Finding the best heated vest for staying warm on the stand and keep your bulk down? You're in the right place. I'll help you quickly choose a electric vest with detailed reviews and guide below. Check this out:
Best Heated Vest Reviews:
1. Best Overall: Ororo Men's Lightweight Heated Vest
The Ororo heated vest is composed of an exterior polyester that is both water and wind-resistant.
Just like another high-end heated vest, the Ororo is designed for cold-water sporting and other outdoor activities.
Its light insulation keeps the heating element and comfort levels of the vest at a considerable temperature.
Easy to Wash
The part I love the most is that the vest comes with a fabric and fiber heating parts that allow for easy washing.
Here's the deal:
This impressive vest had earlier undergone a wash test up to 50 cycles and came out sparkling clean.
Note:
Although there are no specific washing instructions attached to the vest, always make sure the battery is removed before washing.
Also, you have the options of washing it with bare hands or a washing machine.
Either ones were utilized, the vest has to be hang-dried only; do not twist or wring.
Comfortable
The Ororo has a dimension of 13 x 11.8 x 3.4”, to give you a heated vest that will fit your body size.
You won’t have to worry about large vests that are usually heavy as this provides a simple design that won’t bother you.
4 heating zones
This heated vest also offers an amazing 4 heating levels that span across high to low in a bid to give your body comfortable heating.
The vest is also powered by a four-fiber heating pack, which is responsible for generating, trapping and evenly distributing heat across your body.
It touch the four core heating areas of the collar, right chest, mid-back and left chest.
For adequate heating and comfort, the vest works on an ambient temperature of:
Long lasting battery
Regarding the power, Ororo battery operated heated vest is packed with a battery pack that takes about 8 hours to be fully charged.
If the battery must remain in shape, it should be charged before each use and need changing at least three months.
You shouldn’t worry about the durability of the battery. It lasts quite long depending on how it was programmed.
At a temp of 25℃/77°F, the Ororo heated vest last about:
The battery is located on an inner pocket in the left lower corner of the vest and does not only power the vest but also charges your devices.
Extremely safe
It also comes with a year warranty and passed the CE certification. This is certainly a perfect choice if you’re looking for a heated vest to pick.
Drawback
On the downside, the Ororo Heated Vest battery will only serve you 4-8 hours, depending on the warming setting you use.
And this is somewhat frustrating compared to the long time put in charging.
Pros
Cons
2. Top Budget-friendly Option: Arris Heated Vest
This Arris Warm Vest is designed with portability in mind. The vest is suitable for outdoor and indoor activities such as hunting, camping, hiking...
Expandable range
I love the newly adjustable panel. You can easily expand to wider waist by zipping it out and inserting the new piece.
Safe Protection
First, you won't be worried about over warmth. As it can auto turn off and get back to standard temperature.
Second it has 2 pockets: One for battery and one for your hands.
So you are safe from battery charging.
Third, it was certified by UL, CE, FCC, ROHS.
Flexible control
Personally I like its control design with 3 buttons. They enable you to turn on all or each heating areas.
It can last to 10 hours even you switch on all of them.
Washable
For safety and efficient cleaning, the ARRIS Heated Vest supports the trio of hand, machine, and dry washing.
It is also water resistant and non-deformable.
Power and Durability
There is also a 7.4V DC and USB rechargeable power bank with a capacity of 7200 mAh that offers about 8 hours of steady warmth to your body.
Comfortable
Regarding heating, this battery vest features 7 tiny micro-carbon fiber heating panels that can switch temperature from 40°C to 80°C.
You wouldn’t want a vest that doesn’t allow for easy movement.
Release pain
The carbon fiber panel comes in here to improve blood circulation when the vest is worn and also offers relief your muscular pains.
Pros
Cons
3. Volt Men's Cracow Heated Vest, Black, Large
Comfortability
The fit and function feature of the Volt Heated Vest allows you to climb the farthest places and do all other outdoor activities without hassles.
The vest has the capability to last for about 2 hours of warmth but this is dependent on the usage.
Power and Durability
Weighing only 2 pounds, it features a 7V lithium battery and can last to 2 hours.
The vest is constructed with a twenty denier min-ripstop lining with an included quilted nylon shell that provides comfort to the body.
Lightweight
The Volt Heated vest also packs an 80 gram lightweight thermally efficient polyester fiber insulation.
This combines with a high retention and compressible insulation to heat the vest up to 170 degrees of soothing heat.
It also features 3 zone heating system that concentrates 2 panels, which are situated in the chest and a huge back panel.
Hand wash only
Be careful as you can only hand wash it. NEVER taking it to a washing machine.
