And I’ll probably wear one on my walks next winter, and definitely on my next motorcycle ride in Japan.

But before you or I drop your hard-earned cash on just any heated vest, let’s get real about what actually matters. Because here’s the truth:

• The “best” heated vest doesn’t exist. It’s about finding the best heated vest for you and your specific needs. What works best in the tree stand may not be best on the motorcycle or in the oilfield. The cut, heating zones, battery life and battery size matter. 
• Overpaying is easy, getting ripped off is easier. Just because a vest has a big brand name and a high price tag doesn’t mean it’s the warmest or the best value. There are hidden gems out there that outperform the expensive stuff for a fraction of the cost.

Ready to ditch the chills and discover the heated vests that actually work for you, no matter how you face the cold? Let’s dive in and find the perfect electric hug for your torso.

Which Heated Vest is Best For Your Cold-Weather Life?

Heated vests aren’t one-size-fits-all. Your activity level, typical weather, and personal preferences all play a role in choosing the right vest to keep you toasty without overheating or running out of juice. 

So we picked out a few different use cases so we could highlight the best heated jacket for each of them:

• Everyday Warmth (Best All-Around): You need a vest that’s reliable, comfortable, and heats up fast for daily life in cold climates, whether you’re commuting, running errands, or just enjoying a winter walk. Also has a variant with the longest battery life – crucial for hunting and motorcycle touring. 
• For the Budget-Conscious (Best Value): Heated vests are often $100+ dollars. Our choice in this category is half that, so you can get warm without emptying your wallet. 
• For Extreme Cold Warriors (Best for Extreme Cold): Maybe you’re up in Alaska or working the oilfield in Alberta, ice fishing on a frozen lake or skiing in Aspen. You need maximum heat output and coverage to conquer seriously frigid temperatures.
• For Outdoor Workers (Best for Work): You need a vest that’s durable, allows for movement, and can withstand the rigors of your job without tearing or failing. 

Let’s get into the vests that top each category and see which one is your perfect match for staying warm this winter.

Everyday	Budget	Extreme Cold	Workers
Venustas Men’s Heated Vest	Neveland Men's Lightweight Heated Vest	Venustas 12V Men's Dual-Control Heated Canvas Vest	Milwaukee M12 Mens Heated AXIS Vest
Pros: 30% larger heating areas for enhanced core warmth Fast heating with a 5000mAh battery lasting up to 10 hours Lightweight, breathable nylon fabric for comfort and mobility	Pros: Independent front and back heat controls for customized warmth Long-lasting 7.4V rechargeable battery for extended use Water-resistant shell with lightweight recycled insulation	Pros: Dual control for independent heating of core and pockets Powerful 12V heat with up to 25-hour battery life Durable canvas shell with soft sherpa collar for comfor	Pros: Quick-heat function reaches temperature 3X faster Three adjustable heat settings for personalized warmth Up to 6 hours of runtime with M12 REDLITHIUM battery
Check Price on Amazon (Mens)	Check Price on Amazon (Mens)	Check Price on Amazon (Fits for Both)	Check Price on Amazon (Mens)
Check Price on Amazon (Womens)	Check Price on Amazon (Womens)		Check Price on Amazon (Womens)

Everyday

Venustas Men’s Heated Vest

Pros:

• 30% larger heating areas for enhanced core warmth
• Fast heating with a 5000mAh battery lasting up to 10 hours
• Lightweight, breathable nylon fabric for comfort and mobility

Check Price on Amazon (Mens)

Check Price on Amazon (Womens)

Budget

Neveland Men's Lightweight Heated Vest

Pros:

• Independent front and back heat controls for customized warmth
• Long-lasting 7.4V rechargeable battery for extended use
• Water-resistant shell with lightweight recycled insulation

Check Price on Amazon (Mens)

Check Price on Amazon (Womens)

Extreme Cold

Venustas 12V Men's Dual-Control Heated Canvas Vest

Pros:

• Dual control for independent heating of core and pockets
• Powerful 12V heat with up to 25-hour battery life
• Durable canvas shell with soft sherpa collar for comfor

Check Price on Amazon (Fits for Both)

Workers

Milwaukee M12 Mens Heated AXIS Vest

Pros:

• Quick-heat function reaches temperature 3X faster
• Three adjustable heat settings for personalized warmth
• Up to 6 hours of runtime with M12 REDLITHIUM battery

Check Price on Amazon (Mens)

Check Price on Amazon (Womens)

Best All-Around: Venustas Heated Vest Series (Fleece, Down, Max)

If you’re looking for a heated vest that will become a staple of your outdoor life in the winter, you’ll find the right one within Venustas’ Heated Vest series. Venustas isn’t just offering one vest; they’ve built a whole lineup to cover different needs within the “everyday warmth” category. 

Why Venustas is the “All Around” Champion:

• Versatility Across the Lineup: Venustas offers different versions of their classic heated vest to match what you like to wear, available in men’s and women’s. 
• Large Heating Areas Across All Models: No matter which Venustas you choose, you get their signature large heating panels, ensuring consistent warmth across your collar, back, shoulders, and pockets. More coverage means more cozy. 
• Comfortable, Slim Battery Design: They all share Venustas’ flatter, more comfortable battery pack design, making them easy to wear under jackets and coats without feeling bulky. Dual output USB ports mean you can charge a phone while your vest heats you up. 
• Three Heat Levels for Customizable Comfort: Each vest offers three heat settings, letting you dial in the perfect warmth for the conditions. Their 12V vest even allows you to change the heating level across zones. 
• Fast Heating, Always Ready: All Venustas vests heat up quickly, so you’re not left shivering while you wait for the warmth to kick in.

Where it falls short:

• Mid-Range Price Point (Justified by Features): Venustas vests aren’t the cheapest on the market, but the quality, features, and especially the battery life (particularly the “Max”) justify the price. If it’s just out of your budget to begin with, check out the “Best Value” pick below. 

All the options from Venustas:

• Venustas Classic Heated Vest: Thin quilted style vest provides some water and wind resistance as well.
• Venustas Fleece Heated Vest: Cozy fleece lining for extra comfort and warmth, perfect for everyday errands and milder winter days. (Carl’s review on fleece heated vest)
• Venustas Down Heated Vest: Lightweight down insulation for enhanced warmth without bulk, ideal for layering and colder conditions.
• Venustas “Max” 20-Hour Battery Life Heated Vest: The battery life king. This version boasts an insane 20 hours of runtime on low, and still delivers a solid 10+ hours on medium with its 10,000 mAh battery (can charge a phone three times over). If battery life is your absolute top priority, especially for long days outdoors, this is your best option

For anyone seeking a truly versatile, high-performing heated vest for everyday winter warmth, the Venustas Heated Vest series is the top recommendation. With options for fleece comfort, down insulation, and “Max” with massively extended battery life, Venustas offers an “All Around” solution that’s hard to beat. Pick the version that best matches your needs and prepare to enjoy winter in cozy comfort.

Mens Classic	Womens Classic
Venustas 12V Men's Dual-Control Heated Canvas Vest	Venustas Womens Heated Jacket
Primary Rating: 4.5	Primary Rating: 4.6
$149.99	$269.98$199.99
Pros: Dual control for independent heating of core and pockets Powerful 12V heat with up to 25-hour battery life Durable canvas shell with soft sherpa collar for comfor	Pros: 30% larger heating panels for superior warmth Up to 10 hours of heat with adjustable settings Includes an extra battery for extended outdoor use
Check Price on Amazon	Check Price on Amazon
Check Price on Amazon (Mens All)	Check Price on (Womens All)

Mens Classic

Venustas 12V Men's Dual-Control Heated Canvas Vest

Primary Rating:

4.5

$149.99

Pros:

• Dual control for independent heating of core and pockets
• Powerful 12V heat with up to 25-hour battery life
• Durable canvas shell with soft sherpa collar for comfor

Check Price on Amazon

Check Price on Amazon (Mens All)

Womens Classic

Venustas Womens Heated Jacket

Primary Rating:

4.6

$269.98$199.99

Pros:

• 30% larger heating panels for superior warmth
• Up to 10 hours of heat with adjustable settings
• Includes an extra battery for extended outdoor use

Check Price on Amazon

Check Price on (Womens All)

06/07/2025 04:51 am GMT

Best Value: Neveland Heated Vest

Want to stay warm without sending your bank account to sub zero? The Neveland Heated Vest delivers surprising warmth and features for an incredibly reasonable price. It’s available in men’s and women’s cuts, has independent back and front heat control, and it’s machine washable. 

Why it’s the Best Value:

• Independent Heat Zones (Front or Back!): This is a feature you usually see on much pricier vests. You can choose to heat just the front, just the back, or both. Need extra warmth on your chest but want to avoid overheating your back while working? Neveland’s got you covered.
• Heated Collar for Added Cozy: Like the Venustas line, the Neveland includes a heated collar, a fantastic bonus for a value-priced vest.
• Good Heat for the Price: Wearers of this jacket says it’s warm even on the low setting – which most budget electric heating vests can’t claim.
• Multiple Heating Zones: Six heating zones provide good coverage across your core, ensuring you feel the warmth where you need it.

Where it falls short:

• Long-Term Durability is a Question Mark: The materials might not be as heavy-duty as some of the higher-priced vests. It might not last for years of hard use, but at this price, it’s still a fantastic deal. If you need maximum durability, consider the Milwaukee (further down).
• Battery Life is Decent, Not Amazing: Battery life is in the 8-10 hour range on low heat, which is perfectly acceptable for most uses, but not the best. For very long days, you might want a spare battery (or check out the Venustas 20-hour option)

If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck in a heated vest, the Neveland Heated Vest is the clear winner. It offers impressive features and warmth at a price that’s hard to beat, making it perfect for anyone who just needs basic heated gear and wants to save some cash.

Neveland Men's Lightweight Heated Vest

Neveland Heated Vest with dual-zone heating and overheat protection.

Pros:

• Independent front and back heat controls for customized warmth
• Long-lasting 7.4V rechargeable battery for extended use
• Water-resistant shell with lightweight recycled insulation

Cons:

• Battery adds slight bulk

Check Price on Amazon (Mens) Check Price on Amazon (Womens)

We may earn commissions if you make a purchase. This keeps our site ad-free and never sponsored.

Best for Extreme Cold: Venustas 12V Heated Vest

When “cold” doesn’t even begin to describe it, and you’re facing truly brutal, bone-chilling temperatures, you need a heated vest that’s ready to turn up the heat – way up. Venustas has a 12V “sherpa” heated vest with dual control that’s made for the coldest conditions. Forget about “cozy” – this vest is about survival-level warmth.

Why it’s the Best for Extreme Cold:

• Unleashes Scorching 144°F Heat with Zone Control: While most heated vests tap out around 130°F, the Venustas 12V cranks it all the way up to a blistering 144°F. If that’s too much for you, you can toggle the heating zones on and off – just pockets, just chests and back, or all zones. 
• Five Strategic Heating Zones: Like other top contenders, the Venustas 12V provides five heating zones to blanket your core in warmth. You get zones across the back and in the pockets, ensuring heat where you need it most to combat extreme chill.
• Rapid Heat-Up: When you’re facing extreme cold, you don’t want to wait around for warmth. The 12V system heats up rapidly, delivering intense heat almost instantly when you power it on.
• Solid Battery Life: You still get 11 hours on low with all heating zones on, which is surprising considering the battery is 4800 mAh (same as other Venustas models) and Low puts out the equivalent of Medium in most other jackets. 

Where it falls short: 

• No Heated Collar: Unlike most heated vests, the Venustas 12V doesn’t include a heated collar. Maybe 144F would scorch the neck of a mere mortal! If a heated collar is a must-have for you, especially in less extreme cold, the other options from Venustas or Neveland might be better suited. However, in truly extreme conditions, prioritizing maximum core heat output over a collar might be the right trade-off.

When you’re facing the absolute worst that winter can throw at you, and your priority is uncompromising, maximum heat to survive and thrive in extreme cold, the Venustas 12V Heated Vest is the right choice. It sacrifices a heated collar and ups the power to 12V to deliver a level of heat output that other vests simply can’t match. If you’re serious about conquering extreme cold, this vest is in a league of its own.

Venustas 12V Men's Dual-Control Heated Canvas Vest

Venustas 12V Heated Canvas Vest with dual-zone control and sherpa lining

Pros:

• Dual control for independent heating of core and pockets
• Powerful 12V heat with up to 25-hour battery life
• Durable canvas shell with soft sherpa collar for comfor

Cons:

• Higher price compared to other heated vests

Check Price on Amazon (Fits for Both)

We may earn commissions if you make a purchase. This keeps our site ad-free and never sponsored.

Best for Work: Milwaukee M12 Heated AXIS Vest

Milwaukee tools are synonymous with toughness and durability, and their M12 Heated AXIS Vest lives up to that reputation. If you need a heated vest that can withstand the daily grind of outdoor work, this is your go-to. The biggest plus? It works with Milwaukee’s M12 Battery system. 

Why it’s the Best for Work:

• Ultra-Durable Ripstop Fabric: Milwaukee uses their signature ripstop nylon fabric, which is incredibly resistant to rips, tears, and abrasions. This vest is built to handle demanding work environments and physical labor. 
• Wind and Water Resistance: It’ll block out wind and shrug off light rain or snow, adding to its ruggedness and making it suitable for various outdoor work conditions.
• Milwaukee M12 Battery Compatibility: If you’re already using Milwaukee M12 power tools, this vest is a no-brainer. You can use the same batteries you already own and use every day.
• Solid, Reliable Heat: It provides dependable warmth for cold workdays, with heat zones targeting the core. 

Where it falls short:

• The M12 Battery is Bulky: The M12 battery system, while convenient, is bulkier and less comfortable than the slim batteries included with most heated vests. If you don’t mind having a battery at the edge of your stomach or lower back, it won’t be a problem. But depending on the work you’re doing, it could get in the way. 
• Shorter Battery Life: The M12 only lasts for 8 hours on low heat, unlike the 10-12 hours that’s standard with most heated vests. 
• No Collar Heat: You just get front and back, which is a disappointment given the price vs other options on the market. 

For outdoor workers who need a heated vest that’s as tough as their workday, and especially for those already invested in the Milwaukee M12 battery system, the Milwaukee M12 Heated AXIS Vest is a great option. It’s built to withstand abuse and keep you warm on the job, day in and day out.

Milwaukee M12 Mens Heated AXIS Vest

Milwaukee M12 Heated AXIS Vest with fast-heating technology and durable design

Pros:

• Quick-heat function reaches temperature 3X faster
• Three adjustable heat settings for personalized warmth
• Up to 6 hours of runtime with M12 REDLITHIUM battery

Cons:

• Higher price compared to similar heated vests

Check Price on Amazon (Mens) Check Price on Amazon (Womens)

We may earn commissions if you make a purchase. This keeps our site ad-free and never sponsored.

Heated Vest Buying Guide

Ready to choose your perfect heated vest and say goodbye to winter chills? Fantastic. But before you make that final decision, let’s run through the essential factors to consider to ensure you get the right vest for your specific needs, whether you’re riding a motorcycle, working outdoors, hunting, or just braving a cold winter:

• Heating Zones and Coverage (Think About Your Needs): More heating zones generally mean more even warmth distribution. Consider where you feel the cold most. Chest and back zones are essential for everyone. Heated collars are fantastic for extra neck and upper back warmth. Pocket heaters are a bonus for hand warmth, especially for outdoor workers or hunters.
• Heat Output and Settings (Versatility is Key): Look for vests with multiple heat settings (low, medium, high) to adapt to changing temperatures and activity levels. Independent zone control (like on the Neveland) is a great feature for customizing warmth. “High” should be seriously warm for the coldest days, while lower settings are for milder chill or when you’re more active.
• Battery Life and Type (Match to Your Usage): Battery life is critical, especially for long workdays, hunting trips, or extended outdoor activities. Check the claimed battery life on each setting and read user reviews to see if those claims hold up in real-world use. Consider how long you typically spend in the cold and choose a battery life that matches. Also, think about the battery type and shape. Slimmer batteries are generally more comfortable, especially under layers. If you use Milwaukee M12 tools, their vest might be a convenient option.
• Fit and Layering (Comfort and Effectiveness): Heated vests work best when worn close to the body. Look for vests with a trim or athletic fit that can easily layer under jackets or outerwear without feeling bulky or restrictive. Adjustable waistbands or cinches can help you fine-tune the fit.
• Material and Durability (Consider Your Activity): Think about the conditions you’ll be using the vest in. For outdoor work or hunting, durability is key. Look for ripstop fabrics, reinforced stitching, and weather resistance (wind and water resistance). For more casual everyday use, comfort and style might be higher priorities.
• Comfort and Features (Little Things Matter): Consider comfort features like soft linings, heated collars, and zippered pockets (especially important for work or activities where you need secure pockets). Think about zipper quality, button placement, and overall ease of use.
• Washability (Practicality): Let’s face it, gear gets dirty. Check if the vest is machine washable (usually after removing the battery) for easy care and maintenance.
• Style (Everyday Wear vs. Specialized Use): Consider where and how you’ll be wearing the vest. For everyday use, you might want a more neutral, stylish design. For hunting, camouflage is key. For work, a more utilitarian look might be perfectly fine.
• Price and Value (Balance Budget and Needs): Set a budget, but don’t automatically go for the cheapest vest. Consider the features, performance, durability, and battery life you’re getting for the price. Sometimes, spending a bit more upfront can get you a vest that lasts longer, performs better, and ultimately provides better value over time.

Heated Vest Comparison Table: At a Glance

To make your decision even easier, here’s a quick side-by-side comparison of the top heated vests we’ve explored, highlighting their key strengths:

Final Thoughts: Embrace the Warmth, Conquer the Cold

Heated vests are no longer a niche luxury; they’re a practical and increasingly essential piece of gear for anyone who faces cold weather, whatever your activity. Whether you’re battling winter commutes, working outdoors in frigid temperatures, pursuing your passion for hunting, or enjoying a motorcycle ride in the chill, a quality heated vest can transform your experience.

Don’t let the cold sideline you this winter. Invest in a heated vest that matches your needs, and you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes. Stay warm, stay comfortable, and make the most of every season – even winter!

The post The Best Heated Vests for Staying Warm All Winter first appeared on It's Better On The Road.

Ready to get a heated jacket? Consider these:

• More heating zones doesn’t always mean a warmer jacket. Companies boast about zone counts, but heating element quality and power output matter way more. A jacket with fewer, more powerful, and strategically placed zones can be warmer than one with tons of weak, poorly positioned elements. Don’t get caught up in the zone number hype.
• Battery life claims are often wildly misleading. Those “10-hour battery life” claims? Usually on the lowest setting in ideal conditions. Actual usage on high heat? Expect significantly less. Don’t believe the marketing hype; dig into tests and understand heat level vs. battery life trade-offs.
• For you motorcycle riders – heated jackets don’t mean tethering to your bike. While plug-in 12V systems are the classic, many newer heated jackets are powered by slim batteries that tuck away inside the jacket itself, providing all day warmth without a tangle of wires. And, you can wear them off the bike. 

