Graphene, the lightest and most conductive material ever discovered, is now being used to create high-performance clothing. Innovation brand Vollebak has developed a 100-gram Graphene T-Shirt, making it one of the lightest and fastest-cooling garments on the market.

A Supermaterial in Wearable Form

Graphene is a single-atom-thick layer of carbon arranged in a honeycomb structure. Discovered in 2004 and awarded the Nobel Prize in 2010, it is celebrated for its exceptional strength, conductivity, and thermal regulation. By infusing graphene into yarn during the extrusion process, Vollebak has created a fabric that is lightweight, breathable, and designed to regulate body temperature.

Thermoregulating and Antibacterial

The human body loses more than half of its heat through radiation. While reflective blankets keep athletes warm after races, graphene works in the opposite way: it rapidly absorbs and redistributes heat, increasing the surface area for heat loss. This helps wearers stay cooler for longer during intense activity. The T-shirt is also antibacterial, moisture-wicking, and fast-drying, making it well-suited for sportswear and travel.

Technical and Aesthetic Versatility

Constructed from 77% polyamide, 21% polyester, and 2% elastane, the garment offers four-way stretch for unrestricted movement. It has a slim fit to maximise skin contact with graphene for optimal performance. The soft, technical finish means it can be worn for running, working out, travelling, or even layered under formal clothing.

Potential for Design Disciplines

While currently positioned as a premium performance garment, the integration of graphene into textiles opens possibilities across multiple design sectors. For fashion designers, it represents a step toward intelligent clothing that responds to body temperature. Product designers could adapt similar material technology for gloves, seating, or wearable accessories. The approach also points to future applications in sustainable performance wear, where durability and multifunctionality help reduce garment turnover.

Source & photos: Vollebak