How Does a Heated Jacket Work?

Inaugurating a new era in terms of technological clothing, coats, down jackets or heated vests will revolutionize your experience during the winter season.

Perfect for winter sports enthusiasts, mountaineers and outdoor professionals alike, these technical garments feature innovative technology . Resulting from years of research, we will discuss in this article the operation of a heated jacket by explaining where the innovation that is so much talked about comes from.

1. Heated clothing technology

1.1 An innovation dating back to the 19th century

Part of the landscape of winter equipment for a few years now, this technology has been made possible thanks to the evolution of carbon fiber manufacturing processes.

Dating back to the 1860s, Joseph Swan , a British electrician and chemist, was the first to produce these fibers. At the time, he produced carbonized paper filaments and carbon threads in order to use them for incandescent lamps. Later, in 1879, it was Thomas Edison , the inventor of direct current, who used reliable carbon filaments to produce light bulbs that lasted hundreds of hours. It was in 1892 that this innovative fiber was abandoned before reappearing 66 years later, in 1958.

At that time, the mechanical properties of this same fiber were limited. 40 years later, in the 1990s, engineers and researchers in the field of microfiber, developed an innovative textile made from carbon microfibers . Carbon is a chemical element bearing the number 6 in the periodic table of elements established by Mendeleïev. To create carbon fiber, chemical precursors are used, and mainly polyacrylonitrile . This material has, for example, been used for nearly 20 years in the development of composite materials used in the aeronautics, automotive and energy sectors.

For many years, this fiber was mainly used to form body parts, wind turbine blades or even prostheses.

1.2 Increasingly advanced use

Carbon is a simple body, ie it is made up of only one and only one chemical element. Non-metallic, you would think it wouldn't transfer heat, yet carbon is an excellent conductor.

It is this ability to transmit heat that is interesting for heated clothing. A conductive material, the equipment made with this technical microfiber is a feat both in terms of design and production.

Allowing the design of smart textiles , the innovation brought by graphene is inevitable. All the interest lies in the fact of weaving this material into a microfiber which will then be used to manufacture the layers of technical clothing.

For decades, this heating process has been used for the manufacture of gloves, soles and other socks. But over the years and thanks to new companies, carbon microfiber is integrated into coats, down jackets and even vests. At Climb Winter, this is what we have been doing since 2018. Specialist in the field of heated jackets and equipment , we have set ourselves the mission of democratizing these clothes to as many people as possible . Efficient, light and aesthetic, our products push the limits for those who go beyond them.

2. The operation of the heating mantle

2.1 Uniform heating for more comfort

Once the fiber is made with carbon nanotubes , which combine lightness, flexibility and durability, it is surrounded by a coating, necessary to evenly distribute the heat. Equipped with this technology, our coats are equipped with panels or panels made of this same fiber in graphene nanotubes . To maximize the efficiency of a jacket's entire heating system, panels are strategically placed in various locations. On the front, they take up position at the level of the hand-warmer pockets and on the back, they are integrated into the lining along the spine , passing through the lower back and the collar. " We consider these locations to be the best, because according to studies, the heat diffuses upwards, which maximizes their effectiveness and efficiency ", specifies Guillaume Nicot, head of innovation at Climb Winter.

2.2 Adjusting the coat temperature

Once the coat is on, the electrically heated fiber is activated thanks to an autonomous power supply supplied by an external lithium-ion battery. The clothes being equipped with an internal pocket to store it, it is advisable to place the battery there to connect it to the micro-usb cable allowing the heating of the garment.

Once this is done, the heat can then be controlled and adjusted using a button integrated into the coat . Located on the front or inside of the jacket, it is necessary to press for 3 seconds to switch it on. Thereafter, different temperature modes are available.

These temperatures may seem high knowing that the temperature of the human body is 37 degrees, but it must be taken into account that the walls of the jacket are not glued directly to the skin. These heats are in fact studied to be optimal in order to offer you comfort of use on a daily basis.

2.3 The autonomy of the heated jacket

The duration of heating promulgated by the mantle will depend on various factors. First, the selected mode will be a non-negligible element. The more intense the heat provided, the more the autonomy will be impacted. Then, the capacity of the battery is a vector that will play an important role. Expressed in Ampere-hours (Ah), it indicates the total energy supplied by the battery over time. In the case of a coat, down jacket or vest, a 10,000 mAh battery will provide an average of 8 hours of heat . It is therefore advisable to opt for a larger battery or to carry two batteries with you during long days of use.

2.4 Loading the jacket

Using an external portable battery, the heated technical suits do not recharge. Nevertheless, it is possible to recharge the portable charger. To do this, the protocol is simple, it is first necessary to disconnect the micro-usb connector from the jacket which connects it to the battery. Thereafter, you will need to take the USB cable supplied with the external charger in order to connect it to a power supply, itself to be positioned on an electrical outlet. Once this is done, you will only have to wait until it is fully charged.

2.5 Is the jacket dangerous?

Operating thanks to a battery, necessary to power the graphene nanotubes in order to emit heat, the question of the dangerousness of the technology arises.

This could potentially be of two kinds, the battery and the carbon fiber. For the battery, be aware that there are different types of voltage and amperage for an external charger. From 5 V and from 0.5 to 2.4 Amps, the danger incurred depends mainly on these factors. On French territory, there are safety standards and certificates that battery manufacturers must respect in order to market their products. In order to use a heated garment, whether a coat, a down jacket or a vest, the batteries are thus secured and only have a low voltage so as not to risk any danger for the wearer.

Regarding the heated garment, it is designed to resist water as well as abrasion. In addition, the microfibers are surrounded by a membrane that protects them for greater safety. Garment intended for winter sports professionals as well as outdoor workers, it is of the utmost importance that no danger is incurred by these garments. This is why jackets are safe .

3. An efficient heating system in any situation

At the heart of the heated jacket are various thin elements made of carbon microfiber. Strategically placed, the reactive and proactive heating provided is optimized for all situations.

Developed for the temperatures of the cold seasons, the heated jacket seduced the American team of the Olympic Games which wears this type of intelligent clothing. Providing uniform and pleasant warmth when outside temperatures approach zero degrees, the sturdiness and versatility of this type of clothing is a significant plus.

To design the ultimate sports jacket, capable of unprecedented performance, every element had to be imagined with special attention to detail. Polyester offers the perfect balance of weight, strength and abrasion resistance. The electrically heated fiber offers efficiency in all weathers.

Studied for professional athletes, amateur athletes and hikers, our heated technical coats will have something to seduce you. Made with state-of-the -art materials , they will follow you anywhere, anytime, to help you exceed your limits and your goals.