This heated fleece jacket is my secret weapon this winter. Here’s why you need it too

I love cold weather, I’m just not very good at actually staying warm. I’m always the one shivering when eating outdoors in weather under 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and if I’m going to be standing outside without moving much, you can bet I’m wearing at least four layers, including a big puffy jacket.

Instead of wearing my entire cold-weather wardrobe this winter, I decided to try Ororo’s heated fleece jacket to see if it could actually keep me warm. It’s not perfect, but this fleece jacket does a fantastic job of heating my core. And if you’re a wimp in the cold like me, you should seriously consider adding it to your closet.

What I liked about it

First things first, this thing gets warm. It operates with the press of a single button located on the chest, and after about 5 minutes of warm-up time, a series of coils on the chest and upper back heat up to provide a truly toasty experience that can help keep you warm in basically any temperature.

Initially, I was skeptical but after I turned this fleece on for the first time and felt the heat, I was sold. The coils get quite warm, so warm that I could wear only a T-shirt underneath it when I took my dogs for a walk in temperatures around 35 degrees F. Recently, the temperatures have been dropping where I live in Colorado, which means I’ve had to endure frigid morning dog walks with temperatures in the teens. Stepping out into the cold first thing in the morning isn’t fun, but the Ororo heated fleece has been my key to staying warm and comfy.

I love the quick 5-minute warm-up time, and pressing the light-up button on the chest also allows you to switch between three different heat levels. The medium (white light) and high (red light) temperatures felt toasty and I could feel a tangible difference between the two. When I tested the lowest setting (blue light), it didn’t feel like the fleece was on at all.

To accurately test the differences between the settings, I used an infrared thermometer gun to see how hot the coils got. With the fleece off, it measured 71.9 degrees F. The low setting raised the temperature to around 85 degrees, the medium was about 91 degrees and the high saw temperatures above 100 degrees F.

Ororo has an array of heated apparel, including heated gloves, heated jackets, vests and hoodies. I tried out the fleece as well as a winter coat, but I think the fleece is the best buy. For one, since the fleece is a mid-layer, it’s more versatile and you can wear it in a wider range of temperatures. It’s a thick fleece by itself, so you can throw it on during mild fall days, but if it gets frigid, you can turn on the heat and throw a puffy jacket over it for maximum warmth. The insulation of an extra layer (like a jacket) will help trap the heat inside, while the coils can be closer to your skin so you can feel the warmth.

Since the fleece is thick, you’ll need a roomy or slightly oversized jacket to fit over it. If you don’t have issues with looking like a marshmallow, you’re sure to be toasty on the inside. The jacket I tested still heated up well, but if you wear another layer underneath it, like a hoodie or sweater, you don’t feel the heat as much as you do when wearing the fleece. Plus, the fleece is cheaper than the bigger jackets at $150 compared to up to $250.

I was also pleasantly surprised at the battery capacity of the Ororo Heated Fleece. It comes with a 4,800mAh battery that lives in a small interior pocket on the left side of your body. To test how long this fleece can keep you warm, I charged the battery up to full, then turned the fleece up to high heat and wore it until it died. It lasted a whopping 5 hours on high, meaning it’s a great layer for tailgates, football games, outdoor dinners and more. Recharging took a little bit longer than I would have liked at 5 hours, but if you don’t want to wait, you could buy an extra battery for $70 and swap them out for a full day of heat.

On top of its heating capabilities, the Ororo fleece has basically everything else you’d expect from a cozy fleece too. It has a soft lining, high collar to help keep your neck warm and two side pockets. It’s a little pricey at $150, but that’s actually just about the same as other (non-heated) top-notch fleeces like Patagonia’s Better Sweater.

What I didn’t like about it

I definitely think the Ororo heated fleece is worth the investment if you hate getting cold, but there are some downsides you should consider before clicking add to cart. First off, this is by no means a lightweight fleece. The thick material and double-layered build already make it bulkier than a traditional fleece, and when you stash the battery in its integrated pocket you can definitely feel the weight.

I didn’t notice the battery too much while wearing the fleece and walking around, because the pocket is placed strategically on your left side, but the added weight is extra prevalent if you’re carrying the fleece around, and it definitely feels heavier than normal when putting it on. For this reason, I wouldn’t really recommend this fleece for any sort of activity where you’re going to be super mobile. I might consider bringing it on a casual winter hike or a short day at the ski resort, but the extra weight would be annoying for anything more active.

The other main downside of this fleece is its care instructions. Since it has wiring and heated coils, you’re not supposed to wash it like all the rest of your clothes. It is machine-washable, but Ororo recommends putting it in a mesh bag and washing it on the cold, gentle cycle (after making sure you take out the battery). I followed these instructions and hung it dry like I was supposed to, and it came out working fine. To test it a little more, I tried throwing it in the washer on a cold, normal cycle with a load of dirty clothes, then popped it in the dryer with everything else. Thankfully, it came out unharmed, even though I went against the brand’s recommendations.

Another small gripe I have with this fleece is its light-up button. The button is easy to use and gives you the ability to turn the heat on or off quickly, but when the fleece is on, the button is constantly lit. It can look a little goofy walking around with a colored light shining from your chest, but you can easily hide it with a jacket — another reason I think the fleece is the better piece to spend on than the outer jacket.

Lastly, I do wish the battery charged a little bit faster. It’s not a huge deal, but you might need the foresight to plug it in the night before a big event if you want to wear the heated fleece all day.

Bottom line

Spending so much on a fleece might seem a little unreasonable, but if you always get cold, I seriously think investing in Ororo’s heated fleece will make your life better. While it isn’t light enough for active winter pursuits and its care instructions are a little tedious, it’s the perfect way to add some firepower to your winter layering arsenal.

Why trust CNN Underscored

CNN Underscored editors thoroughly test all the products we cover and provide full transparency about how we test them. We have an experienced team of writers and editors who have many years of testing experience and ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. This review’s author, Kai Burkhardt, is Underscored’s outdoors, sustainability and pet editor. For this review, Burkhardt actually got his hands on the Ororo heated fleece jacket and tested it for over a month during Colorado’s winter season.