Lightweight Soft-Shell Heated Jacket Kit

Features

  • Water- and wind-resistant brushed twill soft-shell outer material
  • Polyester fleece lining with polyfil insulation
  • Three heating zones (left chest, right chest, back)
  • LED controller with three temperature settings (high/medium/low) and a pre-heat function
  • Reflective zippers and piping for increased visibility
  • Battery pocket accepts 20V MAX* XR Li‑ion batteries
  • Five multi-function pockets
  • Adjustable hook-and-loop cuffs and waist draw cord

Specifications

Color Black
Is Water Resistant? Yes
Is Wind Resistant? Yes
Outer Material Brushed twill soft‑shell
Lining Polyester fleece
Insulation Polyfil
Number Of Heat Zones 3
Heat Settings 3 (high/medium/low) plus pre-heat function
Heat Zone Locations Left chest, right chest, back
Number Of Pockets 5
Battery System 20V MAX* XR Li‑ion (battery pocket accepts 20V MAX XR batteries; batteries may be sold separately)
Run Time (Manufacturer Notes) Up to 9 hours (manufacturer claim with 2.0Ah 20V MAX XR battery); up to 5.5 hours on low with 20V MAX compact 1.5Ah battery
Closure Style Zipper (internal wind guard)
Hood No
Adjustable Cuffs Hook-and-loop cuffs
Warranty 1 Year Limited Warranty
Weight 5.51 lbs (listed by some retailers)

Lightweight soft-shell heated jacket with a water- and wind-resistant outer shell, polyfil insulation and a polyester fleece lining. It has three heating zones (left chest, right chest, back) controlled by an LED controller with three temperature settings and a pre-heat function. The jacket includes reflective trim and multiple pockets and features adjustable cuffs and a waist draw cord to reduce wind intrusion.

Model Number: DCHJ072D1

DeWalt Lightweight Soft-Shell Heated Jacket Kit Review

4.6 out of 5

Cold mornings have a way of slowing everything down. On the days I wore DeWalt’s heated jacket, I noticed my hands stayed steadier and I got moving faster, especially during the first couple of hours outdoors. It’s not a miracle substitute for proper layering, but as a daily driver outer layer that adds controllable warmth and blocks wind and light precipitation, this jacket hits a practical sweet spot.

Build, fit, and comfort

The outer soft-shell feels like a brushed twill—quiet, not plasticky—and it sheds wind effectively. Paired with a polyester fleece lining and a thin layer of polyfil, the jacket has enough inherent insulation to be useful even when the heat is off. That matters more than you’d think: during active work, I didn’t have to keep the elements running the whole time.

Cut-wise, the fit leans slightly trim for a work jacket. Over a base layer and a medium-weight flannel, my usual size felt close to body without being restrictive. If you’re on the edge between sizes or want to wear a thicker hoodie beneath it, I’d size up. There’s no hood, which I actually prefer on a heated jacket; it layers more cleanly under a hard hat or rain shell without bunching. Adjustable hook-and-loop cuffs and a hem draw cord seal out drafts, and there’s an internal wind guard behind the zipper that keeps cold air from sneaking in.

Weight is reasonable for a heated soft-shell, but once you add a 20V battery, you’re reminded this isn’t an ultralight piece. The fabric and stitching feel work-ready, and the zippers track smoothly. Reflective piping and zipper accents are subtle but noticeable—helpful in early morning or after dusk without making you look like a traffic cone.

Heat performance and controls

Warmth comes from three zones: left chest, right chest, and back. That core-focused layout is what I want most of the time—your torso warms quickly and the heat radiates outward. The sleeves aren’t heated, which you’ll feel if you’re standing still in a biting wind with bare forearms, but for typical motions and some light activity, the core warmth is what keeps you comfortable.

The LED controller is intuitive: three temperatures (low/medium/high) plus a pre-heat function. Pre-heat is genuinely useful. I’d hit it as I loaded the truck; by the time I pulled out of the driveway, the jacket had ramped up and I’d drop it to medium. Controls are glove-friendly and the indicator is bright enough to see in daylight. Heat-up is quick—on high, I felt warmth in under a minute, and it stabilized in a few more.

