Outlast

Phase-change material originally developed for NASA. Absorbs, stores, and releases heat to regulate body temperature. Used as a coating or fiber additive.

Material Score Breakdown

Material-quality rubric (6 axes), not a garment verdict — see disclosure below. Sustainability is a separate Eco score, shown apart.

64/100

DurabilityAbove-average70

How long the fabric lasts with regular use

ComfortAbove-average78

Softness, feel against skin, wearability

BreathabilityTypical55

Air flow and ventilation

WarmthTypical65

Heat retention and insulation

Moisture WickingTypical60

Ability to pull sweat away from skin

Care EaseTypical60

How easy it is to wash, dry, and maintain

Sustainability (separate Eco score)

SustainabilityPoor25

Environmental impact of production and disposal

Products with outlast

We don't have any garments containing outlast in our catalog yet. Browse the full synthetic materials or check the product catalog.

What this score doesn't measure

This is a material rating, not a verdict on any specific garment made from outlast. The axes above are research-backed averages for the fiber itself.

×Construction. Yarn staple length, weave / knit structure, stitch count, finishing. Identical fiber, very different garments.
×Fabric weight (GSM). A 140 GSM tee and a 220 GSM tee made of the same outlast feel and last very differently.
×Dye + finishing chemicals. Beyond the three we flag (PFAS, formaldehyde, antimony), dozens of textile finishes aren't modelled.

Best For

👔Formal/Office

Excellent

Excellent durability (70) and comfort (78) for office wear

🧥Winter Outerwear

Good

Good warmth (65) for cold weather

👕Everyday Casual

Good

Good comfort (78) and care ease (60) for casual wear

🌧️Rain/Weather

Good

Good moisture wicking (60) and durability (70) for weather protection

⛰️Outdoor/Hiking

Good

Good durability (70) and breathability (55) for outdoor activities

Detailed Use Case Scores

sleepwear80

activewear78

Pros

✓ Active temperature regulation
✓ Prevents overheating and chilling
✓ NASA-developed technology
✓ Comfortable in variable conditions

Cons

✗ Expensive
✗ Effectiveness diminishes with washing
✗ Not eco-friendly
✗ Usually blended, not standalone

Better alternatives

Higher-scored synthetic materials. Same category — what to consider instead.

Gore-TexB

+12 vs Outlast · 76/100

Membrane technology that is waterproof yet breathable. A laminate applied to other fabrics rather than a fabric itself.

DyneemaB

+11 vs Outlast · 75/100

Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber — the world's strongest fiber by weight. 15x stronger than steel, used in cut-resistant gear, ultralight backpacks, and high-performance sails.

HardshellB

+10 vs Outlast · 74/100

Waterproof breathable membrane fabric (Gore-Tex, eVent, or similar technology) laminated to a face fabric. The gold standard for rain and storm protection in technical outerwear.

Care Guide

Washwarm (40°C)

Cyclepermanent press

Detergentregular

BleachDo not bleach

Drytumble low

Ironlow

Dry Cleanavoid

SoftenerNo

Special Notes

• Phase-change materials — avoid extreme heat in care

• Machine washable — follow garment label

Additional Care Tips

• Machine wash cold (30°C/85°F) on gentle cycle — hot water degrades the phase-change microcapsules
• Tumble dry on low heat only — high heat damages the temperature-regulating PCM coating
• Avoid fabric softener — it coats the fibers and blocks the phase-change technology from working
• Avoid bleach and harsh chemicals which break down the PCM microcapsules
• Follow manufacturer guidelines closely — Outlast is usually blended and care depends on the base fabric
• Store flat or hung; the PCM technology is in the fiber structure and is not affected by storage method

Cost

$$$$$

Premium

Shrinkage

Won't shrink with normal washing

Eco Rating

High environmental impact

Keep exploring

All fabricsBrowse 200+ materials Compare materialsSide by side Products with OutlastReal garments Care decoderLaundry symbols

FabricIQ

Reading the label…

Material Score Breakdown

Material-quality rubric (6 axes), not a garment verdict — see disclosure below. Sustainability is a separate Eco score, shown apart.

64/100

DurabilityAbove-average70

How long the fabric lasts with regular use

ComfortAbove-average78

Softness, feel against skin, wearability

BreathabilityTypical55

Air flow and ventilation

WarmthTypical65

Heat retention and insulation

Moisture WickingTypical60

Ability to pull sweat away from skin

Care EaseTypical60

How easy it is to wash, dry, and maintain

Sustainability (separate Eco score)

SustainabilityPoor25

Environmental impact of production and disposal

What this score doesn't measure

This is a material rating, not a verdict on any specific garment made from outlast. The axes above are research-backed averages for the fiber itself.

×Construction. Yarn staple length, weave / knit structure, stitch count, finishing. Identical fiber, very different garments.

×Fabric weight (GSM). A 140 GSM tee and a 220 GSM tee made of the same outlast feel and last very differently.

×Dye + finishing chemicals. Beyond the three we flag (PFAS, formaldehyde, antimony), dozens of textile finishes aren't modelled.

Best For

👔Formal/Office

Excellent

Excellent durability (70) and comfort (78) for office wear

🧥Winter Outerwear

Good

Good warmth (65) for cold weather

👕Everyday Casual

Good

Good comfort (78) and care ease (60) for casual wear

🌧️Rain/Weather

Good

Good moisture wicking (60) and durability (70) for weather protection

⛰️Outdoor/Hiking

Good

Good durability (70) and breathability (55) for outdoor activities

Detailed Use Case Scores

sleepwear80

activewear78

Additional Care Tips

• Machine wash cold (30°C/85°F) on gentle cycle — hot water degrades the phase-change microcapsules

• Tumble dry on low heat only — high heat damages the temperature-regulating PCM coating

• Avoid fabric softener — it coats the fibers and blocks the phase-change technology from working

• Avoid bleach and harsh chemicals which break down the PCM microcapsules

• Follow manufacturer guidelines closely — Outlast is usually blended and care depends on the base fabric

• Store flat or hung; the PCM technology is in the fiber structure and is not affected by storage method