DeWalt Tobacco Heated Barn Coat Kit

I pulled on the DeWalt heated coat before sunrise to shovel out a slushy driveway and load tools for a site visit, and it didn’t take long to figure out where this jacket sits in the crowded heated-wear space. It’s a job-ready barn coat first—sturdy duck shell, flannel warmth, snap front—and a heated garment second. That combination won’t be for everyone, but if you live in canvas work jackets and want heat you can switch on, this one lands squarely in the sweet spot.

Build and design

This coat has the familiar barn-coat silhouette in a tobacco color that hides grime well. The duck fabric outer shell is water- and wind-resistant and feels tough enough to shrug off rough lumber, concrete dust, and the edge of a tailgate. Inside, the flannel lining adds a layer of passive warmth, while polyester-lined sleeves make it easy to slide on and off over a hoodie or flannel—small touch, big difference on cold mornings.

A few design details stand out on the job. The snap-front closure is fast with gloves on, and the extended shirt-tail back keeps your lower back covered when you’re bent over or climbing into a truck. Articulated shoulders and gusseted underarms do what they promise: I could reach overhead and swing a 28-ounce hammer without feeling the coat bind. It’s not as stretchy as a softshell, but for a canvas jacket it moves well.

Heating performance and controls

The coat uses three heat zones controlled by an LED push-button: high, medium, low, plus a preheat mode. Heat distribution is centered where you want it—chest and back—providing a core-warming feel rather than hot spots. Preheat brings the jacket up to temperature quickly, and I typically dropped to medium within a few minutes to maintain comfort.

On cold, windy mornings around freezing, high takes the edge off immediately. For steady work or driving, medium is the sweet spot: warm without getting sweaty. Low is subtle but useful when you’re layered up and just need to keep the chill away. The controller is easy to find and press with gloves, and the LED confirms your setting at a glance.

One note: because the shell blocks wind so well, the heat you put in stays in. That’s great for efficiency, but if you crank it on high while hustling up stairs you’ll want to bump it down quickly.

Battery life and power management

The battery pocket takes DeWalt 20V MAX packs—the same ones many of us already own. The kit includes a compact battery and charger, which I appreciate for folks who aren’t already on the platform. With the included compact pack, I saw roughly a couple of hours on high, around half a day on medium, and longer on low. Runtime varies with ambient temperature, your layers, and how often you toggle settings, but that’s a fair expectation.

If you’re on site all day, a 4Ah or 5Ah pack extends runtime considerably, though it adds weight and bulk. For walking or lots of bending, I preferred the compact pack to keep the coat balanced and the pocket from feeling heavy. The included USB power adapter is handy for topping up a phone, but be aware that charging devices draws from the same battery powering your heat. I treat that port as an emergency backup, not an everyday charger, to preserve runtime.

Fit, range of motion, and comfort

Fit is true to size for a work coat with room for layering. I wore my normal size over a midweight hoodie and didn’t feel stuffed. The duck fabric has the expected break-in period: it starts crisp and relaxes over the first week. The gusseted underarms aren’t a gimmick—they reduce tugging when you’re reaching and keep the coat from riding up. The extended back is a highlight, particularly when you’re kneeling or reaching into a truck bed.

Weight-wise, you’re wearing a durable canvas coat plus a battery, so it’s not feather-light. Still, the balance is good, and the battery rides close to the body in its pocket. Sitting in a vehicle with a larger battery can feel bulky against the hip; swapping to the compact pack solves that.

Pockets and jobsite practicality

There are multiple pockets, internal and external, in the right places. The hand pockets are deep and warm, the chest pocket is good for a phone or small notebook, and the interior pockets hold a pair of gloves or a compact tape. The USB power adapter lives close to the battery so cables don’t snake through the whole coat. I’d love a secure zip on at least one exterior pocket for valuables, but the mix works for tools and everyday carry.

Snap closures shine when you’re wearing gloves, and they won’t jam like a muddy zipper can. The trade-off is that snaps can gap if a crosswind hits you just right; layering with a hoodie or flannel helps, and keeping the heat on medium or high negates most of that draft anyway.

Weather resistance

This is a water- and wind-resistant coat, not a rain shell. In light snow and drizzle, the duck fabric beads moisture and keeps the wind at bay. In sustained rain, it will wet out. The heated zones help manage damp cold better than an unheated coat, but if you work in persistent wet conditions, pair it with a shell or consider a softshell heated jacket for better water shedding. For dry cold and blustery days, this coat is in its element.

Durability and maintenance

The duck fabric’s abrasion resistance is the star here. Brushing against masonry, pinching between lumber stacks, and the usual jobsite abuses haven’t left much more than surface scuffs. Seams are tidy and reinforced where they should be, and the snaps stay aligned.

For care, I followed the garment’s instructions: remove the battery and power source, close pockets, and wash gently. Hang drying preserves the fabric and the heating elements. The one-year limited warranty is standard for heated apparel, and it’s good to register the kit and keep your proof of purchase in case a controller or element misbehaves.

What could be better

• Weight and bulk: With a high-capacity battery, the coat gets heavy on one side. I’d like a more centered battery placement or an included extension option for belt carry.
• Snap-only front: Snaps are glove-friendly, but a wind flap over a zipper would seal out gusts more completely.
• More secure external storage: A zippered exterior chest pocket would add peace of mind for phones on ladders.

None of these are deal-breakers, but they’re worth noting depending on your priorities.

Who it’s for

If your winter work uniform is a canvas jacket and you’re already on the DeWalt 20V MAX platform, this heated coat slots in naturally. It’s ideal for carpenters, facility techs, farmers, and anyone doing outdoor chores who wants reliable warmth without switching to a sportier softshell. If your job is highly aerobic or you need true rain protection, a lightweight softshell heated jacket or a non-heated technical shell may suit you better.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt heated coat for tradespeople and DIYers who value a durable barn-coat style with practical heat on demand. It combines a tough, wind-resistant shell with a simple, effective heating system and the convenience of 20V MAX battery compatibility. The fit, articulation, and extended back make it genuinely usable on the job, and the preheat plus medium setting cover most winter days without fuss. It’s not the lightest or most weatherproof heated jacket, but it’s one of the more jobsite-ready options I’ve used. If you want canvas durability and core warmth in one piece—and you’re okay with the snap-front and battery bulk trade-offs—this is a smart, hard-working pick.