Best Heated Jackets for Every Scenario

Before we get to specific jackets suited for both men and women, let’s quickly break down what kind of heated jacket might be your best riding buddy (or hiking pal, or everyday winter warrior).

• Everyday Use: Comfort, consistent warmth, and versatility are paramount. You need a jacket that can handle daily wear, whether you’re commuting, running errands, or just braving a polar vortex to get the mail.
• Hiking: Lightweight, packable, and breathable is the name of the game. You’ll want a jacket that moves with you, won’t weigh you down on the trail, and can adjust to your needs whether you’re hoofing it or sitting down for a breather. Battery life is key for longer treks.
• Hunting: Sitting for hours in the blind, you want something that’s going to keep you warm while stationary without hot or cold spots. Insulation is key. If you’re after turkeys, camo helps too.
• Motorcycle Riding: You need a lightweight, reliable heat source that can stand up to wind chill at speed. It has to have a reliable battery or be able to plug in to your bike’s battery for endless warmth. 

Here are the top picks laid out, but we have a few more options in the article below (like a fleece from Venustas).

Everday	Hiking	Hunting	Motorcycle Riding
Venustas Men's Heated Jacket	ORORO Mens Soft Shell Heated Jacket	TIDEWE Mens Heated Jacket	Gerbing 12V Heated Jacket Liner
Pros: Enlarged heating zones for full-body warmth Long-lasting battery doubles as a power bank Waterproof design with multiple storage pockets	Pros: Four heating zones: Collar, pockets, and back Three heat settings: High, medium, low Up to 10 hours of warmth with a 7.38V battery	Pros: Long-lasting warmth with adjustable heat settings 100% waterproof and windproof for outdoor protection Includes a power bank for heating and phone charging	Pros: Plugs directly into your motorcycle for unlimited power Pre-wired for heated gloves and other gear Slim fit design slips under any riding jacket
Check Price on Amazon	Check Price on Amazon	Check Price on Amazon	Check Price on Revzilla

Everday

Venustas Men's Heated Jacket

Pros:

• Enlarged heating zones for full-body warmth
• Long-lasting battery doubles as a power bank
• Waterproof design with multiple storage pockets

Check Price on Amazon

Hiking

ORORO Mens Soft Shell Heated Jacket

Pros:

• Four heating zones: Collar, pockets, and back
• Three heat settings: High, medium, low
• Up to 10 hours of warmth with a 7.38V battery

Check Price on Amazon

Hunting

TIDEWE Mens Heated Jacket

Pros:

• Long-lasting warmth with adjustable heat settings
• 100% waterproof and windproof for outdoor protection
• Includes a power bank for heating and phone charging

Check Price on Amazon

Motorcycle Riding

Gerbing 12V Heated Jacket Liner

Pros:

• Plugs directly into your motorcycle for unlimited power
• Pre-wired for heated gloves and other gear
• Slim fit design slips under any riding jacket

Check Price on Revzilla

All of these jackets feature three heat levels – the industry standard – aside from the 12V vehicle plug-in option which has many more. Most of these jackets are washable – just remove the batteries and they can go in the washer and dryer.

Best for Everyone: Venustas Heated Jacket

This is the heated jacket that can do it all – maybe not the best option for each individual use case, but certainly the best for daily use: walking the dog, some hiking, a bit of camping, and riding a motorcycle around town. 

The best all-around heated jacket is the Venustas Heated Jacket. This jacket strikes a balance between performance and everyday wearability.

Venustas Men's Heated Jacket

Venustas Men’s Heated Jacket delivers all-day warmth with advanced heating technology and insulation.

Pros:

• Enlarged heating zones for full-body warmth
• Long-lasting battery doubles as a power bank
• Waterproof design with multiple storage pockets

Cons:

• Charger not included in the package

Check Price on Amazon

We may earn commissions if you make a purchase. This keeps our site ad-free and never sponsored.

Quick Facts: 

• Run Time on Highest Heat: 6 hours
• Heating Zones: Chest, back, and collar
• Separate Battery: With USB Type-C input and Type-A output, so you can charge a phone with it too. 

Key Features:

• Upgraded 7.4V Battery with 4800mAh: Offers improved battery life and consistent heat output. Users often point out that Venustas provides a good run time for the price, almost 6 hours in testing. 
• Four Heating Zones (including collar): Strategically placed zones warm your chest, back, and even neck. That collar heating is really nice for keeping the cold from getting to the often exposed neck. 
• Lightweight and Stylish Design: Looks right casually or on a hike, without screaming “technical gear.” It’s designed to blend into your everyday wardrobe, so you can wear it to the coffee shop or the office without looking like you’re geared up for an expedition.
• Two Year Warranty on Heating Elements: Should you need it, they’ll replace the heating elements. So feel free to put this jacket through it’s paces!
• Several Cut Options: Get a classic jacket, puffer, or fleece. Several options come with removable hoods and different levels of wind and water resistance. 

Our contributor Carl uses his Venustas vest for winter motorcycle rides and walks around the neighborhood. He wanted a heated jacket that could handle both, and Venustas delivered with its lightweight and easily hidden battery that tucks in by the lower back.

Men's Jacket	Men's Puffer	Women's Jacket	Women's Fleece
Venustas Men's 3-in-1 Heated Jacket	Venustas Men's Heated Puffer Jacket	Venustas Womens Heated Jacket	Venustas Women's Fleece Heated Jacket
$249.98$219.99	N/A	$269.98$199.99	$189.99$139.99
Pros: Three-in-one design for various weather conditions Five heating zones for even warmth distribution Extra battery pack for longer heating duration	Pros: Six heating zones for full-body warmth Up to 13 hours of heat with an extended battery Water-resistant and machine-washable for easy care	Pros: 30% larger heating panels for superior warmth Up to 10 hours of heat with adjustable settings Includes an extra battery for extended outdoor use	Pros: Five heating zones for full-body comfort Up to 10 hours of warmth with adjustable settings Machine washable and durable with YKK zippers
Check Price on Amazon	Check Price on Amazon	Check Price on Amazon	Check Price on Amazon

Men's Jacket

Venustas Men's 3-in-1 Heated Jacket

$249.98$219.99

Pros:

• Three-in-one design for various weather conditions
• Five heating zones for even warmth distribution
• Extra battery pack for longer heating duration

Check Price on Amazon

Men's Puffer

Venustas Men's Heated Puffer Jacket

N/A

Pros:

• Six heating zones for full-body warmth
• Up to 13 hours of heat with an extended battery
• Water-resistant and machine-washable for easy care

Check Price on Amazon

Women's Jacket

Venustas Womens Heated Jacket

$269.98$199.99

Pros:

• 30% larger heating panels for superior warmth
• Up to 10 hours of heat with adjustable settings
• Includes an extra battery for extended outdoor use

Check Price on Amazon

Women's Fleece

Venustas Women's Fleece Heated Jacket

$189.99$139.99

Pros:

• Five heating zones for full-body comfort
• Up to 10 hours of warmth with adjustable settings
• Machine washable and durable with YKK zippers

Check Price on Amazon

06/07/2025 04:51 am GMT

Best for Hiking: Ororo Classic Heated Jacket

For hikers and anyone who values freedom of movement, the Ororo Classic Heated Jacket is a top contender. This jacket is all about lightweight warmth and versatility, styled in a technical jacket that moves with you on the trails. 

A taller collar with detachable hood and adjustable hem feels just like your favorite technical jacket, except you won’t need a mid-layer, scarf, or even a shell given the heating elements in the chest, back, and collar and the wind and water resistant outer shell. 

Quick Facts: 

• Run Time on Highest Heat: 6 hours
• Heating Zones: Chest, back, and collar
• Separate Battery: With USB Type-C input and Type-A output, so you can charge a phone with it too. About the same size battery as Venustas. 

Key Features:

• 7.4V Battery System with 4800mAh: Provides hours of cordless heat with a perfect for hiking and daily use. 
• Four Heating Zones: Focuses warmth on your chest and back, keeping your core cozy without overheating you during activity. Collar can be switched on and off as well, making a scarf unnecessary. 
• Lightweight and Packable: Won’t weigh you down on the trail and easily stuffs into a backpack when not needed. 
• Water and Wind Resistant: Protects you from light rain and wind chill.
• USB Charging Port: The battery pack doubles as a portable charger for your phone – a lifesaver on the trail.

What really stands out about this jacket versus others is its technical styling and features. Battery-wise, you’re looking at a very similar experience to the Venustas jacket, but the adjustability, weather-resistance and styling are much better fit to the needs of hiking. 

Best For: Hikers, walkers, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone who needs a lightweight, versatile heated jacket for everyday cold weather comfort.

Men's	Women's
ORORO Soft Shell Heated Jacket	ORORO Women's Heated Jacket
Pros: Four heating zones: Collar, pockets, and back Three heat settings: High, medium, low Up to 10 hours of warmth with a 7.38V battery	Pros: Fast heating with up to 10 hours of battery life Slim fit design for a flattering look Wind and water-resistant for outdoor protection
Check Price on Amazon	Check Price on Amazon

Men's

ORORO Soft Shell Heated Jacket

Pros:

• Four heating zones: Collar, pockets, and back
• Three heat settings: High, medium, low
• Up to 10 hours of warmth with a 7.38V battery

Check Price on Amazon

Women's

ORORO Women's Heated Jacket

Pros:

• Fast heating with up to 10 hours of battery life
• Slim fit design for a flattering look
• Wind and water-resistant for outdoor protection

Check Price on Amazon

Best for Hunting: TideWe Heated Jacket

Just looking at this jacket you can tell who it’s for. The TideWe jacket is a similar offering to Venustas and Ororo in that it’s powered by a separate rechargeable battery pack, but you get a bigger battery that’s not as comfortable to carry when moving – but perfect for long stretches sitting and waiting. 

It’s also quite a bit cheaper than the others! But don’t let the low price fool you; this jacket delivers surprising heat and features for the money.

Quick Facts: 

• Run Time on Highest Heat: 3 hours (10 on low)
• Heating Zones: Chest, back, and collar
• Separate Battery: With USB Type-C and microUSB inputs and two USB Type-A outputs

Key Features:

• 5V Battery System with 10,000mAh: Provides hours of heat and some phone charge as well – this battery has two ports so you can charge a device while your jacket is heating. 
• Two Piece Design: The inner liner carries the heating elements, with an outer waterproof shell with sealed seams and a hardened brim hood that comes in black or forest camo. 
• Three Heating Zones: The inner fleece shell delivers warmth to the chest and back, with temperatures ranging from 100F (low) to 130F (high) – necessary when you’re stationary in frigidly cold conditions. 
• Two USB Charging Ports: Power your heated gear while also powering up your phone or another device at the same time. 

Best For: Hunters and budget-minded buyers looking for a solid heated jacket lacking some of the bells and whistles of Venustas or Ororo. Pick up some heated hunting pants as well. 

TIDEWE Mens Heated Jacket

TIDEWE Men’s Heated Jacket keeps you warm and dry in any weather with its 3-in-1 versatile design.

Pros:

• Long-lasting warmth with adjustable heat settings
• 100% waterproof and windproof for outdoor protection
• Includes a power bank for heating and phone charging

Cons:

• Battery life may be shorter on the highest setting

Check Price on Amazon

We may earn commissions if you make a purchase. This keeps our site ad-free and never sponsored.

Best for Motorcycle Touring: Gerbing 12V EX Pro Heated Jacket

This jacket is built for one thing and one thing only: absolute, unwavering warmth on your motorcycle. The Gerbing 12V Heated Jacket is not messing around. This goes way above and beyond what a 7V portable system can deliver – it’s a personal furnace you wear under your riding gear.

Quick Facts: 

• Run Time on Highest Heat: Unlimited, with its highest heat at 135F
• Heating Zones: Chest, back, collar, and sleeves

Key Features

• 12V Power System: This Gerbing jacket plugs directly into your bike’s battery, giving you virtually limitless heat. Say goodbye to range anxiety. The jacket plugs into a Gerbing temp controller unit that then connects directly to your bike’s battery. 
• Extensive Heating Zones: Seven Microwire heating zones target your chest (x2), back (x2), collar, and sleeves (x2). You’ll be enveloped in warmth from head to torso to arms. You also get glove connections at the end of the sleeves so you can attach a pair of Gerbing heated gloves. 
• Compatible with Multiple Vehicles: You can plug this jacket into a motorcycle, but also a snowmobile, ATV, boat, or even an airplane for unlimited heat. 
• Premium Construction: YKK zippers and an elastic cuff at the wrists keep the heat in and the cold out. 

Keep in mind this jacket is not a protective motorcycle jacket – you’ll still want something else over top for impact and abrasion protection. This jacket is meant to be worn underneath another motorcycle jacket. 

You will need a Gerbing Battery Harness and a Gerbing Temperature Controller to get the jacket running, but you’ll never have to worry about battery life on a ride or adventure. 

Gerbing also offers 7V options with portable batteries like the Gerbing 7V Khione 2.0 Heated Puffer Jacket, but they won’t provide the range and max heat output of a 12V bike connected system. 

Best For: The hardcore rider who is putting in serious miles in the cold, especially when you may be far from a power outlet for longer than expected. 

Gerbing 12V Heated Jacket Liner

The Gerbing 12V Heated Jacket Liner keeps you warm in any riding condition with Microwire Technology and seven heating zones for full coverage.

Pros:

• Plugs directly into your motorcycle for unlimited power
• Pre-wired for heated gloves and other gear
• Slim fit design slips under any riding jacket

Cons:

• Heat controller and battery harness sold separately

Check Price on Revzilla

We may earn commissions if you make a purchase. This keeps our site ad-free and never sponsored.

Gerbing 12V Heated Pant Liner

The Gerbing 12V Heated Pant Liner delivers all-day warmth with Microwire Technology and four heating zones for full lower-body coverage.

Pros:

• Plugs into your motorcycle for unlimited power
• Pre-wired for heated socks or insoles
• Lightweight design fits under any riding pants

Cons:

• Heat controller and battery harness sold separately

Check Price on Revzilla

We may earn commissions if you make a purchase. This keeps our site ad-free and never sponsored.

Best for Adventure Riding: Klim Aggressor eFire Heated Shirt

If you demand the best of the best, and are willing to pay for it, the Klim Aggressor eFire Heated Shirt is in a league of its own. This isn’t exactly a heated jacket, it’s a super lightweight heated shirt powered by a slim battery that tucks inside. 

Perfect for adventure riders who need maximum mobility and ultralight gear. 

Quick Facts: 

• Run Time on Highest Heat: 2.5 hours (8 on low)
• Heating Zones: Chest and back
• Separate Battery: With USB Type-C and microUSB inputs and two USB Type-A outputs

Key Features:

• 7.4V Battery System with 2,250mAh: Provides enough heat for a day ride while being significantly smaller than the typical portable battery for a heated jacket – about half the size of the one that comes with Venustas and Ororo jackets. 
• Lightweight and Breathable Material: This shirt is designed to add heat but also let it (and your sweat) wick away – exactly what you want when you’re going at high intensity in a cold climate. Sweat kills faster than cold. 
• Two Heating Zones: Chest and back. This layer prioritizes trapping your natural heat with a waffle pattern instead of sticking heating elements everywhere, thus making it super slim and easy to layer. You still get three heat levels.  

Interested in more base layers? See our guide to layering on your rides. 

Best For: Adventure and off-road riders tackling cold conditions. As long as you can keep the battery charged up, this shirt gives you the flexibility to take on hard enduro or adventure rides in the harshest conditions.

Klim Aggressor eFire Heated Shirt

$199

• Gridded fabric design traps heat
• Flat low-profile seams for excellent minimum-bulk layering
• Engineered specifically for power sports
• Poly-spandex blend
• Anti-microbial
• Moisture-wicking

Check Price on Revzilla

We may earn commissions if you make a purchase. This keeps our site ad-free and never sponsored.

Buying Guide: Finding Your Perfect Fit

Okay, so you’ve seen some top contenders. But how do you choose the heated jacket that’s perfect for you? Here’s a quick buying guide to help you dial it in:

• Power Source: Battery vs Plug In
  • Battery Powered (5V or 7V): Cordless freedom, versatile for on and off-bike use. Battery life is a factor, usually ranging from 3-10 hours depending on how hard you crank the heat. 
  • External Power Source (12V): Maximum heat, unlimited power, best for serious cold and long motorcycle rides. Requires bike connection.
• Heating Zones: More zones generally mean more even and comprehensive warmth. Consider zones in the chest, back, collar, and sleeves.
• Heat Levels/Control: Look for jackets with multiple heat settings and easy-to-use controls (especially for motorcycle riders).
• Material and Construction: Durability, water resistance, wind resistance, and breathability are all important, especially for motorcycle and hiking use.
• Fit and Layering: Consider how the jacket will fit with your other layers. Liners are designed to be slim; standalone jackets may have a more relaxed fit.
• Battery Life (for Battery-Powered): Check battery life ratings and consider your typical use case. Extra batteries can be a good investment for longer adventures.
• Safety Features (for Motorcycle): Look for integrated armor if you want added protection.

Heated Jacket Comparison: Quick Glance

Warmth Awaits: Your Next Adventure Starts Here

Don’t let cold weather dictate when and how you ride, hike, or live your life. A heated jacket is an investment in comfort, safety, and extending your adventures into the frosty months. Whether you choose the Gerbing for ultimate motorcycle warmth, the Ororo for hiking freedom, the TideWe for budget-friendly heat, the Venustas for everyday versatility, or the Klim for the lightest weight, you’ll be equipped for the next adventure (or dog walk!)

Stay warm out there!

What are your experiences with heated jackets? Share your stories and recommendations in the comments below!

The post The Best Heated Jackets for Walks, Rides, Hikes and Hunts first appeared on It's Better On The Road.

There’s also the comfort issue; if I was just zipping across town to go to lunch, I’d rather not wear motorcycle pants I have to strip off at my destination. 

However, road rash is also no fun. 

So when I saw what Bowtex built with the Bowtex Elite protective underlayers, I was itching for a pair. Thankfully, our Senior Editor JM Staelens gifted me his old set, which fit just right. 

Rather watch this? Here’s my full review in video form.

