Insulated radiant barriers in apparel

An infra-red reflective composite, comprising:

• a first substrate;
• a first metal layer disposed directly on a surface of the first substrate;
• an insulation layer disposed on a surface of the first metal layer opposite to the first substrate;
• a second substrate disposed on the surface of the insulation layer opposite to the first metal layer;
• a second metal layer disposed on a surface of the second substrate facing the insulation layer;
• and
• a first organic or inorganic protective layer coats a surface of at least one of the first substrate, first metal layer, second substrate, and second metal layer;
• wherein the first metal layer is made to have a substantially lower thermal resistance than the insulation layer for providing infra-red reflection;
• wherein at least fifty percent of the surface of at least one of the first metal layer and second metal layer is not in direct contact with the insulation layer;
• and
• wherein the insulation layer comprises one or more synthetic fibers having a diameter between 5 microns and 15 microns and has a fiber density such that the ratio of the volume of fiber in the insulation layer to the volume of air in the insulation layer is between about 1:30 and about 1:200.