Heated Vest Buying Guide - All You Need to Know

If you spend a lot of time outside during the winter, then you know what it’s like to feel the spine-tingling chill the moment you step out of your house without the proper clothing. Unfortunately, not having the proper attire is one of the main things that keeps people from getting outdoors in the cold season at all. 

On the other hand, having the right cold-weather attire can reinvigorate your love for winter, whether you’re walking to lunch after a meeting at work, going for a bike ride, or chopping wood in your backyard. 

When most people think of heated winter products, they think of heated blankets. However, this same technology has been integrated into winter attire, offering a range of heated clothing to pick from, including heated jackets, heated vests, and heated socks.

Though these are all great options in their own right, nothing gets us quite as excited as heated vests. They’re incredibly versatile, stylish, and warm, helping to keep you comfortable when the cold is biting, though not enough to have a heated jacket. 

Let’s take a closer look at the big, wide world of heated vests so you can stay toasty this winter season.

• How Do Heated Vests Work?
• Heated Vests vs. Heated Jackets
• The Pros of Heated Vests
• The Pros of Heated Jackets
• What Can I Expect from a Heated Vest?
• Final Thoughts - Should I Get a Heated Vest?
• FAQ

How Do Heated Vests Work?

Heated vests use internal heating elements, which run throughout the jacket in a singular system or in various heated panels for custom adjustability. Most high-end heated vests use either electrical wires or carbon fiber heating elements, which are connected to a rechargeable battery pack. 

Heated Vests vs. Heated Jackets

One of the biggest questions people ask when they’re thinking of buying heated attire is, “Should I get a heated jacket or a heated vest?”

Either of these options can be a solid choice, though it really depends on how cold the weather is and what level of bulk you prefer. 

The Pros of Heated Vests

Let’s first look at why you might choose to get a heated vest over a heated jacket.

Lightweight Design

If the bulk of a heated jacket is too much for you, a heated vest can offer a good middle ground. They’re often super lightweight and slim-fitting, perfect for when the weather hasn’t hit a “freezing” point. Plus, they offer outstanding mid-layer protection, whether atop a bottom layer or under a snug jacket.

Versatile

Because heated vests don’t have sleeves, you can show off your other articles of clothing underneath. Many of our heated vests are made with sleek, single-color designs, meaning you can pair them with just about any article of clothing that best suits your stylistic preferences, from hoodies to flannels and beyond.

Multiple Heating Zones

Heated vests focus all of the warmth on multiple panels in the core, which are mostly situated around the back and chest. Most high-end heated vests offer the ability to control where the heat is being funneled to, meaning if your chest or stomach is cold, but your back isn’t, you can customize your vest to keep comfortable. 

Our Kemimoto heated vests come with heating zones in the front, back, and around the neck, offering optimal warmth the way you like it! 

Flexible

Without sleeves, you have total mobility. No matter what kind of activities you’re engaged in, whether rolling around on the lawn with the kids, chopping wood in the backyard, or going out for a long bike ride, you can move freely without feeling restricted. 

The Pros of Heated Jackets

Of course, there are situations in which a heated jacket might actually be more beneficial than a heated vest. 

Total Coverage

With the addition of sleeves, heated jackets provide total warmth over a greater surface area than heated vests. From the base of the hoodie to the tip of the hood, your upper body will remain perfectly warm, no matter how cold the weather. 

Stylish

Jackets offer a more stylish and refined look than vests, perfect for going to work or having a night out on the town. Our diverse collection of heated jackets look just as great as they feel, perfect no matter what you’re doing. 

Versatile

If you don’t want to wear multiple layers with a heated jacket, you don’t have to! When zipped up, heated jackets can act as multi-layered articles of clothing, ridding you of the need for an outer and base layer. 

What Can I Expect from a Heated Vest?

For starters, heated vests are made from high-quality materials, many of which are both water-resistant and machine-washable. As for machine washability, make sure to check the label before washing. 

Some of the highest-end heated vests use durable materials like graphene, as well as mixtures of polyester and nylon. 

In terms of their heating functionality, high-quality heated vests use reliable technology to operate efficiently, no matter how cold the weather. These heating systems are often made up of three distinct elements:

• The heating element
• The internal battery
• The electrical wires

You can either wear your heated vest with the heating systems on or off, making them incredibly versatile pieces of winter wear. 

It’s also worth noting that many heated vests use replaceable battery pack designs. Batteries have lifespans, and until someone invents a consumer battery that lasts forever, it’s something we have to live with. 

After a few years of constant use, you may find that your heating element isn’t operating as efficiently as it did when you first bought it. Luckily, replacing the battery is super easy and surprisingly cost-effective.

Final Thoughts - Should I Get a Heated Vest?

Whether you’re getting one for yourself or a loved one, a heated vest is the perfect gift this winter. Our Kemimoto heated vests offer fast-acting heating technology, ultra-durable and comfortable designs, and versatile technology for complete heat adjustments based on the wearer’s preferences. 

Plus, we’d be lying if we said they weren’t incredibly stylish, acting as form-fitting pieces of winter attire on bodies of all shapes and sizes. 

Make sure to check out our wide selection of heated jackets and vests so you and your family can stay warm this winter! 

FAQ

1. How Long Do Heated Vest Batteries Last?

Battery capacities can change from vest to vest, though our heated vests at Kemimoto last up to 10 hours on a single charge, perfect for entire days out in the wild. 

2. Are Heated Vests Safe?

Many people who are new to heated winter attire can be concerned about its safety. All of our heated vests go through rigorous testing to ensure safety and reliability for consistent use in the harshest conditions. The important thing is to make sure you only purchase heating clothing from reputable brands with good reviews. 

3. Do I Need a Special Charger for My Heated Vest?

Our heated vests come with a compatible charger. While you can certainly purchase third-party chargers, it’s always a good idea to use the recommended charger to make sure your battery is safe and reliable in the long run.