Kemimoto Heated Vest Review: Stylish, Comfortable, and Oh-So Warm

A year ago, we tested and reviewed the Classic Heated Vest from Kemimoto and found it to be a very cozy option for winter outings. Fast forward to today, and the company has returned with an updated version that improves on the original vest in almost every way. The new model features an all-around better design, more intuitive controls, and an inner lining designed to keep you warmer for extended periods of time. Best of all, the new Kemimoto Heated Vest is available now, ahead of the official arrival of winter.

Photo Credit: Kraig Becker

Warmth at the Touch of a Button

For the uninitiated, heated winter clothing has been around for decades, utilizing small battery packs and integrated heating elements to keep us warm in cold conditions. But thanks to improved battery technology and the use of more efficient materials, these garments have become more mainstream in recent years. So much so that in addition to vests, you can also buy heated jackets, socks, boots, gloves, and other clothing.

Kemimoto, which is best known for making accessories for ATVs, dirt bikes, and boats, offers a full line of heated clothing, with its Heated Vest an especially popular option. Like a traditional vest, this model can be worn on its own in cool conditions or as an additional layer under a jacket or coat when the mercury really starts to drop. But in this case, you also have the option to turn on the heating elements for additional warmth as needed.

The vest comes with a 10,000 mAh battery pack that is capable of powering the heating elements for hours at a time. Just how long it provides heat depends on the temperature settings and how many of the vest’s three heating zones (front, back, pockets) you have active at any given time. A small controller sewn into the garment’s left chest makes it easy to adjust temperature settings or turn off a zone altogether. This allows the wearer to adjust the settings to meet their own individual needs and comfort levels.

On the lowest setting, the individual heating elements can heat up to 122ºF, while medium and high go as warm as 131ºF and 149ºF, respectively. Naturally, the warmer you set the temperature, the shorter the battery life, although we found the power pack offered solid performance. During our testing, with all three zones turned on and set to the highest temperature, we were able to achieve a little over four hours of use on a single charge. But by turning down the heat and switching off some of the heating zones, we could achieve as much as ten hours of battery life under the right circumstances.

Photo Credit: Kraig Becker

Reflective Lining

In addition to its battery-powered heating elements, the Kemimoto Heated Vest has another new way to help keep you comfortable in the cold. The garment comes with an inner lining made out of a special fabric designed to reflect heat back toward the body. This layer is made from the same material as an emergency space blanket, which means it is both very warm and incredibly thin and light. It also adds efficiency to the vest, allowing it to provide additional warmth without adding bulk.

When you combine the active heating elements with the reflective lining, you get an article of clothing that excels at keeping you protected from cold weather. The vest does a great job of retaining both the warmth it generates and your own body heat, which only adds to its comfort and efficiency. Pair it with a good base layer and/or a warm outer jacket, and you’ll likely be comfortable in all but the coldest of conditions, including temperatures approaching 0ºF.

All of these features make this the best heated garment we’ve ever tested. Especially since it’s not only very good at keeping you warm on a chilly outing, it also happens to look great, too. Other than the integrated controller, there really isn’t any way to know that this is a high-tech garment, allowing wearers to enjoy the warmth while remaining relatively stealthy. You can even turn off the controller’s built-in backlight to further hide its true nature.

Photo Credit: Kemimoto

Attention to Detail

When designing this vest, Kemimoto paid close attention to all the important details. For instance, the materials that it is made from are all soft to the touch, but are also durable and comfortable. The zippers are also easy to grip and glide along nicely without requiring a strong tug. The garment is even machine washable, which isn’t always the case with other heated clothing.

The included battery pack is also surprisingly small and lightweight. When plugged into a standard USB cable located in an inside pocket, you barely notice the battery is even there. It quickly recharges using a USB-C port and can be used to recharge a smartphone while on the go. Of course, that takes away some of the power that could be used to keep the vest warm, but it is a nice option to have in a pinch.

Also of note, the vest can be controlled using an app on your smartphone. This gives you much of the same control over temperature and heading zones as the built-in controller, just from your mobile device. This functionality is a nice touch, but we didn’t find it especially useful, especially considering how easy it is to change the settings directly from the garment itself. Others might prefer to use their phones, however, so it is at least worth mentioning.

All of this adds up to a cozy, warm, and—quite frankly—fun vest that is equally at home on a hiking trail as it is buzzing around town. The sense of comfort it brings is unmatched, like a heated leather seat in you car but one you can take with you anywhere. And at $99.99, this vest is competitively priced with similar garments that don’t include the built-in heating elements. That makes it very easy to recommend, both for you and someone on your holiday shopping list. It is one of those items that you’re not likely to ever regret adding to your wardrobe.

For more information, visit the Kemimoto website.

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