Designed to bridge the gaps between comfort, style, and protection, the Bowtex underlayers are a revolution for riders who hate the bulk of traditional armored clothing, yet still want to survive a highway slide (which Bowtex will)

Here’s why I love the Bowtex Elite:

1. You’ll forget you’re even wearing it. This underlayer is as close as you’ll get to riding in your pajamas while still packing a CE AAA rating that means key abrasion zones will survive a 75 mph (120 kph) slide on asphalt. 
2. You’ll stay cool in the heat (and warm in the cold). This is one of the most breathable protective layers out there, even in 100°F weather, making it a lifesaver for those hot summer days. Plus you can layer whatever you want over it, so it’s good for cold weather too. 
3. You won’t look like a motorcycle rider. If you’re tired of looking like an armored turtle just to please your wife, the Bowtex Elite have your back: wear them under your favorite jeans and jacket, so you don’t have to choose between safety, style, and comfort.

I’ve taken this underlayer through city commutes, countryside twisties, and everything in between in both hot and cold weather, dry and wet. Here’s what makes it a game-changer—and where it might fall short for certain riders.

Our Pick

Bowtex Elite Shirt and Pants

The Bowtex Elite is a strong, abrasion resistant and slim-fitting armored underlayer that's also breathable and lightweight. The best in its category that I've tried. CE AAA rated for slide and impact resistance - same as a MotoGP race suit. And you get 5% off with the buttons below! That's dinner on us!

Pros:

• CE AAA safety rated - same as MotoGP race suit
• CE Level 2 armor at elbows, shoulders, knees, hips
• Wear over a t-shirt, under a jacket
• Mesh all around for airflow
• Belt loops to hold the shirt down

Cons:

• Meant to be layered with casual jacket / pants

Shirt (5% off!) Pants (5% off!)

We may earn commissions if you make a purchase. This keeps our site ad-free and never sponsored.

How I Wear Bowtex

It should go without saying that your safety is your responsibility; don’t take the opinion of a guy on the internet as fact. But I can tell you from my experience how and when I wear Bowtex, and if you’d like to vent, drop it in the YouTube comments.

The Bowtex Elite is an armored underlayer designed for motorcyclists who prioritize safety, versatility, and comfort. It is not made for track racing or excessive speeds over and above what’s legal on most roads.  

Made from ultra-durable materials like Dyneema and Kevlar, it offers abrasion resistance that rivals (and exceeds) full-on motorcycle jeans, but with the flexibility and breathability of a lightweight base layer. The CE AAA rating the Bowtex Elite earned means the key abrasion zones on the garment can survive a slide of 75 mph (120 kph). That’s an insane amount of abrasion protection. 

And while the Bowtex set is shipped with CE Level 1 armor at the hips, knees, chest, back, and elbows, it’s designed to be thin and flexible rather than provide maximum impact protection or coverage. 

This all makes Bowtex perfect for:

• Touring: Spending hours in the saddle? This underlayer is lightweight, breathable, and so comfortable you might forget you’re wearing it. Wear whatever you like on top.
• Urban Riders: Slide it under a pair of jeans and your favorite jacket for a stylish yet protective ride through the city.
• Summer Rides: Ditch the swamp of riding in heavy leathers: The Bowtex Elite’s cooling properties make it a fantastic choice for hot weather.

I find myself wearing underlayers like Bowtex when I go out for dinner or I’m on a tour that features much more than just riding; like cruising around Japan to onsens and fish markets. 

What is Bowtex NOT for? Track days and spirited street riding where speeds push beyond 75 mph. A proper track suit, tight helmet, and airbag are much better suited to that environment. 

Now that we have that out of the way…

What I Love

It’s a lot…

All-Weather Comfort and Versatility

The Bowtex Elite truly shines as an all-season, all-conditions underlayer – mostly because it’s as thin as can be, allowing you to layer whatever you want on top. Over the past year, I’ve ridden with this set in everything from cold, crisp mornings in Japan to the sweltering, humid afternoons of Thailand. 

In Japan, where temperatures dipped and layering was key, the Elite fit seamlessly under a Patagonia R1 and a Rab jacket, plus my favorite pair of jeans. I was even able to sneak a layer of long underwear underneath them for even more comfort and warmth. These layers were enough insulation to keep me warm without overheating when I stopped for a coffee. Sometimes I unzipped the Bowtex shirt at a stop, but often I kept it on. 

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Thailand’s relentless heat and humidity were a real test. Riding in over 100°F (40°C ) temperatures, I feared the Elite would trap heat, but its lightweight, breathable fabric proved otherwise. Air flows freely through the underlayer when I’m moving, and wearing it under a light dirtbike jersey means the black material doesn’t suck in any heat from the sun. 

CE AAA Protection in a Featherweight Package

The Bowtex Elite’s AAA abrasion rating is its crowning achievement. This is the same rated level of protection you’d find in a MotoGP racing suit, so theoretically on a highway-speed slide you’re getting the same protection. 

What’s incredible is how thin and lightweight the material is. Hold it up to the light, and you can see through the weave—yet it’s tough enough to withstand a slide at 75 mph on asphalt. That’s a level of protection you don’t expect from gear this unobtrusive.

One of the standout moments in my experience was watching footage of the Bowtex founder being dragged behind a bike while wearing this gear. If that’s not confidence in your product, I don’t know what is. This toughness doesn’t just live in marketing—it’s real-world proven.

Ergonomically Thought-Out Design

The Bowtex Elite has a host of thoughtful design features that enhance its usability. For instance, the thumb loops on the shirt ensure the sleeves stay in place, even during a slide. Similarly, the pants come with belt loops that you can attach to your jeans, preventing the underlayer from riding up—a small but significant touch.

Another feature I appreciated was the placement of armor pockets. The shirt and leggings come equipped with CE Level 1 pads for shoulders, elbows, back, chest, knees, and hips. I upgraded mine to CE Level 2, and the pads stayed perfectly aligned, even after hours of riding. The seams, triple-stitched for durability, add to the confidence I have that this garment is not coming apart in a crash. 

It’s also very easy to clean this set, and I notice very little wear and tear from washing. Just take out the armor and toss it in a washing machine on cold. Fresh as a daisy. 

Stealthy Style for Urban Riders

The Bowtex Elite is perfect for riders who want safety without sacrificing style. One rainy day here in Chiang Mai, I layered the Elite under my favorite pair of jeans and a casual jacket. When I got to my destination—a bustling café—no one could tell I was wearing AAA-rated protection. Even after hours off the bike, I didn’t feel the need to change out of my gear. It’s that lightweight and discreet.

This aspect of the Elite is particularly appealing for urban commuters or anyone who needs to transition between riding and everyday life without lugging around bulky gear. Whether grabbing dinner with friends or running errands, the Bowtex Elite ends the trade-offs between comfort, style, and safety. 

What I Don’t Like

While the Bowtex Elite is an impressive piece of gear, there are a few aspects that left room for improvement.

Elasticity Concerns in the Waistband

One of the most noticeable drawbacks was the waistband on the leggings. After several months of consistent use, the elastic started to lose its stretch, which made it harder to keep the leggings snug, especially when worn without a tighter pair of pants and a belt. 

However, Bowtex has addressed this in their next iteration of the product by adding a drawstring for a more secure fit.

Lack of Pockets for Standalone Use

The minimalist design of the Elite means no external pockets on either the shirt or leggings. For riders like me who occasionally wear the underlayer (especially top) as standalone gear on short rides or super hot days, I found this occasionally inconvenient.

While this isn’t a design flaw—since the Elite is meant to be worn under regular clothing—it’s a limitation I couldn’t shake.

Warmth in Extreme Heat

Although the Elite is highly breathable when moving, it doesn’t perform miracles when you’re stationary in extreme heat and sun. At stops, the lightweight material becomes less effective at keeping you cool, and the added armor traps heat against the skin. Riders in tropical or desert climates might want to pair the Elite with a highly ventilated light layer on top, like a mesh jacket or a dirtbike jersey. 

Differentiation with Bowtex

The Bowtex Elite stands out in several ways, but it’s essential to see how it compares to similar options on the market. Whether you’re debating between brands or deciding if it’s the right gear for you, here’s a breakdown of what makes Bowtex unique versus its competition. 

Unparalleled AAA Protection in an Underlayer

The Bowtex Elite is among the very few underlayers that achieve a AAA abrasion rating. This level of protection is rare for gear designed to be worn discreetly under casual clothing, though it is becoming more common with Pando Moto, Knox and a few others starting to level up their garments to match that AAA rating. 

I am also a big fan of the Pando Moto Skin UH AAA leggings, though they do not use their tough Balistex fiber all around the garment like Bowtex does with their Dyneema. Pando puts a thinner, more flexible and breathable material on the inside of the legs, as CE AAA testing criteria doesn’t hold that part of the garment to as high an abrasion resistance standard. 

Style: In The Garment or Outside? 

Bowtex takes a fresh look at the style debate in motorcycle gear (for those who care). 

Instead of working great style into the gear itself, just wear whatever you want on top. I think that’s a win not just for style, but for practicality in different weather conditions; I can layer on whatever technical jackets or rain clothes I like best, and also use them for non-riding (hiking, daily use, etc). That allows me to stretch my dollar further and get more use out of solid pieces like the Patagonia R1 and Rab Microlight jackets.

Worth it?

The Bowtex Elite is a remarkable underlayer that blends high-level protection with everyday comfort. Over a year of testing, it proved versatile across diverse climates, offering AAA-rated abrasion resistance in a lightweight, breathable package. It excels for riders who want protection without bulky gear, sliding seamlessly under regular clothing while keeping you safe.

However, it’s not perfect. The version I tested has wear issues with the waistband that affect fit, and the lack of standalone features like pockets may be inconvenient for some. It also doesn’t provide much warmth on cold rides, so layering is essential in cooler weather.

If you’re after gear that prioritizes safety, comfort, and adaptability for touring and commuting, the Bowtex Elite is an outstanding choice. It’s a worthwhile investment for riders looking to elevate their gear without sacrificing mobility or style.

Our Pick

Bowtex Elite Shirt and Pants

The Bowtex Elite is a strong, abrasion resistant and slim-fitting armored underlayer that's also breathable and lightweight. The best in its category that I've tried. CE AAA rated for slide and impact resistance - same as a MotoGP race suit. And you get 5% off with the buttons below! That's dinner on us!

Pros:

• CE AAA safety rated - same as MotoGP race suit
• CE Level 2 armor at elbows, shoulders, knees, hips
• Wear over a t-shirt, under a jacket
• Mesh all around for airflow
• Belt loops to hold the shirt down

Cons:

• Meant to be layered with casual jacket / pants

Shirt (5% off!) Pants (5% off!)

We may earn commissions if you make a purchase. This keeps our site ad-free and never sponsored.

The post Bowtex Elite Protective Underlayer: The One Layer to Rule Them All first appeared on It's Better On The Road.

On paper, the Alpinestars SMX-1 Air v2 gloves seem to check all the boxes for a summer glove—lightweight and breathable, constructed of sturdy goat leather with double-stitched seams, sporting an unnecessarily long name, all for a price that’s affordable for the casual rider. 

But having ridden 20,000 miles in these across a variety of climates, including the sweltering summer heat of the USA and the relentless humidity of Thailand, I’m here to tell you that these gloves have major flaws—and they aren’t as easy to overlook as some may suggest.

Watch my full review on these gloves after three years of riding with them:

The Good

These gloves have their strengths – starting with the MSRP price of $70, which for a leather glove from Alpinestars is not a bad deal. 

In my experience riding through the jungles of Thailand and the deserts of the USA (in July, no less) they do flow air well through the mesh on the fingers. You won’t get as much down on your palms as you do with a textile or suede glove, but you also get the protection of leather on that all-important hand. 

I’ve also found that these gloves fit very well. No pain at the base of the thumb, in the fingers or at the hard knuckle guard – at the start of my wear or after 3 years of use. 

The leather is surprisingly durable, though it has a deal-breaking issue that appeared a few months in that I’ll get to in the “Ugly” section. 

The Bad

So here’s where these gloves start to fall apart (literally). First, the velcro. 

The design of these gloves doesn’t give much room for failure, and the velcro barely even tries to hold on anymore. 

The velcro lost its mojo soon after buying these gloves, to the point where they would come undone while I was riding, which does not inspire confidence that these gloves would stay put in a crash. 

The touchscreen compatible fingertips do work, but in my experience the fingertips are just too big to allow easy use of modern smartphone interfaces. So you better enjoy ripping off your gloves every time you need to fuss with your maps. 

All that taking on and off of these gloves led to the next problem: the stitching holding the wrist to the palm on the right glove came loose. It wasn’t just a little fray—it completely tore open.

Maybe the conditions I subjected these gloves to were just too harsh, but then again, a crash is pretty harsh. And protecting against one of those is why you’re buying gloves in the first place, right?

The Ugly

None of the above issues matter that much to me. The most annoying issue is by far that these gloves bleed ink like no other. 

Now you might say this is typical with a pair of leather gloves. And yes, it is typical, for the first few wears. After a couple rain storms or a few good washes, the ink typically sets and your hands no longer change color through a ride. 

The Alpinestars SMX-1 Air gloves were fine for me for the first several months, then they started bleeding ink profusely. And the more I tried to solve the ink issue, the worse it got. 

And I tried everything: hand washing, machine washing, soaking them in Vanish, scrubbing, sun drying, and more. The problem only got worse, to the point where some mild sweat on a 30 minute ride around town turns my hands a creepy purple/black tint, requiring a heavy scrub with a plastic brush to set them back to normal. 

This is my hand after just 30 seconds of wearing the wet glove. 

Maybe this is a problem specifically with the production run of SMX-1 I bought, since I haven’t noticed this issue in other reviews (maybe they didn’t push the gloves hard enough!) and I haven’t noticed any bleeding with other black leather Alpinestars gloves I’ve similarly put through the ringer. 

Which brings me to alternatives…

The Alternatives

I didn’t buy the Alpinestars SMX-1 Air gloves under the best of circumstances… I bought them as a replacement for a missing right side of the Alpinestars Celer Gloves I wore across America in 2022. I accidentally left that pair on my bike in a particularly nasty storm, and when I returned to the bike in the morning the right glove was nowhere to be found. 

I settled for the SMX-1 at a CycleGear store somewhere in the American Midwest. However, for the remainder of that trip, I wore mismatched gloves because I liked the additional protection offered by the Celer.

Alpinestars Celer

The Celer gloves also flow air decently well, especially given the leather feels about twice as thick as the leather on the SMX-1. I haven’t had the problem of knuckle guards digging in that some riders compare about, I actually find them nicely padded and very comfortable – more than the SMX-1.

And I appreciate the white knuckled colorway, which Alpinestars kept (kinda) with their new v3 version, since it makes the hand more visible to headlights at night. You can pick up the v2 (same version I have) while it’s still available here. 

Alpinestars Celer V3 Gloves

I wore these for two years through high heat and humidity, with minimal wear and no tears or broken seams. Slight discolorations, but still strong and supple leather. Super high quality. 

Check Price on Revzilla Check Price on Amazon

We may earn commissions if you make a purchase. This keeps our site ad-free and never sponsored.

Sedici Bruno

Another candidate for SMX-1 alternative are the Sedici Bruno gloves, which are a similar leather-mesh hybrid like the Alpinestars SMX-1. I admit I haven’t ridden in these, but they check all the boxes I was looking for with the Alpinestars SMX-1: lightweight, leather palm, and TPU knuckle slider. They also have a nice palm slider. However, I can’t attest to their durability. 

Sedici Bruno Gloves

• Quality supple leather with air-flow mesh fabric
• Air flow mesh fabric throughout
• Lightly pre-curved fingers to reduce bulk
• Unlined for a closer fit

Buy from Revzilla

We may earn commissions if you make a purchase. This keeps our site ad-free and never sponsored.

Alpinestars Phenom

I just picked up the Alpinestars Phenom gloves on a recent trip to Japan because they feel like everything I loved about the SMX-1, but with even more mobility and more velcro holding them on. 

I’m only a few weeks into riding with these, so I’ll create a review when I’ve had a chance to punish them a bit harder. 

Alpinestars Phenom Leather Gloves

Comfortable and flexible, the Phenom are a mix between sport and casual riding glove. Lightweight yet all-leather where you need it, with a palm slider.

Check Price on Amazon Check Price on Revzilla

We may earn commissions if you make a purchase. This keeps our site ad-free and never sponsored.

The post Alpinestars SMX-1 Air v2 Gloves: What Not to Buy first appeared on It's Better On The Road.

But if you live and ride in the real world where it does get cold, the kind of cold that freezes your nuts off (t*ts for the ladies), you’ll need a different outfit. Add into the equation the windchill factor, which rises exponentially with the velocity indicated on your speedometer, and you’ll need to jazz up your riding combo with layers of warm clothing, including battery-powered heated layers.

But how often do you ride naked, only wearing boxers and a helmet when it’s hot? Rarely, right? Layering with vented or mesh gear shields your skin from the sun, keeping you cool and preventing the risk of skin cancer. 

You may even need a cooling vest to control your body temperature when it’s stifling hot. Especially enduro/dual-sport/ADV riders are at risk of overheating when ‘technical’ off-road riding on gnarly terrain where physical exertion is high and speeds and hence airflow is low.

When it’s hot, you’re bound to see a squid (Stupidly Quick, Underdressed, and Imminently Dead) riding in shorts and a T-shirt, unintentionally volunteering to become an organ donor. Or at least involuntarily posing for social media photos of horrendous injuries after being tossed off the bike.

If you agree that scars and skin grafts look unsightly and fractured bones and crippled joints are rather inconvenient, your layering should include some decent—read: CE-certified—abrasion and impact protection. 

The Gear section of this website contains articles and reviews discussing various styles of jackets, armor, and layers. In this article, I’ll take you on a tour of technical layers, what they entail, the ins and outs of the various materials, technicalities, and specs, and the resulting performance aspects. This will allow you to make an informed decision based on your requirements, preferences, and budget. 

The first part of this article introduces you to The Art of Layering. If, after reading part one, you’re still thirsty for knowledge, I invite you to continue reading. The second part introduces you to The Science of Layering.

Given the importance of the topic for your safety, comfort, and enjoyment of what is most likely your passion, reading this informative piece will be time well spent. Grab your preferred beverage, lean back in a comfy chair, and follow along.

For the best base layers in the biz, check out Klim. I’ve reviewed a whole set here. 

Boxers	Pants	Shirt
Klim Teton Merino Shorts	KLIM Teton Merino Wool Pants	KLIM Teton Merino Wool LS Shirt
Primary Rating: 5.0	Primary Rating: 5.0	Primary Rating: 5.0
Check Price on Revzilla	Check Price on Amazon	Check Price on Amazon
	Check Price on Revzilla	Check Price on Revzilla

Boxers

Klim Teton Merino Shorts

Primary Rating:

5.0

Check Price on Revzilla

Pants

KLIM Teton Merino Wool Pants

Primary Rating:

5.0

Check Price on Amazon

Check Price on Revzilla

Shirt

KLIM Teton Merino Wool LS Shirt

Primary Rating:

5.0

Check Price on Amazon

Check Price on Revzilla

Part I: The Art of Layering

Understanding Technical Layers for Safety and Comfort

Riding a motorcycle isn’t just about hitting the open road and throwing all caution to the wind; on the contrary, it’s about being prepared for whatever the elements put on your path. Whether you’re tackling twisty mountain passes in the biting cold or riding through the sweltering summer heat, having the right gear can mean the difference between an enjoyable ride and a miserable one—or worse, an unsafe one. 

