DeWalt REALTREE XTRA Camouflage Fleece Heated Vest Kit

First impressions

Cold mornings don’t care what brand you wear, so I pulled on the DeWalt heated vest with cautious optimism. The Realtree camo fleece looks the part for tree stand sits, chores around the property, or early site walkthroughs. It’s quiet, it’s soft, and it’s clearly built to block wind better than a typical fleece. The claim here is simple: add battery-powered heat to a tough, field-ready vest and give you pockets for everything. After several weeks of use in shoulder-season cold and a few genuinely frigid dawn starts, I have a clear sense of where this vest shines—and where it comes up short.

Design and build

This is a fleece-on-fleece design: a polyester camo outer with a soft polyester lining. The hand feel is comfortable and snag-resistant enough for brush and lumber alike. Stitching is tidy, the heavy-duty front zipper tracks smoothly, and the internal wind guard keeps drafts from sneaking through the teeth. The cut is practical—room for a base layer and a light midlayer without feeling tight in the shoulders. It’s not a fashion vest; it’s a work-and-woods piece with generous storage and a quiet exterior that doesn’t swish.

The battery pocket is stitched to accept DeWalt 20V MAX packs via the included power adapter, which also provides a USB port. That’s a smart use of the platform—especially if you already run DeWalt tools—but it’s also the vest’s main ergonomic compromise. Even with a compact 2.0Ah battery, that brick is hard to ignore.

Heating performance

Controls are straightforward: one button cycles through low, medium, and high, with a pre-heat function that jumps to a burst of warmth before settling to your last setting. The heat zones concentrate on the core, and the vest warms evenly across the torso rather than burning hot in one patch. In cool-to-cold temps (mid-40s°F to high 30s°F), medium setting kept me comfortable while working steadily. Pre-heat was useful stepping out of a truck into a cold wind; the vest perks up quickly.

Where it struggles is true cold and wind exposure. In the low 30s°F and below, particularly if I was stationary, the high setting was more of a gentle assist than a genuine heat source. Under a shell, it helps take the bite off, but it won’t rescue you from inadequate layering. If you’re expecting a furnace on your chest, temper that expectation; think of it as a supplement to sensible base and midlayers.

Battery and power

The included charger and adapter mean you’re ready to go, and that USB port is legitimately handy. I topped off a phone and a headlamp during a long morning and still had enough battery for warmth on low. With a 2.0Ah pack, I saw less than two hours on high, roughly three hours on medium, and a half day or better on low. That tracks with other tool-battery heated gear I’ve used. Bigger packs extend runtime, but they make the weight and bulk problem worse.

That bulk matters. The battery pocket adds noticeable heft and can print under a tighter outer layer. Sitting in a vehicle, the pack can press under a seat belt; wearing a backpack with a hip belt, it’s something you’ll feel. It’s livable with a compact battery and careful pocket choice, but it’s not invisible.

Comfort and fit

The fleece lining is a win—soft on bare forearms and it doesn’t grab sleeves when layering. The collar stands up well against wind without chafing. I found the armholes cut high enough to keep drafts out but not so tight they rub. Breathability is what you’d expect from a double-fleece vest: fine while moving, clammy if you overdress and then work hard. Sizing feels true; if you’re between sizes and plan to layer a hoodie under it, consider sizing up.

Pockets and usability

Storage is a highlight. Two flannel-lined hand pockets keep fingers happy, and the combination of zip and snap closures lets you choose security or speed. The chest vertical zip pocket holds a phone securely and keeps it accessible. Inside, there’s a lower pocket for another phone or a slim battery pack, plus accessory pockets that fit a compact flashlight, tags, or a small notepad. Zippers have glove-friendly pulls, and the main control button is easy to find and press with thin gloves.

The USB charging port earns real-world points. On longer days, being able to top up a phone or camera without bringing an extra power bank simplifies the kit. Just remember: every milliamp you give your phone comes off your heating runtime.

Weather resistance and durability

Wind resistance is good. This fleece doesn’t behave like a sail; it blunts gusts noticeably better than standard fleece vests. It’s not waterproof—if you’re dealing with sustained precipitation, pair it with a shell. After brush and ladder contact, the fabric shows no early pilling, and the seams are holding tight. The internal wiring hasn’t created hot spots or stiff zones, and I haven’t noticed any crackling noises in the cold, which can happen with cheaper heated garments. DeWalt backs it with a 1-year limited warranty, which is typical for heated apparel.

Field notes and tips

• Pre-heat before you step outside, then drop to medium to conserve battery.
• Use a compact 1.5–2.0Ah battery to reduce bulk unless you truly need max runtime.
• Treat it as a midlayer for static work in freezing temps; pair with a windproof shell and a proper base layer.
• Keep the USB port capped when not in use to avoid lint and moisture intrusion.
• Spot-clean the fleece and follow the care tag; remove the battery and adapter before any cleaning.

What I like

• Quiet, camo fleece that actually blocks wind respectably
• Simple heat controls and quick pre-heat
• Thoughtful, plentiful pocket layout
• Included charger and a useful USB port for device charging
• Solid build quality and a smooth, robust main zipper

What I don’t

• Heat output tops out at “helpful,” not “toasty,” in real cold
• Battery bulk is noticeable and awkward under seat belts and hip belts
• Runtime on high with compact packs is short
• No water resistance; needs a shell in any real wet

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt heated vest with clear caveats. If you already own 20V MAX batteries, want a quiet, wind-resistant camo vest with great pocketing, and plan to use it in cool-to-cold conditions (not deep cold) as part of a layered system, it’s a practical, comfortable choice. The heat adds a meaningful edge in shoulder season, the USB port simplifies your kit, and the build feels durable.

If your primary goal is strong, sustained heat in freezing temperatures, or you need a low-profile, all-day solution without a bulky battery, this isn’t the right vest. The output isn’t a substitute for proper insulation, and the battery form factor remains an ergonomic compromise. For the right user and climate, it’s a helpful tool; for those chasing midwinter warmth from a vest alone, I wouldn’t recommend it.