Milwaukee Heated Workskin Midweight Base Layer

As a longtime user of Milwaukee tools, I was excited to try out their Heated Workskin Midweight Base Layer. Milwaukee has a solid reputation for producing durable and reliable work gear, and I was curious to see how this base layer would measure up, especially with the added feature of heating elements.

First Impressions and Fit

From the moment I took the Heated Workskin out of the packaging, I could tell it was well-constructed. The double-lined polyester body feels robust, and the fleece-lined arms add a touch of softness that is immediately comforting. The shirt has raglan sleeves and seamless shoulders, which are designed to improve mobility. As someone who often finds themselves in tight spaces or awkward positions on the job site, I appreciated this design choice.

I'm 6 feet tall and around 180 pounds, and the large size fit me quite well. The sleeves are long enough to cover my wrists fully, and the body length is adequate, reaching just to my hips. One thing to note is that the sleeves come with thumb holes, a feature I found particularly useful. The thumb holes help keep the sleeves in place, which is handy when you're layering up.

Heating Elements and Battery Life

The shirt features carbon fiber heating elements located in the chest and upper back areas. There's a simple LED controller at the bottom left of the shirt that lets you toggle between two heat settings: high and low. To turn the shirt on or off, you hold the button for a couple of seconds, and it lights up red for high or blue for low. This feature is intuitive and easy to use, even with gloves on.

However, the battery life leaves something to be desired. Each battery lasted me about 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on the heat setting. Given that the shirt comes with two batteries, you can get up to 6 hours of warmth if you switch them out, but this still falls short for anyone needing heat for a full workday. Another downside is that the batteries must be charged using the shirt's adapter, meaning you can't charge one battery while using the other unless you purchase an additional charger. This is a significant limitation for those of us who rely on sustained warmth during long outdoor shifts.

Performance and Comfort

When it comes to warmth, the Heated Workskin does a decent job, but it isn't exceptional. On chilly mornings with temperatures hovering around 30 degrees Fahrenheit, I found the high setting provided some warmth, but it wasn't enough to keep me as comfortable as I'd hoped. The low setting was even less effective in such conditions. It seems best suited for mildly cold weather rather than extreme conditions.

That being said, the shirt itself is comfortable and provides a good base layer. Even without the heating elements activated, the midweight construction and fleece-lined arms offer a reasonable amount of insulation. I tried wearing it both with and without an additional undershirt, and while the heating elements were more noticeable without a base layer, the shirt remained comfortable in both scenarios.

A Few Design Flaws

One thing that could be improved is the shirt's fit around the battery pocket. The battery sits in a small pocket on the lower left side, and while it's relatively unobtrusive, it does create a bit of sagging. This isn't a deal-breaker, but it does affect the shirt's overall fit and appearance slightly.

Additionally, the shirt could benefit from having more temperature settings. With only two options, it doesn't offer much flexibility for varying weather conditions. A third, medium setting would be a welcome addition.

Washing and Durability

The shirt is machine washable, which is a crucial feature for any workwear. I've washed it a few times following the manufacturer's instructions, and it has held up well. The fabric is pilling resistant, and the heating elements haven't suffered any damage from the wash cycles. Just remember to remove the battery and tuck the wires into the pocket before washing.

Final Thoughts

All in all, the Milwaukee Heated Workskin Midweight Base Layer is a solid piece of gear, but it has its limitations. Its construction is robust, and the shirt is comfortable, making it a good base layer for moderately cold conditions. However, the heating elements could be more effective, and the battery life is insufficient for full-day use without frequent recharges or additional batteries.

Would I recommend this product? If you’re looking for a comfortable, well-made base layer that offers some added warmth for shorter periods, then yes, it’s a good buy. However, if you need reliable, sustained heat for extended periods in extreme cold, you might want to consider other options. Milwaukee's heated outerwear, for example, offers longer run times and might be a better investment for those in harsher climates.