from Vollebak

The Solar Charged Jacket filmed over 24 hours
Whether out for evening jog or a hike under moonlight, visibility is important. Vollebak’s latest, the Solar Charged Jacket, ensures that outdoor enthusiasts are never without light. Like something out of the comics, the jacket stores light energy to maintain a glow for up to 12 hours.

Just like glow-in-the-dark toys from peoples’ childhood, the Solar Charged Jacket fuels itself in sunlight. The easiest way to charge it up for the night is by wearing it outside during the day. Whether it is two minutes or two hours, the jacket will store the light energy and glow as soon as it gets dark. Longer time in the light will be reflected in a longer glow, and just a couple hours in the sun will grant users up to 12 hours of soft, green light. Even on a cloudy day, the sun’s light is bright enough to charge it up.

If the jacket spent all day in the closet or in a bag, the glowing effect can be achieved in as little as two seconds with a smartphone’s flashlight. If users want to be visible during a nightly run or bike ride, they can also charge it using car headlights or a standard 60-watt bulb.

In broad daylight, the glow won’t be visible. Instead, jacket owners can enjoy a more subtle light gray. The core glowing ability of the jacket comes from an ultra thin layer inside of a translucent mesh. For those worried about washing off the magic, the phosphorescence is engineered into the membrane itself, inside of the fabric. No amount of washing or rubbing will remove its glowing property.

Outside of its luminescence, the Solar Charged Jacket is also a high-performance rain jacket. The waterproof membrane keeps the user dry during the heaviest of downpours while remaining soft and breathable to prevent excess sweating. The thin fabric also makes it compact enough to roll up into one hand. Unlike many other shells, this jacket maintains a large amount of elasticity, making it perfect for movement.

The Solar Charged Jacket is currently available in a variety of sizes on the Vollebak website (via uncrate).

Garrett Hulfish
Garrett is the kind of guy who tells you about all the tech you haven't heard of yet. He also knows too much about other…
Goal Zero’s new Skylight is an LED palm tree for emergencies
A Goal Zero Skylight shining LEDs lights into a darkened hallway.

Goal Zero is expanding its lighting range today with a backup LED system called the Skylight. The Goal Zero Skylight is an all-in-one set that includes a 33Wh battery built in and six LED panels that can blast out 6,000 lumens all told.

There are four brightness settings available, if that much light is overkill for your needs, and the panels can angle outwards as needed to cover a larger area. Combined with the 12 feet of telescoping available from the tripod, you can cover quite the range with visibility. A handle with a one-button release allows you to quickly deploy the Skylight for outdoor work or play, and stakes stored in the legs give you the option to keep it in place. A dedicated spool stows the charging cable when you're not using it, and a carrying case is included to store and move the whole kit.

Read more
The best electric bikes for 2023
Aventon Pace 500.3 with rider on it

Whether you're wondering what the fuss is all about with e-bikes, or you're an enthusiast shopping for a new model, the options have never been broader. There is an e-bike for just about anyone who wants to try electric two-wheeling, whether you want to spend $500 or $5,000. Using e-bikes for commuting is an eminently practical and cost-saving alternative form of transport for some people, but most riders choose e-bikes for fun and adventure.

Here are eight of the best e-bikes available today, from our favorite overall pick to more specialized choices for every type of rider, whether you're looking for something fast, portable, and just more affordable.

Read more
The 6 best portable power stations, tested by experts
EcoFlow DELTA 2 on table at campsite for quick charging.

Having some form of backup power is not only going to make your life easier, but it might literally be life-saving, depending on the situation. Luckily, there are a lot of options for it, whether you need something to charge your phone or get your car jump started while being stuck in the middle of nowhere. To that end, we've collected some of the best deals we could find across the board so that you don't have to wade through all the options and retailers to find the best deal for your needs.
The Best Portable Power Stations

Best overall portable power station:
Best portable power station for the campsite:
Best portable power station for the long haul:
Best power station for the mobile professional:
Best portable power station for your car: [/cc-link
Best for smartphones: [cc-link url="https://www.amazon.com/Anker-PowerCore-Portable-Double-Speed-Recharging/dp/B01JIWQPMW" merchant="5b9be81f89f4b3242158adcd" type="textlink" align="default" cta="Anker Power Bank"]

Read more