Startup launches sheer tights made from bulletproof fibers

Sheerly Genius|Sheerly Genius|Sheerly Genius

This patent-pending design for tights uses the same materials found in bulletproof vests and is snag-proof, allowing for at least 50 wears.

United States-based textiles company Sheerly Genius has claimed to have created the world’s strongest pair of tights. Using the same ballistic grade fibers found in bulletproof vests, the pairs of pantyhose are nearly indestructible. They have been tested against as many of the everyday snags as possible, including velcro, rings, claws and wood slivers. Furthermore, the fibers are 10 times stronger than steel, and even when explicitly being pulled apart, do not rip.

A key issue the company is advocating is their contribution to reducing landfill waste. The company’s Kickstarter page explains that with more than USD 8 billion worth of pantyhose sold each year, a regular pair is generally worn only once or twice before ripping. Sheerly Genius pairs have been tested for up to 50 wears. The patent-pending proprietary fiber design is also soft to the touch and naturally anti-bacterial.

Running until the end of March 2018, the Kickstarter campaign is already fully funded. The company is now looking ahead to its USD 1 million stretch goal. Shipments of the first products are planned for delivery in November 2018. In addition, the funds raised will help retrofit manufacturing facilities become capable in dealing with this new strength of fiber. Currently, the tights are designed and produced in the United States and Canada. The company is already working on expanding its initial offering of just black to include three nude options.

An exciting amount of innovative materials science is going into projects working to reduce consumers’ reliance on single use (often plastic) items that mostly end up in landfill. One company has designed an FDA-approved biodegradable and flushable pregnancy test, and another has created compostable seaweed straws that can be eaten after use. Where else can new materials be used to help phase out plastic?