Golf is an addicting sport. A drizzle, wind, or cold isn’t enough to make me turn around and head home. But it doesn’t hurt if I have got myself some equipment to make these bothersome more tolerable ahead of time. If you are like me, take a look at this article to find out the best heated golf vest for your golf arsenal.
Why people say heated golf vest is a must-have: Vests are always a winner in versatile cold-weather garments. They are also convenient to layer, offering warmth without restricting arm movement and taking up less space than jackets. With modern technology, they can even heat your torso for several hours at a time.
A tremendous heated golf vest will be extremely lightweight and will not restrict your arms or torso as you swing, keeping you warm to make your golf outing wonderful.
In this article, we’ll focus on heated golf vests. In light of all the great options out there, we narrowed it down to the five most comfortable, user-friendly designs with practical heating functions, and the Sailwind Heated Vest stood out as one of the best. It’s lightweight, adjustable, and has smooth, durable zippers that keep us warm and toasty during our tests.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall: Sailwind Lightweight Heated Vest
Best V-Neck: Valleywind Heated Vest
Bluetooth Control: Venture Heat Women’s Heated Vest
Best Budget: Loowokoo Lightweight Heated Vest
Also Consider: Footmex Men’s Heated Vest
How We Tested the Best Heated Vests
The three essential factors in a heated golf vest are how well it keeps us warm, how long the heat lasts and how it looks.
We wore each vest indoors and outdoors and noted how comfortable it was when reaching, bending, and twisting, and we also observed how well it blocked the cold wind and the water-resistant capability.
Then we charge the batteries fully. Then we turn all heated vests at a high level of heat. We then checked every 30 minutes to see if the vest was still producing heat and made a note of the time when it stopped heating.
We also examined the style of the vest, the quality of the vest’s materials, and how well the seams were sewn. Finally, we gave each vest a grade and made five top picks.
Heated Golf Vests Reviews
Sailwind Men’s Heated VestBest overall
One of the first things we noticed about the Sailwind vest was how lightweight and comfortable it was. It’s super supple, with no restrictions to any movement or friction with inner clothing, which is the foundation of a tremendous heated golf vest. It features four heat zones: one on each side in the pockets area, the back, and the collar region, keeping the core area and hands toasty. It heats in a few seconds and gets super warm. The vest generated heat for around 5 hours on high, and the soft nylon outer shell blocked most of the cutting wind.
It has a separate pocket for the battery at the back, barely feeling anything during the swing, but it might be noticeable when sitting on the sofa. The vest contains quality materials and is well made-no snags, the seams are well secured, and the material appears very durable. There is no doubt that this will be a great heated golf vest for many years.
Valleywind Heated VestBest V-Neck
The Valleywind Heated Vest is your best bet if you prefer a V-neck or lower collar. We chose this vest because of the extra heating zone on the lower back, which is often not offered by other heated vests. This lightweight heated vest features four heating zones: one on the front at waist level, one on the lower back, and one along the upper back.
Be aware that the battery is not included, but the price is good for a vest though.
Venture Heat Women’s Heated VestBluetooth control
It features four heat zones: one on each side in the chest area, back, and collar region. The downside to this configuration is that the pockets aren’t heated, but we felt warm enough. But if you have cold hands, this may not be your best choice.
It comes with a 7.4V rechargeable battery, and after a full initial charge, it kept the vest warm for around 4 hours on the highest setting. The Bluetooth control is a surprise but honestly not very practical nor necessary.
Loowoko Lightweight Heated VestBest for budget
This heated vest for golf might be a good choice if you’re on a budget. With three different heat settings lasting up to 8 hours, you could do two complete rounds and stay warm. What I like are the elastic sides that allow for maneuverability. A heated vest that adapts to your movements, especially during your swing, will feel less restricted while providing warmth. While there aren’t as many bells and whistles as others, it will do the job.
Fooxmet Heated VestAlso consider
We really like how this vest looks. This is the most stylish one among all the heated golf vests we tested. Although it only has one heating zone at the back. It’s warm enough but not very friendly to cold hands. The capability of being water-resistant is quite impressive. We will give it a higher rank if it’s more easily purchased. It’s only sold in China, and we asked a friend to mail it to us, which cost us a fortune… However, the price is nice. If you guys want this vest, you can leave a comment down there or contact us by email, and we will try and help you get one.
