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This winter, I finally took the plunge and added the ActionHeat 5V Men’s Insulated Puffer Battery Heated Vest to my collection. For years, I’ve been eyeing heated vests as a way to stay outside longer in freezing conditions. Alongside the vest, I’ve also been using the ActionHeat Rechargeable Heated Insoles with Remote, making this season’s cold weather more bearable than ever.
ActionHeat has been a trusted name in heated apparel for over a decade, offering a range of products designed for skiers, hikers, workers, and anyone braving the cold. Their lineup includes vests, jackets, footwear, gloves, and more, all tailored to keep you warm and comfortable.
Living in the mountains of Colorado, where winter daytime temperatures often dip well below freezing, heated clothing is a game changer. Whether I’m heading out for an early morning ice fishing trip or a snowy hike, the ActionHeat vest has quickly become an essential part of my winter gear.
About the ActionHeat 5V Men’s Insulated Puffer Battery Heated Vest
The ActionHeat 5V Men’s Insulated Puffer Battery Heated Vest may look like an ordinary puffy vest, but it features a hidden heating element that provides warmth in freezing conditions. Available in sizes from small to triple extra-large and two colors: black and gray. This vest offers a stylish and functional solution for cold-weather activities.
The Heating Element
The vest is powered by a 5-Volt 6000mAh power bank, which is compatible with other ActionHeat apparel, such as jackets and baselayers. About the size of a cellphone, this battery (7.9cm x 5.3cm x 2cm) takes 5-6 hours to fully charge and comes with its own charging kit. The power bank features four small LED lights to indicate the remaining charge, and the vest includes a USB plug in its pocket for easy connection. This power bank can also charge other devices like cellphones and headlamps.
Action Heat 5V Rechargeable Battery
Heating Settings
There are three heating elements positioned on the chest and upper back of the vest. These elements have three heat settings: low, medium, and high. On the low setting, the vest heats to 110°F for up to 4.5 hours, while the medium setting reaches 130°F for 3+ hours, and the high setting heats to 150°F for 2+ hours. The settings are easily controlled via a touch button with color indicators: red for high, white for medium, and blue for low power.
Hot Setting
ActionHeat Rechargeable Heated Insoles
Designed for cold weather, the ActionHeat Rechargeable Heated Insoles fit into any shoe or boot. Available in two sizes: Small/Medium and Large/Extra Large. The heating element in the insoles covers the ball of the foot to the toes. The insoles feature three temperature settings: low (100°F, 8+ hours), medium (120°F, 5+ hours), and high (140°F, 3+ hours). A 3.7-volt battery powers the heating elements, and the insoles can be recharged when needed. To adjust the settings, a small remote is used to turn the insoles on and switch between modes.
Medium Setting
Thoughts on the ActionHeat Rechargeable Heated Insoles and Insulated Puffer Battery Heated Vest
The ActionHeat Insulated Puffer Battery Heated Vest and Rechargeable Heated Insoles are true game changers for cold-weather activities. While I’m generally someone who doesn’t get cold easily, there are certain situations where the chill really gets to me such as waiting for first light while hunting, sitting on the ice while ice fishing, or coaching in the cold during an early-season track meet. It’s in these moments that the ActionHeat gear becomes a lifesaver.
Cold Elk Hunt
My first real test came during a late November elk hunt. I ventured out in the afternoon to sit in 20-degree weather and a foot of snow. After the exhausting hike to my hunting area, I was chilled in no time. As soon as the sun dipped below the ridges, the cold became unbearable. I pulled out the Insulated Puffer Battery Heated Vest from my pack, turned it on, and was instantly warmer. Not only did the vest keep me comfortable, but it also boosted my morale, allowing me to stay out until dark. I even spotted a couple of elk. Without the vest, it would have been tough both physically and mentally to stay out for that long.
The vest is incredibly convenient. Typically, I carry a puffy vest on my hunts, but the ActionHeat vest takes up no more room in my pack than a regular puffy. The battery, about the size of a cell phone, is lightweight and not as bulky as I feared.
