6 Best Electronic Heated Hunting Clothes for Cold Weather

I grew up hunting whitetails in Ohio, and that required spending many winter days perched high in a tree stand. Being cold was part of the game, and I spent many miserable mornings shivering against the cold wind and wishing for some way to stay warm. Later in life I began hunting in heated clothes, and for the most part they did help keep away the cold and made hunting more enjoyable. But electronic heating hunting clothes aren’t always the right solution in cold temperatures, and knowing when and how to use heated clothing will improve your time in the woods.

Heated Clothes: The Good and the Bad

Heated hunting clothing can be very beneficial and can make your hunt more enjoyable, but you must know when you should—and shouldn’t—rely on heated hunting clothing. That requires a basic understanding of how the human body maintains a consistent internal temperature.

As endothermic (warm-blooded) animals, humans maintain a relatively consistent interior temperature regardless of the exterior temperature. That sounds simple, but our bodies are constantly having to create, hold, and release heat to maintain our roughly 98.6-degree internal temperature. In cold environments, we undergo vasoconstriction (constricting blood vessels), which channel blood to the core of the body, and this is followed by shivering. By rapidly contracting muscles, shivering generates heat to combat the cold and maintain homeostasis. Once the body begins losing heat more quickly than it can be replaced, hypothermia sets in.

The goal of electronic hunting clothing is to prevent the body from losing excessive heat in cold temperatures, and heated hunting clothes can do just that. By insulating the body and providing a heat source, electric hunting clothes prevent cold temperatures from robbing us of core heat. When used properly, electronic hunting clothing can be very effective at maintaining core body heat.

The problem with electric hunting clothes occurs when they work too well. On really cold mornings, many hunters are tempted to crank up their vests to full power, but remember that the body does a remarkably good job maintaining internal temperatures. The heat can cause your body to begin trying to lower heat by sweating. Evaporating sweat is highly efficient at cooling the body, and that can be a problem on cold days. If you crank up your heated clothing and walk a half-mile to your blind you’ll most likely be sweating. When you stop moving and the wind increases, that sweat will rapidly cool your body, and if this occurs at the same time that the battery dies in your heated coat, you may find yourself more susceptible to the cold than you would be if you were wearing dry, layered, and unheated clothing.

The takeaway for hunters is this: electric clothing is good for maintaining core temperature, but it becomes detrimental if you jumpstart your body’s cooling system by sweating. This is why it’s usually best to walk to your stand on cold mornings, settle in, and then turn on your heated hunting clothing. My rule is never to activate my heated hunting clothes when I am moving under my own power which invites sweating and rapid cooling. I do, however, turn on the heat when I’m moving, but I’m not expending energy to do so. I spent a bitterly cold half-hour riding across the Great Salt Lake to a duck blind a few years ago, and I was thankful to have my heated vest in place. In fact, I’m not sure I could have made that trip without my vest. It certainly would have been far more unpleasant.

Base, Mid, or Top Layer Heat?

Hunters and hikers tend to divide their clothing into three layers: base, mid, and top. Base layers fit close to the body and serve two primary purposes: holding heat and wicking moisture. Mid and top-layer garments also hold heat, and the top layer serves as protection against wind and moisture.

You can purchase electric-heated base, mid, and top layers if you like, but that’s a bit of overkill and a lot of battery chords to keep sorted. Your best bet is to choose one layer to heat, and I have had the best luck with top-layer heated clothing. A heated base layer runs the risk of causing you to sweat, and if you need to dump heat quickly, that’s much more difficult with a heated base layer than a heated top layer. However, this is a matter of personal taste, so you’ll have to choose which system is best for you.

In addition to base/mid/top layer pants and tops, you can also purchase heated hats, mittens, gloves, socks, boots, and hand warmers. Personal tastes vary, but I have done well without heated hats. Even while hunting in Saskatchewan where temperatures plunged well below zero, I found that a breathable beanie, a wool hat, and a hood were enough to maintain heat.

Ask any number of hunters where they feel the cold most while hunting and the majority will respond that their hands and feet are the first body parts to feel the chill. I have used heated socks with good success, but I keep them set at as low a temperature as I can stand (sweating makes everything worse, remember) and turn them off when I walk. My hands get cold as well, but I personally don’t like heated hunting gloves. Instead, I much prefer a heated hand warmer similar to those worn by NFL quarterbacks in really cold temperatures. Electric heated hand warmers allow me to wear thin gloves that don’t impede my ability to shoot.

Top Heated Hunting Clothes

Scentlok BE1Reactor Heated Vest ($199.99-$209.99): With 133 g of Primaloft Silver Insulation and USB-powered heating pads with three levels of heat, the Reactor vest is a superb mid-layer clothing option for hunters. Powered by a 5V/@A battery or supplemental battery pack (not included), the reactor vest helps keep your core warm while in the field. It also features Carbon Alloy technology for maximum odor absorption. The premium micro-tricot fabric is soft and quiet, and these vests come with three pockets for storing small items. Scentlok.com

ActionHeat 5V Men’s Battery Heated Hunting Jacket ($219.99): If you’re looking for a durable top layer with an electric heat source, this is an excellent option because it comes with an ActionHeat 5V 6000 mAh power bank that charges the garment and can also be used to power your phone, tablet, or other devices. Built-in heating panels are made from ActionFlex material and provide efficient warmth without being uncomfortable to wear. There are three color-coded power levels that have run times ranging from 2 hours (high) to 4.5 hours (low). This fleece-lined, water-resistant softshell jacket is machine washable and comes with durable, long-lasting YKK zippers. Actionheat.com

TideWe Heated Hunting Pants ($109.99): TideWe’s heated hunting pants offer three different temperature settings and a long battery life (up to 10 hours). The elastic waist offers all-day comfort while hunting and the rugged, and the water-resistant exterior helps keep you dry and warm in the worst weather, and the fleece-insulated construction is breathable and comfortable. There are lots of pockets for storing small gear items and dual USB ports allow you to charge your phone while you’re in the field. The certified battery rests comfortably against the body and these pants are machine washable. Tidewe.com

Ororo Bay City Heated Hand Warmer ($159.99): Electron hand warmers allow you to keep your fingers warm without having to wear oversized, bulky gloves. The Ororo Bay City features three carbon fiber heating elements that provide plenty of heat to keep your hands comfortable on the coldest days, and the UL-certified safe rechargeable battery lasts up to 14-hours on a single charge. The Bay City comes with ribbed cuffs, a rugged polyester shell and fleece insulation that help trap heat for added warmth. A pair of included pockets provide storage for important items and the adjustable waist belt offers a customizable, secure fit. Ororowear.com

ActionHeat 5V Heated Hunting Seat Cushion ($89.99): ActionHeat’s Heated Hunting Seat Cushion is covered in Realtree Edge pattern fabric and features a large heat panel that keeps your can warm for up to five hours on a single charge. The waterproof battery compartment is hidden and with the touch of a button, you can choose one of three heat settings that range from 90 to 130-degrees Fahrenheit. Four LED lights indicate charge level and this seat comes with a 24-inch shoulder strap for easy transport. The cushion is 2.5-inches thick and offers plenty of padding between your backside and the cold surface of a stand seat, and the exterior is made of rugged polyester. Actionheat.com

Scentlok Power Bank 20K mAh ($34.99): There’s nothing worse than having your heated garments give out when bad weather rolls in. Scentlok offers their 20K mAh portable power bank that allows you to have a backup power source in the field. In addition to powering your Scentlok clothing, this portable pack can also power your cell phone, camera, or other devices in the field. Scentlok.com

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