DeWalt Lightweight Soft-Shell Heated Jacket

Why I reached for this heated jacket

On cold job sites and early-morning commutes, I prefer steady, quiet warmth over bulk. That’s exactly why I spent the past few weeks in the DeWalt heated jacket. It’s a soft-shell layer that pairs a wind- and water-resistant exterior with three heating zones and a simple LED controller. If you’re already in DeWalt’s 20V MAX battery ecosystem, it’s an easy piece of kit to add—battery slides into the dedicated pocket, press the controller, and you’re in business.

Build and weather protection

The outer shell is brushed twill that sheds wind well and beads off light moisture. It’s not a rain jacket, but in mist, snow flurries, or brief drizzles it kept me dry long enough to finish tasks without scrambling for a shell. Inside, polyfil insulation backed by a fleece lining takes the edge off even before you power it up. The lining is comfortable against a base layer and doesn’t snag or cling.

Stitching is clean, zippers track smoothly, and the reflective piping and zipper trims add helpful visibility in dim light. The adjustable hook-and-loop cuffs are a small but important detail—cinched down, they seal out drafts and keep warm air where it belongs.

Heating performance

The jacket uses three zones—left chest, right chest, and back—to create an even envelope of heat. The back zone stands out as the most immediately noticeable warmth; the chest panels are subtler but contribute to an overall balanced feel. The LED controller offers high, medium, low, plus a pre-heat setting. Pre-heat gets you up to temperature fast; I often ran pre-heat for a few minutes while loading the truck, then dropped to medium for the remainder of the morning.

On high, the jacket is warm enough for standing around or low-activity tasks in the mid-30s F, especially with a thin base layer. Medium is the sweet spot for active work in the 30s–40s F range, and low is a nice background warmth when you’re moving steadily or working indoors in chilly spaces. If you expect a blast-furnace effect, you’ll be disappointed; the experience is more about steady radiant heat that takes the bite out of cold rather than replacing a heavy insulated parka. Fit matters here—snug enough to keep the heating elements close, but not so tight that you compress the insulation.

Runtime and battery choices

DeWalt powers the jacket with its 20V MAX XR lithium-ion batteries, which is a big plus if you’re already carrying those packs for tools. Real-world runtime depends heavily on capacity and heat setting:

• Compact 1.5Ah: plan on roughly 2 hours on high, 3–4 hours on medium, and around 5 hours on low.
• XR 2.0Ah: expect about a 25% bump over the 1.5Ah, which makes medium an all-morning setting for me.
• Larger packs (4.0–5.0Ah): you’ll get long days on low or a solid half-day on medium, but there’s a tradeoff—they’re bulky and you feel the weight.

The battery pocket does a good job of containing compact packs. With a 1.5Ah or 2.0Ah battery, the jacket wears naturally and the weight isn’t distracting. Larger packs fit, but they sit heavily on one side; fine for lighter activity, less ideal if you’re bending and kneeling constantly. If you need all-day heat, a spare compact battery is a more comfortable solution than a single big pack.

A few simple habits improved my experience: keep batteries warm before use (cold batteries sag sooner), use pre-heat briefly then settle on medium, and switch to low once you’re moving. Those tweaks stretch runtime without sacrificing comfort.

Comfort and mobility

This is a lightweight soft shell, not a stiff work coat, and it moves with you. The fabric has enough give for reaching overhead or shouldering materials. The fleece-lined interior feels good over a base layer and doesn’t trap moisture excessively during light activity. In higher-output tasks, I did warm up quickly; opening the main zip a few inches and dropping to low kept things balanced.

As for fit, it runs true in my experience. I took my usual size and could wear a thin base layer underneath or pull a shell over the top when wind really kicked up. If you plan to layer heavier mid-layers, consider sizing up, but for most users your standard size will strike the right balance of contact with the heating zones and freedom of movement.

Controls and usability

The LED controller is straightforward and glove-friendly. A long press toggles power, short presses cycle heat levels. The indicator light is easy to read outdoors. I never found myself hunting for the button or wondering what setting I was on. Heat-up time is quick, especially with pre-heat engaged, and the jacket holds a stable temperature without hot spots or cold corners.

The battery connection is solid, and the cable routing inside the pocket keeps things tidy. I didn’t encounter any intermittent connections or unexpected shutoffs.

Pockets and storage

Storage is basic. You get two exterior hand pockets with smooth zippers, plus the internal battery compartment. The hand pockets are lined and roomy enough for gloves or a phone. If you’re used to cargo-heavy work jackets, you’ll miss a chest pocket and dedicated tool sleeves. For me, the minimalist pocket layout is fine on days I’m carrying a tool belt or a backpack, but it’s worth noting if you rely on your jacket for organization.

Durability notes

Between site visits and weekend chores, the shell shrugged off scuffs, and the zippers kept behaving. The cuff Velcro still bites firmly after multiple adjustments. While I wouldn’t drag it through concrete dust every day without a shell on top, this is a robust layer for its weight class. As always with heated garments, treat the wiring with a little respect—don’t crush or sharply bend the battery cable when packing it away. The 1-year limited warranty is standard for this category.

Where it shines

• Users already invested in DeWalt 20V MAX batteries who want a heated layer without buying a proprietary power pack.
• Trades and tasks that involve stop-and-go movement in cool-to-cold conditions where steady, moderate warmth beats bulk.
• Early-morning starts, tailgates, and commutes in light wind or intermittent moisture.
• Situations where visibility matters—reflective piping and zipper accents are small safety wins.

Where it falls short

• If you expect intense, high-output heat for hours, you’ll need spare batteries or a heavier insulated coat. This jacket is about balanced, consistent warmth rather than blasting heat.
• The pocket layout is sparse. If you want multiple cargo pockets and internal organization, you’ll find this minimal.
• Large-capacity batteries extend runtime but feel cumbersome in the pocket. Compact XR packs are the comfort sweet spot.

Tips to get the best from it

• Use pre-heat for a few minutes before stepping out, then switch to medium to save battery.
• Pair with a breathable base layer; add a thin shell over the top in strong wind for a big bump in perceived warmth.
• Stick to compact 1.5Ah or 2.0Ah XR batteries for comfort. Carry a spare instead of one large pack if you need more hours.
• Store batteries warm and keep contacts clean to maintain consistent performance.

The bottom line

The DeWalt heated jacket is a thoughtfully built, comfortable soft shell that delivers steady, practical warmth with minimal fuss. It excels as a daily layer for cool and cold days when you want to stay nimble and avoid bulky insulation. Heat distribution is even, controls are simple, and the shell’s wind and water resistance broaden its usable window. Runtime aligns with the battery you choose, and the experience is best with compact XR packs and a spare on standby.

Recommendation: I recommend this jacket, especially to anyone already using DeWalt 20V MAX tools. It’s reliable, easy to live with, and genuinely useful in real-world cold. Just go in with the right expectations—think consistent, medium-level warmth rather than extreme heat—and plan your battery strategy accordingly. If you need heavy insulation, lots of cargo pockets, or all-day high heat from a single battery, look elsewhere. For everyone else, this is a smart, comfortable way to keep working—and stay warm—without adding bulk.