The coldest seasons are the perfect time to finally pull out the best down jackets from your wardrobe to counter the winter chill. And adapting to the cold isn't easy, especially when temperatures drop into the negative Celsius range. At this point, even sweaters, scarves, socks, insoles, or even heated gloves aren't enough to protect you from the biting, icy wind.
This is because heated jackets were designed to help us get through the winter months more comfortably while wearing as little fabric as possible. Thanks to the heat produced by these jackets' inner lining, we can face winter temperatures without too much difficulty.
But how is this possible? How can a jacket produce heat?
If you're asking yourself these questions, then you've probably come to the right place to satisfy your curiosity. In this post, you'll discover how these jackets work and how to recharge them more easily.
What is a heated jacket?
To put it simply, the heated jacket is just an improved jacket.
Normally, the main function of a classic jacket is to retain the heat produced by the body. And this is done solely thanks to the lining of waterproof polyester with fur. But unlike this, the heated jacket , in addition to retaining body heat, produces its own heat. It is therefore not only more effective against very cold temperatures, but also very comfortable to wear and removable.
This is the wisest choice if you want to keep your body warm.
It can be useful in various situations:
- Going to work outside in cold weather
- Practicing outdoor sports in winter
- Go to a leisure activity in an exposed location
- When you are chilly
And all in a garment that allows you total freedom of movement!!! It can also be with or without sleeves, depending on your preference, you can make your choice. Generally made with windproof material, it keeps you warm.
How does the heated jacket work?
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Heating resistance system
I imagine you're already thinking that this is probably a purely electronic system.
That's right! This jacket is equipped with an infrared electric heating system. This system consists of several resistors that produce heat in the jacket, making it the ideal accessory for fighting the cold.
Not clear enough? Then let's look at this example.
If you've ever touched your incandescent light bulb while it's on or after you've just turned it off, you'll notice it's hot. This heat is caused by a resistor located across the lamp's terminals. This resistor largely protects the lamp by converting some of the current into heat.
It's pretty much the same principle with the heated jacket, except that here, there is no lamp, the system is only made up of several resistors which transform the energy provided by the external battery into heat. And this heat is constant and diffused evenly.
Which part of the body is heated?
Each of these resistors are placed in strategic locations on the jacket to effectively keep your body warm or counter the feeling of cold. So keep in mind that only a few areas of the jacket are heated . But these areas are well selected and the jacket itself is equipped with carbon fibers which ensure very good heat distribution.
The number of heating elements or resistors may vary from jacket to jacket, but the specific areas in which they are placed do not vary greatly. These include:
- At the level of the neck and nape of the neck
- At the belly level
- At chest level
- At the back, more precisely at the bottom
Since it's battery-powered, it doesn't heat up all the time. In fact, no other electronic device works like that. You can turn the heater on or off whenever you want. This is a great thing, especially since you won't need to keep warm all the time.
To turn it on, simply press the button provided for this purpose. The same goes for stopping the heating using the integrated resistors.
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Three temperature levels
Like most heating devices, your body won't be heated automatically when you turn it on. It takes time for the coils to heat up. Generally, it never takes long enough. On average, it will take 2 minutes for the inside of the jacket to heat up.
Also, for some heated jackets, you have the option to choose the heating temperature you want thanks to a thermostat. Although you won't be able to choose a specific temperature, these jackets offer three settings. And depending on the ambient temperature of the environment you're in, you'll choose a temperature range to heat yourself. This allows you to neither feel really hot nor cold. In other words, it allows you to constantly regulate your body temperature.
You have the choice between:
As with turning on the heating system, the temperature is adjusted using a button located inside some jackets and outside on others. This button has three LEDs that let you know in which temperature range the jacket is warming you:
How to recharge the heated jacket?
Above, we mentioned that the heated jacket works using an electronic system. Therefore, a source is needed to provide the necessary energy for these resistors to produce heat.
Obviously, the jacket isn't going to stay plugged into an outlet all the time for you to use it. The necessary energy is provided by a rechargeable battery. In this regard, you can find two types of jackets on the market: those that come with a battery and those that come without a battery.
Heated jackets with a battery pack come with a charger. For jackets without a battery pack, you'll need to get one. However, regardless of the type of jacket you choose, the charging method is the same.
To recharge the jacket, you must:
- Disconnect the battery from the heated jacket
- Connect the dedicated charger to a PC or wall outlet and charge the battery
- Reconnect the battery to the jacket
Note that it's very important to recharge the battery when it's flat or before a very cold day. Without it, you won't get long-lasting warmth and you'll get cold more quickly. Battery life also varies depending on its power. Most batteries used for heated jackets can provide power for about 8 hours.
However, battery life also depends on the temperature setting . The higher the temperature, the faster the battery drains. With jackets that run on an external battery, you can provide a backup battery that will allow you to continue enjoying the gentle warmth when the other one drains. We offer a range of external batteries specially adapted for the most optimal durability.
The different types of winter accessories available on the market
- Heated insoles that warm your palms well and prevent your feet from getting cold.
- Heated socks that cover your entire feet and allow blood to circulate well in your blood vessels.
- Very comfortable heated jackets and down jackets that keep your whole body warm.
- Hat that allows you to cover your head when it is cold.
- Heated gloves that warm your hands to protect you in low temperatures.
