Heated motorcycle jackets buying guide | How to unlock the warmest rides you've ever had this winter
It seems like there’s no getting away from the cold in the winter months, with the wind-chill effect blasting you down making each ride a cold and miserable experience. It’s no wonder you might want to store your bike for winter, but you won’t need to with one of the best heated motorcycle jackets at your command.
Best heated jackets at a glance:
A heated jacket does what it says on the tin — heat the inside of your jacket — and it’s exactly as blissful as it sounds. Paired with some heated gloves or heated grips, a heated jacket can really make the difference between a gruelling winter ride or a great one. Worn as a mid layer underneath your motorcycle jacket and on top of your base layers, they’re like heated vests that include heating elements woven into the arms too for the ultimate cosiness.
What to consider before buying
Sizing and fit
A heated jacket can only warm you up if the heating elements have good contact with your body, so make sure the fit is right. It should fit snugly, without restricting your movement.
Battery vs cable
Most heated jackets can be powered both by battery power or a cable plugged into your bike’s battery, so consider which would suit your riding best. Battery power can be more convenient for shorter rides, but you’ll never run out of heat with a hard-wired cable.
Heat levels
Consider how much heat you might need, and how much heat is on offer from the heated jacket you’re looking at. It’s difficult to know how much heat to expect from specs alone, so consider reading some expert reviews to get a rough idea before you buy.
Power draw
You may want to consider how much electricity a heated jacket uses before buying. If you run on battery power, this will tell you roughly how long it should last before needing a recharge. Or, if you have other electrical accessories attached to your bike’s battery, you’ll be able to work out if adding a heated vest will overload it or not.
Connectivity
Some heated jackets come with power cables pre-routed through the garment to plug other heated kit into, acting as a central connecting hub for all your heated kit. Many of them only work with their own brand’s range of heated kit though, so consider going with the brand you already have if you value the extra convenience.
The best heated motorcycle jackets
"It’s impossible to overstate how welcome the enveloping warmth of this jacket is. Every ride, whether a quick 20-minute commute to the office or a 500-mile day in the saddle is utterly transformed by the simple act of plugging in and setting your preferred degree of toastiness from green, orange and red.
"It brings a whole new meaning to ‘plug ’n’ play’. The J505RP Extreme is the hottest in the Keis range, delivering a claimed 25% more output than their J501RP (£200), offering a full-sleeved fleece-like jacket designed to be worn beneath your normal bike kit.
"The only pinch-point is that the bulk at the cuffs makes wearing gloves under your outer sleeves a tight squeeze. The web of heated Micro Carbon Fibre elements is all-encompassing. It’s washable, breathable, and the array of pockets means it’s great for wallet, keys, mobile, and as a jacket off the bike, too."
Pros
- More than warm enough even at sub-zero temperatures
- Very easy to use - quite literally plug and play
Cons
- Cuffs are a bit bulky, which makes wearing gloves under your outer sleeves a tight squeeze
| Power source | Cable (included) or battery (optional extra) |
| Construction | Softshell fabric |
| Sizes | 2XS - 3XL |
- Stylish elasticated side panels provide a perfect fit for men and women
- Carbon fibre heat generation technology for extreme comfort and reliability
- Strategically placed heat panels on the chest, back, arms and collar provide superior warmth
- Designed to be worn as either an inside layer or a stylish outer jacket
- Dedicated zipped pockets for cables and controller help keep things tidy
- Convenient storage pockets for increased practicality
- Complete with all required wiring and full, easy-to-follow instructions
- Free standard power controller included
- Lifetime warranty on Keis heating elements
"I’ve been using heated clothing for just under 10 years now and actually find it hard to fathom why I didn’t start using it sooner. This offering from Dutch company Macna, who have been producing bike gear for 30 years, is a heated jacket that can run using its own 7.4v battery or plug into your bike’s 12v battery.
"So far I’ve only used the jacket during the tail end of winter earlier this year and for a few days this autumn, but I’ve been impressed. One of its best attributes is the thinness, or at least the lack of bulk, of the heated jacket itself.
"This means it fits easily under my regular jacket – essentially replacing the jacket’s removable winter liner. With heating elements on the chest, back, neck and both the front and back of the arms it doesn’t leave much of the top half of your body unheated. I’m going to have plenty of opportunity to test the jacket over the coming months, but so far I’m impressed."
Pros
- Plenty of heat on tap
- Noticeably thin, which makes it very comfortable in use
- The available smartphone app is a convenient way to change heat levels, especially if you have other Macna heated gear
Cons
- Significantly less heat available on battery power vs plugging directly to the bike
| Power source | Cable (included) or battery (optional extra) |
| Construction | Polyester |
| Sizes | 2XS - 4XL |
- Silver heat-reflecting tricot liner
- Dual Li-Po battery-powered heating (7,4 or12V)
- Operable via Smartphone app
- 4 power output heat modes with battery life indicator
- Connectors for heated trousers and gloves
- Can be powered from the bike with optional 12V cable (not included)
- Elasticated cuffs
- Waist pockets
- Separate battery pocket
How MCN tests heated jackets
Here at MCN, we make it our mission to help you find the right kit for you, at the right price for your budget. We test our heated jackets the same way you’ll use yours, by braving the cold on our own bikes. And, we make sure to put them through at least 1000 miles of cold weather riding before sharing our findings. Our word is backed by hundreds of thousands of miles in the saddle collectively, but our recommendations come from each tester individually.
While testing, we mainly focus on comfort, looks, build quality, and value. When we write up our full reviews, we’ll give each heated jacket a rating out of five stars in each of these categories, and offer a final verdict too. This page is only for the best heated jackets, so each one you’ll see has been awarded at least four stars overall – that’s the passing grade – but here’s what each score really means:
1 star – Poor performance in this category or overall. A heated jacket with a single star rating has fallen below the expected standard and should be avoided.
2 stars – Basic performance in this area or overall. A heated jacket with a two-star rating has managed to perform to a barely acceptable level, and there is much room for improvement.
3 stars – An average performance in this area or overall. A heated jacket with a three-star rating has achieved a basic level of performance and is deemed adequate.
4 stars – A heated jacket has performed over and above the accepted averaged in this category or overall. A heated jacket with a four-star rating has surpassed expectation and delivered in a particularly impressive way.
5 stars – A heated jacket has performed at the highest possible level in a particular category or overall. A heated jacket with a five-star rating has delivered to the highest possible level, impressing the tester with its performance. We would happily spend our own money on it.
To find out more, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products.
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