The battery is too low with only 2 hours.
Pros
Cons
4. Milwaukee M12 Heated Ripstop Vest Kit
The vest features a three carbon fiber heating zone that allows you to adjust your heat to your core body areas.
Big zipper
The big zipper enable you to use it freely in the long run.
No Machine Wash
The Milwaukee Vest does not support machine wash and is very expensive.
Super lightweight
If you’re looking for a heated vest that is portable and lightweight, this is the best pick.
It weighs only 4 pounds so you’re sure of having a portable heated vest on your hands.
The included Thermal Fleece Lining provides you with a three-season layering solution, and combines with the Ripstop shell.
The three carbon fiber heating zone distribute and maintain warmth across your body.
Power and Durability
The Milwaukee Vest is Lithium battery-powered and lasts about 6 hours. It also features a USB port coupled with a battery holster.
The USB port is capable of charging both cell phones and other electronic devices.
This rechargeable heated vest is also insulated and features, high-wear zone strengthening, Ripstop fabric and durable construction to protect you from abuse in your working area.
A little bit inconvenient
The battery pocket in the low back is not quite convenient in my opinion. You have to change it when driving a car.
Pros
Cons
5. Top Choice for Women: Venture Heat Women’s Heated Vest
Venture Heat created, without a doubt, one of the best heated vests on the market. It will keep you warm and dry during outdoor activities.
The insulation and the temperature control make hanging outside more than just tolerable!
The Design
Of course, the main goal with our vests isn’t to look fashionable but to be warm. However, the aesthetic appearance of this vest is certainly pleasing!
Multiple colors
What’s more - the Venture Heat vest comes with 4 colors - black, navy, white, or plum.
However, the sizing chart is a little misleading, and your size could be too small compared to standard sizing.
Water-resistant
The exterior of this vest is 40g water-resistant nylon, so the rain has got nothing on you. The interior of the vest is easy-clean polyester, but that’s not all the layers yet!
The insulation is perhaps the most important layer in Venture vests.
So, we were indeed pleased to see that the insulation is a 120g prime insulation loft, to make sure that no heat is lost!
Convenient pockets
Venture women vests are all about convenience when you’re outside during winter conditions.
Meaning, you need pockets to have everything at your arm’s reach.
And that is why Venture Heat designed this vest with:
Battery Power
One of the important things about this heated vest is the battery power. Venture Heat created this fantastic, extremely powerful vest to make sure that you are warm all day!
The battery inside is rechargeable, and it’s a 7,4V 5200mAh UL-certified battery.
The charger for the vest is included in the package, and the charger in question is an 8.4V UL listed wall power supply.
10 hours long warm
We liked this vest because it can keep you warm for up to 10 h, which is impressive!
That is, if it’s kept on low - if you keep it on medium, the battery will last about 6 h, and on a high setting, the vest will keep you warm for 3 h!
Do note that the battery tends to degrade over time, and you might need to replace it.
The battery can also charge your phone via the USB port. You can even hold the battery button to turn on a small flashlight!
Easy To Wash
Thanks to easy-clean polyester and water-resistant nylon, this vest is pretty easy to clean. Unfortunately, some women vests have to be hand-washed, which is a hassle, let’s face it.
However, this gem from Venture Heat is machine safe so that you can clean it with ease at your convenience!
Temperature Control
There are four heat panels - 2 on the chest and 1 on the neck and back of the vest.
We liked that you can fine-tune the temperature, so you aren’t too hot or cold.
The temperature control also considerably saves the battery, which is something every user would appreciate.
Pros:
Cons:
6. Ororo Women’s Lightweight Heated Vest
Let’s face it - some women vests are far too heavy, and someone with a delicate frame can find them uncomfortable because of that.
Ororo thought about this exact problem and thus created the Lightweight heated vest!
It’s comfortable, and it does an excellent job of keeping you warm - but let’s see what it’s all about!
The Material & Design
Like most top vests, the Ororo women’s lightweight vest has a few layers.
On the top, the exterior coating is water-resistant, so it can withstand snow or rain perfectly and keep you dry.
Wind and waterproof
What’s more, the vest is windproof so that you will feel warm even in extreme weather conditions.
Although this heated vest is so warm, it’s still not super heavy and bulky.
The only flaw about the design is that the zippers on the pockets are cheap and might need replacing after a short while.
Lightweight vest
Weighing at 1,7 pounds with the battery, this is a very light heated vest.
You can wear it without fear. It’s restricting your movement in any way. The vest is also a slim fit for women, so it will keep your body temperature and look stylish.
10 hours heating
One of the main things about every heated vest is how long its battery lasts. Luckily, we weren’t disappointed here - the vest can keep you warm for up to 10 h.
