Has anyone tried using a heated vest when hunting? Seems it gets harder and harder to get up in the morning and go our in the cold and staying warm is getting harder. So I started looking at heated vests.
I am looking at a vest by www.ewool.com which is made in Canada. Hunting in Montana I really got cold and had to start a fire. My core temp dropped and I was shivering uncontrollably.
Thought it was a fluke but this year in Virginia (of all places) I was in the mountains and again got really cold. My thermos of hot coffee sitting next to me was cold and I was again shivering almost uncontrollably. Started a fire and soon warmed up. The walk out was not to bad.
Having to start a fire and getting hypothermia is time consuming and dangerous. So to keep my core temp up I thought a Heated vest might work. It can function as a regular vest and when getting real cold can boost the core temp. Anyone use one?
Avoid greenbobs they are a scam. Tried to buy my GF a heated jacket from them and it never came. They provided me a tracking number that never left China. I was lucky I used Paypal and they covered me and got me my money back. So avoid the place like the plague.
Sounds like you need some of those body- handwarmers and a little backpacking jet stove .
Proven stuff
Quote from: owlhoot on March 09, 2020, 10:05:42 PM
Sounds like you need some of those body- handwarmers and a little backpacking jet stove .
Proven stuff
The ones with the tape to stick to your clothes can work very well. Easier if you have somebody put them on your clothes as you are standing there so you can direct them to where the best place is. I have done it a few times and when they are on right they do help to loosen my back a bit, if you are wearing an insulated coverall they really help because all the heat gets trapped inside. If just sticking to a shirt while wearing pants then be sure to tuck you shirt in to help trap the heat some.
Quote from: owlhoot on March 09, 2020, 10:05:42 PM
Sounds like you need some of those body- handwarmers and a little backpacking jet stove .
Proven stuff
x2
I know nothing of heated vests (living in California)...
I could only find one review for the eWool, and it was a 1-star rating.
I would do a google search on heated vest reviews... Here are a couple results I found.
https://topmostreviews.com/best-heated-vests/
https://www.digitaltrends.com/outdoors/best-heated-clothing/
As a related side note, what are you wearing for your under-layering? Synthetics and wool are the only way to go, and even in California, duck hunting in the winter can get chilly... AVOID cotton.
I prefer Merino Wool over synthetics (less produced odor, more comfortable, and I feel warmer). With good Merino Wool layering, I rarely even wear anything but a thin jacket while duck hunting...
I have used the Pnuma Icon heated vest for one deer season and it performed flawlessly. I mostly only bow hunt and it allowed me to shed a few layers and still stay warm. On med or high the batteries only last two or three hours so get a couple batteries. I get cold easy especially if the wind is blowing and this vest is pretty incredible, it will warm you up no matter what.
The only thing I don't like is that you have to hand wash it.
I am very cold natured. I did by an Ororo vest and it is warm but not very a very long period of time.
Take a Buddy Heater along with you and invite a Buddy to warm his TOES! Sorry I couldn't resist!
OLD THREE TOES!!!
Quote from: Greg Massey on March 09, 2020, 10:16:07 PM
Quote from: owlhoot on March 09, 2020, 10:05:42 PM
Sounds like you need some of those body- handwarmers and a little backpacking jet stove .
Proven stuff
x2
I have tried those and they work but not well enough to keep me warm. The idea is to stay warm and not need a lot of extra hand warmers or a stove. I do think a stove is faster than a fire but I would prefer not needing either.
Motor cyclists use heated vests and seem to like them a lot. I frequently hunt in the coldest weather possible in Va. and yes it does get cold here. As my preferred method of deer hunting is sitting and temps in the teens are not uncommon. Plus I do hunt in Canada and Wyoming. Gets real chilly in Canada even in a heated blind.
