Here's a wacky idea--heated clothing

[adebattiste]

We just had a pretty severe cold spell at the mountain where I teach and it lasted for over a week. In desperation, after wearing six layers on top plus cranking my boot heaters and using hand warmers every day, I went on the internet and did a search for heated clothing. I now have a heated vest from Hammacher Schlemmer (not exactly who you think of when you buy ski clothing, but what the heck, I'll try anything once). It has carbon fiber wiring and a little battery pack that fits in the pocket, and it's supposed to be re-chargeable for up to five hours. Unfortunately the cold spell ended just as the vest arrived, so I haven't had a chance to test the battery life, but the thing seems to work pretty well and it only cost $150. Has anyone else ever tried heated clothing and had any success with it?

 

[Severine]

Haven't tried it, but I think they also sell battery-operated heated socks. One of the lifties at the ski area I work at considered them but decided the battery pack would have been a pain.

 

[Robyn]

Hi Adebattiste,

I coach for Team Summit at Copper Mountain. Please let us know how the heated vest works, I do pretty well out there as far as keeping my upper body warm but I know quite a few people who would be interested in it.

Robyn

 

[adebattiste]

Hi Adebattiste,

I coach for Team Summit at Copper Mountain. Please let us know how the heated vest works, I do pretty well out there as far as keeping my upper body warm but I know quite a few people who would be interested in it.

Robyn

Hey Robyn,

Next cold day, I'll give you a report! I can tell you I wore it around the Village on New Year's Eve, which you'll recall was pretty darn cold, and it was a pleasure to have.

I don't believe we've met before; I'll keep an eye out for you on the mountain!

Anna

 

[Robyn]

Hey Robyn,

Next cold day, I'll give you a report! I can tell you I wore it around the Village on New Year's Eve, which you'll recall was pretty darn cold, and it was a pleasure to have.

I don't believe we've met before; I'll keep an eye out for you on the mountain!

Anna

I've got our littlest group, the 5 and 6 year olds and please do say hi if you see me. I'm the only Team Summit alpine coach that wears a helmet so I'm pretty easy to pick out.

 

[Bravosarah]

This exact vest was the object of a thread on a motorcycle forum I belong to, it got a good rating from a number of riders the only negative being short battery life.

The battery pack lasts 5 hours on the low setting and 1.5 hours on the high setting. You should purchase an additional battery for back up power.

the heat is across back and chest through microfibers instead of the bulky wires in some other vest. Heat is supposed to be more even.

 

[SkiNurse]

The North Face used to make heated jackets several years ago..they were quite pricey. I don't know if they make them anymore.