battery powered heated vest vs. hard wired.

[Backhome77]

My daily commute is starting to get a little cold, so I'm looking into some heated gear for my bike. I already know I'm going for heated grips, and I'd like a heated vest as well. But I'm trying to decide between a traditional hardwired vest, such as the Tourmaster Synergy, and battery powered options from the likes of Gerbing's and Jett. Obviously, the hardwired vest are capable of putting out more heat. But I live in Georgia. It doesn't get THAT cold.

Has anyone tried a battery powered heated vest? Are they worthwhile? The two big pluses would be not having extra wires hanging off my GT, and being able to turn them on and get them going BEFORE I head out into the cold. But are they warm enough and reliable enough for true year round riding?

Thanks!

[Decreasing Dave]

I live in Arizona, but I'm high desert (4600' MSL) so it gets pretty cold here during the "Winter" months and at night.

I bought a Gerbing's Heated Vest from Heated Clothing Outlet - Huge Discounts on Heated Clothing! and used it last year. I bought the battery operated one because I often ride with full leathers (one piece) so getting wires into that would be a hassle. My leathers are pretty well vented on the front of the chest and I ride a Hyper, so very little, if any, wind protection.

The vest works great. It's fleece with two heating elements in front (each side of zipper) and one element in back. The battery pack sits in an inside pocket. It has six heating levels and even on the highest setting, the battery last more than four hours (longest I have tried) with lots of life left according to the guage.

My only complaint is due to my own error (possibly), the vest is a bit big for me so I have a harder time fitting it into my leathers than I think I would if I had gotten one size smaller. Again, not the fault of anybody but me, but as you can see, it bugs me a bit.

I'm heading to the Dunes next week. it gets cold there at night and I'm riding my Yamaha YZ450F. I'm bringing my heated vest as I can wear that under my riding gear while riding the YZ. No need to have a plug. You can also use it at ball games or anywhere else you may go where it may not be warm, you don't have to turn it on, and if you do, you have heat, no plug needed.

Buy the battery one. Check out that website, they are 30% cheaper there so it's easier to justify.

Dave

[Backhome77]

Thanks for the link! I just ordered the fleece heated vest. At that price it's a no brainer. If it doesn't meat my needs on the bike (though I think it will), I'll just use it for yard work or bicycling.

[TimOz]

Hi there,
I live in Melbourne Australia, so it does not get as cold as some places. I do ride all years and have done some nasty, cold and very very wet rides. I went to Canberra in mid-winter and it was so cold and wet that I bought a battery style heated vest from Oxford. See here: Oxford Products

It is very thin and flexible and gives nice heat. The battery seemed to last me more than 8 hours at mid-heat settings. The battery seems to take maybe 4-5 hours to fully charge. I hardly ever use this but it is light and takes up little space. It is excellent to have when I get caught in the cold. If your ride a lot in vary cold regions, this probably would not cut it but for long, cold trips in temps in the 0-15oC range it is great.