How Long Do Heated Jackets Last?

If you’re in the market for a new winter jacket for work, play and everything in between, look no further than a heated jacket. Whether you’re on the jobsite from 9-5 or in and out of the house running errands on a bitter cold day, you need the warm yet functional cold weather gear that can keep up with your busy schedule; but how do you know you’re choosing a jacket that’s in it for the long haul?

We’ve put together a list of the most important factors to consider when shopping for a heated jacket (or any heated winter apparel) so you can be sure you find a jacket to keep up with your busy life.

For A Heated Jacket That Will Last, Look For...

Battery

The battery needs to provide you with enough power to run the heating system for as long as you need it to. Look for heated apparel that states the mAh (milliamp hours) of the battery, the temperatures of the zones AND the number of hours the battery runs your item for.

The material your heated winter jacket’s battery is made from also plays a major part in how long it lasts. Lithium ion batteries, for example, are an overall more efficient battery choice for heated apparel. Lithium ion batteries have higher energy density, voltage capacity and will quickly recharge hundreds of times over, giving you longer run times and a longer life for your heated jacket.

To give you an idea of how important battery quality is to your heated jacket’s life here’s an example: Gobi Heat® heated jackets are powered with a 7.4V 6700mAh lithium ion battery. A recent c omparison of today’s best battery heated jackets showed that Gobi Heat® jacket batteries outperformed the competition in both weight and runtime for different heat modes, lasting up to 10 hours on low heat, 8 hours on medium heat and an impressive 6 hours on high heat.

Zone Material

We recommend looking for heated apparel that uses Insulated Conductive Thread as the conductive material for it’s heating zones. The reason for this is that it is thin and flexible, durable, safe and machine washable. Where chunky wires have more opportunity to pinch, crack or break, thin and flexible wires work with your body and movements for less stress and a longer life.

Temperatures

Though it may sound obvious, the temperatures of the heat zones is a pretty big deal. It can be easy for a heated jacket to be sold that, frankly, doesn’t get all that warm. In fact, some companies go as far as limiting the available warmth to claim a longer battery life, or limit the amount of heat delivered to the wearer by using a cheaper battery. These are a few ways that some brands cut costs and quality, and trust us, you’ll notice. Do yourself a favor and buy from a company that states the specific temperatures achieved for each of it’s settings, then compare these temperatures with other brands.

Warranty

A heated jacket is an investment and you want to feel confident in that investment. It’s important for you to ensure that your purchase comes with a warranty on both the battery and the apparel itself. Gobi Heat® for example, offers a one year warranty on all of our heated apparel.

Support

As more and more heated apparel brands pop-up, it’s important to know when you are buying from a reputable American company versus buying from overseas companies that offer no warranty or phone number to call, extremely long shipping times, and non-US-based customer service.

Variety

Where are you going to be wearing your heated jacket (or any heated apparel, for that matter) and what are you going to be doing while wearing it? We recommend looking for a brand that offers a wide variety of choices for different activities, venues and body parts! If it’s your toes that get cold while shoveling the walk, a company that only offers heated vests might not be your best choice. Look for a brand and a style that really meets your personal needs. Check out Gobi Heat’s wide array of styles and colors here.

Extra-Power Options

For a heated jacket that lasts from sun-up to sun-down you’ll need to call in reinforcements. For instance, Gobi Heat® heated jackets are designed to work with our winter accessories like portable car chargers and replacement batteries. With these winter accessories you’ll be able to charge or replace on the go for a cozy warm jacket to take you from early morning walks to late night drinks around the fire without skipping a beat.

At the end of the day, we believe actions speak louder than words. That’s why we urge you to get a heated jacket or heated apparel that backs up their claims: Try Gobi Heat® products this winter and experience the very best heated clothing you’ll love for years to come. You’ll be glad you did.