Heated Clothing

Heated Clothing for Winter: Stay Warm Without the Bulk

Heated clothing has thin, flexible heating elements sewn into the fabric. They're powered by a small USB power bank or a battery box, and they give you steady warmth at the touch of a button. Easy Life Markets sells heated clothing and heated accessories for every part of the body that gets cold first: heated jackets, heated gloves, heated socks, a wearable heated shawl and a USB heating pad. You'll find them all above.

Instead of piling on layer after layer, you can wear one lighter garment and switch the heat up or down as the day changes. That's why heated clothing is popular with skiers, anglers, campers, motorcyclists, outdoor workers, commuters and anyone who lives in a cold home.

Our Heated Clothing at a Glance

How Heated Clothing Works

Inside each garment are thin heating panels made of conductive fibre or fine wire. When electricity flows through them, they warm up, much like a very gentle electric blanket. A small controller, usually a single button, lets you pick the heat level. The power comes from one of two places:

• A USB power bank, the same kind you use to charge a phone, tucked into an inside pocket. Our heated jacket needs a 5V / 2.1A power bank.
• A battery box that holds standard batteries, usually AA, attached at the cuff of a glove or the top of a sock.

The panels sit where they do the most good. On the heated jacket there are eight zones, at the neck, shoulders, back, waist and belly. Keeping your core warm helps the rest of your body too, because your body is less likely to pull warm blood away from your hands and feet when your core feels cold. For a general background, see this overview of heated clothing.

USB or Battery-Powered Heated Clothing?

Both work well. The right choice depends on how and where you'll use it.

USB heated clothing

• Runs from a power bank, laptop, USB charger or car USB port.
• Most people already own a power bank, and it can be recharged anywhere.
• Great for desks, sofas, cars and moving around with a power bank in your pocket.
• Examples: the heated jacket, USB heated gloves, USB heated socks, USB heated shawl and USB heating pad.

Battery-powered heated clothing

• Uses a battery box with standard cells, so there's no cable to a power bank.
• Easy to swap batteries on the slopes or out in the field.
• You'll need spare batteries for long days. Rechargeable AA cells save money over time.
• Examples: the heated ski gloves and battery heated socks.

Choosing Heated Clothing by Activity

Skiing and snowboarding

Fingers and toes get cold first on the slopes, especially on chairlifts. Pair the heated ski gloves with the battery heated socks, and wear the heated jacket as a mid-layer or on its own on milder days.

Ice fishing, hunting and birdwatching

Sitting still in the cold is harder than moving. Heated clothing shines here: a heated jacket keeps your core warm, and a USB heating pad takes the chill off a cold seat or bucket.

Camping

Nights are the challenge. Slip the 45 x 90 cm heating pad into your sleeping bag to warm it up before bed (and switch it off before you sleep), and wear the heated jacket around the campfire. Pack a walkie talkie set to stay in touch with your group.

Motorcycling and cycling

Wind chill makes riding in winter brutal. A heated jacket under your outer layer makes a real difference. Check that any power bank is secure in a zipped pocket.

Outdoor work

Builders, delivery drivers, farmers, market traders and security staff spend long hours outside. Heated clothing helps people stay comfortable and focused through a cold shift.

At home and in the office

Heating a whole house is expensive. Heating yourself is much cheaper. The USB heated shawl, USB heated gloves and USB heated socks plug into a laptop or charger at your desk, so you can turn the thermostat down a little and still feel warm. Our guide on how to stay warm at home has more ideas.

Is Heated Clothing Worth It?

For most people who spend time in the cold, yes. Here's why heated clothing has become so popular:

• Less bulk: one heated layer can replace two or three ordinary ones, so you move more freely.
• Adjustable: turn the heat up when you stop moving, and down or off when you're active.
• Targeted: warmth goes exactly where you feel cold, such as your hands, feet or back.
• Cheap to run: USB heated clothing uses only a few watts, far less than a room heater.
• Works as normal clothing: when the heat is off, a heated jacket is still a regular jacket.

The trade-offs are that you need to keep a power bank or batteries charged, and the electronics mean a little extra care when washing.

How Long Does Heated Clothing Stay Warm?

Run time depends on three things: the size of your power bank or batteries, the heat setting, and the outside temperature. Higher settings drain power faster, and cold weather reduces battery capacity. As a general rule:

• A bigger power bank (more mAh) runs longer.
• Low settings can last several times longer than high settings.
• Keeping the power bank in an inside pocket, close to your body, helps it work better in the cold.

