e-clothes

[E-HP]

I went out for a ride at around 6:00, while it was still light out. Huge temperature drop from yesterday or even earlier in the day. I had a fleece vest and flannel shirt under my windbreaker, and no gloves. It may be a short cold spell, but it reminds me that cold weather is on the way and the need to get my heavier jacket and gloves ready.

Then it dawned on me, ebike...battery...why not take advantage of having a big ol battery and look into some electric clothing, like a vest, and maybe some gloves. Just starting looking into it and watching some reviews, but wondered if anyone else is using battery powered clothing for winter. I don't really need to tap into the bike's power, since I have a bunch of smaller lipos that I can use, so it depends on what kind of hassle it would be wired to the bike vs having a lipo pack in my pocket.

The cheapest vest I see on Amazon is $30, and some guy on YouTube says it kind of works.
https://www.amazon.com/Barrjee-Adjustable-Electric-Heating-Hunting/dp/B09D9D6BPH/ref=sr_1_43?crid=22R83BGI6GWTB&keywords=electric+vest&qid=1665460520&qu=eyJxc2MiOiI3LjIwIiwicXNhIjoiNi45NyIsInFzcCI6IjYuMzAifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=electric+vest%2Caps%2C179&sr=8-43

well actually, this one is $16, but only 2 stars https://www.amazon.com/ZHYIYI-Rechargeable-Heating-Electric-Clothing/dp/B09CYYX3RT/ref=sr_1_56?crid=22R83BGI6GWTB&keywords=electric+vest&qid=1665462500&qu=eyJxc2MiOiI3LjIwIiwicXNhIjoiNi45NyIsInFzcCI6IjYuMzAifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=electric+vest%2Caps%2C179&sr=8-56

Not looking for the cheapest, but something decent without spending a whole lot. :wink:

 

[99t4]

Of course, everyones' physiology is different, but for me when it starts getting cold enough to be painful (low 30s F + windchill) it is not my core that suffers, but (in order) fingers, toes, ears, forehead. I have used the hot packets (smack and agitate to start a chemical heat reaction)(iron shavings + salt?) in my gloves to good effect. For the toes I have found the neoprene overbooties sufficient, also giving water protection in rain.

Recently bought some neoprene "Bar Mitts" (Hippo Hands) at the community bike co-op that I'm going to try during this winter's cold snaps.

Theoretically keeping the core warm (i.e. heated vest) is supposed to keep the extremities warmer, but for me, I have found my core can be overheated sweating even while my (gloved) fingers are screaming in pain from exposure to the cold. YMMV.

I have seen heated clothing and gloves at the home improvement stores. Mostly Milwaulkee brand. They seem to be marketed to construction workers and probably hunters. Why not hit up some of your construction worker friends or hunters and see if you can borrow their gear to see how if would work for you?

 

[amberwolf]

If it helps, there are a number of discussions over the years for this, such as:

https://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=91092

https://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=44965

https://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=43815

https://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=72968

There's other "winter" threads too that have some info here and there.

 

[gobi]

I have been eying the Milwaukee heated jackets at HD, pricey.
Good to see these on amazon are cheap.

From what I can see the heating coils are small and localized.

I live in West MI and it get a bit nippy here,
I am out fishing on the piers and river banks when it is 20F to 40F.

As mentioned, my fingers and toes get cold now that am older.
Anything to keep your core temp up will help with staying warm.
I keep it light, I wear fleece thermal (off walmart hunting/camping section $9), another layer on top and then an outer layer that is water/wind proof.

 

[E-HP]

Thanks for the feedback. When I say cold, I mean cold for a moderate climate, so nowhere close to freezing. Just getting soft in my old age, and want to always be comfortable, but ya, I recall the old days, riding in the cold and not being able to feel my hand enough to pull in the clutch lever. Wind chill on the ebike is much less, but I've been looking at heated gloves as the same time. So far full fingered bicycle gloves have been enough, although some heat would be nice too.

 

[gobi]

E-HP,
who about a battery warming pad and then a small LFE cell to power that,
Not sure of the voltage ranges for the heating pad.

Yes, heated gloves or shoe soles are the shizzle.

Maybe heated handle bars?