What it actually is
Sony makes cameras, headphones, consoles. They also, apparently, make a small device you slot into a special inner pocket on a compatible shirt, right against the back of your neck, that cools or heats you depending on the season. The Reon Pocket Pro Plus is the latest version, and it uses something called a Peltier element to shift heat away from your skin. No fans, no vents blasting in your face. Just quiet, personal temperature control.
Honestly, the first time you read about it, it sounds mad. But think about a sweaty commute on the Tube in August, or standing in a draughty warehouse all winter. Suddenly it doesn't sound mad at all.
Who this is actually for
This is a niche product, full stop. You need Sony's own shirts or compatible clothing to use it properly, which is already a faff and an extra cost. The 15-hour battery is decent, and the smart temperature control via app is genuinely useful rather than a gimmick. But at around £135, you're spending real money on something most people could solve with a portable fan or an extra layer.
If you work outdoors, commute heavily, or have a condition that makes temperature regulation difficult, this has real practical value. Construction workers, cyclists, people with MS or menopause-related heat sensitivity, that's the audience.
The honest reservation
The shirt dependency is the killer for most people. You're locked into Sony's ecosystem before you've even switched the thing on. And at this price, with no discount currently, it's a considered purchase rather than a spontaneous one. Worth it for the right person. Probably not for the average buyer browsing Amazon on a Tuesday.