I have seen the reviews for the different vests and do like the e-wool vest and the material it is made of. There are not many reviews for it and I attribute that to its being Canadian. I have seen this vest as a customer came in wearing one and was very pleased. Expensive yes but there is a return period if I do not like it. As a base layer I have been using a heavy polyester style for sitting and a lighter polyester when hiking. I sometimes use both when it gets really cold. I have an assortment of shirts of various materials along with regular vests and sweaters for layering. Generally I do wear cotton pants but they are covered by Gore tex bibs and I have a parka from Cabelas. I have boot packs when it gets really cold or mushy. As is common I dress in layers and carry extra in a back pack when hiking in. Much of this gear is way to heavy to carry long distances and the last thing I want to do is sweat. Thus the heated vest. I was thinking I could dress lighter but stay warm with a vest. Sorry for the long post but appreciate the feedback.
Milwaukee tools makes some heated jackets and stuff that might be worth checking out.
Quote from: jwm1485 on March 10, 2020, 11:45:39 PM
Milwaukee tools makes some heated jackets and stuff that might be worth checking out.
I second this. I have a camo heated Milwaukee jacket that I got for Christmas a few years ago and it rocks!
April at 10000 ft in New Mexico can get mighty cold. Really hate it when those shakes kick in. Only gets worse when you start working a tom. I have a vest from Gerbing and it has worked very well for me. I also bring coffee in a wide mouth Swell bottle. Stays hot for hours.
I have two, gerbing and a mobile warming.
The gerbing is 10 plus years old and still going, the mobile warming is 2 years old and connects to your phone to control temp, they also have socks.
They are really nice bowhunting in the fall and winter, i have used both at the same time a few times.
They do not exactly make you all warm and fuzzy but definitely notice the difference when I don't use one.
Appreciate all the feed back. I will look at some of the recommendations offered.
I know a friend of mine got some thermacell foot warmers that he really likes and highly recommended also.
Don't know if they make anything else like vests or jackets.
Don't know about a heated vest, but back when I used to hunt in NY during the winter, I used the ThermaCarel wrap that you use on your lower back. I was always taught that if you keep your core warm, the rest of your body will stay warm. It works and is cheap too
I have used these before and trust me it will warm you right up. Especially since it covers lower back and kidneys area. You may get hot. Not bulky and stick pretty good to the skin.
https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/thermacare-advanced-lower-back-&-hip-pain-therapy-heatwraps/ID=prod5934384-product
I hunt north Florida. If any of y'all come across and air conditioned one, please let me know. :you_rock:
Update: I looked at a couple of different models but found the e-wool to be more of what I had in mind. The material is soft and quiet. It heats very fast on high (just what I need if I start to get hypothermic). It is very comfortable when on med and low. Battery lasts about 8 hours on low and 4 on high. It is also stylish, color is black and can be worn about town. I don't wear camo in town. I have worn it when its in the thirty's and windy and it really knocks the chill off. I especally like the heated collar and think it will be awesome during long sits in deer season.
Despite having this vest I will still dress in layers over a good base layer along with warm socks and boots. I will still carry a lighter and fire starter and my thermal blanket. I will continue to hunt as far in the back country as possibe. I will also carry a small stove for extra heat and a warm drink.
Appreaciate eveyones feedback and great ideas.
Quote from: mtns2hunt on March 26, 2020, 06:24:50 PM
Update: I looked at a couple of different models but found the e-wool to be more of what I had in mind. The material is soft and quiet. It heats very fast on high (just what I need if I start to get hypothermic). It is very comfortable when on med and low. Battery lasts about 8 hours on low and 4 on high. It is also stylish, color is black and can be worn about town. I don't wear camo in town. I have worn it when its in the thirty's and windy and it really knocks the chill off. I especally like the heated collar and think it will be awesome during long sits in deer season.
Despite having this vest I will still dress in layers over a good base layer along with warm socks and boots. I will still carry a lighter and fire starter and my thermal blanket. I will continue to hunt as far in the back country as possibe. I will also carry a small stove for extra heat and a warm drink.
Appreaciate eveyones feedback and great ideas.
So by the name e-wool I am guessing it is wool?
