Ororo Heated Vest in Antartica

Bear with me because I’m about to put the cart before the horse here: The best heated vest is the one that keeps you the warmest while also suiting your lifestyle. And if it happens to look amazing while you’re stoking the fire or ripping down the slopes, all the better.

Heated vests for men are available in all shapes and sizes, and feature options ranging from rechargeable batteries to multiple temperature controls. This small yet mighty addition to your wardrobe is your secret weapon in the fight against the elements, whether you’re skiing, hunting, doing yard work, or catching a football game. Second only to a quality winter coat, a heated vest is a must.

And if you happen to belong to the dwindling group of humans who didn’t know that heated vests for men exist, welcome to the first day of the rest of your torso’s life. (Which is only a weird sentence if you make it a weird sentence.)

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Ororo Heated Vest

Material: 100% Nylon Shell, 100% Polyester Lining | Sizes Available: XS-5XL | Colors Available: Black | Warming Time: 10hrs | Machine Washable: Yes

Ororo is the undisputed heavyweight champ when it comes to keeping you toasty while looking your best. The brand has an outstanding reputation for producing the best-heated vests (and winter jackets in general) for good reason—it’s even one of the best-rated heated vests on Amazon. The Men’s Classic is breathable, lightweight, and features four carbon fiber heating elements thoughtfully placed throughout the vest to warm core areas of your body.

Another key feature giving this heated vest for men the edge is its mini 5k battery. It has rounded edges for added comfort and is so lightweight that you won’t even feel it in the vest’s pocket. The battery is capable of lasting 10 hours, but heads up—the lifespan starts to decrease if you go higher than the low setting.

Volt Resistance Camo Heated Vest

Material: 4-Way Stretch Polyester | Sizes Available: S-4XL | Colors Available: Camo | Warming Time: 6hrs | Machine Washable: Yes

If you’ve decided not to skip this part, you’re either my editor or someone who’s been known to dabble in the waiting game called hunting. And more often than not, that waiting game is happening during less-than-optimal conditions. Cold, is what we’re saying. It’s probably really cold.

This hunting-specific vest comes in an equally specific woodland camo pattern. The rechargeable lithium battery pack is adjustable to four settings and provides heat to four zones—two in the mid-back and two in the chest.

But even the best heated vest for men in the hunting category isn’t without its potential pain points. You’re likely going to be out there all day. And this is a battery situation. And it’s still cold. So, yes, you’re going to run out of juice after a few hours, especially if you’re running on the high setting. Moral of the story: bring extra batteries.

Aerostich Heated Vest

Material: TLTec 1 Fleece | Sizes Available: S-XL | Colors Available: Black | Warming Time: Minutes | Machine Washable: Yes

If you have a specific health problem, you see a specialist, not a generalist. If you’re tandem skydiving for the first time, you go with a professional, not your cousin Phil. If you’re riding cross-country on your trusty steed during winter, you want a heated vest for men that’s built specifically for your journey—not just any heated vest.

Aerostitch deploys many of the same features that make the other heated vests on this list great, but it also throws in a few specialized highlights. One of which is its electric charge courtesy of your motorcycle. But the most notable feature may just be its inflatable insert that not only helps with wind resistance but presses the heated coils closer to your body during those chilly rides.

Gobi Heat Camo Heated Vest

Material: Polyester, Fleece | Sizes Available: S-4XL | Colors Available: Mossy Oak Camo | Warming Time: 6-10hrs | Machine Washable: Yes

We’re hunting. We’re biking. We’re hunting again. That’s right, we’re back with that all-important category in the running for the best heated vest—camo. Gobi Heat comes in hot with its functional and lightweight vest available in Mossy Oak® Break-Up Infinity and Country DNA Camo. Which, translated from “we patented this” to English, simply means it’s a damn good hunting camo that will play nicely with the best men’s camo pants and camo jackets.

Heat zones encompass the chest and back, while three heat settings work with your body regardless of your surrounding conditions. As with most heated vests, higher settings require more battery power, so stock up on spares accordingly.

Foxelli Heated Vest

Material: 100% Polyester | Sizes Available: M-XXL | Colors Available: Black | Warming Time: Up to 10hrs | Machine Washable: Yes

One of the more robust vests on our list, this handsome and puffy number from Foxelli has a fitted look but feels roomy to accommodate an active outdoor lifestyle. The rechargeable battery is capable of heating the jacket in three to five minutes and will keep a charge for up to 10 hours, depending on the setting you use.

Another feature that makes this best heated vest stand out is its raised collar that includes its own warming element. Combine that with the built-in hood and consider yourself covered for camping trips, marathon leaf-raking sessions, or sipping something brown around the fire pit.

