Cologne-based fashion brand Armedangels earned a spot on Time’s Best Inventions of 2026 list in the outerwear category for its innovative 100 percent Tencel Lyocell Windbreaker. Developed with the Lenzing Group, textile consultancy Montebelo and mill Hermin Textile, the jacket is the first windbreaker with a ripstop shell woven entirely from wood-based cellulose fibers.
“Windbreakers are usually made from petroleum-based synthetics like polyester or nylon, and treated with forever chemicals—that’s what makes them windproof, water-resistant, and durable,” the magazine noted in the announcement. “But it’s also what makes them an environmental nightmare.”
Moving away from synthetic materials that dominate performance outerwear, the $298 garment delivers wind protection, breathability and light water repellency without relying on plastic membranes, synthetic yarns or harmful chemical finishes, the brand said in a statement.
The jacket achieves weather-resistant performance through a unique process where Hermin Textiin weaves ultra-fine lyocell yarns into a dense ripstop, then compacts it with heat. This geological-compaction method increases fabric density, providing up to 97 percent wind resistance, while natural fiber swelling and a PFC-free finish manage moisture during light drizzles.
The design extends to the trims, with 99.9 percent natural and non-oil-based materials such as cotton zipper tape, metal hardware and natural rubber cuffs. The companies said they see the jacket and collaboration as a major milestone for everyday sustainable apparel.
Martin Höfeler, founder and CEO of Armedangels, said the creation of the windbreaker started with a simple question. “Being recognized by Time means a lot to the whole team. Performance outerwear is one of the categories where the industry still depends almost entirely on polyester, polyamide and chemical finishes, so we started with a simple question: can a fabric made from wood do what outerwear usually needs synthetics for? Together with Lenzing, Montebelo and Hermin Textile, we found an initial answer, and it shows us the question was worth asking.”
Armedangels won the accolades in the outdoors category and was joined by Royal Robbins Salathé Sun Hoodie, which offers chemical-free mosquito protection. For the fashion category, Time also cited the American Trench Ventile Shell Jacket, made of waterproof cotton and AMSilk Yarn, which is a sustainable silk inspired by spiderwebs and Gore-Tex’s Pyrad Defense Uniforms. The Time list was composed of 300 products across multiple categories.