Buying Guide for Golf Heated Vest
Maneuverability
A golf swing involves a lot of upper-body movement. Therefore you’ll need a heated vest that won’t restrict your movement. Since these are all vests, they should be conducive to any swing. Still, a heated vest with adjustable armholes or flexibility will ensure that the vest won’t be moving around during your swing, causing distraction or limiting movement.
Heating Zones and Elements
How many heated zones does the heated vest have? Do you have a cold hand or care more about the back heat? Think through your personal needs first. And these heated vests have different numbers of heating elements. Typically more heating zones mean shorter usage time or larger batteries. Do take this balance into consideration. Not always the more, the better. If you naturally run a bit hot, you may not need to pay for all the extra heating elements some of these vests provide.
Temperature Settings
Now for the more practical function of these vests. The warmth you’ll need will depend on your climate and the cold weather while you’re out golfing. I’ve done some golfing in Arizona, so I only needed minimal extra heat to make the round comfortable and enjoyable.
However, if you’re playing early morning or during the winter, you’ll want a heated vest that can put out some heat. The amount of heat and levels of heat in these heated vests can differ a bit, so select one that is conducive to where you live.
Function
Battery-generated heat is the primary function of heated vests; however, you may also wish to satisfy other needs and wants with a heated vest.
Whether they have temperature level control or whether equipped with a heating liner, how long can this heated vest last? Consider all these questions before choosing your favorite ones.
Battery Life
All the above vests can provide a lengthy amount of heat, but be aware these lengths assume a low setting. The amount of charge time will be different for each too. If you’re golfing in the morning, then charging your battery the night before will be your best bet.
If you’re an afternoon golfer, you can charge your battery in the morning if it can charge fast enough. The amount of charge time and how long the battery lasts should fit your golfing schedule. There’s no use in having a heated vest if your battery is charged. Consider this when selecting a golf heated vest.
Price
Price is always essential to keep in mind when buying any clothing. Heated vests cost around $80 to $200. We don’t recommend heated vests below $80; it could be piracy or insecure. We do advise you to buy your heated vests from reputable brands.
You Might Also Like: Are Heated Jackets Safe? 5 Most Common Questions People Have
Pockets
The number of pockets in my heated vest isn’t significant for me because I always keep my ball, tee, and marker in my pants pocket. Everything else I keep in my bag. But my friends tend to keep their cell phones and extra balls on them, that when the pockets are more important.
Most of these heated vests provide dual pockets, but if you’re one to keep your phone on you or carry more items, a chest pocket or back pocket might be of interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are heated vests safe?
Yes, the lithium-ion batteries used to generate heat are low voltage and will not result in an electrical shock. But while the outer nylon shell may be water-resistant, the inner lining is not, so don’t wear a heated vest if the inside is wet. If moisture gets into the battery connections, it increases the risk of shock.
How do heated vests work?
Heated vests usually have wires, strips, or tubular heating elements embedded into targeted zones within the insulated fill. They run on rechargeable lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries, which go in designated pockets and attach to wire connectors. When you power on your vest, an electrical current passes through the heating element, warming the targeted zones.
How hot do heated vests get?
The heating elements typically have three settings for heat. The high settings will use up the most battery but will put out a high heat level. They’re also suitable for pairing with a warm overcoat if you need to stay warm and toasty in even colder temperatures.
What battery should we use for heated vests?
We recommend using the original battery for your heated vest. Still, some manufacturers don’t include the battery pack, so use your standard battery or pick another brand that produces the battery. It’s recommended to full-charge your battery before the first usage. Don’t store the battery in the hot temperature; check your instructions for the best.
Can you machine wash a heated vest?
Most heated vests are machine washable but remove the battery first. Most high-quality heated vests are good for up to 50 washes. Use a gentle wash and hang dry.
Some call for hand-washing only, so check the brand’s care instructions before cleaning yours. Also, tumble-drying isn’t recommended, so allow your vest to air-dry completely before wearing it again.
Are heated vests worth it?
We believe they are worth it. And the price range of a heated golf vest is pretty broad. The heated vest with a battery pack will cost more than the vest without a battery pack. But you can always find one that fits your budget. Just make sure that you pick your heated vests from reliable brands.