Motorcycle gear is typically divided into three technical layers: base layers, mid-layers, and outer shells. Each layer has a specific function:

• Impact absorption
• Abrasion protection
• Thermal insulation
• Body temperature regulation
• Moisture-wicking/perspiration management
• Breathability
• Ventilation
• Cooling

When combined properly, the three layers work together synergistically, optimizing the performance of the layers in providing both safety and comfort in any weather condition.

Base Layers: Moisture-Wicking and Temperature Regulation

The base layer sits directly against your skin and serves two primary purposes: moisture management and temperature regulation. When dressed in motorcycle gear, perspiration is inevitable, especially in hot weather or due to physical exertion during enduro/dual-sport/ADV-riding.

A good technical base layer, typically made from synthetic performance fabrics or merino wool, is designed to wick sweat away from your body. This keeps you dry, which is crucial in both hot and cold environments. 

In the summer, a moisture-wicking base layer helps to keep you cool by facilitating evaporation. In colder conditions, staying dry is equally important because wet clothing will rapidly suck heat away from your body, leaving you cold and uncomfortable. It can lead to hypothermia, which can turn lethal in extreme cases. (Hypothermia is a condition that occurs when your core body temperature drops below 95 °F or 35 °C).

Best Features of Base Layers:

• Moisture-wicking fabrics like polyester, nylon, or merino wool
• Quick-drying properties
• Lightweight
• Breathable
• Soft and cozy
• Often snug or form-fitting to reduce bulk under other layers

In colder conditions, thermal base layers (often referred to as “long johns”, “leggings” or “thermals”) help to retain heat while still wicking moisture, preventing you from getting clammy. So, your base layer isn’t just about keeping you dry—it’s the foundation for your entire body temperature control system.

Mid-Layers: Insulation for Warmth

The mid-layer’s job is all about insulation and trapping the warmth your body generates. Think of it as your personal vestimentary climate control system. 

When riding in cold weather, you need a mid-layer that provides sufficient warmth without restricting movement. Materials like fleece, down, or synthetic insulations like Primaloft or Thinsulate are commonly used in mid-layers. These materials work by trapping warm air close to your body, creating a barrier against the cold. 

A mid-layer can be anything from a fleece shirt to a Merino wool pullover or goosedown puffer jacket, or a combination thereof, depending on how cold it is. The beauty of the mid-layer is its adaptability, making it the most versatile layer of your layering system. On warmer days, you might skip it entirely, but in colder temperatures, it can be the difference between an enjoyable ride and freezing your t*ts off.

Click on the following links if you want to know more about Merino Wool, Goose-Down Puffer Jackets, and Synthetic Insulation.

Best Features of Mid-Layers:

• Versatility
• Thermal insulation (fleece, wool, down, synthetic insulation)
• Lightweight 
• Compressible (important for storing when not in use)
• Breathability to allow perspiration to evaporate
• Can be used on its own (as casual clothing)

In colder conditions, you might choose a natural down or synthetic down jacket for its excellent warmth-to-weight ratio. In wet conditions, a synthetic mid-layer performs better since it retains its insulating properties even when damp, whereas down tends to lose its effectiveness when wet.

Outer Shell: Protection from Impact, Abrasion, and Weather

The outer layer, or shell, is your main line of defense against both the elements and the hazards of the road. Its primary functions are impact absorption and abrasion protection, as well as shielding you from inclement weather conditions. 

Motorcycle jackets and pants often come with integrated armor to protect key areas like your elbows, shoulders, knees, and back in case of a crash.

Outer shells are typically made from durable materials like leather or high-performance textiles that offer varying degrees of abrasion resistance, weather protection, breathability, and ventilation. 

Typical high-performance fabrics used in motorcycle gear are:

• Vectran (a brand name for a high-performance fabric made from an aromatic polyester multifilament spun from a liquid crystal polymer in a melt extrusion process. This process orients the molecules along the fiber axis, resulting in a high-tenacity fiber that is five times stronger than steel)
• SuperFabric (a brand name for an extremely abrasion-resistant, hi-tech fabric covered with a pattern of tiny, hard, ceramic guard plates on a nylon or polyester substrate).
• Cordura (a brand name for a durable synthetic fabric woven from high-tenacity air-jet textured nylon 6,6 filament yarns. Its high-tensile strength makes it resistant to abrasion, tears, and scuffs) 
• Kevlar (a brand name for a type of lightweight, heat-resistant, high-tensile-strength aramid polymer fiber that is five times stronger than steel)

For adventure touring and off-road riding, many riders prefer textile gear, as it’s generally more versatile in different weather conditions. 

Leather, while offering superior abrasion protection, is less comfortable in hot weather, even if it’s perforated or combined with vents for airflow. Leather is also not rainproof and takes a long time to dry.

Best Features of Outer Shells:

• Abrasion-resistant materials (leather or textile)
• CE-certified armor for impact protection
• Ventilation zippers or mesh panels for airflow on hot days
• Waterproof and windproof membranes (Gore-Tex or similar) to keep rain out
• Adjustable fit to accommodate layering

The outer shell plays a critical role in maintaining breathability while protecting you from the elements. Jackets and pants with zippered vents or mesh panels allow you to open up airflow on warmer days, while waterproof membranes help you stay dry when the skies open up.

Combining Layers for Optimal Comfort and Safety

To create the perfect riding system, the key is combining these layers in a way that suits the weather conditions. On a chilly morning ride, you might start with a moisture-wicking base layer to manage sweat, a fleece or insulated mid-layer for warmth, and then top it off with an abrasion-resistant jacket for protection against the wind and cold. As the day warms up, you can remove the mid-layer and open the vents in your outer shell to let air in, without sacrificing protection or safety.

For summer riding, the base layer remains essential for moisture-wicking, but your mid-layer might be unnecessary. A well-ventilated outer shell with armor and abrasion protection will keep you cool while still shielding you from the sun, wind, and any potential crashes.

In wet weather, you may rely more heavily on your outer shell’s waterproof capabilities, while a base layer continues to wick moisture away from your skin. A lightweight, water-resistant mid-layer can help to maintain body heat in cold, wet conditions.

Conclusion of Part I: The Power of Layering

By properly layering your gear, you create a flexible system that can adapt to any weather or riding condition. Each layer serves a specific function—whether it’s keeping you dry, warm, or protected from impacts—making sure that you stay comfortable and safe no matter what the road or trail throws at you. With a solid understanding of how these layers work together, you’ll be able to confidently tackle long-distance rides, unpredictable weather, and any adventure on two wheels. After all, motorcycling is about freedom, and the right gear makes that freedom more enjoyable and, most importantly, safer.

Now that you’re introduced to the Art of Layering, do you also want to understand the Science of Layering? If so, then keep on reading. 

Part II: The Science of Layering

Do You Need Thermal Base and Mid-Layers?

You don’t need thermal layers if you only ride in the tropical heat. But if you live in a colder climate or plan a summer trip in the Alaska Range or Colorado Rockies, you’ll need some serious gear. 

“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.”

If you’re familiar with alpine microclimates, you know how fickle the weather can be at altitude. One moment you’re riding up a south-facing slope under sunny blue skies, but the minute you cross over the pass, the rain or fog on the north face is so dense you can barely see your front wheel, not to mention the drastic drop in temperature. 

Donning protective motorcycle gear is vital in any scenario, but you can’t rely on the weather forecast to dictate your attire at high altitudes. Mountain ranges create an unpredictable microclimate, requiring you to come prepared with all-weather, four-season riding gear. Riding in the desert is equally challenging, as the temperatures can drop dramatically at night.

Like everything you buy, quality comes at a price. It’s no different with top-quality technical riding gear. But if you look at the purchase as an investment instead of a cost, it quickly makes sense. When you’re on that once-in-a-lifetime Himalayas tour, snug as a bug in your cozy Klim Maverick Down Jacket, the last thing you’ll be thinking is, “I wonder if I could have saved $100 by going for the Walmart jacket instead.” But if you’re freezing due to subpar insulation, you’ll most definitely wish you’d spent $100 more. 

An investment pays dividends, and technical riding gear does too: it yields an ROI (return on investment) by keeping you warm, dry, and safe.

Over the years, my experience taught me that top-quality gear is worth more than its price tag. If you’ve ever been thoroughly soaked, chilled to the bone, and had your shriveled cojones resemble frozen popsicles after riding for hours in the rain, you’ll never forget the utterly miserable experience. 

Having ample experience with both crappy attire and top-notch technical riding gear, I agree with Alfred Wainwright, the British author of walking guidebooks, who commented: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing”. This credo may well underlie the design philosophy that guides the good folks at Klim HQ in Rigby, Idaho.

Why You Should Be Layering

Temperatures often swing widely between nippy in the morning, sweltering hot in the afternoon, and downright frigid at night. Layered up to face the frosty morning temperatures, you’ll have to peel off a layer or two when the sun rises during the day. 

To be effective across a wide temperature range, your riding gear must be a multi-tiered system consisting of base, middle, and outer layers, offering flexibility and versatility.

Layering your clothing allows you to regulate your body temperature in response to changes in the weather and temperatures that affect your comfort and safety. 

It’s important to stress that, beyond comfort, layering improves safety. Overheating or shivering with cold impacts your alertness and impairs your judgment, affecting your reaction time considerably.

Why Technical Garments are Better for Layering

Many motorcyclists typically spend most of their wardrobe budget on helmets, jackets, boots, gloves, and perhaps motorcycle jeans when they realize that regular jeans don’t offer protection. 

When budgeting for riding apparel, you may overlook the underlying layers since they can be readily sourced from your ‘regular’ wardrobe. However, casual clothing performs not nearly as well as technical apparel specifically designed for motorcycling or snowmobiling. 

Up in the mountains, at high altitude, the weather is about as predictable as a cat on catnip—better be ready for anything. Half a century of riding has taught me that skimping on gear is like asking for trouble. It’s not just about comfort; it’s about survival. This notion was rubbed in my face the hard way. Let me elaborate, as there are lessons to be drawn from my experience.

A Cautionary Tale

Once upon a time, I got stuck in a blizzard after a front tire blow-out on Chang La Pass, at 17,590 ft one of the highest passes of the Himalayas in Ladakh, India. While removing my front wheel, low-drifting dark clouds appeared menacingly over the pass. Moments later, howling wind and squalls of driving snow forced me to halt working on the bike. 

Seeking shelter from the raging blizzard, I hunkered down behind the bike and wrapped myself in an aluminum foil survival blanket my son had put in my emergency kit. At the time, I laughed at his initiative, telling him I had zero intention of getting myself into life-threatening trouble. 

I realized I couldn’t have been more wrong, as I huddled next to my bike, shivering like a chihuahuha on crack. The reason I was trembling from hypothermia was that my cotton t-shirt acting as the base layer was soaked with sweat from lifting the bike onto a rock and removing the front wheel. At over 17,000 ft, the air was so thin (low on oxygen) that this task required enormous effort, leaving me sweaty and breathless. If it weren’t for the survival blanket, I might’ve succumbed to hypothermia due to the wet cotton base layer sucking the warmth out of my body. 

Why Cotton Kills

Although breathable, non-itchy, and soft, cotton is the worst-performing fabric for cold-weather gear. It’s terrible at moisture-wicking, it’s not odor-resistant, and extremely slow-drying. Because cotton is hydrophilic (water-loving), it absorbs and retains an enormous amount of water compared to its weight, the last thing you want when you’re exposed to the cold.

Continue reading if you’d like to know more about cotton’s evil character. If not, skip to here.

The Science Underlying Murderous Cotton

Our body warms the air held captive in and between the cotton fibers, insulating us from the cold. Cotton fibers are tiny hollow tubes, AKA capillaries. Through a process called capillary action*, these microtubes suck up moisture like a straw does with liquid, displacing the air trapped inside the fibers when they’re dry. Cotton clothing touching your skin absorbs your sweat like a sponge, losing its insulating capacity when the hollow fibers become waterlogged. 

*Capillary action is the propensity of a liquid to flow through narrow spaces without regard to external forces like gravity. It depends on a complex process of interactive forces like osmotic pressure, the liquid’s surface tension, the solid material’s surface energy, and the molecular bonds’ strength between them.

Without any air trapped between and inside the hollow fibers, the lack of insulation will cause you to feel cold. Even worse, your body heat will dissipate through convection from the wet base layer to the outside layers. 

Its strong capillary property makes cotton absorb up to 27 times its weight in water. This explains why cotton garments feel very heavy when soaked and why they pull body heat away at an alarming rate. The greater the cold liquid mass in contact with your skin, the faster you lose body heat through outward convection.  

We easily underestimate how dangerous wet cotton clothing can be. Generally, you lose about 2% of your body heat to convection. However, when your skin is covered with wet cotton clothing, your body loses 10%–15% of its heat. Add heat loss from evaporation and you see why hypothermia can occur even at 60℉/15℃.

Wet cotton dries very slowly as it holds onto water due to the strong capillary action. Your body loses heat rapidly if you don’t change out of your wet cotton clothes. Without insulation, your body can’t maintain its core temperature when exposed to the cold. 

The excessive heat loss and resulting drop in body temperature can lead to disorientation, hypothermia, and potentially death. It’s a common misconception that hypothermia only happens in freezing weather. The risk of hypothermia also exists in temperatures well above freezing, especially if your body is exposed to wind. Hypothermia occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing your body temperature to drop to dangerously low levels. 

With the lesson learned from the Himalayan survival experience, I upgraded my wardrobe to deal with extreme temperatures from desert to Arctic conditions. In the following years, I put my technical layering wardrobe to the test in extreme conditions more times than I’d like to admit. 

Unintentionally, I found myself riding again in a blizzard in the Alvord Desert in S.E. Oregon, freezing fog at night on a mountain pass in the French-Spanish Pyrenees, and mid-winter in the Himalayas in the northwest of Vietnam. These journeys started under sunny skies, but each time I ran into freezing weather, testing my layered gear to the limit. I’m glad to say the Klim technical base and mid-layers saved my bacon.

A Short Digression on Synthetic Layers

By contrast, quick-drying synthetics used for activewear barely hold water. They are popular for sports as they excel at wicking moisture away from the skin and keeping your body temperature stable. 

Synthetic fibers such as polyester are virtually non-porous and hydrophobic (water-hating). Polyester absorbs little or no water, but it adsorbs it quite well (find out about the difference in the next section). 

Once the fibers are spun and woven, capillary action drives moisture to the surface. Synthetic fabrics developed for performance wear are made of tiny fibers aimed at controlling the moisture-wicking properties of the finished fabric. 

Click here to read more about synthetic insulation materials used in motorcycle gear. 

Understanding Moisture Wicking: Adsorption vs Absorption

Following is a short scientific explanation of how moisture wicking in fabrics works.

Absorption occurs when a substance permeates another, for example, when a sponge soaks up water. Absorbent materials have plenty of internal storage capacity to soak up and retain water.

Adsorption is a lesser-known physical phenomenon, but it’s essential to understanding how moisture-wicking works. When a substance, usually a liquid or gas, is spread evenly over the surface of another, usually a solid – we refer to it as adsorption. Adsorption keeps water sticking to a surface without penetrating it. It’s easy to remember the meaning of adsorption if you think of the words ‘adhesion’ or ‘adhesive’, i.e., sticking to the surface.

Moisture wicking is about keeping water moving. If a fiber easily absorbs water, it can’t transport that moisture effectively since it’s trapped in the fiber. Think of cotton’s great capacity to absorb and retain water. There’s no fast-acting force to extract the water from the cotton fibers and pull it to the fabric’s surface, and thus the garment remains wet. Evaporative cooling happens while moisture is still in contact with your skin, extracting your body heat. 

The importance of moisture wicking is to quickly transport sweat away from your skin before it evaporates and causes excessive body heat loss.

Technical Layers: Protection, Insulation, Ventilation, and Breathability

Layering with quality technical riding gear will always outperform layering with casual clothes by a large margin. Designed to act synergistically and enhance their joint performance, the base and mid-layers combine with the outer shell, forming an integrated system that optimizes protection, insulation, ventilation, and breathability. Let’s look at these functions in detail.

Protection

Protection is traditionally the role of the first line of defense, the outer shell, which is fitted with impact-absorption padding and abrasion-resistant fabrics or leather at the impact-prone zones.  

But that’s not always the case anymore. In recent years, advances in gear design, materials science, and production technology have led to the emergence of technical base and mid-layers that offer highly effective impact and abrasion protection. Let’s have a look at what is available.

Body Armor

If you’re an enduro or dual-sport rider, you probably prefer to wear separate body armor under a motocross jersey or a light enduro jacket, depending on the weather. Body armor comes in several forms: 

Chest Protector

The body armor popular with motocross racers is the hard-shell chest/back-protectors, AKA “roost guards”, covering the thoracic area to protect the spine, chest, and ribs. Shoulder and elbow protection pads may or may not be attached to the chest/back protector. The physical intensity of motocross racing requires an“open” chassis that offers plenty of ventilation without compromising protection and safety. 

Body Protection Jacket

Body Protection Jackets, AKA Pressure Suits, have become “standard issue” in the off-road community. Rally racers and enduro/dual-sport riders rely on these jackets for protection in the event of a get-off, which happens regularly. These tight-fitting jackets feature open-spaced mesh fabric and hard plastic protection pads on impact-prone zones. 

These pressure suits have also become popular with ADV riders and RTW travelers, especially when riding offroad when it’s hot. Throw a puffer jacket and wind/rainproof shell over a body protector when it’s raining and cold, and you’re good to go.

Pressure suits have been my go-to protective gear for the past twenty years when riding my enduro and dual-sport bikes. For long-distance off-road adventures, I often combine a pressure suit with the Klim base and mid-layers under my riding jacket and pants, depending on the terrain and expected weather.

CE AA/AAA-rated Protective Base/Mid-Layers

Alternatively, technical riding gear brands offer a growing assortment of protective base and mid-layers with integrated impact and abrasion protection. Thanks to innovative material technologies, these base/mid-layers allow you to ride in your own style of casual clothes without giving up protection. 

This gear trend is becoming increasingly popular with street riders and urban weekend warriors whose fashion sense requires donning attire that match the style of the café racers, scramblers, and retro-style bikes they ride.

The CE AAA-rated protective mesh base layers like the BOWTEX Elite Shirt and Leggings are prime examples of this growing trend of protective base and mid-layers, made possible by recent advances in high-tech fabric and PPE technology. 

