Are Weston Heated Jackets Worth It? Advantages and Disadvantages!
Despite being a relatively new addition to the market, heated jackets are experiencing soaring popularity as a solution to staying warm in chilly winters. Perhaps, after experiencing the harsh cold this winter, you have concluded that traditional clothing just cannot keep you warm when working outside or engaging in winter sports. And that’s why you have decided to get yourself a heated jacket. But the price tag has made you wonder if heated jackets are worth it.
Heated jackets are great. They are designed to keep you warm and comfortable during harsh cold weather conditions without restricting the range of motion like traditional winter clothing layers.
If you are thinking of getting a heated jacket for yourself, continue reading. In this article, we will discuss all about them, ranging from how they work to their advantages and disadvantages, and help you decide whether a heated jacket is worth your investment.
So, let’s get started!
How Do Heated Jackets Work?
Heated jackets provide warmth by incorporating heating elements into the fabric of the jacket. These heating elements are typically powered by a power source/battery in one of the jacket’s pockets. The battery is rechargeable and long-lasting, depending on the capacity and temperature settings.
A variety of heating elements are used in the manufacturing of heated jackets, but mostly used elements are metal wires and carbon fibers. Where carbon fiber parts are thin and flexible, allowing for increased movement and comfort, metal wire components are thicker and provide more heat, but they are less comfortable and hinder movement.
Heating zones in heated jackets are spread throughout, allowing the wearer to control the intensity of heat in various portions of the garment. This is very beneficial for people who require more warmth in certain areas of the body, such as the back or hands.
Heated jackets, in addition to the heating components, use insulating materials in manufacturing to ensure the retention of heat and keep cold air out. This material mix ensures that the wearer stays warm and cozy even when the battery is discharged.
Advantages of Heated Jackets
Heated jackets have various benefits over regular winter jackets, making them a popular option for those who spend time outside in cold weather. The following are some of the primary benefits of heated jackets:
1) Comfort and warmth
Even in the coldest weather, heated jackets keep you warm and comfortable. This is particularly advantageous for those who remain outside for longer periods during cold temperatures. Thus, heated jackets make a great choice for individuals who work outside in winter are take part in outdoor winter sports.
2) Enhanced cold-weather performance
By keeping your body warm and agile, heated jackets can help improve your performance in cold, freezing temperatures. With increased mobility and range of motion, you can do better in winter sports as well as on your outdoor job.
3) Increased mobility and range of motion
Where traditional layering of winter clothing limits your mobility and range of motion, heated jackets are light and allow increased mobility. This makes heated jackets a great choice for individuals who have to walk or move a lot outside in winter.
4) Layering is reduced
With traditional winter apparel, you will have to put on numerous layers to keep yourself warm in harsh winters. Wearing heavy might save you from cold weather, but it makes you look bulkier and hinders your movement due to the weight. On the other hand, with the heated jacket, you can say goodbye to traditional winter layering and stay warm and cozy by wearing just one heated jacket.
5) Protection Against Cold-Related Ailments
Working or playing outside in extremely cold temperatures could make you vulnerable to cold-related illnesses such as hypothermia, frostbite, etc. By keeping you warm, heated jackets help avoid the risk of cold-related illnesses and enable you to participate in winter activities.
Overall heated jackets are a must-have in your winter wardrobe, especially if you engage in outdoor work or sports activities. It will keep you safe, warm, and cozy without limiting your range of motion. That said, heated jackets have certain drawbacks as well.
Disadvantages of Heated Jackets
Where heated jackets come with many benefits, they also have a few drawbacks. So, before you go out and make the purchase, take a look at some of the main drawbacks of heated jackets discussed below:
a) Higher cost
Due to the added technology and heating elements, heated jackets are much more costly than traditional winter jackets, making them cost-prohibitive for certain people. But given that you can keep warm by wearing just one heated jacket, they seem like a sensible purchase.
b) Power source limitation
Given that heated jackets need a power source to function and keep you warm, they are not a good fit for you if you have limited access to charging outlets.
Heated jackets are mostly powered by rechargeable batteries, which can deplete really fast depending on the battery capacity and temperature settings. In some cases, the battery may deplete within a few hours, which can be a big problem for individuals outside for longer periods.
c) Uneven Heat Distribution
Heated jackets have heating elements installed throughout the jacket. It is with these heated elements that jackets are able to provide you warmth. In some jackets, these heating elements might be unevenly distributed, making one place warmer than the other, which can be uncomfortable.
d) Washing Limitations
Given that there are electric elements in a heated jacket, it has many washing limitations. It is not that you cannot wash it, but you must be careful. You will have to remove the battery and secure the cables in the battery pocket. Besides that, you may want to look at the care tag to check for any specific instructions.
Overall, heated jackets offer many benefits, but they are not without drawbacks. So, before making the purchase, you should consider their benefits, drawbacks, and your needs.
Final verdict: Are Heated Jackets Worth it?
Despite being pricey and having power limitations, heated jackets remain a popular choice for those who work outside or engage in winter sports and have to remain outside in cold weather conditions for longer periods. The ability of heated jackets to keep the wearer warm even in harsh cold winter without limiting mobility makes it worth the investment.
Ultimately, the final decision as to whether you should add a heated jacket to your winter wardrobe or not depends on your personal needs and budget. Before making the purchase, you should carefully weigh its benefits against its cost and consider your needs.
If you prioritize comfort, warmth, and mobility and live and engage in outdoor activities in harsh cold weather conditions, heated jackets are a must-have.
