DeWalt Soft Shell Heated Jacket Kit

A heated jacket that runs on the same batteries as my tools

I put the DeWalt heated jacket through several chilly mornings on the jobsite and a few long dog walks in 30–40°F weather. As someone already invested in 20V MAX batteries, the idea of warming my core with the same pack I use in my drill is appealing. After a few weeks of use, I’ve got a clear sense of where this jacket shines—and where it falls short.

Heat performance and coverage

The five-zone layout is well thought out: left and right chest, both upper arms, and upper/mid-back. In practice, the chest and back zones carry most of the load, taking the sting out of cold starts without feeling like a space heater strapped to your torso. The arm zones add a subtle, welcome warmth when you’re standing still or wearing thinner base layers.

Pre-heat is genuinely useful. I’d hit the button as I grabbed coffee and by the time I stepped outside, the jacket had already ramped up and then stepped down to the set level. On high, warmth is immediate and noticeable; on medium and low, it’s more of a steady, background comfort that lets you forget the cold.

One note on heat distribution: if you run hot during active work, you’ll likely live on the low setting. The high setting is best for stationary tasks or taking the edge off a wind-chilled commute.

Runtime with the included 2.0Ah pack

With the kitted 2.0Ah battery, my typical runtimes were:
- Low: around 8–9 hours in the 40°F range
- Medium: roughly 5–6 hours
- High: about 2.5–3 hours

These numbers vary with wind and how much you’re moving, but they’re in the ballpark of what I experienced. I also tried a larger-capacity 20V pack from my tools; it extended runtime appreciably but increased bulk and weight. For all-day warmth without swapping, a higher-capacity pack is the way to go—as long as you can tolerate the extra heft.

Controls and day-to-day usability

The LED controller is simple and glove-friendly: press to cycle through low/medium/high, and pre-heat is a quick press-and-hold. The indicator is bright enough to read outdoors without feeling blinding indoors.

The battery pocket can be configured front or back with the included adapter, which I ended up appreciating more than I expected. Moving the battery to the rear pocket kept it out of the way when bending, climbing into a truck, or wearing a tool belt. If you sit frequently (driving or equipment operation), the front placement is more comfortable.

Comfort and fit

The interior fleece lining is soft and warm, and the smooth sleeve lining is a smart detail—it slides over a hoodie or flannel without snagging. The funnel neck and chin guard help seal out drafts, and the internal wind guard behind the main zipper makes a noticeable difference in gusty conditions.

Fit is jobsite-friendly—trim enough to not feel baggy, roomy enough for a base layer and a mid-layer. If you’re on the fence between sizes and plan to wear thicker layers or a vest underneath, I’d size up. The hook-and-loop cuffs and waist drawcord let you fine-tune the seal, and they do a good job blocking wind at the sleeves and hem.

Pockets and the USB charging perk

There are five pockets in total, including a dedicated battery pocket and interior storage. The zippered hand pockets are deep enough for gloves and a phone. The interior pocket fits a small notebook or wallet.

The USB power adapter is genuinely handy. I topped off my phone mid-day more than once. Just remember: every watt-hour you hand your phone is one you don’t use for heat. As a rough guide, a 20–30% phone charge shaved about 30–45 minutes off my heating time with the 2.0Ah pack. Cable management is decent if you keep the adapter in the front pocket; it’s tidier in the back but a bit less convenient to access.

Weather resistance and layering strategy

This jacket is wind resistant but not water resistant. In dry cold, it’s excellent. In mist, wet snow, or a light drizzle, it wets out fast. My workaround was simple: run this as a heated mid-layer and throw a lightweight waterproof shell over it when precipitation threatens. The smooth sleeve lining makes that combo painless, and the heat still comes through effectively.

If you’re routinely working in wet conditions, plan on a shell or look for a heated jacket with a water-resistant face fabric. For dry, windy climates, the wind resistance here is enough to keep the chill at bay without adding bulk.

Build quality and durability

Most seams and stitch lines are tidy, and the fabric has held up to daily wear and the occasional brush with lumber and concrete forms. The heat zones remained consistent and the controller never glitched in my testing.

The weak point I ran into was the main zipper. Mine started fine but showed early signs of wear after a few weeks—specifically, a tendency to misalign at the base if I wasn’t deliberate when starting it. It never completely failed on me, but it did separate once when I rushed it. A few practical tips helped:
- Keep grit out of the zipper; brush it clean if you’re in sandy or dusty environments.
- Start the zipper carefully with a firm seat at the bottom before pulling up.
- Consider a light application of zipper wax to reduce friction.

Given the rest of the jacket’s performance, I wish the zipper hardware were heavier duty. It’s an area to pay attention to during the return window and within the one-year limited warranty period.

What I’d change

• Upgrade the main zipper. A sturdier coil or a beefier slider would inspire more confidence.
• Add at least a light DWR finish for unexpected sprinkles. Even modest water resistance would broaden the jacket’s use.
• Offer a slightly larger battery pocket or a more contoured design to better accommodate higher-capacity packs without printing through the fabric.

Who this jacket is for

• Tradespeople and DIYers already on the 20V MAX platform who want jobsite heat without new chargers or specialty batteries.
• Commuters and outdoor workers in dry, windy climates where wind-blocking and focused heat matter more than rain protection.
• Anyone who appreciates a heated mid-layer they can pair with a shell when weather turns wet.

Who should look elsewhere:
- Folks working in consistently wet conditions who need built-in water resistance.
- Users who demand bombproof hardware and are hard on zippers and closures.

Practical tips from use

• Use pre-heat for 5–10 minutes, then drop to medium or low to preserve runtime.
• Move the battery to the back pocket if you’re stooping or wearing a tool belt; switch to the front for long drives.
• If you’ll need to charge your phone, carry a spare compact power bank to avoid draining the jacket’s runtime.
• Treat this as a system: base layer for moisture, heated jacket for warmth, shell for precipitation.

Recommendation

I recommend this jacket—with clear caveats. The heat performance, zone placement, and platform compatibility are excellent. Runtime with the included 2.0Ah pack is solid on low and workable on medium, and the pre-heat makes cold starts painless. As a wind-blocking, heated mid-layer in dry conditions, it’s a standout.

However, the main zipper is a vulnerability, and the lack of any water resistance limits its versatility unless you pair it with a shell. If you’re already on 20V MAX and you work mostly in dry cold, this is an easy pick that will genuinely improve comfort and productivity. If you frequently work in wet weather or are rough on zippers, consider your use case carefully, inspect the zipper early, and be ready to layer a shell—or look for a model with heavier-duty hardware and water resistance.