For a year and a half, I’ve been wearing a Bowtex shirt and leggings as standalone riding gear when it’s hot, and under my casual clothes when it’s colder, and it’s safe to say I’m a convert. Wearing the Bowtex mesh gear as undergarments allows me to show up for a business meeting or a lunch with friends without anyone even realizing I rode my motorcycle to the rendez-vous.

The Dyneema fabric used by Bowtex feels soft and pleasant on the skin and flows air exceptionally well. If you care about your safety on the road and in city traffic, Bowtex gear is a wise investment. At least, if you prefer to look like you, instead of like a Power Ranger when you get to your destination.

Impact-Protection Base Layers 

Klim offers another option for protecting your body and limbs from painful impacts: The compression Klim Tactical Shirt, Shorts, and Pants. These protective next-to-skin base layers fit perfectly under any mid-layer and outer shell. 

Klim’s Tactical riding gear product line is equipped with Perforated XRD® Extreme Impact Protection articulated padding in all the high-impact zones.

But even on my ADV journeys, I like to wear the Klim Tactical Shorts as additional protection for my hips, thighs, and tailbone under my Klim Badlands Pro A3 Pants, already equipped with excellent D3O impact protection pads. Perhaps it’s overkill, but you can never have too much protection when you go down. Trust me, I’ve learned it the hard way. 

When embarking on a dual-sport ride in cold wet weather, my layering system combines the Klim Teton Merino Wool Gear and Klim Tactical Gear with my Gore-Tex Klim Traverse Jacket and Pants. 

If you’re riding in the desert or during summer, the highly-ventilated mesh Klim Baja S4 combo is a good outer shell to combine with your base and mid-layers when the temperatures drop.

The reason I like wearing Klim’s highly breathable, moisture-wicking, Tactical base layers is that their compression function supports your body, reduces muscle fatigue, and enhances your comfort, making long rides more enjoyable. If it’s cold, I wear Klim Teton Merino Wool Boxers or Pants under my compression Klim Tactical Shorts or Pants. It works a treat.

Airbag Vests

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re no doubt aware that there’s a new kid in town who is rapidly inflating his wealth through the protection racketeering business: The Airbag Vest.

As the world’s leading “Layering Company”, Klim offers the Ai-1 Airbag Vest, and its desert-racing twin, the Klim Ai-1 Rally Airbag Vest. This protective vest can transform itself from a slim silhouette to a bulging fatso in the blink of an eye. 

Klim’s high-tech airbag vest offers the ultimate protection. The inflation is electronically controlled by a microprocessor receiving signals from crash detection sensors that are processed through algorithms driven by artificial intelligence (AI).

Although I have no intention of falling off a motorcycle for the sake of testing the efficacy of an airbag vest, I’m convinced that airbag technology is the new gold standard in PPE for motorcyclists. With a price tag similar to a decent helmet, you have no excuse for not safeguarding yourself from bodily harm with an airbag vest. 

If highly-paid MotoGP racers bet their lives and fast-paced million-dollar careers on this AI-driven smart technology, then it’s good enough for me. The Klim Ai-1 Airbag Vest must be popular, because it’s often out of stock. But I hope to have one soon for review. Stay tuned!

Ventilation  

Ventilation is critical for avoiding overheating when riding in hot weather. It’s primarily a function of the outer shell, the first and often only windproof barrier, and the gatekeeper for ventilation. 

The base and mid-layers also play an important role in ventilation. The design, quality, compatibility, and choice of layer materials and vents determine how effective the ventilation of the entire layering system is. 

A layering system consisting of base and mid-layers designed to be used jointly in a modular fashion performs better, exemplified by Klim’s collection of technical layers.

There are three approaches to beating the heat with ventilated technical layers, using mesh fabrics and vents.

• The first method, consisting of protective mesh jackets and pants, offers the most effective ventilation. For example, no mesh outer shell that protects against impact and abrasion lets more air through than the CE AA-rated Klim Marrakesh or Klim Baja S4.

• The second method consists of mesh base/mid-layers that offer the highest level of impact and abrasion protection like the CE AAA-rated Bowtex Elite Shirt and Elite Leggings discussed earlier.

The advantage of these über-protective base/mid-layers made from Dyneema is that they allow you to ride in your own (casual) dress style (are you listening, vintage/scrambler/cafe racer owners?) without giving up protection. 

Although intended as base and mid-layers, riders increasingly wear the Bowtex apparel as outer shells when it’s hot, including myself and Evan, the publisher of this website, and Sarah Lezito, the world’s best female stunt rider.

• The third method consists of conventional outer shells ventilating via opening the main zipper, the zippered vents, and mesh panels on the jacket and pants. These all act as the controls of your vestimentary “air conditioning”. 

The vents’ design, number, size, and configuration on the garment determine how well the outer shells ventilate. With 12 vents in the jacket and 6 in the pants, the Klim Badlands Pro A3 is the best-ventilated, 4-season, all-weather ADV suit on the market.

Breathability and Moisture-Wicking

Compared to casual clothing, technical base layers are more effective in keeping you comfortable and dry through their engineered breathability, moisture-wicking properties, and choice of materials. 

By letting air through and wicking away perspiration from your skin, the layers shed heat through convection and evaporation. This is important when riding in hot weather, as you might be tempted to shed the outer layer or wear a light, less protective shell in an attempt to stay cool. 

Insulation

The advantage of technical garments becomes apparent when temperatures drop: The thermal insulation properties of technical layers do not suppress breathability when ventilation is closed off to prevent you from getting cold. 

To be effective, insulation has to have a level of breathability and moisture-wicking properties. Without these properties, your perspiration can’t evaporate and your clothes will get clammy and you’ll start feeling cold.

Opening or closing vents and adding or peeling off base layers and mid-layers is the most effective way to regulate your body temperature. 

Beyond Insulation: Electrically Heated Garments

Electrically-heated garments are becoming increasingly popular thanks to the advent of USB-C rechargeable compact lightweight batteries. The battery-powered heating technology is now applied across a range of garments, from gloves to shirts, jackets, pants, and socks. 

The Klim Aggressor eFire Heated Shirt is a battery-powered base layer that keeps your body warm through the use of heating filaments integrated in the fabric panels on the chest and upper back. The Klim Override eFire Vest is a technical mid-layer that combines 3M Thinsulate insulation with electric heating technology,

Technical Layering for the Heat

While dressing for the cold is a matter of layering up, intuitively you’ll want to shed layers to cope with the heat. Wearing as little as possible is the name of the game when it’s stinking hot, right? We want to maximize ventilation and evaporation. The less you wear, the greater the cooling effect from the riding wind. This is true, but only to a certain point, beyond which the heat is too high for the wind to have a cooling effect. 

When you’re riding in temperatures beyond 105 °F (40 °C), you’re better off shielding your body from the hot wind as you risk heatstroke and excessive loss of sweat through evaporation.

In addition to ventilated or mesh base and mid-layers, advances in fabric technology have resulted in technical base layers that have active cooling properties. 

KLIM’s second generation of Aggressor -1.0 Cooling Base Layers use chemical-free fabric technology for cooling, moisture-wicking and evaporation, making this material unlike other cooling and sweat-wicking fabrics on the market. The collection includes long sleeve and short sleeve shirts, pants, and briefs, all optimized for moisture-wicking, breathability, and cooling for motorcyclists and outdoor activities when it’s hot.

I admit that I was more than skeptical when I read the marketing pitch for Klim’s Aggressor -1.0 series of technical cooling garments. I was convinced that it was hyperbolic marketing speak from an overly enthusiastic advertising copywriter. Cooling garments made from chemically treated fabrics that induce a cooling effect become ineffective with use and washing over time. But here comes Klim asserting that their cooling garments don’t rely on a chemical substance but on a proprietary chemical-free cooling fabric technology that never loses its effectiveness.

Similar to my experience wearing Merino wool for the first time, I had another epiphany moment when I first wore the Klim Aggressor -1.0 Long Sleeve Shirt. If you haven’t experienced it, it’s hard to believe how well Klim’s chemical-free fabric technology works in terms of cooling, moisture-wicking and evaporation. Unlike other cooling and sweat-wicking fabrics on the market, Klim has come up with a unique moisture-wicking fabric that actively pulls sweat away from the skin, promoting rapid evaporation and a lasting cooling effect.

After almost two years of intensive use, this shirt’s cooling effect hasn’t worn off, as it’s just as noticeable as the first time. The Klim Aggressor -1.0 Cooling Garments deliver above and beyond what the sales pitch promises on Klim’s website. Ignore at your own risk, but if you want to beat the heat, trust me, the Aggressor -1.0 series are worth every penny.

The Alpinestars Cooling Vest is an indispensable hot weather riding accessory that uses water to regulate the rider’s core temperature. Stretch elements in the vest ensure a good fit and full benefit from airflow and water cooling – even during the most strenuous off-road maneuvering. Easy to fill water port makes for quick, no-mess fill-ups and minimal downtime. Wide open-air perforations function as gussets to guarantee that the Alpinestars Cooling Vest always keeps its shape. 

Features: 

• Liquid cooling system that evenly releases cooling water droplets (mist) against the rider’s midsection 
• Regulates vascular system and limits the effect of heat exhaustion
• Incorporated stretch inserts for fit and improved ventilation 
• Designated air ports allow for airflow and breathability 
• Lightweight with a refillable water chamber for easy continuous use
• Three-layer textile construction with moisture-wicking fleece lining

Merino Wool: A Wicking Good Fiber

Admittedly, I discovered the exceptional qualities of merino wool late in life. For decades, I shunned wool and only wore cotton or synthetic layers under my riding gear. Until a few years ago, wearing woolen clothing was unthinkable, due to being haunted by boyhood nightmares. I equated any kind of wool with the hateful itchiness of the coarse woolen sweaters my brothers and I had to wear because our mother lovingly knitted them for us. Little did I know that… 

… not all woolen yarns are created equal.

Boy, was I in for an eye-opener the first time I wore the Merino wool-based Klim Long-Sleeve Shirt, Pants, and Boxers in direct contact with my skin. I was shocked to discover how warm and silky soft these body-hugging undergarments felt. How did I miss out on this for all these years?

This begs the question: what makes merino wool so unique and special? If you’re interested in learning what makes this natural fiber stand out compared to other—coarser—wool varieties and synthetics, then read the following section. Otherwise, skip to the section on All You Need to Know about Puffer Jackets.

The Exceptional Qualities of Merino Wool

Of the more than 1,000 sheep breeds in the world, Merino sheep produce the finest fleece possessing many outstanding qualities that make it commercially the most valuable wool.

Qualities / Advantages:

• Softness: Merino wool is extremely soft, providing a luxurious itch-free feel against your skin. It’s not prickly like other, coarser wool varieties. Merino fibers are very thin and soft, so they bend out of the way when brushing up against your skin. The thickest merino wool fiber measures 23 – 24.5 microns, which is only ⅓ to ¼ of the diameter of a human hair (75 to 100 microns on average). 

• Elasticity: Merino wool has exceptional elasticity thanks to its crimped, springy fibers offering excellent bounce in fabrics. Merino wool garments are flexible, stretchy, wrinkle-resistant, shrink-resistant, and retain their shape, even after long-term repeated use.

• Thermal insulation: One of the key reasons why merino wool fabric is highly regarded in the activewear/outdoor clothing industry is its exceptional insulation properties. Thanks to its natural loft, merino wool preserves body heat, trapping warm air between its crimped fibers. The wool’s coiled hair fibers also create microscopic pockets that trap warmth. 

• Stays warm when wet: Merino wool is one of the rare fabrics that can generate heat while it dries. When it gets wet, water is trapped in the porous fibers. The hydrogen bonds in water break down inside the wool’s fibers, creating an exothermic chemical reaction that generates heat. Experiments have found that one kilogram of merino wool can produce as much heat over eight hours as an electric blanket.

• Breathability/Thermo-regulation: Since merino wool breathes very well, it helps regulate your body temperature. When it’s cold outside, its fibers’ natural coils, crimps, and curves trap air, insulating you. When it’s warm outside, it transports perspiration quickly away from the skin, preventing overheating and helping to keep you cool and dry. Its breathability and moisture-wicking ability are crucial to keeping your body at a stable temperature.

• Moisture-wicking: Merino wool keeps you dry and sweat-free. Merino wool pulls perspiration away from your skin as a vapor (pre-sweat). Merino fibers are inherently porous. They’re composed of tiny plates that moisture vapor can get in between and transport to the outer layers—preventing you from feeling wet, cold, and clammy.  

Unlike synthetic fabrics, Merino wool has the remarkable ability to adsorb moisture without feeling wet, to a certain degree. It can adsorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture without feeling damp, keeping you dry even in humid conditions. Its limited capillary action doesn’t displace the air trapped in the micro air pockets in its coiled fibers.

In contrast, synthetic fabrics are not porous and wick sweat away as a liquid, not a vapor. Your body has to heat up the sweat/liquid to evaporate it—making you feel clammy in colder weather. Merino takes the sweat evaporation step out of the process, helping you stay warm and dry.

• Good For Layering: The colder it gets, the more you’ll need to layer to boost insulation. 

The advantages of multiple layers are threefold:

• Firstly, in contrast to one thick layer, multiple layers offer adjustability. Adding or removing layers allows you to manage the level of thermal insulation necessary to preserve or shed heat and hence regulate your body temperature. 

• Secondly, multiple layers create a more effective thermal insulation barrier. Air gets trapped between the layers and within the merino fabric of each layer. 

• Thirdly, more effective wicking: if all layers are merino wool, they wick perspiration away from the skin to the outside of your gear as vapor instead of liquid—helping to keep you warm and dry. Adding a synthetic layer into the mix would throw up a barrier to the sweat-vapor escape route, causing you to get cold and clammy.

• Odor resistance: Compared to synthetic garments that stink unbearably by the end of the day, merino wool absorbs odor caused by bacteria—trapping their smell and keeping them from building up, even after prolonged use, thanks to its wax coating.

• Antimicrobial and antifungal properties of Lanolin, merino wool’s natural wax coating, prevent the growth of bacteria that cause bad smells, making it great for multi-day use without washing. 

Lanolin is a natural wax that coats the wool of merino sheep and provides multiple benefits, including: 

• Waterproofing: Lanolin helps repel water and protects the sheep’s skin from harsh climates. 
• Antibacterial: Lanolin prevents bacteria from forming, even in wet environments.
• Odor resistance: Merino wool’s natural lanolin repels odor-causing bacteria. 
• Softness: Lanolin helps keep the wool soft. 
• Elasticity: Lanolin helps merino wool stay elastic. 
• Mold and mildew resistance: Lanolin helps Merino wool resist mold, bacteria, and mildew. 

• UV protection: Merino wool offers natural protection against the sun’s harmful UV radiation as its fibers have a built-in UV absorption capability. 

• Flame-retardant/Self-extinguishing: If you occasionally sit around a campfire, it’s reassuring that Merino won’t burn or melt like nylon or polyester when sparks or hot ashes land on you. 

• Sustainability: Merino wool is a 100% natural fiber, making it an environmentally friendly, renewable, and 100% biodegradable material. Merino wool disappears after about 12 months in or on the ground, disintegrating its fibrous protein and releasing carbon and nutrients into the soil. 

• Anti-static: Since Merino wool absorbs moisture, it’s less likely to cling to the body and cause static electricity.

• Hypoallergenic
• Lightweight
• Mothproof

Disadvantages

• Merino wool is significantly more expensive than synthetic materials. 

• Merino wool is less resistant to wear and tear than synthetic materials. 

To improve durability, manufacturers produce fabric blends combining merino and synthetics, merging their qualities while offsetting their disadvantages. 

Klim Teton Merino Wool apparel is made from a blended technical fabric comprising 80% merino wool and 20% nylon, making it more durable than pure merino.

Taking Care of Merino Wool

Merino wool will last longer and retain its outstanding qualities and performance if you respect the following instructions when washing:

• Turn the clothes inside out
• Use the most gentle wash cycle
• Use a maximum temperature of 86˚F/30°C
• Select a low spin speed (600 – 800 rpm)
• Don’t use fabric softener, bleach, or bio-washing powder
• Don’t put the clothes in the dryer
• Ideally, dry the garment in a horizontal position

All You Need to Know about Puffer Jackets

Puffer jackets are the warmest mid-layer options, outperforming wool or polar fleece. They keep you warm the same way goose down keeps geese warm, by trapping pockets of warm air close to the skin, keeping warm air in and cold air out. They are stuffed with natural or synthetic down that mimics natural down or a combination.

Despite the growing popularity of synthetic insulation materials, duck or goose down remains the warmest, lightest, and most compressible filling for puffer jackets. This is surprising given synthetic materials have made tremendous technological progress while down hasn’t changed since the first down jacket was sold in 1936.  

Natural Down vs Synthetic Insulation

The first distinction we must make is between puffer jackets filled with synthetic insulation and natural down. Both have their pros and cons. 

Although many outdoor/activewear brands praise the qualities of synthetic insulation, goose or duck down still outperforms it in cold, dry conditions. Down is ultralight, ultrawarm, and ultracompressible. 

Down is lighter, less bulky, packs smaller, and weight-for-weight it’s warmer than synthetic insulation. 

But down’s major weakness is that it fails to insulate when wet and dries slowly. In contrast, synthetic insulation maintains its insulating power in damp conditions. Down is also a lot more expensive than synthetic insulation.

Down’s artificial alternative is a synthetic filling designed to mimic the softness and insulating properties of natural down. Typically made from materials like polyester microfibers, the synthetic alternative is hypoallergenic, making it an excellent choice for those with allergies.

Synthetic fills have no equivalent test to the down-fill power rating system, and each brand of synthetic insulation has unique characteristics. So, it’s impossible to compare insulation efficiency of natural down to any synthetic fill or between two different synthetic fills.

Comparison of Pros and Cons of Down vs Synthetic Insulation

The most common criticism of down insulation is its tendency to clump up and lose loft when it gets wet, thereby losing its insulation properties. 

Proprietary technologies have been developed over the years to treat down at a microscopic level with a water-resistant application. This treatment allows goose down to resist light moisture without compromising its loft. I walked in drizzling rain on several occasions with my Klim Maverick Down Jacket without the down getting wet. This said, it benefits from a water-repellent outer shell fabric.

However, if submerged in water or exposed to heavy rain, even treated down will get wet, so it’s imperative to keep your down-filled puffer jacket dry. 

Down vs Feathers

Nature’s best insulator, down is the light, airy, soft undercoating found under the visible feathers of waterfowl such as ducks and geese. Down consists of spherical clusters of fluffy, wispy filaments growing from an undetectable central quill point, similar to a dandelion pod. In contrast, feathers have a long hard quil from which two rows of close-knit fibers sprout.