Action Heat Heated Vest

Material: Heat-Trapping, Water-Resistant Fabric | Sizes Available: S-3XL | Colors Available: Black, Gray | Warming Time: Up to 4.5hrs | Machine Washable: Yes

Puffer vests are a nice mix of utility and style. And if they happen to have a 5-volt power bank, three heat settings, and a raised collar for all-over warmth, even better. With its three heating panels made with carbon fiber, ActionHeat’s vest packs as much heating punch as a full puffer jacket.

At up to 4.5 hours, ActionHeat’s battery life is respectable. That said, it’s not as long as some others on our list. That fact makes this puffer a solid go-to for city nights spent bar and restaurant-hopping—not for long outdoor sessions without access to charging ports.

Ororo Gold Heated Vest

Material: 100% Polyester | Sizes Available: XS-3XL | Colors Available: Black | Warming Time: Up to 10hrs | Machine Washable: Yes

Ororo comes in hot with another best heated vest for men, this time for golf. When you’re playing any sport, especially a year-round outdoor sport, you need a full range of motion, and you need to stay warm. The brand’s heated golf vest features all the bells and whistles you’d expect from Ororo—impressive 10-hour warming time, moisture-wicking properties, breathable fabric—but it’s also got a few unique tricks up its sleeves.

Yes, sleeves. Because this particular vest has zip-off sleeves, something you just don’t find in this category. It’s also made with wind- and water-resistant fabric, which is a must for all-season golf attire. And if you’re looking for a bit more icing on the cake, this would make a perfect gift for the golfer in your life. Unless they live in Hawaii. Or, like, Sudan. Then maybe think of something else.

Arris Fleece Heated vest

Material: Polar Fleece | Sizes Available: One-Size/Adjustable | Colors Available: Black | Warming Time: Up to 10hrs | Machine Washable: Yes

Being active outside during the winter can put your internal temperature on an unpredictable rollercoaster ride. One minute you’re freezing, the next you’re sweating and hot, then you’re sweating and cold… up and down we go. You need to layer and dress warm, so there’s no getting around that. Your plan of attack against the elements? The Arris heated vest.

It has a whopping six heating panels and five temperature control settings. This means the vest is fully capable of ebbing and flowing with your body’s temperature fluctuations with the push of a button. This type of customization power is crucial for achieving peak outdoor-sports performance.

What To Look For When Buying The Best Heated Vests For Men

Function

The best heated jacket for you is the one that suits your lifestyle and activities but also stands the test of time. This is a niche garment and should be treated as such. If you’re a biker, there are vests with specific features manufactured with you in mind. Hunter? Same thing. Before deciding on a one-size-fits-all heated vest, do your homework and choose one that’s suited to your interests and lifestyle.

Warming time

Some heated vests warm up immediately with the help of a vehicle’s charging connector. Others require the heavy lifting of a lithium battery. The former can heat your vest in minutes, while the latter will take a bit longer to reach peak performance. It may seem like a trivial consideration, but the amount of time it takes to get your midsection toasty makes all the difference depending on what you plan on getting into while wearing your vest.

Hunting with Volt Heat Camo Heated Vest
voltheat / instagram

Battery Life

The battery life of your vest is a crucial consideration depending on what you’ll be doing in it. If you’re into hunting, for instance, and plan on posting up in a blind all day, battery life should be your number one consideration. If you’re a weekend fire-pit warrior concerned only with putting on s’mores clinics, battery life should be much less of a consideration for you.

Final verdict

The best heated vest that made the list is the Classic from Ororo. It features impeccable styling in its category, plus an impressive 10-hour lifespan if you’re operating on the low setting. In addition to employing a breathable, sweat-wicking fabric, special attention was put into the weight and general comfort of Ororo’s battery, which should be a major consideration with any heated vest.

FAQ

    • Put simply, heated vests have a flexible heating element that’s woven throughout the jacket, typically around the midsection. This heating element is powered by a battery and is usually sheathed with a waterproof element to prevent rain and sweat from causing damage and presenting hazards.

      • Always buy any heated vest from a reputable retailer. The power elements in heated vests are low voltage and do not pose a threat of danger or injury, thus are considered safe.

        • You’ll want to research the requirements for charging your specific vest, but experts cite 10,000 milliampere hours (mAh) as a solid benchmark in terms of power. Also, make sure the power bank’s features suit your lifestyle, considering factors such as weight, durability, and charging speed.

          • Most (though not all) heated vests are machine washable. Before washing any heated vest in a machine, disconnect and remove the battery—this is a crucial step to ensuring your garment’s longevity. From there, zip close any pockets that contain electrical connections, then place the vest in a mesh laundry bag and machine wash. Hang dry to avoid damage to heating coils.


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