f you've ever scrolled through Instagram and spotted someone looking like they just stepped out of a scifi movie or the latest cyberpunk game, you've witnessed techwear in all its glory. It’s sleek, it’s cool, and it looks surprisingly comfortable, especially compared to other types of alternative fashion.
But what exactly is this style, and how can you incorporate it into your wardrobe? Buckle up – and we don’t just mean your cargo pants – because we're diving deep into the world of techwear.
What is Techwear?
Imagine if your clothing had all the perks of a superhero ensemble – functional, adaptive, and impossibly cool. That's techwear in a nutshell. It's more than just a fashion statement; it's a design philosophy that blends cutting-edge technology, functionality, and futuristic aesthetics.
Key characteristics of techwear include:
- Advanced, technical fabrics with sci-fi-sounding names like Gore-tex, Cordura, Tyvek, and Pertex, plus more prosaic fabrics like nylon, rayon, and polyester blends
- Water-resistant and breathable materials designed to be high-performance in specific situations, like temperature resistant Vectran, cold resistant Polartec, and tear-resistant fabric Dyneema, which is 4x lighter than Kevlar
- Modular design with multiple pockets and attachments
- Minimalist color palette (think blacks, grays, and dark neutrals)
- Streamlined, architectural silhouettes
Think of it as clothing engineered for urban survival – part fashion, part utility, 100% aesthetic.
A Brief History of Techwear
Why the focus on survival?
The earliest examples of techwear come from Japan in the late 80s. It was a blending of several influences that pervaded Japanese culture at the time. The nation was just beginning to emerge as a technological leader on the global stage in the latter half of the 20th century, and science and technology started to bleed into every facet of the culture. Notably, it sparked a wave of cyberpunk film, anime, and manga.
The sci-fi stories were dark – definitely sharing some of the influence of Japanese goth, which was emerging around the same time – as well as dystopian. Characters needed to survive harsh, futuristic urban environments, which meant every article of clothing had to have a purpose. There’s not a lot of room for extra baggage in the apocalypse.
In addition to having tactical advantages, the all black color palette of the techwear aesthetic was also influenced by the Karasu Zoku (烏族) movement – an 80s trend that involved wearing all-black designer outfits, leading to the sleek, cyberpunk-inspired aesthetic we see today.
Put it all together, and techwear was born.
In the western world, inspiration was also taken from athletic and outdoor gear starting in the 1990s. Brands like Gore-Tex revolutionized apparel with waterproof, breathable fabrics. These were a natural fit for techwear, which of course places a huge emphasis on fabrics being functional no matter what the world throws at you.
Through the 90s, we also see a couple of related (but different) aesthetics emerge too, which blend the look of techwear with streetwear and avant garde fashion but drop the emphasis on function. A couple of these looks include:
- Warcore - heavily influenced by military gear like combat boots, backpacks, and kevlar vests. Usually, warcore enthusiasts do appreciate function, but they don’t have access to the real military-grade gear they’re trying to get the look of, so a good bit of it is just an approximation of the style without the utility of real military equipment
- Darkwear - takes the techware look, but puts fashion ahead of function. It’s still dark and cyberpunk inspired, but you’ll find basic fabrics with no special qualities, graphic elements like designs on shirts and scarves, and decorative elements like pockets that don’t work and buckles that don’t tighten
Brands like ACRONYM and Stone Island were pioneers in shaping modern techwear, blending high-tech materials with cutting-edge design. Now, techwear is more accessible than ever, with both luxury and budget-friendly options available.
The Philosophy Behind Techwear
Techwear isn't just about looking cool (though it definitely does that).
The main thing to remember here is that every element of a techwear outfit should be tactical and high-performance. Every piece has a function. It enables you to do more, and it does not sacrifice any usefulness for the sake of style.
It's rooted in the idea that clothing should:
- Adapt to your environment
- Provide maximum functionality
- Reduce the barrier between technology and personal style
- Offer protection and comfort in urban landscapes
Techwear Pieces Everyone Should Have in Their Closet
Now that we’ve gotten through the history and background of what techwear is and how it came to be, let’s take a look at how you can take advantage of all those high-performance fabrics for yourself. We’re walking you through all of the must-have items you’ll need to pull off the techwear aesthetic.
1. The Ultimate Waterproof Jacket
First and foremost, you’ve gotta stay dry if you want to survive. The most essential techwear item, which you can dress up or dress down, should be a high-quality, lightweight, waterproof shell jacket.
Look for features like tapered seams, multiple zipped pockets, adjustable hood, breathable fabric, and a sleek design. Brands like Arc'teryx and ACRONYM excel in this category, but they also have a high-end price tag.
Some of our top picks, ranging from name brand to budget alternatives:
- Arc’teryx Beta Jacket Gore-Tex epE Shell
- ACRONYM J121-KI Moleskin Jacket with X Pockets
- MFCT Techwear Waterproof Windbreaker with Funnel Hood
2. Cargo Pants
These aren’t your average, everyday cargo pants that’ll slide down if you put your wallet in your pocket. Techwear pants should be made from water or tear-resistant fabric, have functional pockets (ideally, with zippers), articulated knees for easy movement, a modern slim fit that won’t get in your way, and a dark color palette that blends into the shadows.
