Heated Vest Outdoor Just For You

There is no such thing as being cold. There is only being unprepared.

Now don’t you wish you were better prepared!? Well read on and let’s get you as knowledgeable as possible so you can get toasty and stay outside longer.

WHAT IS HEATED CLOTHING?
Heated clothing is a piece of apparel that is connected to a rechargeable battery and heats up when it is turned on.

There are tons of electrically heated products available ranging from socks, boot insoles, pants, shirts, coats, gloves, and the Torch Coat Heater.

HOW DOES HEATED CLOTHING WORK?
Heated clothing has tiny wires sewn into a layer of the fabric. These tiny wires are typically made of a carbon fiber or a metal composite, like nickel-chromium, that perform well under repeated heating and cooling cycles. These wires are known as the heating element. These wires are connected to a battery, and when the battery is turned on, a low electrical current is passed through the wires, causing the wires to heat up.

Most batteries will come with 3 to 4 heat settings that allow you to adjust the heat as needed.

Most heated apparel will have 3 heating elements placed in the most effective locations. For instance, most coats will have 2 heat pads located in the chest area and one in the center of the back. This is a typical location because it is the most efficient way to heat the body’s core. The number of heat pads and the length of wire in each pad will determine how hot each pads gets and how long the battery will last. This is pretty consistent between brands in each category of battery voltage (i.e. all of the 7.4 v products have 3 heat pads and last up to 5 hours.)

IS HEATED CLOTHING SAFE?
Let’s start by covering the common concerns and myths of heated clothing.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS FOR ELECTRICAL SHOCK?
First off, your skin will never be in contact with any wires for electrocution to be a hazard, but even if you do touch the heating element while current is passing through it, you will not feel anything. If there is a break in a solder point that could pass a charge to you, the battery has safety features that will automatically shut it off before any harm is done.

There is no risk for electric shock.

Now, let’s just assume all the safe guards are down and you do get shocked, rest assured it is only a 7.4 volt battery. As a comparison you can lick a 12 volt battery that is almost twice as powerful.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS FOR HOT SPOTS?
The construction of the metal wires, if done poorly can produce hot spots and inconsistent heating. This is why you want to make sure you select a quality product.

Hot spots have been the cause for recalls in the past, but with recent developments, this is a thing of the past.

Hot spots could form if there is a break in the heat element, but the smart batteries used today simply shut off and avoid any potential issue.

But I would also like to say that it would be extremely difficult to break a heating element, and it is more likely to break at a solder point, but like I mentioned before, the battery in that circumstance would automatically shut off and prevent any injury.

CAN THE HEAT ELEMENT CATCH FIRE?
Here is why there is no risk of fire:

The battery has safeguards that shut it off if anything were to happen that would cause excessive heating.
The battery is not capable of supplying the power needed to heat the metals to the point the fabric will catch fire.
There is no risk of a fire.

Now that doesn’t mean it is flame retardant so don’t go rushing into a burning building thinking you are invincible.

CAN THE BATTERY CATCH FIRE?
We are all wondering this because of the recent phenomenon with the hover boards, which was a lithium ion battery like the batteries used in heated products, but also like every cell phone battery. This is where you may need to do some due diligence when looking at heated gear.

The hover board batteries that started on fire were cheap and defective batteries. You need to make sure the batteries have gone through the proper safety testing. Most product bought online in the US and Europe will be compliant, but be careful of knockoffs.

Look for a CE, UN or UL certification on the battery to make sure it is compliant.

HOW LONG DO THE BATTERIES LAST?
5 hours on low
2-3 hours on high
This is consistent for all 7.4 volt batteries

The 12 volt heated gear connects to the battery of your motorcycle, ATV or snowmobile and will last as long as they are plugged in.
3.7V batteries can last up to 10 hours by continuously turning on and off.
HOW HOT DO THE PADS GET?
90 Degrees on Low
135 Degrees on High
Can you wash heated clothing?

It depends on the manufacturer but most heated gear can be washed although a best practice would be to hand wash and air dry. Avoid using the dryer.

Pro Tips

It’s important to know the limitations of heated clothing and to follow a couple best practices so you can have the best experience.

Dress appropriately. Don’t be left out in the cold if your battery dies.
Always make sure the battery is 100% charged before you go out.
Bring Spare batteries.
Turn the battery off when you do not need it.
Keep the battery warm. Lithium-ion batteries tend to drain faster under cold conditions. A pocket inside your coat should work fine.

HEALTH BENEFITS
Warmth may be best known for its comforting and relaxing properties, but heat therapy provides pain relief for sore and injured muscles and can expedite the healing process.

Applying heat promotes healthy blood flow that increases the oxygen and nutrient flow to muscles, relieving pain, decreasing recovering time and improving overall performance.

Heat for Painful Joints and Arthritis

Heat therapy isn’t just for muscles. Stimulating blood flow and increasing circulation increases the range of motion and reduces stiffness in painful joints.