Down is prized for being light, easy to compress, resilient, long-lasting, breathable, and above all, insulating better than any man-made material. It’s the insulation of choice in cold, dry conditions, or when reducing weight and saving space are top priorities. These qualities are high on the specs wish list of ADV riders.

Feathers are the plumage, or outer growth, of birds. Feathers trap much less air than down as they don’t loft and are not spherical. 

Feathers consist of a hollow quill shaft (or stem) with a series of fibers extending from each side. The pointy end of a feather’s stiff quill shaft makes it prickly, and thus less desirable for garments worn close to the skin.

Why Mix Feathers with Down?

Manufacturers often blend down and feathers, indicated by a percentage ratio of down to feathers. For example, the Klim Maverick Down Jacket contains 90/10 goose down, meaning 90% down and 10% feathers. But if down offers superior insulation and softness, why not opt for 100% down filling instead of mixing feathers into the blend? 

Feathers in goose-down puffer jackets serve several key purposes:

1. Loft and Insulation: While down itself provides excellent insulation, feathers play a crucial role in maintaining the loft or volume of the jacket. Feathers help to create structural air pockets within the down cluster, which trap warm air and prevent cold air from penetrating. This enhances the jacket’s overall insulation properties.
2. Durability and Structure: Feathers provide structural support to the down cluster, preventing it from clumping together and losing its insulating efficiency. This helps to maintain the jacket’s lofty shape and durability over time.
3. Cost Reduction: Feathers are generally less expensive than pure down, so adding them to the filling can help reduce the overall cost of the jacket without significantly compromising its insulating properties.

The 90/10 blend is the ‘golden ratio’ for high-quality goose-down puffer jackets. This means 90% of the filling is down and 10% is feathers. This ratio offers a good balance between insulation, durability, and cost. Adding more feathers would lower the production cost, but would also reduce insulation and warmth. Fewer or no feathers would affect the loft and durability.

Ultimately, the ideal ratio depends on the specific needs and preferences of the manufacturer and the target market. The 90/10 blend is a common ratio for top-quality goose-down puffer jackets of high-end brands.

What is Fill Power and why is it important?

Down Fill Power is a measure of the loft of down and indicates its quality and warmth or insulating power. It’s the volume in cubic inches that one ounce of down takes up; higher quality down lofts to a higher volume.

The rating scale ranges from 300 to 900 or higher, with most common down products having a rating of 400 to 500. 

It’s measured in a lab by compressing one ounce of down in a glass cylinder. The down’s “loft” indicates its resilience or ability to bounce back after being compressed for 60 seconds. The fill power indicates how much air the lofted down can trap. 

YouTube: How fill power is measured

The fill power scale typically ranges from 300 to 900, with higher fill power indicating better quality down, more loft, more air trapped, and thus warmer. The higher loft also means the down is more resilient and thus lasts longer.

Fill Power vs Fill Weight 

Although fill power indicates the quality of the down filling, it’s not the only factor determining how well a down jacket protects you against the cold. 

Higher fill power numbers indicate greater loft and insulating efficiency. But that down fill power does not tell you how warm a jacket will be because other factors affect warmth. 

The Fill Weight, or how much down is used to fill the puffer jacket also affects how warm it’ll keep you. 

Premium goose down can reach fill-power ratings of 900 to 1000, while duck down can achieve fill-power ratings of maximum 750 or 800.

Comparing puffer jackets is not an easy task, because very few brands report the jacket’s fill weight, which affects insulation and warmth as much as fill power.

In theory, a puffer jacket filled with 100 g of 800-fill-power down would offer the same warmth as one with 200 g of 400-fill-power down; it would also compress to about half the space. 

But any simple formula for warmth calculation won’t account for differences in how the down is distributed within baffles and around the jacket. 

Baffle Box vs Sewn-Through

Another factor influencing the warmth of a puffer jacket is the construction method, namely if the down is contained in baffle boxes or sewn-through pockets. 

The Baffle Box construction is warmer than sewn-through construction. 

The internal 3-dimensional compartments created by baffle box construction allow for a larger volume, more even fill distribution, and greater loft, resulting in better insulation and greater warmth. 

The extra stability of the baffle box design reduces wear and tear on the stitching and loss of down, increasing the jacket’s durability and lifespan.

The three-dimensional structure of the baffle box with individual chambers helps to keep the filling evenly distributed. It also makes for a flatter surface and allows the fill to loft fully at the edges of its chamber, reducing cold spots. 

The disadvantage of the baffle box design is that it is more expensive: it requires more labor and materials, making it a high-quality construction method with a higher price tag. 

The Sewn-Through Box construction stitches the jacket’s lining and outer shell together, reducing the 2-dimensional box volume available for holding the down filling. This results in a lower fill weight and thus less insulation and warmth. 

In addition to the smaller boxes, the sewn-through construction creates a ‘cold bridge’ at the stitching, causing heat loss. The stitching holes also offer an escape path for the down and feathers, resulting in the jacket shedding its insulation over time. The sewn-through stitching imposes more wear and tear on the thread and fabric.

My old down jacket was of the sewn-through type, and from day one, it shed its feathers through the stitching holes at an alarming rate. Over the years, I left a trail of tiny feathers and down tufts across various continents.

The sewn-through construction allows for a budget-friendly puffer jacket as its production requires less labor and less material. Another advantage is that the down won’t shift as easily as the compartment is smaller than a baffle box. 

Goose Down vs Duck Down

Down insulation has typically been sourced from geese. But the increasing demand has driven up the price of goose down. Compared to geese, the duck farming industry and market is much bigger and duck down production is therefore much larger and cheaper than goose down. As a result, many manufacturers of down apparel switched to duck down in recent years .

Its lower cost is duck down’s only advantage, as its performance is inferior to goose down. Geese are bigger birds and their down tufts are much larger than duck down. Even for tufts of the same size, the insulation power of goose down is 15% higher than that of duck down. 

The fill power rating scale also illustrates the superiority of goose down. Duck down fill power ratings are in the 300-400.

Premium goose down can reach a fill power rating of up to 1000, while duck down can achieve a maximum of 750 or 800.

The advantage of goose down’s higher fill power is that it requires less down to fill space and achieve the same insulation or warmth as a jacket with duck down filling (assuming the fabrics and other features are comparable in weight, construction, and quality).

Premium fill-power goose down commands a premium price. It’s used to keep puffer jackets ultralight, ultrapackable, and ultra-insulated. So if you’re trying to save weight and space in your motorcycle luggage system or you want a stylish warm winter jacket that is guaranteed to keep you warm, an 800-fill-power puffer jacket like the Klim Maverick is your best bet. 

Synthetic Insulation Materials

Several alternatives and brand names exist for synthetic insulation fabrics that offer similar performance to Merino wool blends. These proprietary synthetic materials are popular for their lightweight, breathable, and insulating properties. They stand out for their fast moisture-wicking and quick-drying performance.

These synthetic alternatives offer varying levels of warmth, breathability, water resistance, and compressibility. Following you’ll find a list of synthetic insulation brands and technologies used in outdoor and motorcycle gear:

1. PrimaLoft

• Overview: PrimaLoft is a synthetic microfiber thermal insulation material developed as an alternative to goose down. Created for the U.S. military in the 1980s, PrimaLoft offers high warmth-to-weight performance and retains heat even when wet. It’s one of the most popular synthetic insulations for outdoor and performance gear, known for balancing warmth, compressibility, and water resistance.
• Key Features:
  • Lightweight with excellent thermal efficiency
  • Maintains warmth even when wet
  • Highly compressible, easy to pack into small spaces
  • Soft and comfortable feel, similar to natural down
  • Available in multiple versions for different applications (PrimaLoft Gold, Silver, Black)
  • Made from recycled materials in some versions (Eco-friendly options)
• Used in:
  • High-performance motorcycle and outdoor gear (jackets, gloves, sleeping bags)
  • Mid-layers and outerwear for activities like skiing, hiking, and motorcycling
  • Cold-weather (motorcycle) gloves and footwear
  • Insulated liners in (motorcycle) jackets and pants

2. Thinsulate

• Overview: Developed by 3M, Thinsulate is a thin and lightweight synthetic insulation known for its superior ability to trap heat without adding bulk. The name comes from “thin” and “insulate,” and it lives up to its name by offering warmth in a thin profile. It’s commonly used in a wide range of applications, from casual apparel to outdoor performance gear.
• Key Features:
  • Very thin, lightweight insulation with a high warmth-to-weight ratio
  • Traps air molecules between fibers for effective insulation
  • Available in multiple thicknesses and insulation grades
  • Maintains insulation properties even in damp conditions
  • Breathable and moisture-wicking
  • Often used in combination with other insulation layers for extreme cold-weather gear
• Used in:
  • Motorcycle gloves, winter gloves, hats, and boots
  • Motorcycle mid-layers, lightweight insulated jackets and pants
  • Outdoor sports gear (skiing, snowboarding, hiking)
  • Workwear for cold environments
  • Automotive applications (insulated car seats and interiors)

3. Polartec Alpha

• Overview: Originally developed for U.S. Special Forces, Polartec Alpha is known for its active insulation properties, which allow for better breathability while providing warmth.
• Key Features: Breathable, quick-drying, designed for dynamic activities where fluctuating temperatures are common.
• Used in: Outdoor gear, jackets, and mid-layers.

 PrimaLoft, Thinsulate, and Polartec Alpha are the most popular choices for synthetic insulation in motorcycle apparel applications. Valued for their warmth, lightweight performance, and moisture resistance, they are ideal for a wide variety of outdoor and cold-weather applications, including motorcycling.

If you’re looking for non-motorcycle brand alternatives, brands like Climashield, Coreloft, and Thermore offer comparable options. Each has its own strengths depending on the activity, climate, and gear requirements, and all can provide warmth, durability, and weather resistance without the bulk of traditional insulation. For motorcyclists, particularly, having flexible, lightweight, and weather-resistant insulation is key to comfort on long rides through varying conditions.

4. Climashield

• Overview: A continuous filament synthetic insulation, known for its durability and ability to retain loft even after repeated compression.
• Key Features: Highly compressible, durable, retains warmth even when wet, often used in military gear and outdoor applications.
• Used in: Sleeping bags, outdoor clothing, and some motorcycle gear.

5. Coreloft by Arc’teryx

• Overview: Developed by Arc’teryx, Coreloft is a proprietary insulation used in their jackets and other outerwear.
• Key Features: Highly compressible, low bulk, and provides efficient warmth.
• Used in: Arc’teryx gear, primarily in their insulated jackets and mid-layers.

6. Thermore

• Overview: An Italian company that produces high-performance thermal insulation for outdoor, active, and fashion apparel.
• Key Features: Lightweight, excellent thermal retention, and available in various versions, including EcoDown (recycled materials) and Freedom (stretch insulation).
• Used in: Fashion and outdoor brands, jackets, and activewear.

7. Thermolite

• Overview: A synthetic insulation technology known for lightweight warmth. Thermolite is designed to trap body heat and keep the user warm without adding excessive bulk.
• Key Features: Lightweight, moisture-wicking, highly breathable.
• Used in: Outdoor apparel, gloves, and mid-layers.

8. Apex by Polartec

• Overview: Apex is another synthetic insulation from Polartec designed for warmth, breathability, and lightweight performance.
• Key Features: Provides excellent thermal regulation and moisture-wicking properties.
• Used in: Mid-layers, outerwear, and activewear.

9. 3M Featherless Insulation

• Overview: Synthetic insulation designed to mimic the warmth and loft of down but with the added benefit of staying warm even when wet.
• Key Features: Water-resistant, retains warmth when damp, offers a down-like feel and compressibility.
• Used in: Jackets, sleeping bags, gloves.

10. G-Loft

• Overview: G-Loft is a synthetic insulation developed in Austria, known for its ability to combine the advantages of down and synthetic fibers.
• Key Features: High warmth-to-weight ratio, retains insulation when wet, quick drying, and durable.
• Used in: High-performance outdoor gear and tactical clothing.

11. Heatseeker by The North Face

• Overview: A proprietary synthetic insulation developed by The North Face for use in their outerwear and accessories.
• Key Features: Highly durable, retains warmth when wet, and compresses easily.
• Used in: The North Face jackets, sleeping bags, and gloves.

12. Loftech by Mountain Equipment

• Overview: A synthetic insulation developed by Mountain Equipment to mimic down’s warmth and compressibility, while maintaining its ability to stay warm when wet.
• Key Features: Highly compressible, lightweight, down-like performance.
• Used in: Mountain Equipment’s insulated jackets and sleeping bags.

13. FX Down by Montbell

• Overview: A synthetic alternative to down that provides great insulation while staying light and compressible.
• Key Features: Warmth similar to down, dries quickly, and retains insulating properties when wet.
• Used in: Montbell outdoor gear, especially jackets.

14. HyperDRY by Allied Feather & Down

• Overview: While this isn’t a synthetic insulation, it’s a water-resistant down that behaves similarly to synthetic fibers when wet, offering a combination of down’s warmth and water resistance.
• Key Features: Lightweight, water-resistant, retains loft even in damp conditions.
• Used in: High-end down jackets and sleeping bags.

Summary

All the aforementioned synthetic insulation materials are alternatives to Merino wool blends used by motorcycle gear brands like Klim and Mosko Moto for their thermal base and mid-layers. PrimaLoft, Polartec Alpha, and Thinsulate are popular synthetic insulation brands in the motorcycle gear industry, but the other outdoor gear brands offer comparable options. 

Each brand has its own strengths depending on the activity, climate, and gear requirements, and all can provide warmth, durability, and weather resistance without the bulk of traditional insulation. For motorcyclists, particularly, having flexible, lightweight, packability and weather-resistant insulation is key to comfort on long rides through varying conditions.

The post Mastering Motorcycle Gear: The Art and Science of Layering first appeared on It's Better On The Road.

If you’re sick of never finding a pair of riding pants that can do it all, you’ve found them in the Pando Moto Skin leggings. Here’s why…

When it comes to motorcycle gear, finding the perfect balance between comfort, style, and protection can feel like a never-ending search. Many pants I’ve tried either fall short in safety or are too bulky and uncomfortable to wear for long periods.

Motorcycle jeans are the best I’ve tried, but they’re often heavy, stuffy and steamy in hot weather. No fun.

That was until a friend introduced me to motorcycle underlayers like the PandoMoto Skin UH AAA leggings. I’ve been riding in these for a few months now, and my hunt for the perfect motorcycle pants finally ended. Now, any pair of pants is the perfect pair to ride in, worn over my Skin UH leggings.

Pando Moto Skin UH AAA Leggings

Perfect leggings for casual riding and summer heat without sacrificing protection. CE AAA rated up to 75mph highway slide on asphalt.

Wear jeans, hiking pants, pajamas on top - I don't care, it's your style not mine. Full review here.

Get 15% off when you buy direct on Pando Moto's site with code ROAD15.

Pros:

• Super flexible and breathable
• Zippers and loops at ankles for secure fit
• Included CE Level 2 hip and knee armor

Cons:

• None

Check Price on Pando Moto Check Price on Revzilla

We may earn commissions if you make a purchase. This keeps our site ad-free and never sponsored.

Best when paired with the CE AAA rated jacket / underlayer, the Commando.

Pando Moto Commando UH AAA Jacket

CE AAA jacket built to survive highway slides. Can be worn alone over a simple t-shirt or base-layer, or under another casual jacket to assume any style. Full review here.

Buy from Pando Moto with code ROAD15 for 15% off.

Pros:

• Material 15x stronger than steel
• Wear over a t-shirt, under a jacket
• Excellent airflow
• CE Level 2 armor at elbows, shoulders

Cons:

• Back protector sold separately

Check Price on Pando Moto Check Price on Revzilla

We may earn commissions if you make a purchase. This keeps our site ad-free and never sponsored.

Let’s get in to why I can confidently say these are the last pair of motorcycle pants I’ll ever need.

Rather watch this review? Here’s our full breakdown in video:

Why PandoMoto Leggings Stand Out

Why wear specialized motorcycle jeans instead of your favorite pair?

There is only one reason: safety.

So the first thing I’m going to address for you with the Pandomoto leggings is their safety rating. Whether you like it or not, these are CE AAA-rated, which means they’re tested to handle a 70 mph crash without tearing. That test is called the Darmstadt test, and if you’re interested in what “CE rated” really means, you can find plenty of resources on that like this from Revzilla.

What’s remarkable about the Skin UH is not the safety rating though – a leather tracksuit hits that AAA mark as well. The amazing part about the Skin UH is that they managed to earn that rating while remaining as breathable and comfortable as a pair of, well, leggings.

It’s important to note that I noticed the outer leg panels are made with heavier-duty material (BALISTEX – 15 times stronger than steel) than the inner legs. I asked Pando about this and found it’s by design and in line with CE guidelines.

Protection is prioritized on areas most likely to experience sliding impact—like your outer thighs and hips. This design balances great protection with airflow and comfort.

The leggings also come packaged with hip and knee armor, and it’s the good stuff: SAS-TEC TripleFlex CE level 2 armor pads that are super well ventilated and thin. These slot in to well-placed armor pockets that fit two standard sizes of armor, and the form-fitting nature of the leggings means the armor sits snugly right where it needs to.

I love the Pando Moto Skin UH for two reasons:

1. My legs don’t cook like a pair of bratwurst in these, even in 90F+ temperatures and 90% humidity of Thailand (where I spend most of my time)
2. I can wear any pair of pants over them, comfortably. That’s usually a pair of jeans, but I’ve also worn hiking pants and even, I’ll admit, gym shorts (it gets REALLY hot in Thailand)

Unlike other motorcycle gear that screams “riding gear” from a mile away, these leggings are discreet so you can wear them under anything—without sacrificing protection.

Wear Anything Over Them

One of the biggest perks of these leggings is their versatility. I’ve worn them under everything from casual jeans to hiking pants, and they remain comfortable all day long. I can stop for lunch and barely notice I’ve got a layer of protection underneath. If I do want to take them off, they’re easy to slide off (and back on) with zippers at the ankles and a drawstring at the waist.

On my recent 5-day trip around Thailand, I wore these leggings every day underneath a pair of light hiking pants. Despite hours of riding and frequent stops, I never feel overheated or restricted. The airflow is surprisingly good, and even in humid conditions, the leggings allowed sweat to evaporate quickly, leaving me feeling comfortable for the entire ride.

On the first day of that ride, I was so concerned about checking out all the cafes and restaurants I wanted to see (tour planning is not all fun!) that when I stopped at a local restaurant for lunch, I completely forgot I had these on. They don’t feel like “gear”—they just feel like pants. The material is soft against the skin, yet there’s no compromise on safety.

The form-fitting design also keeps the leggings from bunching up, and the snug fit ensures the CE Level 2 hip and knee pads stay in place no matter how you sit or move. I’ve worn these for eight hours at a time in sweltering heat, no joke, with zero discomfort.