For long days, carry a second power bank or a spare set of batteries. Many people run on high for a few minutes to warm up, then drop to low for the rest of the time.

Sizing Heated Clothing

Heated clothing works best when the heating panels sit close to your body. A jacket that's much too big leaves an air gap and feels less warm. At the same time, you want room for a thin base layer underneath.

• Jackets: check the chest measurement in the size chart on the product page. Our heated jacket has a roomy unisex cut, so most people take their usual size.
• Gloves: the heated ski gloves come in S to XL. Measure around your palm.
• Socks: make sure your boots aren't too tight with heated socks on. Tight boots cut off circulation and make feet colder.

Not sure which size to pick? Send us your measurements and we'll help.

Choosing a Power Bank

Most of our USB items don't come with a power bank, so it's worth picking a good one. Here's what to look for:

• Output: check the product page for what it needs. The heated jacket asks for 5V / 2.1A. A power bank with a lower output may not heat properly.
• Capacity: measured in mAh. A 10,000 mAh bank is a good all-rounder: small enough for a pocket and big enough for a few hours of use. A 20,000 mAh bank lasts longer but is heavier.
• Size and weight: slim, flat power banks sit more comfortably in a jacket pocket than chunky ones.
• Connector: most heated garments use a standard USB-A plug. Check that your power bank has a matching port, or carry a small adapter.
• Brand and safety: buy from a well-known brand. Cheap, unbranded power banks often overstate their capacity and can be less safe.
• Two ports: handy if you want to run gloves and a jacket from one bank, or charge your phone at the same time.

Charge your power bank fully the night before. If you'll be out all day in serious cold, take a spare.

How to Layer With a Heated Jacket

A heated jacket works best as part of a simple layering system:

1. Base layer: a thin, close-fitting top that moves sweat away from your skin. Merino wool or synthetic fabrics are better than cotton, which stays damp.
2. Heated layer: the heated jacket itself. On milder days it can be your outer layer. In real cold or wet weather, wear it under a shell.
3. Outer shell: a windproof and waterproof jacket over the top keeps wind and rain out and the heat in.

The aim is to keep the heating panels close to your body, with a thin layer in between, so the warmth reaches you rather than escaping. If you start to sweat, turn the heat down rather than opening everything up. Damp clothing makes you colder once you stop moving.

Heated Jacket or Insulated Jacket?

Both keep you warm, but they work in different ways.

An insulated jacket, such as a down or synthetic puffer, traps the heat your body already makes. It needs no power and never runs out, but it can only hold on to heat that is already there. When you're sitting still in very cold weather, your body makes less heat and you start to feel the chill.

A heated jacket adds warmth of its own. It's lighter and slimmer for the warmth it gives, and you can control it. The catch is that it relies on a charged power bank.

Many people use both: a heated jacket for cold, still activities like fishing or watching sport, and a puffer for everyday wear. For a strong all-round setup, wear the heated jacket under an insulated or windproof outer layer on the coldest days. See our women's hooded puffer jacket and men's padded winter jacket if you need an outer layer.

Warm Hands and Feet: Why They Get Cold First

When your body senses cold, it protects your vital organs by narrowing the blood vessels in your hands and feet. Less warm blood reaches your fingers and toes, so they cool down fastest. That's a normal survival response, but it's uncomfortable, and in very low temperatures it's how frostnip and frostbite start.

There are two ways to fight it. First, keep your core warm, because a warm body is more willing to send blood to the extremities; a heated jacket helps here. Second, add heat directly to your hands and feet with heated gloves and socks. Doing both is the most effective combination for long, cold days outside.

A few other tips help: keep moving your fingers and toes, avoid tight boots and gloves that squeeze circulation, stay dry, and eat and drink something warm when you can.

Warm at Your Desk: A Home Office Setup

Working from home in winter can mean long hours sitting still in a cool room. Rather than heating the whole house all day, many people heat just themselves:

• A USB heated shawl over your shoulders or lap, plugged into your laptop.
• USB heated gloves that leave your fingers free to type.
• USB heated socks for cold tiled floors.
• The USB heating pad on your chair.
• A small desk fan heater for the coldest mornings.

Each USB item draws only a few watts, so they cost very little to run compared with central heating or a large space heater. Our home office setup guide covers the rest of a comfortable workspace.