In mixed use—pre-heat for a few minutes, an hour on medium, then toggling between low and off depending on activity—a compact 2.0Ah 20V MAX battery got me through a full workday with something to spare. The manufacturer’s “up to 9 hours” claim on a 2.0Ah pack lines up if you live on low; my real-world mixed-use run time was typically in the 7–8 hour range. On a 1.5Ah compact, I could stretch to around five hours on low. As with any heated garment, battery size dictates comfort versus mobility: larger packs extend run time but add bulk.

Heat distribution is even, with no hot spots or cold corners. The back panel is especially welcome when leaning against cold surfaces or driving a cold vehicle. If I could change anything, I’d add light sleeve warmth for those long, stationary spells, but the core-first design keeps power consumption manageable.

Battery system, pockets, and ergonomics

The battery pocket accepts DeWalt’s 20V MAX batteries, which is a major win for anyone already invested in that platform. The flip side: 20V packs, even compact ones, are bigger than the 12V sticks some competing jackets use. There’s an adapter between the battery and the jacket’s connector; it works fine, but the combined bulk is noticeable with anything larger than a compact pack.

DeWalt gives you five multi-function pockets, and there are a couple of smart ways to route and stash the battery so it’s not banging your hip while you’re on a ladder or crouching. I had the best results with a compact pack tucked toward the rear side, which kept the weight out of my way while still being accessible. Hand pockets are warm, zippers are glove-operable, and there’s sufficient storage for a phone, small notepad, and a few odds and ends without the jacket turning into a cargo vest.

Weather resistance and mobility

As a soft-shell, the jacket does well in wind and light moisture. In a steady drizzle, droplets beaded and rolled for about 20–30 minutes before the face fabric started to darken. I stayed comfortable as long as the wind guard and cuffs were cinched. In heavier rain you’ll want a shell on top, but for cold, dry days or intermittent snow, the jacket holds its own.

Mobility is solid. The fabric has a bit of give, and the cut doesn’t fight you when reaching overhead or forward. The only time I felt restricted was when a larger battery sat in a front-side pocket; that’s more a battery choice than a garment issue. I appreciated that the jacket is quiet—no crinkly noises—and it doesn’t snag easily.

Durability and care

After weeks of jobsite use—lots of dust, occasional abrasion against rough lumber and masonry—the outer fabric shrugged off scuffs and the seams stayed tight. The cuffs are often the first wear point on work jackets; the hook-and-loop held up and didn’t fuzz out. As with any heated garment, follow the care instructions closely: remove the battery and adapter before cleaning, and don’t crush the heating elements. Treated kindly, the jacket feels built for more than one season. There’s a 1-year limited warranty for peace of mind, though I’d always prefer to see two years on a work garment with electronics.

Everyday use and safety touches

I wore the jacket for early-morning truck prep, site layout, and some stationary tasks like running a rotary laser in open wind. The low setting kept me comfortable while moving; medium was my go-to when standing still. High is a great thaw-out mode, but I rarely needed to leave it there for long. The reflective accents help with visibility near equipment at dawn and dusk—small details that matter—without making the jacket look overtly “safety” oriented.

What I liked and what I’d change

Pros:
- Effective core warmth with quick pre-heat and simple, glove-friendly controls
- Wind-resistant soft-shell with comfortable fleece lining and useful baseline insulation
- Integrates with the 20V MAX battery system many tradespeople already own
- Practical pocket layout and decent battery routing options
- Reflective trim and solid build quality for jobsite use

Cons:
- Battery plus adapter can feel bulky; larger packs get awkward fast
- Fit runs a touch snug; consider sizing up if layering
- No heated sleeves; arms can feel cool during prolonged stationary work
- No hood, which some users will miss in cold wind or snow
- Warranty is only one year

Who it’s for

If you’re already on DeWalt’s 20V MAX platform and spend long stretches outdoors or in unheated spaces, this jacket makes a lot of sense. It’s especially handy for start-stop days where you want to add or subtract warmth without swapping layers. If you prioritize the lightest setup possible and don’t need all-day runtime, a 12V heated jacket with a smaller battery may feel more nimble. Conversely, if you’re frequently stationary in deep cold, plan to pair this with a shell and heavier base layers—or be prepared to carry a spare compact battery to keep the heat on.

