FAQ About Heated Apparel

Here are some of the most common questions and answers about heated apparels

What is heated apparel?

This is a special type of apparel that is heated by a rechargeable battery. Its purpose is to keep you warm. The heated clothing supplies the desired heat to different parts of the body.

How does heated apparel work?

The apparatus consists of a rechargeable battery, heating elements, and wires that connect them with the clothing. A controller serves to regulate temperature by controlling the flow of electricity through the wires.

It is often integrated into the battery. The heating elements are placed on areas of the clothing where heat is most needed – chest, hands, and feet.

Heating elements that can be used to warm specific parts of the body or full-body suit consist of a thin layer of electrically heated textile fabrics printed with phosphors coating. This is why the heating elements are called “phosphoric heating elements.”

What is the difference between heated apparel and electric clothing?

Actually, there is no big difference. The only difference is that it has an element of personal electronics in the first case while it contains elements of textile processing in the second one. As a result, heated apparel can have higher efficiency of heat distribution.

How long does it take to charge a battery?

About 2 hours, depending on the manufacturer and model. Some models have automatic shut-off if there is no usage so that they can be charged even longer without any effect.

What is the benefit of heated apparel when compared with classic warm clothes?

Heated apparel is much more comfortable because the temperature can be regulated at any time. Also, they are better protected from rain and outside moisture.

Can heated apparel be worn in cold weather?

Yes, once you have a rechargeable battery it functions as both an indicator of low charge level and a heater for your body. These indicators are visible so you can prepare for this.

Heating elements are usually made of what material?

Fabrics and materials with good thermal properties such as polyester and other synthetic fabrics, wool, leather, etc.

 They all have their advantages – some are more comfortable than others. The only exception is a heating vest made of a special fabric designed for use in industrial heating. It allows for higher temperature regulation.

What is the role of the controller?

A controller, often called a regulator, uses electronic circuits to monitor and control temperature. In short, it monitors the battery charge level and controls the amount of heat input into the body by using an embedded thermistor.

The controller also has a USB port to recharge it and a small LCD screen that shows the current battery charge level.

What is the difference between wireless models and those with wires?

Wireless devices are more convenient – there are no wires to follow. We recommend this type of heated apparel for commuting, hiking, or adventures in nature because nothing will distract you from your surroundings.

 You can take it anywhere and enjoy the comfort of heat away from home or office.

Which heated apparel is suitable for a ride?

Any heated apparel that has two heating zones – back and front. The controller should have an LCD screen to display the battery charge level so you know when to recharge the device.

What are the advantages of heated clothing?

Here are some benefits you will be certain to appreciate:

Comfortable and safe commuting in cold weather (in winter, it is sometimes difficult to work with both hands in gloves),

 High-quality fabrics that provide good body temperature control,

 Good aesthetics due to many variations,

Multi-functionality – they can be worn as complementing warm clothes during outdoor sports activities, working in frosty weather, or with a laptop.

What are the disadvantages of heated apparel?

Disadvantages are related to their characteristics. That is why they must be thought over before purchase – whether you will use them all that often or not, for example. The most important disadvantages include:

Cost of heated apparel – on average twice higher than that of warm clothes, it is recommended to use a battery charger while you are at home or in the office.

 Also wearing the jacket means additional weight.

What do I need to know about the safety of heated apparel?

It must be stressed that you should avoid prolonged exposure to excessive heat. Heated jackets, vests, and other apparel are designed for a relatively short exposure to high temperatures.

Under normal conditions, this is not an issue because you will naturally remove them once you no longer need the warmth.  But if worn continuously it could have a negative effect on your body temperature.

How long does the battery charge last?

Battery power will depend on whether and how you use it. Battery life can easily exceed 20 hours, but if used continuously at a high temperature it will quickly diminish. The manufacturer offers an improved model with a higher capacity that can stay charged for 40 hours.  

This is especially beneficial if you commute by bike or use heated gloves for outdoor sports. If you have a heated vest, the battery charge will last up to 5 hours of continuous heating at the highest power level.

Is it possible to operate more than one piece of apparel at once?

Yes, there are several ways: they can be connected with wires or special wireless transmission technology such as Bluetooth or Ant+; each piece of clothing can work independently and use different modes (the heating zones are independent in some models).

Are heated clothes washable?

It is possible. You must check the manufacturer’s instructions for washing heated clothes or outdoor apparel – some require special care.

