Heated vests

grantmac

Commuting between NL & UK
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Haven’t really googled yet but any recommendation for a heated vest that does NOT require external power?
 
Haven’t really googled yet but any recommendation for a heated vest that does NOT require external power?
Look on AliExpress for battery powered one.
I bought one last year for outside winter use. Cheap and works really well.
 
Keis do a battery pack for their heated gear aimed at horsey types. Battery lasts up to 5 hours with their V501 vest.

Keis stuff has got a bit spendy since I bought mine many years ago. I've just connected my power lead to the battery on my new bike.
 
Keis battery (not bike battery) waistcoat thing is pretty good.

Depending on how hot you’d want it and for how long, you might need a spare battery or not.
 
Keis do a battery pack for their heated gear aimed at horsey types. Battery lasts up to 5 hours with their V501 vest.

Keis stuff has got a bit spendy since I bought mine many years ago. I've just connected my power lead to the battery on my new bike.
Pretty much mirrors my own experience and opinion. My Keis vests (his and hers) both have battery pack pockets but I haven’t used them so can’t offer an opinion on them, but run off the leads they’re very good.
 
I have one of these. went for it as the control button is fairly easily reachable when worn with bike kit. Many of the cheaper ones have the control button in the waist area. Uses a standard power pack and on low a 10 000mah one lasts at least 5 hours. If it doesn't work on the bike, at least I can use it around the house etc and it didn't burn a hole in my wallet when I bought it.

 
Look on AliExpress for battery powered one.
I bought one last year for outside winter use. Cheap and works really well.
Seen a few on Alicrap for about €20-30
Looking at Keis which are €240 a bit worried the Alicrap will explode or something. Surely the price of 20-30 euros is simply a con

Unless anyone has experienced different…
 
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Live vicariously. Buy the Chinese offering, If it’s any good, job done. If it isn’t you are down EUR 30 and you’ll probably recover 20 of that by selling it on UKGSer.
 
Ordered one from Amazon for £40. Let’s see what happens but really needed one in France last week so now prepared for next year. Although I have to say my £70 lightweight walking jacket from Decathlon has served me well over the past year. Very lightweight and rolls up into a compact sausage bag about the size of a large fist.
This hopefully will supplement that when it’s really cold👍👍👍
 
Seen a few on Alicrap for about €20-30
Looking at Keis which are €240 a bit worried the Alicrap will explode or something. Surely the price of 20-30 euros is simply a con

Unless anyone has experienced different…
I already said I have one. So does my wife and so does a mate and his wife.
Just buy the expensive stuff for peace of mind.
I have gerbing for the bike.
 
Be very careful on sizing, to work well the heating pads need to be in firm contact with you.
I have a keis, tried it in the the car to compare. It worked much better as back is pressed against the seat and the seat belt presses the front pads to my chest.
On the bike, leaning forward the front pads don't work well without a rucksack.
I should have gone a size smaller.
They also work much better between a thin t shirt and a fitted midlayer.
I changed the plug on mine so it connects to the optimate charging socket by my leg.
 
This is one of my favourite subjects, because I am one of those muppets who can freeze in a heatwave.
I used to have a heated jacket that plugged into my battery, used it for 20 years and every time I got of the bike I usually forgot to unplug myself. Sigh.
Sold it about 5 /6 years ago and bought one off Amazon for £20. It runs at 5 volts, lasted about 5 years being worn on and off the bike. I think the switch eventually died.
So, I replaced it with another Amazon one, you could also try Ali express.
As said, be careful about size, ignore s,m,l,xl etc, read the cms.
A smallpower bank on low usually lasts about 4 hours, and of course, being a sensible person, you are going to just wear a t-shirt underneath it, and if it is very thin, a fleece over the top, so less power needed to heat your body.
Some come with a separate button for a heated neck. I like that.
I personally never bothered with heated sleeves, never needed them.
My latest one, is quite thick, so thermal undergarments, heated jacket, then riding jacket over the top. Toasty.
This one I bought last year, it gets worn about 3 times a week, think I paid a whole, £35 for it, I do have a second one, made by portwest, £72 off Amazon. That is a cheaper alternative for you.
The great thing, take 2 batteries and one is charging at the end of the day whilst you can take the spare with you when you are out and about.
I would not go back to a 12 volt system now.
 
I use the battery powered Tucano Urbano vest. Battery powered and lasts a good 6 hrs on medium setting with a 20Kma battery. Kept me toasty warm through last winter and wouldn’t be without it now. Sizes up true to size and is very well made.
 
Another one to say Keiss because you have the potential for plugging into the bike battery and for taking off the bike and using the Keiss battery that is also available. Used to have a BMW heated gilet which was great, but lost its heat when it was unplugged. And yes Jessie is right, that you do pay for the Keiss stuff, but as far as I am concerned, I would not be without it now!
Enjoy your choice, whatever you decide.
 


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