Unique
Clothing
- Episode:
- 07
- Item:
- PUFFTECH
Unique clothing changes the rules. And changing the rules changes our lives.
Here’s another story of a masterpiece made by UNIQLO to this day.
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W’s PUFFTECH Relaxed Jacket
Women’s jacket with chic diamond pattern. The novel 3D ultra-fine hollow fibers allow for various designs. Cocoon silhouette and side slits.
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PUFFTECH Parka
A men’s PUFFTECH parka in a unique block pattern. Thanks to the seamless fused-panel design and water-repellent coating that can fend off a light drizzle, this jacket is ready for everything from the city to the great outdoors.
PUFFTECH combines a puffy-wearing experience with technology. This outerwear is light and warm, filled with high-performance insulation developed in collaboration with Toray Industries. Since 2022 Fall/Winter, a variety of new designs featuring diamond and block quilting have expanded the selection. What sets PUFFTECH apart from Ultra Light Down, which turns 15 this year, is that it uses animal-free materials to mimic natural down, though, unlike feathers, this insulation won’t pop out. PUFFTECH comes in an array of adaptable designs. It can be conveniently washed by hand at home and dries easily, which are helpful functionalities for modern living. But realizing these useful features is more easily said than done. Since development began in 2019, PUFFTECH has been on a journey to become the ideal insulation.
Outerwear can be difficult to clean, but it gets more than its fair share of use. That’s why UNIQLO pioneered washable suits and knits, so that even outerwear can be easily washed by hand. Making sure that PUFFTECH could be washed by hand was as essential to the design as lightness and warmth, although this introduced the concern that washing could deform the insulation. But simply adding more fill would just make the items heavy. The fruit of our laborious efforts to resolve this conundrum is a new 3D ultra-fine hollow fiber fill, debuting with the 2024 Fall/Winter collection. Because of the unique construction, washing won’t disrupt the shape. High air content gives it lightness and warmth. These little clusters of fill are revolutionizing insulation at UNIQLO, opening new ground for the next generation of fall and winter items. It’s like you’re wearing air itself. Flip the page to learn more about PUFFTECH’s evolving charms.
Five Things to Know about PUFFTECH
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What is “PUFFTECH”?
PUFFTECH is the next generation of outerwear. High air content gives the fiber insulation excellent warmth. And the fact that it’s so light, like wearing air itself, makes it an indispensable addition to a fall and winter wardrobe. Thanks to an updated fiber structure, the 2024 Fall & Winter season’s PUFFTECH lineup is even lighter and warmer, featuring the highest fill power insulation in UNIQLO history.
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3D Ultra-Fine Hollow Fiber
The key to the new PUFFTECH is the insulation, which comprises hollow fibers and incorporates more air. By making a portion of the fibers one-fifth of the thickness of a human hair, a complex fiber mass with high air content can be achieved. In addition, the 3D nature of the springy strands helps boost the insulation’s fill power. The result is softness, improved warmth, and increased stretchiness and bounce.
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Easy Care
Since PUFFTECH uses synthetic fibers, it can be hand-washed at home. If an item gets stained, simply spot clean using warm water and apply gentle pressure to the garment. Air dry on a thicker hanger to help the garment keep its shape. PUFFTECH dries considerably faster than down. If you wash it at night and hang it up to dry, it should be ready to wear by morning.*
*Drying conditions for women’s PUFFTECH compact jacket at 20°C and 65% humidity.
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Let’s Talk Numbers
The men’s PUFFTECH parka is the weight of a full 500 ml drink bottle, while the women’s PUFFTECH compact vest weighs about the same as a lemon.* Comprising 3D ultra-fine hollow fibers, the high fill power insulation resists humidity better than down. Toray Industries conducted extensive trial-and-error testing in their pursuit of the ideal insulation.
*With respect to Japanese size large standard items.
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Fits Modern Living
In an era of erratic weather and warm winters, outerwear needs change day to day. PUFFTECH performs better than down in high humidity and is water-repellent, so light rain is no big deal. Just the right warmth for those chilly nights and mornings in early fall and in the variable weather of early spring. Light enough to keep you comfortable in a heated subway car in winter, yet cozy in a chilly office in the summer. Available in eighteen designs for men, women, kids and babies.
Spending a Day with PUFFTECH
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This diamond-panel parka and collared jacket have relaxed silhouettes that work great in many different scenarios. The synthetic insulation resists shedding and ensures a tidy look. Women’s parka available in four colors, men’s jacket in three colors.(L)(R)
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This oversized PUFFTECH coat is part of Clare Waight Keller’s UNIQLO : C collection. Button-closure side slits give it a more organic fit, while four pockets at the chest and hips provide plenty of carrying capacity. Available in black (pictured) and khaki.
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This non-quilted PUFFTECH volume parka has a placket closure that helps block the wind. A newly minted item from Uniqlo U that’s perfect for bike riders. The water-repellent coating keeps you dry in mild showers. A cinched hem allows for fine adjustments to the roomy fit.
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Lightweight jackets and vests can be worn as a top or an insulating layer in many different situations. Special linings help prevent static electricity. Snap buttons let you fold the rounded neck into a V-neck, so you can play with different styles.(L)(R)
- Photography by Yoshio Kato (items)
- Shunya Arai (models)
- Styling by Hidero Nakagane
- Hair by Nori Takabayashi
- Makeup by Nobuko Maekawa
- Set Design by Chihiro Matsumoto
- Illustrations by Satoshi Hashimoto
- Film by Mike Kiname
- Text by Yoshinao Yamada
Release dates may vary, depending on the product. All listed prices are current as of August 23rd. Pricing is subject to change.