Clothing fasteners like buttons and zippers are a relatively new technology. Buttons with buttonholes entered the scene in the 1400s, zippers became prominent in the 1930s, and velcro came to the game in the 50s. Now, a new era of fastening is upon us. Magnetic clothing fasteners are becoming the next big thing, but be careful where you wear them. You might get lost! Now, some people, like Ian Stikeleather, are trying to make fasteners like buttons and zippers a thing of the past. Stikeleather has set out to change the clothing game with his new line of magnetic closure optimized clothes called Affectation. It aims to give those with limited mobility and physical limitations an easier time putting on their clothes. We've discussed how to use sewing magnets in adaptive clothing in the past. Along with this ease of getting dressed come some new challenges, however. Outdoors organization, Mountaineering Scotland advises against wearing this efficient garb while out on the hiking trails. This attire, while convenient, could cause your compass to point you in the wrong direction, thus getting you lost in the Highland or other mountainous areas. How Magnetic Clothing Affect Compasses When you’ve lost your way in the woods, you’ll probably reach for your compass to get you back on track. Compasses contain magnets on a suspended pin that can spin freely to always point in the direction of true north. Unlike your phone, there’s not battery or signal required, making them much more reliable when you’re out in the middle of nowhere. Mountaineering Scotland reported an incident where a group of hikers got turned around on the trails of Glenshee, Scotland. Luckily, no one was injured, but the incident could have turned out much worse! It would seem that a magnetic clasp located in one of the hikers’ phone cases deflected the magnets in the compass needle, sending them in the wrong direction. Stay Safe and Educate Yourself! Heather Morning, a mountain safety advisor for Mountaineering Scotland suggests making yourself aware of any magnets located in your clothing. “Modern technology is great… But more joined-up thinking is needed between outdoor clothing manufacturers and mountain users to avoid potentially life-threatening consequences,” warns Morning. While magnets can make for essential tools, they also pose dangers when you aren’t educated about the potential complications. Make it a point to educate yourself on the magnetic fields present in your phones, cameras, car keys, and even clothes. Interested in staying on top of all the latest and greatest magnet-related discoveries? Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow along with our blog here.