DeWalt Quilted Soft Shell Heated Jacket (Jacket Only)

Why I reached for this heated jacket

Cold, damp mornings are my litmus test for heated workwear. I wore the DeWalt heated jacket across a week of pre-dawn jobsite visits and late-night dog walks to see where it shines and where it falls short. It’s a channel‑quilted, polyfil‑insulated jacket with a fleece liner and three electric heat zones. On paper it promises wind and water resistance, flexible movement, and simple, three‑setting heat control. In practice, it’s a straightforward, work-ready layer that trades bells and whistles for reliability and ease of use.

Build, fit, and first impressions

The outer is a quilted polyester that feels closer to a lightweight work parka than a hoodie. It’s not stiff or crinkly, and the quilting keeps the insulation in place so it doesn’t bunch. Inside, the polyester fleece liner adds a soft touch and traps a bit of extra warmth even with the heat off.

I’d call the fit “regular leaning trim.” It’s not a boxy shell. I ordered my usual size and had room for a light base layer but not a puffy midlayer. If you plan to wear thick hoodies underneath, consider sizing up; if you want the heating elements to sit close for faster warmth, a true‑to‑size, slightly snugger fit is ideal. The gusseted underarms make overhead work and reaching for a ladder rung feel natural, and the hidden ribbed storm cuffs do a nice job sealing out drafts without adding bulk at the wrist.

DeWalt adds reflective piping at the zippers and seams. It’s not safety‑vest bright, but it’s just enough to pop in low light.

Heating performance

The jacket uses three zones—left chest, right chest, and mid‑back—and a simple LED controller with High, Medium, and Low settings. The control button is easy to find and press with light gloves, and the colored indicator is visible outdoors. From a cold start, I consistently felt noticeable warmth in under a minute and full, even heat within a few minutes. The back panel lays down a reliable base of warmth; the chest zones help when you’re facing wind.

With only three zones, you don’t get heat in the sleeves. That matters less if you’re layering under a shell or working actively, but if you tend to stand in place for long stretches, heated sleeves can be nice to have. The three zones here still covered my core well, and I never felt hot spots or cold gaps.

Battery, runtime, and weight

This jacket runs on DeWalt’s 20V MAX batteries via a USB power adapter and cord extension. The battery and charger are sold separately. If you already own 20V MAX packs, that’s a big advantage; if you don’t, factor the cost of at least a compact pack and charger into your decision.

Runtime depends entirely on the battery you choose. My results, using healthy DeWalt packs:
- With a 2.0Ah compact battery: roughly 2–3 hours on High, 4–5 on Medium, 6–7 on Low.
- With a 5.0Ah battery: all‑morning warmth on High or a full 8‑hour day on Medium/Low.

The expandable battery pocket and extension cable let you place the pack in either a front or rear pocket. That flexibility matters more than it sounds. For driving or sitting on equipment, I preferred the front placement; walking or bending, I liked the rear to keep weight off my hip. A 5.0Ah pack is very doable, but you will feel the extra mass. If you move frequently or climb, a compact pack keeps the jacket feeling balanced.

One bonus: the USB power adapter lets you charge a phone. I used it to top off my device at lunch without issue.

Weather resistance and breathability

The jacket is wind resistant, which you notice immediately on a breezy site; the quilting and storm cuffs further reduce drafts. Water resistance is good for mist, flurries, and light showers. In a steady rain, the face fabric starts to wet out at seams and shoulders over time. This isn’t a waterproof shell, and I wouldn’t treat it like one. For extended rain, layer a hard shell over it and the system works well.

Breathability is respectable for a heated piece. With the heat off, it behaves like a lightly insulated jacket. With heat on High during a brisk walk, I cracked the zipper or dropped to Medium to avoid overheating. The fleece liner helps manage moisture better than slick nylon would.

Pockets and storage

DeWalt claims five pockets in total. Functionally, you get:
- Two outer slash hand pockets
- One internal accessory pocket
- An expandable battery pocket (front or back placement with the extension)

The hand pockets are deep enough for gloves; the interior pocket holds a phone or small notebook. I’d love a second interior pocket or a vertical chest zip for quick‑access items, but the basics are covered. Zippers are smooth and the reflective trim is a thoughtful touch.

Controls and day-to-day use

The LED controller is simple and reliable. It’s a single button: press to cycle High/Medium/Low and hold to turn off. After a few days, I stopped thinking about it—exactly what you want in a heated garment. Heat ramps up quickly, then stabilizes without the pulsing you sometimes feel in cheaper jackets.

I appreciate that the jacket is useful even with the heat off. The polyfil plus fleece liner make it a legitimate cool‑weather layer on their own, which extends its usefulness beyond deep winter.

Comfort and mobility on the job

Between the gusseted underarms and the jacket’s cut, I never felt restricted while lifting, drilling overhead, or loading gear. The hidden storm cuffs seal nicely around gloves, and they don’t snag. The battery pocket is placed well and doesn’t dig into your hip when you bend. With a compact battery you almost forget it’s there; with a 5.0Ah, you’re aware of it but it doesn’t impede movement.

Care and durability

Seams are clean, quilting is consistent, and there were no loose threads out of the box. After a week of wear, the fabric showed no abrasion or snagging, and the liners stayed smooth. As with any heated garment, follow the care tag closely—remove the battery and adapter before washing and avoid high heat drying. The one‑year limited warranty is standard for this category.

What I’d change

• More coverage options: Sleeve heaters or an optional collar zone would extend the comfort envelope for folks who stand still in the cold.
• Pocket layout: A zippered chest pocket would be welcome for small tools or ID.
• Battery bulk: The 20V MAX ecosystem is a strength if you already have the packs, but it’s inherently bulkier than the smaller, jacket‑specific battery systems some brands use.

None of these are deal‑breakers, but they’re worth knowing up front.

Who it’s for

• Tradespeople and DIYers already on DeWalt’s 20V MAX platform who want a heated layer that plays nice with their existing batteries.
• Anyone working in wind, light precipitation, or fluctuating temps who prefers a jacket that’s useful both heated and unheated.
• Commuters and outdoorsy folks who value simple controls and practical runtime over maximum features.

If you need full waterproofing, sleeve heat, or the smallest possible battery footprint, look at shell‑style heated jackets or models with dedicated low‑profile battery packs.

Recommendation

I recommend this DeWalt heated jacket for users who want a dependable, easy‑to‑use heated layer that integrates with 20V MAX batteries. It warms up quickly, covers the core effectively with three zones, and balances weather resistance with comfort. The expandable battery pocket and front/back placement are genuinely useful, and runtime is excellent with the right battery. Its shortcomings—no heated sleeves, a straightforward pocket set, and the inherent bulk of 20V packs—are easy to accept given the overall performance. If you already own DeWalt batteries, this jacket is an especially smart, cost‑effective upgrade to your cold‑weather kit. If you don’t, it’s still a solid choice, just budget for a compact battery to keep the weight and size in check.