I’m impressed.

Durable and Easy to Care For

When you invest in a high-end product like this, you expect it to last. After three months of regular use and several washes, I can say the Pando Moto leggings hold up remarkably well. I was initially concerned that frequent washing would affect the leggings’ elasticity or color, but they’ve maintained their shape and stretch.

Even after getting completely soaked on the third day of my recent five-day trip, I hung them to dry (in 90% humidity, it’s rainy season) and they dried out by morning. Even through all this punishment their color hasn’t faded, and there’s been no sign of the material breaking down.

These are as good now as they were on day one.

The Verdict: Worth Every Penny

When it comes to motorcycle protection, you really can’t put a price on safety. Yes, the Pando Moto Skin UH AAA leggings come with a hefty price tag, but when you consider the protection and versatility they offer, they’re worth every cent. Skin grafts and hospital bills are far more expensive (not to mention painful).

These leggings give you the freedom to wear anything you want over them, from jeans to hiking pants to sweats, without compromising on safety.

I genuinely believe these are the best motorcycle leggings on the market right now. They offer everything I need—comfort, versatility, and top-tier protection. Whether I’m doing a short day ride or planning a multi-day adventure, the Pando Moto Skin UH AAA leggings are well suited to the task.

I can’t wait to see how they compare to Bowtex’s upcoming third iteration of their leggings, but for now, these are my go-to pants for every ride.

If you’d like to wear your favorite jeans on your bike or ride in a hot climate, the Pando Moto Skin UH AAA are the right choice for you. And if you’re not happy with the price, consider that these will be the last motorcycle pants you ever need. Because now any pair of pants are your motorcycle pants!

And if you’re looking for a matching undershirt that’s also CE AAA rated: see below.

Pando Moto Skin UH AAA Leggings

Perfect leggings for casual riding and summer heat without sacrificing protection. CE AAA rated up to 75mph highway slide on asphalt.

Wear jeans, hiking pants, pajamas on top - I don't care, it's your style not mine. Full review here.

Get 15% off when you buy direct on Pando Moto's site with code ROAD15.

Pros:

• Super flexible and breathable
• Zippers and loops at ankles for secure fit
• Included CE Level 2 hip and knee armor

Cons:

• None

Check Price on Pando Moto Check Price on Revzilla

We may earn commissions if you make a purchase. This keeps our site ad-free and never sponsored.

Pando Moto Commando UH AAA Jacket

CE AAA jacket built to survive highway slides. Can be worn alone over a simple t-shirt or base-layer, or under another casual jacket to assume any style. Full review here.

Buy from Pando Moto with code ROAD15 for 15% off.

Pros:

• Material 15x stronger than steel
• Wear over a t-shirt, under a jacket
• Excellent airflow
• CE Level 2 armor at elbows, shoulders

Cons:

• Back protector sold separately

Check Price on Pando Moto Check Price on Revzilla

We may earn commissions if you make a purchase. This keeps our site ad-free and never sponsored.

The post Pando Moto Skin UH AAA Leggings Review: The Only Moto Pants You Need first appeared on It's Better On The Road.

Add Boreas, Aquilo, or other gods of winter into the mix, and we’ll need warm clothing under our riding jacket and pants to cope with the plummeting temperatures. Factor in the windchill, which increases dramatically the faster you go, and you’ll need to upgrade your riding outfit with several warm layers under your winter motorcycle jacket. 

You may delve into your winter wardrobe and don a flannel shirt and knitted sweater or two, but casual clothes are not nearly as effective as layering with base and mid-layers designed to work together.

If you’re as passionate about riding as we are, hibernating is simply not an option as the primal urge to go riding is too strong to ignore, even if it’s cold. But giving in to that craving doesn’t override your other primal desire. The one for which you don’t want to risk sacrificing your family jewels on Jack Frost’s ice altar. 

But fear not, “Klim Technical Riding Gear” AKA “The Layering Company” offers a range of thermal base/mid-layers to keep you warm and comfortable. And no, they aren’t just the “most hyped brand” – Klim makes the best technical gear for riding, and I’ve tried just about every piece they’ve produced.

And it doesn’t surprise me that Klim nails layering more than any other manufacturer; they are the world’s #1 snowmobile apparel brand. The folks from Idaho know a thing or two about dressing for the cold!

List of Reviewed Klim Layers

In the following long-term test, I evaluated the three base layers and two mid-layers that kept me cozy and warm on my journeys on three continents over the past year and a half. 

Boxers	Pants	Shirt
Klim Teton Merino Shorts	KLIM Teton Merino Wool Pants	KLIM Teton Merino Wool LS Shirt
Primary Rating: 5.0	Primary Rating: 5.0	Primary Rating: 5.0
Check Price on Revzilla	Check Price on Amazon	Check Price on Amazon
	Check Price on Revzilla	Check Price on Revzilla

Boxers

Klim Teton Merino Shorts

Primary Rating:

5.0

Check Price on Revzilla

Pants

KLIM Teton Merino Wool Pants

Primary Rating:

5.0

Check Price on Amazon

Check Price on Revzilla

Shirt

KLIM Teton Merino Wool LS Shirt

Primary Rating:

5.0

Check Price on Amazon

Check Price on Revzilla

The Mid Layers I tested were the Klim Maverick Down Jacket and Klim Teton Merino Wool 1/4-Zip Shirt which I’ll get in to further down in the review. You can always slide out the Table of Contents to jump to any point in the article by clicking the button in the bottom right or sliding your finger from right to left.

I layered these technical garments under the top-of-the-line Klim Badlands Pro A3 Jacket and Pants (reviewed here) on my ADV journeys and the Klim Traverse Jacket and Pants riding my dual-sport bikes.

You can read my review of the Klim Badlands Pro A3 here. It’s the world’s first—and so far only—CE AAA-rated Gore-Tex triple-layered textile suit, which sets a new benchmark for premium, über-protective, four-season, all-weather ADV gear. 

Test Results in a Nutshell

I tested these Klim layers in frigid fall temperatures in the Alps, freezing fog in the Pyrenees, and glacial spells in the Himalayas. It was so cold at times that, if it weren’t for the multiple layers of thermal insulation, I would’ve been forced to abort the trips to avoid turning into an icicle. 

Here’s what I found:

1. The Klim layering system
   • Allows for riding in all conditions with excellent thermal performance and versatility. 
   • Makes for more enjoyable and safer riding by regulating your body temperature.
2. Merino wool offers:
   • Superior thermal insulation (more comfort with less gear)
   • Moisture wicking (sweat doesn’t mix with cold air to make you an icicle)
   • Multi-day odor resistance (HUGE when doing any adventure ride)
   • Itch-free softness next to the skin. (Trust me, a little itch can ruin an otherwise incredible trip)
3. The Maverick Down Jacket 
   • Is remarkably warm yet ultra-light
   • Packs small in one of the hand pockets
   • Doubles as a great casual jacket

Why Klim for Layering?

This review evaluates a layering system for the colder half of the temperature spectrum. An effective layering wardrobe should consist of carefully selected base layers and mid-layers that cooperate well. This is the case for the Klim base and mid-layers since they are designed to be combined in a layering system.

Worn under your protective outer shell, these layers allow you to continue riding without risking becoming an iceman or melting into a puddle of sweat. In a future review, I’ll discuss technical gear for hot-weather riding.

Unless you’re a newcomer to the “extreme sport” of dual-sport/adventure riding and snowmobiling, Klim Technical Riding Gear needs no introduction. The brand has become synonymous with garments for hard-core ADV/dual-sport/enduro/MX and snowmobile enthusiasts.

If you are a new convert to the ADV/off-road motorcycle lifestyle, know that: 

Klim is the global leader in designing, developing, and manufacturing the most advanced technical riding gear and motor sports apparel for the snowmobile and motorcycle rider.

And that’s not a hollow marketing slogan, as insiders acknowledge that Klim sets the benchmark for the motorcycle and snowmobile apparel and gear industry.

Based on its track record in successfully developing gear and apparel for extreme outdoor sports, Klim has earned its self-proclaimed title:      KLIM® – THE LAYERING COMPANY

The technical layering apparel I tested for this review uses a blend of merino wool and nylon for the base and mid-layers and goose down for the insulation of the puffy jacket.

Klim Base Layers Reviewed: Klim Teton Merino Wool

For motorcyclists, comfort is paramount, especially on long rides. But finding base layers that can handle the demands of the road – cold, heat, and sweat – can be a challenge.

Let’s start from the innermost: Enter the Klim Teton Merino Wool Boxers, a pair of technical base layer boxers designed to keep you comfortable and confident, mile after mile. Much of what I note here will be applicable to all the Klim Teton Merino Wool base layers.

This section will be low on pictures; you don’t want to look at my underwear.

Klim Teton Merino Wool Boxers

Even in my weirdest dreams, I never imagined that one day, I’d be writing a review of underwear, let alone woolen boxers. I loathed wool throughout my boyhood because of the typical itchiness inherently caused by prickly, coarse woolen sweaters.

It’s beyond an understatement to say I was skeptical when someone recommended trying out undergarments in merino wool. But lo and behold, never before did something as simple as a pair of boxers obliterate my skepticism. The softness of the lightweight merino wool fabric was equaled by the surprising fact that it was itch-free.

The snug-fitting boxers are made from an 80/20 merino wool/nylon blend, prioritizing the natural comfort and odor resistance of merino while adding nylon for durability. The flatlock stitching throughout the garment promises a chafe-free experience, a crucial aspect of any motorcycle base layer.

Hitting the Road

The true test of any base layer lies in its performance on the road. My initial impression of comfort was confirmed during the initial six-week adventure ride through varying weather conditions across Europe. 

The merino wool proved to be exceptionally breathable, wicking away moisture effectively and keeping me cool on hot days. When temperatures dipped, the wool’s natural insulating properties provided surprising warmth without feeling bulky. 

In Klim’s marketing speak, it’s referred to as “warm and cool reactive temperature regulation”. What matters is that merino wool works exceptionally well at keeping you warm when it’s cold and cool when it’s hot. 

Merino’s reactive temperature regulating capacity is a unique quality that makes it versatile. I thought Merino wool base layers would only prove their value in terms of insulation against the cold. I had not expected it to be an effective base layer keeping me cool when it’s warm. On the contrary, I thought I would quickly break out in a sweat in rising temperatures. But thanks to Merino wool’s exceptional breathability and moisture-wicking capability, I kept my cool and my skin sweat-free.

Merino wool is also known for maintaining its insulation when wet. However, as my Klim Badlands Pro A3 combo is waterproof, I never had the chance to test this quality while riding. But I did experience Merino wool’s thermal insulation performance when my Klim Teton Merino Wool Long-Sleeve Shirt got wet during a bicycle ride. It felt definitely a lot warmer compared to a cotton shirt which becomes a chill generator when wet. 

Odor Resistance Put to the Test

One of the biggest advantages of merino wool is its odor-resistant antimicrobial nature. I was rather skeptical of the claim of its multi-day odor resistance. However, it didn’t take long to make me a believer. 

After a full day of riding, the Teton Boxers remained remarkably fresh. But the amazing feature was the ability to go multiple days without accumulating unpleasant odors. That’s a major perk for me.

Imagine my surprise when I realized I could wear Merino wool shirts and boxer shorts for multiple days without exuding obnoxious odors or starting a mushroom farm in my crotch and armpits.

Wearing boxers multiple days without washing may seem like odd behavior. But on solo explorations of remote areas, my limited luggage capacity forces me to wear my clothes beyond the “laundry due date”, although my wife and children would claim the “disposal due date”. It’s not by choice, but laundromats are scarce in the wilderness. If you have any experience with synthetic undergarments, you know how quickly they become a putrefying biohazard if not washed daily. 

Thanks to Merino wool, I no longer have to incinerate my boxers at the end of a trip.

Durability on the move

The 80/20 merino/nylon blend is a winning combination for durability. The boxers held up well to the rigors of long-distance motorcycling, including multiple washes without shrinking. The inclusion of nylon in the fabric blend pays off. 

After a year and a half of intensive use, including multi-month adventure trips on three continents, the boxers have kept their form and still fit snugly as the fabric has not worn thin or lost elasticity. 

Design Features

The Teton Boxers feature a classic boxer brief design with a comfortable, fairly snug, no-bunching fit. The muted Klim branding ensures a clean look that complements any riding gear. A unique feature is the inclusion of a discreet “crush flap” opening, making those mid-ride sanitary pit stops a breeze.

The Verdict

The Klim Teton Merino Wool Boxers are a “must-have” addition to any motorcyclist’s wardrobe. Their comfort, breathability, moisture-wicking, odor resistance, and durability make them a compelling choice for long rides in both cold and hot weather. 

While the price point might be slightly higher than some synthetic base layers, the performance and natural properties of merino wool make it a worthwhile investment. Considering that these could replace 5 pairs of synthetic boxers on the road, their pricing makes them a steal.

These boxers made me rethink my multi-day packing strategy (fewer changes of underwear needed!). Just buy them, it’s a no-brainer. You will thank me later. 

Klim Teton Merino Shorts

Like five pairs of boxers in one, these are moisture wicking, odor-resistant, and don't chafe.

Check Price on Revzilla

We may earn commissions if you make a purchase. This keeps our site ad-free and never sponsored.

Specs

• Klim-specific custom 80/20 blend of merino wool/nylon specifically designed for the rigors of motorcycling/snowmobiling while remaining 100% functional for casual use and retaining all of the benefits of merino wool.
• Knit from sub-17 micron merino fibers for unequaled comfort.
• 150 GSM merino wool (GSM = Gram per Square Meter, a unit of measurement of fabric weight. 150 GSM is the weight for ultra-lightweight merino wool).
• Extremely versatile/regulates your microclimate in both hot and cold climates (able to keep you warm and cool built into one garment).
• Antimicrobial / odor-resistant / multiple-day use without odor
• Maintains insulating value even while wet.
• Static resistant.
• Shrink resistant.
• Breathable.
• Stain resistant.
• Open body fit not too loose, not too tight.
• Muted branding.

Klim Teton Merino Wool Pants

The Klim Teton Merino Wool Pants are made of the same 80/20 merino wool/nylon blend as the boxers and possess the same qualities and design features. The pants’ performance in terms of breathability, insulation, reactive temperature regulation, moisture wicking, multi-day odor resistance, chafe-free comfort, and durability is identical to that of the boxers. 

I quickly came to appreciate these versatile undergarment pants, wearing them daily while riding in the mountains and cold weather. I always wore them over my boxers. At $80, they are great value and should be a fundamental part of your base layer kit. You can find cheaper synthetic leggings, but they won’t perform as well and will stink after a day, let alone multiple days. I won’t leave on a trip without my Klim Teton Merino Wool Pants. 

KLIM Teton Merino Wool Pant

$79.99

The only leggings you need for cold weather riding.

Check Price on Amazon Check Price on Revzilla

We may earn commissions if you make a purchase. This keeps our site ad-free and never sponsored.

06/07/2025 04:35 am GMT

Klim Teton Merino Wool LS Shirt

The Klim Teton Merino Wool Long-Sleeve Shirt is made of the same 80/20 merino wool/nylon blend and possesses the same qualities as the boxers and pants. There’s also a short-sleeved version of this long-sleeve shirt in the catalog. 

Fitting slightly loose, the shirt is just as soft and comfortable as the boxers and pants and performs identically in terms of breathability, insulation, reactive temperature regulation, moisture wicking, multi-day odor resistance, and durability. 

It has become my favorite base layer and is now an integral part of my riding kit and casual wardrobe. I like its neutral color, low-key look, and understated elegance, a far cry from the garish motocross jerseys in bright colors that require sunglasses to look at. I often wear it on my bicycle rides to a lunch meeting in the city, reassured it won’t show sweat stains thanks to its moisture-wicking capability. 

While writing this review, I was trying hard to come up with any drawbacks I could think of, as that’s what I’m expected to do as a gear reviewer. But since I’m very happy with the quality, fit, and performance of the Klim Teton merino wool base layers, there’s simply nothing negative to discuss.

At $80, the Klim Teton merino wool LS Shirt is priced competitively compared to other high-end brands. Like the boxers and pants in the Teton Merino wool line-up, the fit, quality, comfort, and thermal performance of the LS Shirt surpassed my expectations. 

Given how often I wear my Klim merino wool base and mid-layers, I find the Klim Teton product line great value and I fully recommend it to be a part of your technical base layers. You can find cheaper synthetic shirts, boxers, and pants, but they won’t perform as well and will stink after a day. I won’t leave on a trip without my Klim Teton Merino Wool Long-Sleeve Shirt, Pants, and Boxers. 

Boxers	Pants	Shirt
Klim Teton Merino Shorts	KLIM Teton Merino Wool Pants	KLIM Teton Merino Wool LS Shirt
Primary Rating: 5.0	Primary Rating: 5.0	Primary Rating: 5.0
Check Price on Revzilla	Check Price on Amazon	Check Price on Amazon
	Check Price on Revzilla	Check Price on Revzilla

Boxers

Klim Teton Merino Shorts

Primary Rating:

5.0

Check Price on Revzilla

Pants

KLIM Teton Merino Wool Pants

Primary Rating:

5.0

Check Price on Amazon

Check Price on Revzilla

Shirt

KLIM Teton Merino Wool LS Shirt

Primary Rating:

5.0

Check Price on Amazon

Check Price on Revzilla

Klim Teton 1/4 Zip Reviewed

Klim pitches its redesigned Teton Merino Wool ¼ Zip Shirt as the ultimate everyday multi-tool mid-layer that’ll keep you warm on and off the bike on cooler days. It’s a versatile shirt that feels soft and comfortable. It’s made of a thick lofty elastic fabric of high-quality merino wool reinforced with nylon for durability.

Like the Klim Teton merino wool base layers, the Teton ¼ Zip Shirt benefits from the same qualities being breathable, multi-day odor-resistant, and reactively regulating body temperature. 

You can wear it as a middle layer when riding in cooler weather, or just on its own for casual occasions. Its understated design, subdued features, and high-quality finish make it suitable for various settings. This shirt is a practical and comfortable choice for everyday wear.

In addition to keeping you warm and comfortable in inclement weather, this modular layering system of Teton base layers and Maverick Down Jacket offers great versatility. The various ways to combine the base and mid-layers allow you to adjust the level of insulation or warmth required to cope with the cold. 

I put this ¼ zip shirt to the test on multiple journeys on three continents to see if it lives up to its promise as a mid-layer under my motorcycle jacket and as a stand-alone casual jacket.

The ‘quality feeling’ of the Teton ¼ Zip Shirt’s fabric was the first thing that impressed me. Like its Teton base-layer siblings, it’s constructed from a soft merino wool/nylon blend, but the fabric is much thicker and loftier. This blend prioritizes the natural benefits of merino – breathability, odor resistance, and temperature regulation – while nylon adds durability to the material. Merrow stitching (AKA overlock) ensures chafe-free seams for comfort. 