Benefits for Athletes

Winter athletes have to perform in cold temperatures, but when the body is cold it tends to be slow, sensitive and tight which can give the feeling of being uncoordinated. Keeping warm is one thing, but heating the body will help you perform at your best. Keep warm and:

Increase Overall Performance
Increase Muscle Efficiency
Increase Flexibility and Range of Motion
Decrease Stiffness
Decrease Sensitivity
Decrease Likelihood of Injury or Soreness
Decrease Recovery Time
Snowboarding Pro Tips

Keeping warm will help you stay loose, limber, agile and less likely to get injured or feel sore later. Being warm also BOOSTS PERFORMANCE compared to performing while cold, so here are some best practices to make you ride better.

Warming up serves two purposes- to enhance performance and prevent injury, so always keep warm.
Crank the heat on the chairlift. Don’t let those rides cool and stiffen your muscles. It is a lot harder to bring up the core temperature after it has dropped.
Before you drop in, turn the heat off and conserve the battery while your body generates its own heat.
Feel free to laugh at your friends when they start to shiver on the chairlift.
Warmth brings a Positive Attitudewhich breeds Confidence allowing you to overcome those pesky mental barriers.

WHAT IS HEATED GEAR BEST FOR?
We all have different reasons for wanting to stay warm so let’s see what cold activities heated gear can help you out with.

Let’s start with the most common activities people buy heated apparel for and then let’s explore some other not-so-obvious activities that you probably didn’t think of, and then dive into what would be best for you.

THE WARMTH FROM HEATED APPAREL CAN HELP BOOST YOUR SPIRITSAND LITERALLY MAKE YOU LAUGH WHEN OTHERS ARE MISERABLY SHIVERING.
COMMON OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES:
Snowboarding and Skiing

Most people think “Why would I need a heater while I am being so active?” Yes, that is true, in fact I always turn my heater off while I am on the slopes. But let me remind you of those long, windy and down right freezing chairlift rides.

Hunting and Ice Fishing

These are the two most popular activities that get people into heated gear. Sitting in a deer blind or on a frozen lake for hours on end can get pretty cold. There is no surprise as to why so many hunters and fishers choose heated gear.

Construction

Milwaukee and Dewalt have their own line of heated jackets because they know that construction workers find themselves in harsh conditions. I have worked in the construction industry for the past 10 years and I can tell you first hand that you can’t escape the cold. I only wish I knew about heated gear sooner.

Snowmobiling and Motorcycling

These two activities are perfect for heated gear. While at times the adrenaline may be pumping and keeping your mind off the cold, the rest of the time you may be an icicle. That’s why they make entire suits that plug into you ride, although these tend to be pricey.

Camping

Anytime you are outdoors when the sun goes down is a good time to bundle up with a heater, especially if you don’t plan on being very active. Camping is one of those occasions that is meant to be fun, and being cold can quickly change that, so grab a heated coat and have the biggest smile around that camp fire. Use it in your sleeping bag too!

Hiking and Climbing

This also is a big hit with heated apparel. High altitudes bring low temperatures and when you are struggling to put one foot in front of the other, all you need is the mental boost of a little warmth to get you moving again.

Seeing is Believing

Follow our blog and watch as a Torch Coat Heater summits Mount Everest with our favorite climber Lynette Trott!

Star Gazing

Sitting still outdoors at night can be extremely cold, especially in the remote areas you may find yourself when avoiding light pollution. Heated clothing is exactly what you need and will keep you gazing longer and happier.

Activities you didn’t think of

Who says you need to be snowboarding or sitting in a deer blind to enjoy the benefits of heated apparel. Below are a few things I do, and things you might do on a daily basis in the winter that may need a little more warmth.

Starting the Car in the Morning

This is something that pains me everyday in the winter time, especially in the morning. To make it worse, imagine the times scraping the ice off the car. Brrrrr!

My Winter Morning Story:

“It was colder than usual one morning and I was dreading the walk outside and waiting for my car to warm up, so I took my winter coat, put my Torch coat heater in it and cranked it to high. I put the coat on and waited to feel the heat radiate through my body. I remember smiling and feeling lucky to be alive. I went outside, started my car and drove to work.

When I got to work I realized I never even turned the heat on in my car. My coat kept me so warm I never even noticed the cold.”

Football or Hockey Games

If you’re a fan like me, there is nothing that will get me out of that seat, not rain, sleet or snow. Or so we say, and then it rains, sleets and snows. Heated clothing is a must for any outdoor game and it will boost your spirits to be warm, and I’m sure the team you’re cheering for would appreciate that.

Ughhh….. Shoveling Snow

Here’s something not one person on the planet likes doing, and if you do like shoveling snow you should go get checked out. But with heated clothing you can at least be warm, making it less miserable.

Here are a couple more times you will want a heated coat