Can I install heated clothing myself?

This type of apparel is very simple to install – it can be done in less than 20 minutes by following the manufacturer’s instructions. You will need a 12V power source, similarly large/small heating wires, and a controller that includes at least one temperature sensor (thermistor).

You may buy additional sensors if you wish. The system is very convenient, but you should know that it is not waterproof – special sealing tape or glue must be used.

How do I connect the heating wires?

The easiest way is to make holes in each piece of clothing and then secure them with thermocouples fixed with adhesive tape. This makes the installation process very simple, but it is not very durable and may damage the clothing over time. In this case, adhesive tape can be used for additional reinforcement.

How do I know if my heated vest or jacket has wiring inside?

Heated garments are usually manufactured in such a way that their components are sewn into the lining of the sleeves or back panel, underneath the fabric. Some models are equipped with special pockets that can accommodate wires and therefore they look more attractive.

 But there is no need to worry about damaging them with everyday wear. They are very durable and stitched in such a way that even if you use heated gloves or touch them. This will not have an adverse effect on their performance.

Can heated apparel get wet?

Heated clothing and heated gloves can be used in any condition, but they should not get wet. This is especially true of vests because their wiring is sewn into a pocket that normally sits behind the neck. If your heated vest gets excessively hot and does not shut off automatically (it usually does) it could cause some kind of injury, especially if worn against bare skin.

Are heated apparels waterproof?

This depends on the model and brand. To work properly, wired clothing requires a certain level of water resistance – at least as good as regular winter clothing. Regular waterproof models may not be capable of generating heat when wet and this could be a serious problem for outdoor enthusiasts.

 The only waterproof heated clothing is those with electronic components – they will work in any conditions and generate heat, but obviously, you cannot use them for outdoor activities because of their size and weight.

What temperature should I choose for my heated vest?

The desired temperature depends on personal preferences, as well as the temperatures outside. If it is very cold outside, a person will feel warm even at maximum temperature.

If it is mild outside, you should lower the level of heating because in that case, the greatest benefit comes from warming up with a low temperature.

If it is snowing or raining heavily, you should lower the temperature so as not to get wet – water does not dissipate well on the inside of your clothing, which could damage the wiring.

How can I order a heated vest or jacket?

There are several options. You can go to the manufacturer’s website and fill out the contact form there, or call them directly and speak with someone about your needs. If you wish to get a real bargain for a heated clothing set (jacket + pants) then you can go to the website of online stores that sell them.

Can I buy heated apparel wholesale?

If you are a provider of outdoor clothing and equipment, for example, an active store or hiking outfitter, then you can save money by buying these products wholesale.

You get the same quality at much lower prices when ordering a set of heated jackets instead of individual items. There is plenty to choose from on the web – just search for “heated jacket” or “warmer clothing” and you will see a list of manufacturers selling their products in bulk.

Can the heated apparel be customized?

Definitely. Many manufacturers offer professional customization of heated jackets. And it is also possible to customize heated garments yourself. If you can sew or have someone who can do this for you.

Then you will be able to make the jacket warmer and more functional by adding semi-elastic bands under the arms, pulling up the sleeves, or changing pockets. You can also change the color of the jacket or add your own design.

Can sick people use heated apparel?

Yes. In fact, they are particularly suitable for anyone who is weak and suffers from chronic cold or hypothermia because their bodies do not generate enough heat. Heated clothing works best when worn by people with low blood circulation – this is because it warms up the body from the inside out, so to speak.

Which groups of people can use heated apparel?

Heated clothing is commonly used by the following groups of people:

• Motorcycle riding
• Cycling
• Snowboarding
• Ice skating
• Other extreme sports
• Elderly
• People with cold-related diseases
• Camping
• Fishing

The heated apparel can be customized for each of the above groups of people.

Are heated apparels worth the money?

It largely depends on which model and brand are you talking about. Cheap models may not be durable, have an unpredictable heating system that often “burns out” or simply stop working entirely after a few sessions in the cold.

These low-end products also tend to be less comfortable because they are made from cheap materials, so you may want to invest in better-quality heated clothing if you plan on using them regularly.

Where can I buy quality heated apparel?

Always buy from reliable heated apparel manufacturers and suppliers. When looking for a reliable supplier, check if they have been in the business for quite some time and are also active users of online social networking websites.

 You can also buy from retailers or distributors that sell their products directly to consumers.