The battery decides the day.
In short: the best power bank for heated clothing is the one that matches how long you are outside. For Gløde heated vests, a 10,000 mAh power bank gives around 3–6 hours of warmth and a 20,000 mAh power bank around 6–12 hours, depending on the heat level. Heated clothing runs on 5 V USB, so fast-charging features do not make it warmer. Choose the plug that fits your garment, keep the power bank in an inner pocket in frost, and take it in your hand luggage when you fly.
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Every Gløde vest comes with a power bank. This guide helps if you want a second one, a bigger one, or you are wondering what to look for before you buy.
The types compared
| Type | Warmth on a Gløde vest | Size and weight | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10,000 mAh | Around 3–6 hours | Slim, fits a vest pocket | Commute, dog walk, shopping, an afternoon outdoors | A long day on high heat needs a second one |
| 20,000 mAh | Around 6–12 hours | Thicker and noticeably heavier | Work shift, match day, hunting, long walks | Weight in a light vest pocket |
| USB-A output | Standard 5 V | Any size | Garments with a USB-A plug | Check that the port matches your plug |
| USB-C PD output | 5 V to heated clothing | Any size | Garments with a USB-C plug, charging a phone or laptop too | Higher PD voltages are for devices that ask for them, not for heating |
| With display | Same as without | Any size | Knowing exactly how much is left | Nothing; it is a convenience |
10,000 or 20,000 mAh?
This is the main choice. Capacity sets how long you stay warm. The heat level sets how fast you use it.
10,000 mAh: light and easy
The small power bank slips into the battery pocket and you forget it is there. On a Gløde vest it gives around 3–6 hours of warmth. That covers a cycle to work and back, an hour at the sideline or an afternoon at the Christmas market. On the lowest setting you reach the top of that range. On the highest you reach the bottom.
20,000 mAh: for long days
The large power bank gives around 6–12 hours on a Gløde vest. Think of a full shift on a building site, a day in a hide, or a long match day with travel. The trade-off is size. It is thicker and heavier, so you feel it more in a light vest.
Or two small ones?
Two 10,000 mAh power banks give roughly the same runtime as one large one. You can swap halfway and charge one while you use the other. It also spreads the weight. The downside: one more thing to carry and charge.
Want the full reasoning? Read 10,000 or 20,000 mAh power bank and how long the battery of heated clothing lasts.
USB-A, USB-C and PD: what matters for heating
Heated clothing works on 5 V USB. That is the basic voltage every USB power bank supplies. So almost any modern power bank can power a heated vest, as long as the plug fits.
Check the plug first
Look at the cable of your vest, jacket or gloves. Some garments have a USB-A plug, others USB-C. Choose a power bank with that port, or you end up with an adapter in your pocket. An adapter is one more connection that can come loose when you move.
USB-C Power Delivery
USB-C PD lets a power bank supply higher voltages to devices that request them, such as laptops. Heated clothing does not request them. It simply draws 5 V. A PD power bank is fine and handy if you also want to charge your phone or laptop. It does not make your vest warmer.
Auto switch-off
Some power banks switch off when a device draws very little power. On the lowest heat level that can happen with some combinations. If your vest goes cold without warning, this is the first thing to check. The power bank's manual usually tells you how it behaves.
What else to look for
Size and shape
A slim, flat power bank sits better against your body than a thick block. Check the size of the battery pocket in your garment before you buy a large one.
Display or LEDs
Four LEDs give a rough idea. A display with a percentage is more precise, handy if you want to know whether you will make it to the end of the match.
Charging time
A larger power bank takes longer to charge. Charge it the evening before. A fast charger helps only if the power bank supports fast input.
Cold weather
Lithium batteries deliver less capacity in frost. A power bank in an outer pocket at minus five runs down faster than one close to your body. Keep it in the inner battery pocket. Charge it indoors at room temperature, not in a cold car.
Real capacity
The mAh figure on the label refers to the battery cells. When the power bank converts that to 5 V USB, part of the energy is lost. That is normal, and it is one reason why runtimes are always ranges.
Flying with a power bank
Power banks go in your hand luggage, never in checked baggage. Up to 100 Wh is usually allowed without approval from the airline. You can work out the Wh yourself: mAh × 3.7 V ÷ 1,000.
- 10,000 mAh ≈ 37 Wh
- 20,000 mAh ≈ 74 Wh
Both are well below 100 Wh. Rules are getting stricter, though. Some airlines now limit how many power banks you may bring and do not allow you to use or charge them during the flight. Check the rules of your airline before you travel.
Which power bank for which situation?
- Daily commute, school run, dog walk: 10,000 mAh.
- Stadium, sideline, Christmas market: 10,000 mAh for a few hours, 20,000 mAh if you are out all afternoon.
- Working outside all day: 20,000 mAh, or two 10,000 mAh to swap.
- Hunting and fishing: 20,000 mAh. You sit still for hours, often on a higher heat level.
- Travelling by plane: either size, in your hand luggage.
For warm hands, Øven heated gloves have their own batteries, so your power bank stays free for your vest.
What Gløde offers today
Gløde power banks are made for our heated clothing: 5 V USB, a size that fits the battery pocket, and runtimes we can state honestly.
See all sizes in our power banks for heated clothing. Still choosing a vest? Read our heated vest comparison.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best power bank for a heated vest?
One that supplies 5 V USB with the right plug and enough capacity for your day. On a Gløde vest, 10,000 mAh gives around 3–6 hours of warmth and 20,000 mAh around 6–12 hours, depending on the heat level.
Is 10,000 mAh enough for heated clothing?
For a commute, a walk or a few hours outdoors, usually yes. For a full working day or a long match day, choose 20,000 mAh or take a second power bank.
Can I use any power bank with heated clothing?
Usually yes, as long as it supplies 5 V USB and has the port that fits your garment. Some power banks switch off when the power draw is very low, so check the manual if your garment goes cold unexpectedly.
Does a USB-C PD power bank make my vest warmer?
No. Heated clothing draws 5 V. Power Delivery only supplies higher voltages to devices that ask for them, such as laptops. A PD power bank is fine, but the warmth stays the same.
Can I take a power bank for heated clothing on a plane?
Usually yes, in your hand luggage only. A 10,000 mAh power bank is about 37 Wh and a 20,000 mAh one about 74 Wh, below the usual 100 Wh limit. Some airlines limit the number of power banks or ban using them on board, so check with your airline.
Why does my power bank run down faster in the cold?
Lithium batteries deliver less capacity at low temperatures. Keep the power bank in the inner battery pocket, close to your body, and charge it indoors.
Is a power bank included with Gløde heated vests?
Yes. Every Gløde vest comes with a power bank. You can buy a second one or a larger one separately.
Gløde — warm the person, not the room.
