Music fans can now charge mobiles at festivals using their Power Pocket denim shorts – via body heat and movement (Picture: Solent)

You’ve got separated from your friends at a festival and the battery on your shiny phone is as flat as the singer on stage.

But the answer to finding your mates in the mass of people may actually lie in your, er, pants.

A special pair of denim shorts and sleeping bag have been created that convert body heat and movement to create energy.

The Power Pocket gathers kinetic energy when material in the clothing gets squashed or deformed to produce enough power to charge a phone for four hours.


The Recharge Sleeping Bag, meanwhile, harvests heat that can keep festivalgoers talking for 11 hours.



Researchers from Southampton university have developed the devices with support from Vodafone.

Prof Stephen Beeby said: ‘We’re exploring two specific technologies to charge the Power Pocket – thermoelectrics and kinetic energy harvesting.

‘Both represent cutting edge research around smart fabrics and, in this case, we’re looking to integrate these a sleeping bag and a pair of denim shorts.’

The devices will be unveiled ahead of this weekend’s Isle of Wight Festival and will continue to be developed over the summer.

Vodafone’s Christian Cull said: ‘We hope people harness the power in their pocket to keep them chatting, texting, browsing and photographing throughout the entire festival season.’