The heat settings are ideal. Most of the time, the low setting provides all the warmth I need. Only in extreme cold, such as sitting on the ice or in the snow, do I switch to the high setting. A feature I really appreciate is the ability to turn off the LED-lit button. When hunting, I prefer not to have any additional light, and this feature is crucial for low-light situations.
Maybe Buy a Second Battery
Battery life is decent. While the battery is small, it holds up well for a long time. However, on particularly cold outings, I’ve found myself wanting a second battery, especially when I leave the vest on low and could have used more heat. In the future, I plan to purchase an additional battery for these occasions. Plus, being able to charge my phone or GPS on extended trips would be a bonus.
No More Cold Feet
The ActionHeat Rechargeable Heated Insoles have been a game-changer for ice fishing. I typically use two pairs of boots for fishing. One pair of boots is very warm but not as waterproof, and the other is highly waterproof but doesn’t keep my feet warm enough. I tried the heated insoles in my colder boots, and they made a huge difference. Just like hunting, the best fishing is often at dawn and dusk, when the cold can drive me off the ice. These insoles allowed me to extend my trips and stay out for prime fishing time.
Evening Ice Fishing in -5 Degree Weather
The large-size insoles fit my size 10.5 feet well. Most of the time, I can place these insoles right over the ones in the boots. Other times it is necessary to remove the boots original insoles and then place these in. I have particularly flat feet, and I can feel the arch on these. This hasn’t been much of an issue, especially with thick winter socks on. If these do not fit in a boot there is an area up towards the toes that can be trimmed down for a customized fit.
Putting in the ActionHeat Insoles
The remote control for the insoles is easy to use and pair. Initially, I was a bit concerned with being able to pair but pairing was a cinch and works great. I typically keep them on the low or medium setting and rarely switch to the high setting, as it’s quite warm.
Battery Life
The battery life in the insoles has proven accurate to the specifications provided by ActionHeat. There is a bit over 3 hours of battery usage on high setting. The high setting definitely drains the battery quickly, which is why I prefer to use the low setting whenever possible to extend battery life. Similarly to the ActionHeat 5V Insulated Puffer Vest I am left wanting extended heat especially during long outdoor activities. Unlike the vest the insoles must be charged up and no extra battery option is available.
Specs on the ActionHeat Rechargeable Heated Insoles and the Insulated Puffer Battery Heated Vest taken directly from ActionHeat.
ActionHeat Rechargeable Heated Insoles
- MSRP $129.99
- Heats up to 140F for up to 8+ hours
- Easy to use wireless remote control with 3 heat settings
- An integrated heating system with built-in 3.7V rechargeable batteries
- Ultra-thin and lightweight design for maximum comfort
- Fits in all types of footwear, shoes, and boots
- Heating System: 3.7 Volt
- Sizes Available: S/M, L/XL
Insulated Puffer Battery Heated Vest
- MSRP $189.99
- Machine Washable – Gentle Cycle
- The powerful Tri-Zone heating system includes 3 built-in heating panels, strategically placed on the chest and upper back to warm your core body temperature.
- Touch-Button Control Technology (3 settings)
- 4 LED power indicators display the power bank’s battery life.
- Battery Voltage: 5-Volt
- Power System: 2 amp
- Heats up to 150F
- Colors: Black, Quiet Grey
Final Thoughts
Overall, the ActionHeat 5V Men’s Insulated Puffer Battery Heated Vest and Rechargeable Heated Insoles have exceeded my expectations, making them indispensable for cold-weather activities. Whether I’m hunting, ice fishing, or coaching outdoors, these products have kept me comfortable in situations where I would have otherwise been forced to cut my time short due to the cold. The vest’s lightweight design, convenient battery, and effective heat settings are impressive, while the insoles have completely changed my experience on the ice. With reliable battery life and easy-to-use controls, both the vest and insoles are well worth the investment for anyone spending time in cold conditions. For more info or to check these product out for yourself, visit actionheat.com or amazon.com.