This garment is the ultimate temperature regulator: during hot days, the shirt excelled at wicking away moisture, keeping me cool and dry. When temperatures dipped, the wool’s natural insulating properties provided warmth without feeling bulky. The ¼ zip closure proved to be a valuable feature, allowing for quick venting when needed and providing extra protection against wind chill when fully zipped.

One of the most appealing aspects of merino wool is its natural resistance to odor. Even after extended days in the saddle, the Teton ¼ Zip remained surprisingly fresh, similar to the Teton merino base layers. Keeping the stink at bay is a significant advantage, allowing you to pack lighter without risking being labeled a biohazard.

As far as durability, blending nylon into the merino wool helps this shirt keep its shape through daily wears and washes, and adds wind resistance to the insulation capacity.

The Teton ¼ Zip classic design with raglan sleeves allows for unrestricted movement on the bike. The slightly longer back is a nice touch, preventing bunching while riding.

The zip of the external chest pocket (large enough for a phone or wallet) is cleverly hidden in the seam of the front panel housing the main ¼ zip, while a subtle Klim logo next to it adds a touch of style. The ¼ zip features light-reflective striping for visibility in the dark.

The Verdict

The Klim Teton Merino Wool ¼ Zip Shirt is a versatile and valuable addition to my technical layering system. Its performance across various temperatures, wind resistance, impressive odor resistance, and comfortable design make it a top choice for layering. The ¼ zip closure adds functionality for on-the-go temperature management. While the price point ($130) might be slightly higher than some synthetic base layers, the natural properties of merino wool and the overall quality of the garment justify the investment.

Beyond living up to my high expectations of warmth and comfort, it impressed me with its durability and versatility. Just like the Maverick puffer jacket, the ¼ zip shirt has become a staple in my casual wardrobe.

Klim Teton Merino Wool 1/4 Zip Shirt

An excellent merino wool mid-layer on and off the bike.

Check Price on Revzilla

We may earn commissions if you make a purchase. This keeps our site ad-free and never sponsored.

Specs

• Custom blend of merino wool/nylon for greater durability
• Lofty knit from premium merino wool fibers for exceptional comfort
• Low profile merrow stitching for comfort
• One hidden external chest pocket
• Extremely versatile – regulates body microclimate in hot and cold conditions
• Antimicrobial and multi-day odor-resistant
• Maintains insulating value even when wet
• Slightly loose fit
• Raglan sleeves
• Zipper garage
• Breathable
• Naturally stain resistant 
• Static resistant

Klim Maverick Down Jacket Reviewed

If you’ve ever found yourself questioning all your life choices while shivering on a motorcycle, teeth chattering so hard your twitching jaw muscles break the wind-blown frozen layer of snot on your face, then a warm puffer jacket might well be your next new best friend. 

Patched up and looking ragged and forlorn from years of abuse on my two-wheeled adventures, my old down jacket was beyond retirement age. Getting lighter after shedding most of its feathers through the stitch holes of the sewn-through baffles, I figured it was time to upgrade my thermal mid-layer. Enter Klim’s best-selling Maverick Down Jacket.

This jacket went so far beyond my expectations in comfort and versatility that I’m wearing it as a daily around-town jacket, as well as on the motorcycle.

Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of this technical mid-layer.

The first thing you’ll notice is that the Klim Maverick Down Jacket is ultralight. It feels almost weightless, to the point where you wonder how such an ethereal puffer jacket can keep you warm. But after wearing it in brutally cold conditions, I can vouch for its effective thermal insulation. I never had a piece of clothing so incredibly light and warm as the Klim Maverick.

KLIM Maverick Down Jacket

$249.99

A down jacket for more than motorcycle riding. This weightless and highly packable gem is a daily around-town jacket as well.

Pros:

• Featherlight (pun intended)
• Packs down small
• Laughs at rain and wind

Cons:

• No hood

Check Price on Revzilla Check Price on Amazon

We may earn commissions if you make a purchase. This keeps our site ad-free and never sponsored.

The Secret to Light + Warm: Down Fill Power

How did Klim pull off the opposing design objectives of insulation and weightlessness? 

The secret sauce lies in its filling: The Maverick is packed to the gills with 800-fill-power down. Klim’s puffer jacket is fluffier than white cotton ball clouds in a blue sky on a mid-summer day… but way more practical.

If you’re not familiar with the fill power rating scale for down-filled apparel, then check out my article on layering in general.

The mid-layer, as any outdoors gear nerd will tell you, is crucial for staying warm when the going gets rough, temperature-wise. Goosedown still reigns supreme in the world of cold weather performance gear for extreme outdoor activities. It holds onto more air than any other material, meaning it keeps you warm and toasty without weighing you down.

The 800 fill-power goose down is super-efficient at keeping you warm without needing much of it. The down is 90/10 Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certified gray goose down. So you can feel good in a PC kind of way, knowing that the geese were treated humanely before generously donating their fluffy feathers to a charity-endorsed good cause, namely your comfort.

The 90/10 goose-down ratio indicates that the jacket filling consists of 90% down and 10% feather. This ratio is also known as the down-to-feather ratio or down-cluster ratio. The higher the down percentage, the better the warmth-to-weight ratio and the higher the quality and thermal insulation of the puffer jacket. 

Down is better at providing warmth and comfort than feathers, which can push through fabrics and are more suited to harder, more durable products. Another advantage of top-quality down with high fill power is that it lasts and keeps its loft a lot longer than cheaper, lower fill-power down.

With the Klim Maverick Down Jacket, you’re getting top-tier insulation without looking like the Michelin Man—a win for both warmth and style. 

Klim has another trick with this jacket: they engineered seamless down baffles, which not only sounds fancy but also means you won’t have down feathers poking out of stitch holes.

The baffle box construction method is a far superior design compared to the cheaper sewn-through construction which is notorious for shedding feathers and having cold spots at the seams. You can find out more about the ins and outs of puffer jacket construction in the relevant section in my article about layering in general.

Another advantage of the baffle box construction is that there are no visible sewing threads on the seams that risk getting caught on Velcro every time you put it on. 

The windproof, water-repellent outer shell is made of 20D nylon fabric. I found that the Maverick is impervious to wind, performing better than expected. I’ve often ridden in the city in freezing temperatures just wearing my puffer jacket and never felt the need to don a windproof outer shell. 

I’ve also worn my Maverick jacket while walking and cycling in light rain. The nylon fabric is treated with a DWR coating (Durable Water Repellent), and the raindrops just run off the jacket. So you won’t have to worry about getting soaked in a drizzle. Now, if it starts pouring cats and dogs, you might want to reach for a rain jacket, but this bad boy will hold its own in most conditions.

One of the practical features of the Maverick is that it packs very small, hardly taking up any space when storing it in your backpack or tank bag. The jacket folds up into one of the zippered hand pockets. So there’s no separate storage pouch that risks getting lost or that you don’t have with you when you need it. It’s the jacket version of a burrito—compact, satisfying, and always a good idea.

The Maverick is low-profile, easily fitting under your riding jacket, and the in-pocket bottom hem drawcord adjustment lets you get the perfect fit. One quick tug keeps the warmth in while the jacket is loose enough you don’t feel like a sausage.

The soft fabric zipper garage at the top of the main zipper is an easily overlooked small detail, but one that prevents the metal zipper slider from irritating the skin of your throat. My previous puffer jacket didn’t have a zipper garage, forcing me to leave the zipper open at the top to avoid the slider scratching my skin. This was especially annoying when cinching the outer jacket’s collar tight to prevent cold air ingress. 

Another minor detail that makes the Maverick more user-friendly is the spring-loaded pull tab keeping the locking pin firmly in position, preventing the zipper from sliding open inadvertently. Little things make a difference, right? 

The jacket also has two zip hand pockets, perfect for securely storing all the essentials—keys, phone, wallet, or… the jacket itself. Turned inside out, the right-hand side pocket doubles as the storage pouch for the jacket. 

Klim didn’t forget about safety, even though this is technically a mid-layer. But they know many owners also use it as a casual puffer jacket for everyday use. The jacket comes with 3M™ Scotchlite™ reflective material, which means you’ll shine bright like a diamond—or at least be visible to oncoming traffic.

The Klim Maverick Down Jacket is now a cornerstone piece of my casual spring/winter/fall wardrobe. It’s my go-to jacket on cold days and it gets worn a lot more than any of my other casual jackets. Whenever I can’t find it when I’m about to leave the house, it’s because my son is wearing it. I wear it while walking the dog, on my bicycle, and on my trips into the city. 

Drawbacks

The main drawback is that the Maverick doesn’t sport a hood. It would be nice to have a puffy hood (that folds away in the collar) to keep your noggin and ears warm when it’s cold and windy. Besides using the Maverick for layering under my riding jacket, I also use it as a daily casual jacket.

Another drawback is the lack of a lanyard sewn in the hand pocket that doubles as its storage pouch. When I take it off and stow it away in the turned-inside-out hand pocket, I have to hold it when I don’t bring a bag. It would be convenient to have a lanyard to hang it on my wrist or with a carabiner from my belt. Minor, but annoying.

Are you reading this, Klim designers in Rigby, ID?

Also, keep in mind that premium fill-power goose down commands a premium price. It’s used to keep puffer jackets ultralight, ultra-packable/compressible, and ultra-insulated. But the great part about high fill-power is it lasts long – so you won’t have to buy a new jacket in a year or two (like I did).

When you compare prices, make sure you compare apples to apples. The construction method (baffle box vs sewn-through), the quality (fill power and down-to-feather ratio), and the quantity (fill weight) of the down filling largely determine the cost. Also, goose down is more expensive than duck down and synthetic insulation like, for example, PrimaLoft or Thinsulate. As far as technical base layers from other brands, the Maverick is about the same price but also made for motorcycling.

Final Thoughts

The Klim Maverick Down Jacket is the kind of gear you’ll wonder how you ever lived without. It’s warm, comfy, super-light, and packed with smart features making it perfect for riding in cold weather. Plus, it’s so packable that it takes up almost no space in your tank bag or panniers, leaving plenty of room for the other essentials.

In short, the KLIM Maverick Down Jacket was a total win on all my ADV journeys on three continents. It teamed up perfectly with my Klim Badlands Pro A3 Jacket and Klim Traverse Jacket, and I was never once left out in the cold—literally or figuratively.

So, if you’re tired of shivering your way through cold rides and defrosting your shriveled nuts with your hand warmers, do yourself a favor and snag one of these Klim Maverick Down Jackets.

KLIM Maverick Down Jacket

$249.99

A down jacket for more than motorcycle riding. This weightless and highly packable gem is a daily around-town jacket as well.

Pros:

• Featherlight (pun intended)
• Packs down small
• Laughs at rain and wind

Cons:

• No hood

Check Price on Revzilla Check Price on Amazon

We may earn commissions if you make a purchase. This keeps our site ad-free and never sponsored.

Specs

• 800-fill-power down.
• 90/10 Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certified gray goose down.
• Engineered seamless down baffles (reduces down loss, no stitching to snag on Velcro).
• Highly wind-resistant 20D nylon fabric.
• Packs into its own pocket.
• Durable Water Repellent (DWR) treatment on the fabric.
• Low profile cuff binding.
• 3M™ Scotchlite™ reflective material.
• 2 zip hand pockets.
• Low-profile elastic cuff binding traps heat.
• Low profile in-pocket bottom hem adjustment.
• Zipper garage.

Check out my article on layering in general where I break down materials and construction. Even after trying almost all the other base layers on the market: All the Klim base and mid layers in this article are the best (and best value) layers out there right now.

Boxers	Pants	Shirt
Klim Teton Merino Shorts	KLIM Teton Merino Wool Pants	KLIM Teton Merino Wool LS Shirt
Primary Rating: 5.0	Primary Rating: 5.0	Primary Rating: 5.0
Check Price on Revzilla	Check Price on Amazon	Check Price on Amazon
	Check Price on Revzilla	Check Price on Revzilla

Boxers

Klim Teton Merino Shorts

Primary Rating:

5.0

Check Price on Revzilla

Pants

KLIM Teton Merino Wool Pants

Primary Rating:

5.0

Check Price on Amazon

Check Price on Revzilla

Shirt

KLIM Teton Merino Wool LS Shirt

Primary Rating:

5.0

Check Price on Amazon

Check Price on Revzilla

The post Klim Maverick Jacket and Teton Base Layers Reviewed first appeared on It's Better On The Road.

Trust me, my friend and I almost shook ourselves off the highway on a cold November night in Japan. It was a modest 50 degrees out, and growing up in Chicago that meant tossing on a light jacket.

But with 60mph wind on a motorcycle… you need every layer you can get. I under-packed for that trip and almost paid a hefty price for it multiple times. We ended up stopping a lot more than we wanted to just to get some feeling back in our hands. 

I wish I had the Venustas heated vest on that trip.

The quick verdict of this review is that the Venustas jacket is versatile, durable and affordable. It’s a great piece of gear for anyone who gets cold on (or off) their bike.

Testing Venustas in Person

Venustas makes several simple vests and jackets with integrated heating elements suitable for any outdoor activities. Unlike most heated motorcycle gear, they are powered by a removable battery pack (just like a phone backup battery) instead of requiring you to run a lead to your bike’s battery.

I’ve owned the Men’s Heated Recycled Fleece Vest (7.4V) for several months now, and wear it under my motorcycle jacket on winter rides.

Normally I wouldn’t ride much this time of year, with temperatures ranging between the mid 30s and low 50s Fahrenheit. That’s cold enough without the wind chill factor riding a naked bike like my MT-07.  

My hope was that the vest would keep me warm and toasty in these cold December temperatures and extend my riding reason… I am happy to say it delivered. 

First, I want to cover the vest itself: my impressions of the build quality and unboxing. Then I’ll talk about how it performed while I was out on a ride. 

Construction and Build Quality

As for construction, the vest is made from 100% recycled polyester fleece. Warm and tough. It comes with a surprisingly useful number of pockets: five in total. You get three pockets on the outside (one on either side and a chest pocket) and two on the inside (one that holds the battery on your lower back, and one inner pocket opposite the chest pocket). 

It also comes with six heating zones – four in the front, a big one at the top of your back, and a really nice one in the collar. We humans tend to lose a lot of heat at the neck so that was a nice addition. 

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting this given the price: but the build quality is solid with strong stitching and quality zippers. The fleece material is a perfect fit on a heated vest like this: it feels warm and soft. It lacks the premium feel of something like my Patagonia vest, but that’s not what I’m paying for here and it doesn’t matter much when I’m wearing a motorcycle jacket on top. 

Comfort and Wearability

As far as overall comfort, the heating pads take up no space whatsoever and I barely notice the vest under my jacket when I ride. That being said, I do recommend you wear this with a motorcycle jacket that has a bit of extra room because if you are wearing race leathers or a slim jacket that juuuust fits – the vest will not fit underneath. 

And I hope it goes without saying that this vest does not offer any protection in a crash. I’d imagine the garment would tear almost instantly on contact with the ground at high speeds, but then again, I didn’t buy it for protection. I have been wearing my motorcycle gear on top of it and I recommend you do as well. 

On the plus side, this means it lacks all the bulk of a traditional piece of motorcycle gear, so you can also wear it on walks, hiking, out to dinner and anywhere else you might want a little extra heat. 

Battery and Charging

The 4800 mAh battery that powers the vest is just like you’d expect from a phone backup battery: compact and lightweight while being well built and durable. It has a USB-C type input for charging it up, and a USB-A (older style) output for connecting to the jacket. And by the way, it doubles as a phone charger in case you need some charge while you’re on the road. 

Venustas claims the battery lasts for 8-10 hours; that’s about spot on. I found battery life to be around 7 hours when on the highest heat setting. That battery should charge up a brand new iPhone twice over too, or keep you warm for 3-4 hours and charge your phone from 0 to 100 in one day.

The connection between the vest and the battery pack was snug and secure while riding, despite a lot of movement on my bike. I never found the vest unplugged itself. Speaking of snug, Venustas was also clever to include adjustable pulls on both sides of the vest to keep it snug to your body and trap that hot air inside. 

Durability: The Wash Test

The vest is machine-washable and can be put in the dryer which makes it very easy to keep clean and fresh. All you have to remember to do is take out the battery and close the back pocket that has the battery connection cord in it. I threw it in the washer and dryer once – no problems with the cord, heating elements, zippers, discoloration or shedding. Solid.

Should you have any issues with normal use and washing, the company offers a 1-year warranty on the battery and a 2-year warranty on the heating pads. Good to see a company stand by their products! 

Verdict: Love This Venustas Vest

As a motorcycle rider, I found this vest to be a great way to extend my riding season. With outdoor temperatures in the 30s and 40s while testing this jacket, I’ve found it invaluable in keeping me warm and focused on the road. I made plenty of use of the three heat settings, but I found that I needed the hottest setting on my rides in this climate.

And although this is just a vest, I found it helped keep my hands and arms as well. The vest takes care of keeping my vital organs warm, so my body doesn’t have to redirect heat to my core. While I couldn’t ride around with just a Venustas vest and nothing else, the vest certainly helped keep my hands and arms warmer under my winter-weight jacket and gloves. 

As any rider knows, your hands are the first to get cold in these conditions. One trick I found with this vest is to stick my cold hands into the vest pockets when I took a break from riding. Like holding your hands over an open fire, they’re toasty and good to go in five minutes! 

And I have to admit, I’ve started wearing it off the bike as well. I love the look of this vest, and it just makes life easier. Usually I’d wear a jacket this time of year, but with the heated vest, I have been able to just throw it over a long-sleeve and take a half hour walk with the dogs. 

Okay, so far I’ve had nothing but praise to sing about this jacket. But there is one small downside I noticed while living with this jacket: the location of the battery pack makes it annoying to sit with the vest on.

Sitting in a chair or a car puts the battery back right between your lower back and the seat, which is not a comfortable spot for a plastic block. While the battery is compact at just 1 inch tall, that’s enough thickness to notice it. Not a problem on the motorcycle, but it would have been nice to have had the option of keeping the battery in one of the front pockets for everyday use.

But that won’t keep me from wearing this vest on and off the bike throughout the fall, winter, and early spring. It’s a fantastic piece of gear: practical, affordable, and looks good.

Venustas Fleece Heated Vest

Heats the chest, back, shoulders and collar for 10 hours using a rechargeable battery pack (that can also charge your phone!)

Men's Women's

We may earn commissions if you make a purchase. This keeps our site ad-free and never sponsored.

Venustas also has heated gloves, hoodies and more – available for men, women, and kids. Can’t wait to try these out too!

The post Heated Fleece Vest by Venustas: Is it Reliable? first appeared on It's Better On The Road.