Thanks to the 7.4V UL/CE-certified battery, the battery works for up to 10 hrs. But if you put the settings on high, it will keep you extremely warm for the next 3 hrs or so.
Do note that the battery has a short life - and you will probably have to replace it within a year.
Convenient charging
We liked as well that there is a USB port on the vest, so you can charge your phone or other gadgets while you are out.
As if that wasn’t great all on its own - you get a foldable US port, and if you put the settings on interchangeable UK and EU plug, so you can use & charge your vest even when traveling the world!
Temperature Control
The heated vest that doesn’t offer you to fine-tune the temperature according to your needs is a vest not worth having!
There are three settings on the Ororo heated vest, so you can pick out the one that works best for the current weather conditions.
The vest has 4 heat zones - two on the chest, one on the mid-back, and one on the neck. Unfortunately, some vests come without a collar warmer, which is a huge flaw, in our opinion!
The vest heats up evenly and very quickly, offering almost immediate relief from the cold bite.
All it takes is a push on the power button to choose the temperature setting, and in a matter of minutes, you will be cozy and warm!
Easy To Maintain
The polyester and nylon materials are usually fairly clean - and that is precisely the case with this heated vest.
Ororo even washed these vests 50 times to see how well they would perform, and they looked as good as new after 50 washes! Great, right?
Pros:
Cons:
How to Choose a Best Battery Powered Heated Vests:
There are many heated vests out there but most of them do not have the adequate features that will make you comfortable.
Choosing between a heated vest and heated jacket is quite tasking. In later section, I'll compare these 2 ones. So keep reading:
Durable
Some of them out there come with non-durable textile that cannot serve you for long.
You should, therefore, pay good attention to this detail when making your selection.
Well-made Design
Considering this, you should look at how the stitching on the vest was made.
Some come with nice stitching but after minimal use, they either loosen or tear off entirely.
Always go for a heated vest that features good stitching.
Battery Lasting
Any heated vest you’re going for should have a good battery life. A minimum of 5 hours battery last is commendable.
Never go for a heated vest that has a battery life below 4 hrs as its durability is questionable.
Perfect Fitting
Here, your choice of heated vest should be based on its proximity to your body.
Always consider your body size and frame so as not to choose a heated vest that might not suit you.
For a good choice, always choose a heated vest that can fit your body perfectly; a slim fit heated vest will be the best pick.
Lightweight
Usually a hunter carry a lot of gears while hunting. So you need to decrease the weight as much as possible.
A lightweight heated vest is not crucial during winter seasons but good for your weight.
Heated Vest vs Heated Jacket:
Heated Vest | Heated Jacket | |
---|---|---|
Temperature | > 35 F | < 35 F |
Comfortable | More comfortable due to light pack | Less comfortable due to bulkier pack |
Price | Cheaper | More expensive |
Ensure warm arm | No | Yes |
Versatility | Worn as a mid layer and outer piece. | Can be worn as a standalone piece |
Bulk on the Arms | No | Yes |
From the above table, it is pretty clear that heated jackets can be worn as a standalone piece due to the fact that they can ensure arm and torso warmth even in very cold temperatures.
However, they can be a little bit bulky around the arms and most times, come in bulky packs, making them less comfortable.
On the other hand, with the inclusion of heated gloves, a heated vest can be worn without getting a cold arm.
The best part is that they are flexible and also comfortable due to their light pack design compared to heated jackets.
While great vests maintain the same temperature of 35 degrees Fahrenheit with heated jackets, they are cheap and affordable compared to jacket.
# Pro Tips:
Before you start using your heated vest, you should take these tips into account. They will certainly figure out in emergencies.
Add a Portable Solar Charger
If your heated vest is meant for outdoor uses, you should consider adding a portable solar charger to your backpack.
You should not be entirely dependent on the built-in power bank in your vest as they might run down before their prescribed time or damage entirely.
Adding a portable power bank or solar charger to your backpack will provide additional recharge for your vest’s batteries and also to some other gears you might have on you.
This is a great security measure which you should not overlook. It will certainly come in handy for all day sits.
Breathable Vest
While some heated vests are breathable, others are not. With the breathable heated vests, you can actually put it on from your home before going out.
If however, yours is not breathable, you should consider packing it into your backpack and put it on only when you get to your spot.
This will help you avoid getting all sweat up or make you feel clammy since most non breathable vests are like that.
To avoid this, ensure you pack it on your tree stand and put it on when you get to your spot.
Extend Your Battery Life
If you stay whole day outside, you should get more 1 or 2 power banks. It can help you extend your hunting day.
