Skip to main content

Outwarmer is the heated jacket to get you through this long winter

Outwarmer heated jacket
There is no question that the market for battery-operated heated clothing is expanding. Take, for example, last year’s Heacket, a heated jacket that raised more than $288,000 on Indiegogo. Now, the company behind that successful garment is back, and this time it brought an even more stylish option to the table.

The new Outwarmer parka launched on Indiegogo a few weeks back and has already pulled in more than $22,000 of crowdfunding support. Unlike its predecessor, this jacket looks less like a technical shell designed for the backcountry, and more like something you would wear not just on the trail, but roaming around town, too.

Related Videos

The Outwarmer’s outer shell is made from Dupont cotton that provides protection from rain and snow. The interior of the jacket is lined with a shiny silver dot-matrix material that is designed to reflect body heat back at the wearer. Durable waterproof zippers help keep the coat bundled in place around the body, while built-in sleeve gloves provide a measure of warmth and protection for the hands, too.

On those extra cold days, Outwarmer owners can also activate its integrated heating elements, which are strategically placed on the chest and back. Powered by a USB battery pack, those elements can be set to either “warm” or “hot” depending on the needs of the wearer and the current temperature. This next-generation heated jacket provides a more efficient heating system when compared to last year’s model, and can be powered by any five-volt, two-amp, rechargeable power bank.

Other features include multiple pockets, including one designed to safely hold your phone and two secret pockets for securely carrying important items. The jacket is also machine washable, which hasn’t always been the case with other heated clothing we’ve looked at in the past. Curiously, the Outwarmer also includes a zip-up mask that mimics those found in the Beijing Opera, which adds an interesting cultural touch but may seem out of place for some potential customers.

The Outwarmer jacket has already reached its modest crowdfunding goal on Indiegogo and is set to go into production in February and begin shipping to customers in March. When it officially goes on sale, the heated parka is expected to sell for $699, although early bird supporters can order one for $279 if they pledge to the project now.

Find out more about the Outwarmer on the jacket’s official Indiegogo page. And be sure to read up on the potential pitfalls of crowdfunded projects in our guide.

Editors' Recommendations

Headed to a festival this summer? Here’s the best gear you can get for camping
best gear for summer festivals festival gorge ampitheater

One of the keys to truly enjoying a summer music festival is being able to stay cool, comfortable, and relaxed -- even when the weather conditions take a turn toward the hot and humid. Having the right outdoor gear can make all the difference, and will allow you to enjoy all of the sights and sounds that make festivals such a memorable experience. Whether you're heading out for an afternoon or an extended weekend, this is the gear that you'll want to have with you, ensuring you'll have a great time without sweating the details.
Ohnana Rayve Tent ($180)

There are a lot of good tents on the market these days, but only a few of them were built specifically with festival-goers in mind. The Ohnana Rayve is one such tent. Built to keep heat and light out, while still allowing cool air to pass through, the Ohnana provides a comfortable place to escape the sun, even in the middle of the day. The tent takes less than five minutes to set up, is completely waterproof, and can comfortably sleep three people with room to spare. It is even affordably priced and has an option to add battery-operated fans for those who need a bit of extra cooling.

Read more
‘Part coat, part science experiment,’ a jacket made of graphene is on the way
vollebak graphene jacket 1

It seems there is no end to the uses of graphene, the material that promises to revolutionize the world. We've already seen this substance integrated into a host of potential products, including body armor, batteries, and paint, not to mention trail running shoes, superconductors, and water purification systems. But now, outdoor performance apparel manufacturer Vollebak announced a surprising new use for graphene and we won't have to wait years to see it come to market.

A brief, but intriguing, post on the Vollebak website indicates that the company is planning to release a jacket that incorporates graphene into its design sometime later this summer. The post trumpets some of the material's more intriguing properties, including its high level of conductivity, its incredible strength-to-weight ratio, and durability. In fact, graphene is so strong that it has the ability to stop bullets, although Vollebak stops short of claiming the jacket will actually be bulletproof.

Read more
Luvmyhike is the app that helps you get in shape for adventure
Luvmyhike

There are few better ways to get a gauge on your current level of fitness than signing up for an extended backpacking trip or adventure travel experience. Those types of excursions can be a lot of fun, but they can also leave you with sore muscles, burning lungs, and a very large slice of humble pie. Because of this, many outdoor enthusiasts will start training weeks in advance of a big trip in an effort to lessen the amount of suffering they endure while out on the trail. Now a new app is looking to help with that process, with a goal of making outdoor adventure more fun and accessible.

Available for both iOS and Android, Luvmyhike comes or way courtesy of the Wild Women on Top, an adventure travel company that not only offers great excursions, but excellent tips for how to prepare for those getaways as well. The wisdom imparted on clients over the years is distilled nicely in the app, offering advice on how to better prepare for the next big outing on your list while also adding a bit of adventure to your daily life.

Read more