Brands like Vollebak and Riot Division are killing it in this space.
Some techwear pants for you to consider:
- Vollebak Ultramodern Weatherproof Futuresuit Pants
- CQR Tactical Ripstop Cargo Pants
- MEINVQIAOTI Women's Multi-Pocket Cargo Pants
3. Modular Backpack
Speaking of techwear, most people who subscribe to the aesthetic don’t just rock the look… they live the lifestyle, too. One thing you’ll hear about a lot is your “everyday carry”, the items you have on you every day, whether that’s in your car or on your person.
That means finding a bag that can not only carry your multitool, flashlight, and keys but put them within easy research is a must.
A true techwear backpack is part bag, part wearable technology. It will have features like multiple compartments, water-resistant material, quick-access pockets, minimalist design, and the ability to attach additional modules.
A few strong options:
- GORUCK Rucksack with Backpack Weight Training Weight Included
- EMDMAK Military Tactical Backpack
- KAKA Modular Travel Backpack
4. Performance Base Layers
Ah, the foundation of any techwear outfit: performance base layers. These can be a great place to start because there are plenty of brands out there offering basic, affordable options you can incorporate into a wide variety of looks.
Base layers should be lightweight, moisture-wicking, and temperature-regulating. But even hitting two out of those three things is a good start.
Here are a few base layers to start you off:
- ATHLIO UPF 50+ Compression Shirt (3-Pack)
- Uniqlo HEATTECH Warm T-Shirt Base Layer
- Thermajohn Thermal Shirt
5. Techwear Shoes
Techwear shoes can be similar to your everyday boots or chunky sneakers, but they need to have a few important features to up their performance. Techwear footwear should be lightweight, water-resistant, minimalist, and stay secure on your feet without causing pain and blisters. They should be sleek enough to wear out on the town, but comfortable enough you could comfortably scale fire escapes in them should the situation arise.
Here are a few options:
- Free Soldier Waterproof Tactical Boots
- WQX Lightweight Mesh Running Shoe
- Chopben Breathable Non-Slip Running Shoe
Techwear Brands That Should Be on Your Radar
With a huge focus on cutting-edge, high-performance fabrics, it should come as no surprise that getting into techwear can be expensive, to say the least. Luckily, you don’t have to dive in headfirst and drop a couple grand on a new wardrobe to start building your techwear collection.
We’ll break down our favorite techwear brands based on price point:
- Entry Level: $100-$300
- Mid-Range: $300-$800
- High-End: $800-$2000+
Plus we’ll highlight some of our favorite online techwear retailers, but prices there can vary pretty widely, so they get their own section.
High-End/Luxury Techwear Brands
- ACRONYM - the gold standard of techwear with insanely detailed designs
- Stone Island Shadow Project - Innovative materials + designs that blend military aesthetics and cutting-edge tech
Mid-Range Brands
- Vollebak - Scientifically engineered clothing with a unique approach and slightly lower price tag
- Riot Division - Modular designs that make a great point of entry into techwear because it’s a nice balance between quality and affordability
Budget-Friendly Options
- Uniqlo - Technical frabrics at affordable prices with minimalist designs, making it great for basics
- Y-3 - Sporty techwear collab between Adidas and Yohji Yamamoto that offers more affordable prices
Where to Buy Techwear Online
- SSENSE
- END. Clothing
- Haven Shop
- Grailed (for second-hand pieces)
How to Start Incorporating the Techwear Aesthetic Into Your Look
It’s fun to push boundaries and challenge the status quo athleisure look with your wardrobe choices, but you don’t need to go all in all at once to tap into the techwear aesthetic. If you want to start incorporating techwear into your everyday outfits, keep these tips in mind:
- Start by building the basics. Start collecting versatile pieces and inexpensive base layers in neutral colors like black, gray, and dark navy.
- Focus on functionality. If a piece isn’t useful to you, it’s not worth the investment. Your techwear pieces should ultimately fit your lifestyle.
- Don’t overdo it. There's no need to go off the deep end into the cyberpunk aesthetic. Add pieces gradually to find out where the balance is for you.
- Mix and match high-end and budget pieces. For lots of techwear pieces, you can find a decent option for under $50. Invest in a few big ticket items from the big brands if you really love them and will get a lot of use out of them, but don’t be afraid to pair them with more affordable pieces too. It’s about utility, not building a head-to-toe designer ‘fit that doesn’t work with your budget.
Techwear is more than a fashion trend – it's a lifestyle. It's about embracing technology, functionality, and a forward-thinking approach to clothing.
Start small, experiment, and build a wardrobe that's as functional as it is stylish. Good luck! 👾
Main image courtesy of Techwear Storm – featured product is the “Hiyori” Techwear Cargo Pants.