FAQs:
Heated vests, by nature, are very safe.
Low Voltage, D/C Current:
Although the thought of wearing an electrical device as a garment might raise questions, many safeguards have been engineered into heated vests.
They use low-voltage, D/C current that is well suited for use in many all-weather applications.
For comparison, this type of electrical system is much the same as that used in automotive and ATV functions, where a variety of environmental factors come into play.
Circuit Protection Devices:
Heated vests also incorporate a number of surge and overheating protection devices, such as fuses and circuit breakers.
The combination of these factors significantly enhance safety.
Even though heated clothing is hardly a new invention, people still have their suspicions about using heated vests.
This is because they use electricity to create heat and warmth, like many space heaters.
That makes them generally harmless to human health. The power comes from the portable lithium battery, the same one our phones have.
The heating pad is a flexible piece of sheet-like fabric with heating wires. It is soft, skin-safe, and skin-friendly, so there are no worries about unhealthy heated vests.
A heated vest contains a number of small wire conductors that are contained within the fabric of its shell.
These wires form a heating grid that emits heat in an even, consistent pattern.
As D/C current is provided to these conducting wires by way of the vest’s battery pack, the wires begin to rise in temperature.
This process is further aided through a vest’s insulation.
The insulated construction of a heated vest traps the heat that is produced, retaining it for the vest owner’s extended comfort.
Yes, your heated vest will survive a trip through the washing machine, if special care is taken.
The most delicate part of your heated vest is its battery pack.
Before washing, remember to remove the vest’s battery and store it in a safe location.
A failure to do so will almost certainly destroy the battery pack’s inner circuitry.
As other types of hunting clothes, washing a heated vest is not difficult. However, there are several important steps that must be followed.
- Remove Battery Pack - Before washing your vest, remove its battery pack and store it in a safe place until washing is complete.
- Secure Cord - Next, tuck your vest’s charging cord into its designated pocket and secure it in place by zipping up the pocket.
- Place Vest In Wash Bag - You will now place your heated vest in a mesh wash bag to protect its delicate wires.
- Wash Accordingly - Wash your vest in a standard washing machine. Ensure that the washer is set to its cool/gentle wash function setting.
- Air Dry - Do not dry your heated vest in a dryer. Instead, hang it up in an outside location and allow it to stand until thoroughly dry.
- USB Driven charger: Most modern heated vests on the market today utilize a USB driven battery pack. Connecting it to nearly any powered device with a USB port can recharge this pack.
- A/C wall charger: some vests make use of a lithium-ion battery pack that is charged through the use of an A/C wall charger.
The bulk of these charging units have a charge indicator light that is incorporated into their design.
This allows a vest’s owner to know when a full state of charge has been reached.
Simply place the power pack back into the pocket when fully charged, where it is to be connected to the heating element.
Well, there is no easy answer to this question - it depends on what you need.
If you are heading into extreme winter weather conditions, you will certainly appreciate the warmth from a heated vest.
The heated vest can promote blood circulation and help you maintain your body temperature better.
Also, if you are dealing with muscle or joint pain, the heated vest can help manage that pain. So, in our opinion, heated vests are so worth it!
There is no correct answer to this question because it solely depends on your body’s ability to withstand the cold.
You should use the heated vest as soon as you start to get chilly.
For most people, that is the temperature of around 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, if it’s freezing outside, consider pairing your heated vest with a good hunting jacket over it to make sure you are warm and cozy out!
Each manufacturer of heated vests has different charging times.
It can depend on various factors, but the battery will be fully charged in about four hours - more or less on average.
However, do note that the initial charge should take about 8 hours.
The initial charge is the first charge upon the purchase.
It’s principal that you do abide by the rules of the initial charge if you want your battery to last a long time.
The Bottom Line:
And our best heated vest is Ororo Men’s Lightweight Heated Vest as it seemed to rank above others.
Editor's Choice:
Ororo features are quite amazing and these set it apart from other heated vests.
These impressive features are what we considered before choosing the Ororo Men’s Lightweight Heated Vest as the top rated heated vest out there.
The remark saying the Ororo battery had to be ‘changed’ every three months does not agree with product descriptions I have seen. Someone may have made a topographical error. What I have read is that the battery should be charged (CHARGED) every three months while stored during warmer weather.
Mmm.. Ororo looks good but apparently I won’t be able to charge it with my portable solar panels or other external batteries via USB.
I’m looking for one that I can bring to 2wks hunt in remote mountains so I should look around for another option.
It has external charger here: https://amzn.to/2SoXzqm
Nice to hear that, Sarah.
The Ororo looks like something I was looking for. Thanks so much for the reviews!