An American clothing company has launched a T-shirt that it says can remain odour-free for more than a month of daily wear. HercLéon introduced the HercShirt V5.0 through a Kickstarter campaign in July. The Minneapolis-based company describes it as its most advanced smell-resistant shirt yet. Its campaign promotes a simple promise: “Travel for a day, week or month, with just one shirt that smells great, always!” The top model costs $79 and claims to stay fresh for at least 30 days between washes. However, the campaign presents that figure as a company claim. The materials reviewed for this report do not provide published independent test results confirming a full month of odour-free daily wear. Seven Ingredients Built Into the Fabric HercLéon says the Max shirt contains seven odour-fighting elements. They include copper, silver, zinc, gold, volcanic ash and two proprietary ingredients that remain secret. The company says manufacturers weave these elements into the fabric instead of applying them as a surface treatment. It argues that this approach helps the odour-control properties survive repeated wear and washing. According to HercLéon, copper limits bacteria linked to body odour, while silver targets other microbes. Zinc aims to neutralise sharp sulphur compounds associated with heavy sweating. The company says volcanic ash absorbs moisture and external smells through its porous structure. It describes gold as a supporting element that helps the wider system perform consistently. HercLéon calls its material platform HercFiber. Its website says different versions can combine metals or other compounds with a base material for specific products. The company previously released earlier HercShirt models, along with smell-resistant underwear, socks and bedding. Its website currently sells HercShirt 3.0 products made with copper-infused material. Three Versions Offer Different Wear Claims The V5.0 campaign offers three versions at different prices. The $39 Budget model uses one active element and promises more than three days of heavy use. A $69 Standard version contains four active elements. HercLéon says it can remain fresh for more than 14 days without washing. The $79 Max model uses all seven ingredients and carries the headline 30-day claim. The company also says one shirt could last longer than seven conventional T-shirts because it needs fewer wash cycles. Men’s sizes range from small to 4XL, while women’s sizes run from small to 2XL. The first shirts will come in matte black. HercLéon plans to add navy blue, burgundy and dark green versions later. The company expects deliveries to begin in early November 2026, although crowdfunding schedules can change before shipment. The product targets travellers, minimalists and people hoping to reduce laundry. Its real test will come after customers use it through hot weather, heavy sweating and repeated daily wear.
Indonesia Volcano Erupts Again, Forcing Airport Shutdown
A highly active volcano in eastern Indonesia erupted several times on Friday, sending towering columns of ash into the sky and forcing the closure of a nearby airport, authorities said. Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, located on Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara province, erupted at 11:15 a.m. local time, ejecting volcanic material 2.5 kilometres above its summit, according to Indonesia’s volcanology agency. The eruption followed a series of smaller explosions earlier in the day, underscoring the volcano’s continued activity in one of the world’s most geologically volatile regions. Officials maintained the volcano at Indonesia’s second-highest alert level and continued to enforce a five-kilometre exclusion zone around the crater. The volcanology agency warned residents to stay away from restricted areas and remain alert to secondary hazards caused by heavy rainfall. Airport Operations Halted Authorities suspended all operations at Frans Seda Airport in Maumere, a town located about 60 kilometres west of the volcano. The closure disrupted at least five domestic flights on Friday. Airport head Partahian Panjaitan told AFP that officials halted services as a precaution after ash clouds spread across the region. Volcanic ash poses a serious threat to aircraft because it can damage engines, reduce visibility and interfere with navigation systems. The volcanology agency also warned communities living near rivers to remain vigilant. Officials said heavy rain could trigger dangerous mudflows known as lahars. These fast-moving flows contain volcanic ash, rocks and debris and can travel long distances from eruption sites. Images released by Indonesia’s Geological Agency showed a thick grey ash column rising high above the crater and drifting across nearby areas. The latest eruption did not immediately result in reports of casualties or major property damage. History of Major Eruptions Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki stands 1,584 metres high and forms part of a twin-volcano system. Its neighbouring peak, Lewotobi Perempuan, rises to 1,703 metres and generally remains less active. The names reflect Indonesian words for “man” and “woman”. The volcano has shown heightened activity over the past two years. In July 2025, Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted dramatically and sent an ash plume about 18 kilometres into the atmosphere. The eruption forced authorities to cancel 24 flights at Bali’s international airport and disrupted travel for thousands of passengers. Indonesia frequently experiences earthquakes and volcanic eruptions because it sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire. The vast horseshoe-shaped belt contains hundreds of active volcanoes and some of the world’s most active tectonic fault lines. The Southeast Asian nation hosts more than 120 active volcanoes, making volcanic monitoring a critical part of disaster management efforts. Scientists continue to closely monitor Lewotobi Laki-Laki for signs of further escalation. Authorities have urged residents and travellers to follow official updates as volcanic activity continues. The latest eruption serves as another reminder of the natural hazards faced by communities living along Indonesia’s active volcanic chain.