Recommendation

I recommend this DeWalt heated jacket for tradespeople and regular outdoor users who want reliable, controllable warmth in a durable, wind-resistant package—especially those who already own 20V MAX batteries. It warms up fast, the three-zone heat is well distributed, and the jacket is comfortable even when the elements are off. The main tradeoffs are battery bulk and a slightly snug fit, both manageable with a compact pack and smart sizing. If you can live without heated sleeves and a hood, you’ll get a capable, job-ready layer that makes cold starts and long days in the cold noticeably easier.



Project Ideas

Business

Heated Jacket Rental for Cold Events

Launch a rental service for outdoor markets, stadium lines, ski areas, and holiday light shows. Offer jackets with 2.0Ah or higher 20V MAX batteries for up to 9 hours, manage a charged battery inventory, and upsell reflective ID patches. Add a simple app for check-in/out and deposit handling.


Branded Workwear Program

Provide logo-branded heated jackets to construction, delivery, and facilities teams. Bundle jackets with battery kits, seasonal maintenance, and a swap program. Emphasize wind/water resistance, adjustable cuffs, and multi-pocket utility as productivity and safety benefits for cold-weather operations.


Guided Winter Tours Upgrade

Offer heated jackets as a premium add-on for sunrise hikes, city night walks, or wildlife tours. Use reflective piping for visibility, pre-heat during brief stops, and include spare batteries on longer routes. Market the comfort guarantee to boost conversions in colder months.


Event Staff Uniform + Power Pack

Equip outdoor event staff with branded heated jackets and standardized 20V MAX batteries. Include a charging cart, battery-check protocol, and a pocket layout guide for radios and scanners. Sell the package as a staffing efficiency and morale booster for festivals and sports venues.


Subscription Commute Warmth

Create a monthly subscription for bike/scooter commuters: a heated jacket, seasonal inspection, and battery leasing with swaps. Provide weather alerts and recommended heat settings via SMS. Partner with employers for pre-tax benefits or wellness subsidies.

Creative

Reflective Night-Art Jacket

Customize the jacket with cut vinyl reflective decals and contrast stitching that align with the existing reflective zippers/piping to create light-reactive patterns for night walks and long-exposure photography. The water- and wind-resistant shell protects the art, while the pre-heat function keeps you warm during setup and shoots.


Cosplay Power-Core Conversion

Turn the LED heat controller into a ‘reactor’ centerpiece for a sci‑fi cosplay. Add EVA foam armor plates over the soft-shell, route seams so the controller remains accessible, and use the three-zone heat to simulate a powered suit’s ‘warming’ effect during winter conventions or outdoor photos.


Winter Photographer’s Utility Mod

Add low-noise zipper pulls, a microfiber lens cloth tether inside a chest pocket, and elastic loops for batteries or filters. The five pockets organize accessories, the adjustable cuffs block wind while shooting, and the heated chest/back zones keep your core warm during long cold exposures.


Pocket Power Organizer + USB Kit

Create a compact insert for the battery pocket that holds the 20V MAX battery and a compatible USB adapter, plus cable channels to an inner pocket for safe phone charging in the cold. Label heat settings on the insert so you can quickly switch modes while managing cables and gear.


Wearable Heat-Mapping Project

Sew small Velcro tabs inside near each heat zone to mount lightweight temperature loggers. Capture data across the three zones and different LED settings, then visualize how pre-heat and low/medium/high distribute warmth during activities like hiking or commuting. Turn the data into posters or an online interactive.