As someone who just finished 4 years of chemo, I can tell you I get cold as hell at times too! And I am only a 35yo spring chicken too. What I have done to combat this is to dress in layers always if it is cooler then 55 degrees. You can always take a layer off and put in your vest as the day warms up, plus it adds as a cushion when leaning against a tree.
Our opener in SC was this past Sunday and I was way under dressed for the wind. I couldn't hunt the best spots due to the being in the wind and had to hunt in some valleys.
Quote from: Sir-diealot on March 26, 2020, 09:05:26 PM
Quote from: mtns2hunt on March 26, 2020, 06:24:50 PM
Update: I looked at a couple of different models but found the e-wool to be more of what I had in mind. The material is soft and quiet. It heats very fast on high (just what I need if I start to get hypothermic). It is very comfortable when on med and low. Battery lasts about 8 hours on low and 4 on high. It is also stylish, color is black and can be worn about town. I don't wear camo in town. I have worn it when its in the thirty's and windy and it really knocks the chill off. I especally like the heated collar and think it will be awesome during long sits in deer season.
Despite having this vest I will still dress in layers over a good base layer along with warm socks and boots. I will still carry a lighter and fire starter and my thermal blanket. I will continue to hunt as far in the back country as possibe. I will also carry a small stove for extra heat and a warm drink.
Appreaciate eveyones feedback and great ideas.
So by the name e-wool I am guessing it is wool?
Good question. I could find nothing on the vest or the website indicating what material the vest is made from as the website only states from the finest materials. I have emailed the company for clarification.
Quote from: mtns2hunt on March 27, 2020, 01:10:03 PM
Quote from: Sir-diealot on March 26, 2020, 09:05:26 PM
Quote from: mtns2hunt on March 26, 2020, 06:24:50 PM
Update: I looked at a couple of different models but found the e-wool to be more of what I had in mind. The material is soft and quiet. It heats very fast on high (just what I need if I start to get hypothermic). It is very comfortable when on med and low. Battery lasts about 8 hours on low and 4 on high. It is also stylish, color is black and can be worn about town. I don't wear camo in town. I have worn it when its in the thirty's and windy and it really knocks the chill off. I especally like the heated collar and think it will be awesome during long sits in deer season.
Despite having this vest I will still dress in layers over a good base layer along with warm socks and boots. I will still carry a lighter and fire starter and my thermal blanket. I will continue to hunt as far in the back country as possibe. I will also carry a small stove for extra heat and a warm drink.
Appreaciate eveyones feedback and great ideas.
So by the name e-wool I am guessing it is wool?
Good question. I could find nothing on the vest or the website indicating what material the vest is made from as the website only states from the finest materials. I have emailed the company for clarification.
Please let me know, I would like to get one but I am allergic to wool.
My mother and wife both have Ororo heated vests that they swear work great. Both are cold natured but I dont think they have tested them in very cold weather for long periods of not moving
Quote from: hootgobbleyelpgobble on March 27, 2020, 10:05:47 AM
As someone who just finished 4 years of chemo, I can tell you I get cold as hell at times too! And I am only a 35yo spring chicken too. What I have done to combat this is to dress in layers always if it is cooler then 55 degrees. You can always take a layer off and put in your vest as the day warms up, plus it adds as a cushion when leaning against a tree.
Our opener in SC was this past Sunday and I was way under dressed for the wind. I couldn't hunt the best spots due to the being in the wind and had to hunt in some valleys.
Congratulations on your successful chemo!
Maintaining your core temperature is the high priority. The colder you get the faster your body starts to shut down. The vest is one of several ways to prevent this: so is layering, hot fluids, fire and moveing around. The last thing you want is cold blood being dumped into your core from your peripherally . Thats the appeal to me is having supplemental heat. I have not fully tested my vest as I just got it but will fully test this fall. I will also be using Merino wool as a base layer.
Plus I think the vest will just make it easier to get out of bed. Going from a warm bed out into sub teens seems to get harder every year.