Heated coats have become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to stay warm during cold weather outdoor activities. These coats have built-in heating elements that provide warmth on demand. But how long can you expect a heated coat to last before needing to be replaced? Here is a closer look at the lifespan and durability factors of heated coats.
What impacts the lifespan of a heated coat?
There are several key factors that impact how long a heated coat will last:
- Quality of materials – Higher quality materials like ripstop nylon shells and premium heating elements will last longer than cheaper versions.
- Frequency of use – If you use your heated coat every day in frigid winter temperatures, expect more wear and tear versus occasional use.
- Care and maintenance – Properly caring for your heated coat by avoiding damage to wiring and following washing instructions extends its life.
- Battery life – The integrated battery in a heated coat will degrade over time and need to be replaced after a certain number of charges.
- Technical issues – Malfunctioning heating elements or electronics can cut short a heated coat’s lifespan.
Generally, with proper care and maintenance, a high quality heated coat used for casual winter wear should last approximately 5+ years before needing replacement. Heavy duty coats used for activities like motorcycle riding or extreme cold weather may degrade faster, lasting 2-3 years. Let’s take a more in-depth look at each of these factors:
Quality of Materials
The materials used in heated coat construction play a major role in longevity. Higher end heated coats will be made with durable yet lightweight outer shells, usually from materials like ripstop nylon or polyester. This prevents rips, tears, and general wear and tear to the coat’s exterior.
Heating elements in better quality coats are also more heavy duty. Often made from carbon fiber, they are designed to withstand bending and flexing that occurs with body movement. Cheaper heated coats may use less flexible copper wire heating elements that degrade faster.
Sturdy, well-insulated inner linings also help a heated coat last longer. Thin or uninsulated linings can lead to more issues with heating elements malfunctioning or coats losing warmth quickly.
Frequency of Use
How often you wear your heated coat will impact its lifespan as well. Only occasionally wearing a heated coat means less exposure to potential damage. The heating elements, shell, and lining will simply endure less wear and tear over time if used sparingly versus daily heavy use in harsh winter months.
For those whose lifestyle or occupation requires wearing a heated coat nearly every day for multiple months in frigid temperatures, expect a shorter 2-3 year lifespan. The constant use exposes the coat to more risks of rips, tears, and normal deterioration of materials and electronics. Searing heat from maxed out heating elements day after day will also cause them to degrade quicker.
Care and Maintenance
Taking proper care of your heated coat and performing maintenance allows it to last significantly longer. Here are some key tips for extending the life of your heated coat:
- Avoid damaging heating elements – Be careful not to bend or twist the heating wires excessively when taking coats on and off.
- Clean outer shells carefully – Spot clean outer shells and use front loading, cold water washes only when necessary to remove dirt and buildup.
- Don’t submerge in water – Heated coats are designed to be water resistant but the electronics should never be fully submerged or soaked.
- Store properly – Hang up or fold heated coats neatly when not in use to avoid damage.
- Recharge fully – Recharge batteries fully between each use and replace them when charge length becomes significantly reduced.
- Inspect wiring – Periodically inspect the heating wiring for any frays or damage and disconnect it from power sources when not in use.
- Check heating function – Make sure heating elements are providing adequate warmth before each use in cold weather.
Performing thorough maintenance checks and taking preventative steps goes a long way towards getting the most years out of a heated coat.
Battery Life
One of the inevitable maintenance issues you’ll encounter overtime with a heated coat is declining battery performance. The integrated batteries that power the heating elements will slowly degrade over time. After several hundred charge cycles, the batteries will lose their ability to hold a full charge. This results in noticeably shorter run times on the maximum heating setting when worn.
Battery lifespan varies based on quality but expect to get approximately 300-500 full charges. Depending on usage frequency, this equates to around 2-3 winter seasons before noticeable degradation. When your heated coat’s battery will no longer maintain adequate run times, the battery will need replacement for the jacket to resume full functionality.
Technical Issues
Even with proper care and maintenance, heated coats can sometimes develop technical issues that curtail their lifespan. Problems like ripped out wiring, malfunctioning heating controllers, damaged connectors, or overheating can render them non-functional. As the coat’s integrated electronics age and endure wear, the risk of technical failure rises. That’s why performance checks and inspection of the internal electronics are key. Any detected issues should be addressed quickly to avoid premature failure.
Average Lifespan of Heated Coats
Given typical use cases and proper maintenance, most quality heated coats will last approximately 5+ years before replacement is needed or extensive repairs become inevitable. This average lifespan projection assumes casual occasional use rather than heavy duty daily winter wear.
Here are some examples of typical heated coat lifespans by usage level:
| Usage Frequency | Estimated Lifespan |
|---|---|
| Occasional light use | 6-8 years |
| Regular winter wear | 4-6 years |
| Heavy duty daily use | 2-4 years |
Keep in mind harsh conditions like consistent subzero temperatures, excessive moisture, or damage from accidents can all decrease these average lifespans. Performing repairs for damaged shells, heating elements, or batteries can extend the lifespan slightly but has limits. Once the coat’s various components and materials degrade past a certain point after years of use, replacement becomes the necessary and more cost effective option.
Maximizing Your Heated Coat’s Lifespan
To get the maximum lifespan out of your heated coat, keep these tips in mind:
- Select a heated coat from a reputable brand using high quality materials.
- Carefully maintain your coat according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Inspect coats before each winter for any damage or technical issues.
- Only use your heated coat when truly needed and avoid max heat settings constantly.
- Replace the battery as soon as you notice significantly reduced run times.
- Rewaterproof the outer shell after 2-3 years with wash-in treatments.
- Clean the coat regularly but gently to avoid damage.
- Store the heated coat properly when not in use.
While no heated coat will last forever, following these care and maintenance best practices gives you the best shot at maximizing the lifespan and getting the full value out of your investment.
When to Replace Your Heated Coat
Here are the signs it’s time to replace your heated coat with a new one:
- The shell fabric is ripped, torn, or otherwise unrepairable
- The heating element wiring is damaged or non-functional
- The coat fails to provide adequate warmth even on the highest settings
- The battery no longer holds a charge and needs frequent recharging
- There are visible burn marks or other signs of overheating damage
- The coat smells like burning or smoke indicating electrical issues
- Water leakage through the outer shell reaches the internal electronics
At the first signs of any of these issues, it’s best to replace your heated coat. Repairing individual components like batteries or heating wiring is possible. But once systemic issues across multiple areas of the jacket appear, repairs become expensive and the coat’s safety and performance will continue to decline. Investing in a new heated coat is the smarter long-term play at that point.
Conclusion
With proper care and maintenance, a high quality heated coat can reliably last for 5+ years in regular use, sometimes longer with light occasional use. But heavy duty daily wear or failing to address issues will shorten the lifespan. Get the most out of your investment by caring for your coat’s materials, electronics, and battery. And don’t hesitate to replace your heated coat once multiple components show signs of wearing out.