Using Heated Clothing Safely

Heated clothing is designed to be safe at the temperatures it reaches, but a few sensible rules apply:

• Start low. Begin on the lowest setting and only turn it up if you need to.
• Don't sleep in it while it's on. Switch heated clothing off before you fall asleep.
• Watch for warning signs. Stop if you feel burning, stinging, tingling or numbness.
• Take extra care with sensitive skin and health conditions. People with diabetes, poor circulation, nerve damage or reduced feeling in their skin may not notice if something gets too hot. Check with a doctor first. The same goes for anyone with conditions such as Raynaud's, where specialist advice is helpful.
• Supervise children and older relatives. Make sure the user can switch it off or remove it easily.
• Use good power banks. Choose a reputable brand with the right output, and don't use damaged batteries.
• Keep it dry. Don't use electrical heated clothing while soaking wet, and never put it in water while it's connected.

Heated clothing makes the cold more comfortable, but it isn't a substitute for proper winter preparation. In extreme cold, still dress in layers, cover exposed skin and know the signs of frostbite and hypothermia.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Running on high all day. It drains the battery quickly and can make you sweat. Warm up on high, then drop to low.
• Using a weak power bank. If the output is too low, the panels barely warm. Match the output on the product page.
• Wearing it too loose. A big air gap between you and the panels wastes heat. Choose the right size and wear a thin base layer.
• Forgetting the outer layer. In wind and rain, a heated layer on its own loses heat fast. Add a shell over the top.
• Washing with the battery attached. Always remove the power bank or battery box first.
• Leaving batteries in over summer. Take batteries out of battery boxes for storage, as they can leak over time.
• Tight boots with heated socks. Squeezed feet get colder, not warmer. Leave a little room.

Heated Clothing for Older Relatives

Older people often feel the cold more and may spend long periods sitting at home. A heated shawl, heated socks or a heating pad on their favourite chair can make winter much more comfortable, and these items are cheaper to run than heating every room. Choose simple controls with one button, show them how to switch it off, and check from time to time that it's being used safely. If they have diabetes or reduced feeling in their hands or feet, ask their doctor first. Pair it with non-slip slipper socks for safer footing on hard floors.

Washing and Caring for Heated Clothing

1. Always remove the power bank or battery box first. Unplug the cable and tuck the connector into its pocket.
2. Follow the label. Our heated jacket is machine washable once the power bank is out; other items, like the battery socks, are best washed by hand.
3. Use a gentle cycle and cool water. Put the garment in a laundry bag if you have one.
4. Skip the tumble dryer. High heat can damage the heating elements. Air dry flat or on a hanger.
5. Make sure it's completely dry before you reconnect the power.
6. Store it loosely folded, not tightly creased, to protect the wires.

Heated Clothing as a Gift

Heated clothing makes a thoughtful winter present, especially for people who are always cold, older relatives, outdoor workers, keen skiers and campers. The USB heated shawl and USB heated gloves are easy gifts that work for almost anyone. The heated jacket suits men and women. Add a good power bank and the gift is ready to use straight away.

More Ways to Beat the Cold

Heated clothing works even better alongside other warm essentials:

• Non-heated warmth for your feet: fuzzy slipper socks and plush slippers for women.
• Warm the room: the desk fan heater and the plug in wall heater.
• Warm the car: the 12V car heater and the wool car seat cushion.
• Warm outerwear: the women's hooded puffer jacket and the men's padded winter jacket.

See everything for the cold months in our winter collection, and gear for the outdoors in camping and hiking.

Frequently Asked Questions About Heated Clothing

What is heated clothing? Clothing with built-in heating panels powered by a USB power bank or batteries, so you can switch on warmth when you need it.

Is heated clothing safe? Yes, when used as directed. Start on a low setting, don't sleep in it while it's on, and check with a doctor first if you have reduced feeling in your skin.

Do power banks come included? Usually not. Check each product page. Our heated jacket needs a 5V / 2.1A power bank, sold separately.

Can I wash heated clothing? Yes, after removing the power source. Follow the care instructions for each item.

How warm does heated clothing get? It varies by product. Our heated jacket reaches 38, 48 or 53°C (100.4, 118.4 or 127.4°F) depending on the setting.

Can I take heated clothing on a plane? The clothing itself is usually fine, but power banks and spare lithium batteries normally have to go in hand luggage, not in checked bags. Check your airline's rules before you fly.

How long is delivery? See our shipping policy. Returns are covered in our return and refund policy.

Browse the heated clothing above, choose the pieces that suit how you spend your winter, and stay warm this season.