The short answer: which infrared heated gilet suits you?
- For women who are outdoors a lot (dog walks, the yard, the garden): the Høgge heated ladies' body warmer, with a tailored fit and five heat zones.
- For men commuting, working outside or watching the match: the Høgge heated men's body warmer, with stretch panels and a detachable hood.
- For long days out: pair the Høgge with the 20,000 mAh power bank for up to 12 hours of heat.
- Want to browse first? See the full infrared heated gilet collection.
What does "infrared" actually mean on a heated gilet?
"Infrared" sounds like special technology, but in heated clothing it describes something quite ordinary. Inside the gilet are thin heating elements, often made of carbon fibre. When current from the power bank runs through them, they warm up. A warm surface gives off part of its heat as infrared radiation: the same kind of warmth you feel from winter sunshine or a wood burner. That radiation warms your body directly rather than heating the air first.
What infrared does not mean: it is not an extra feature on top of normal heating and it is not a treatment. Every electrically heated gilet radiates heat this way. A gilet labelled "infrared" is therefore not automatically warmer than one simply called "heated". In the competitor research for this guide, none of the brands we looked at sold a gilet explicitly marketed as infrared. So look past the label and compare what really matters: heat zones, settings, battery life, fit and warranty.
Comparison table: infrared and heated gilets
| Model | Brand | Price | Heat zones | Max. temp. | Battery life | Washable | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Høgge ladies' body warmer | Gløde | from €169.99 | 5 (2 front, 2 back, 1 neck) | not stated | depends on power bank | yes, remove battery and elements first | 2 years |
| Høgge men's body warmer | Gløde | from €169.99 | 5 (2 front, 2 back, 1 neck) | not stated | up to 6 hrs (10,000 mAh) or up to 12 hrs (20,000 mAh) | yes | 2 years |
| Beheizte Weste Dual Heating | Bertschat | €169.95 (price November 2026) | 10 (2 power banks) | up to 65 °C | 3 to 8 hrs with 2x 10,000 mAh | 30 °C delicate, in wash bag | not stated |
| Women's Classic Heated Vest | Ororo | €139.99, usually €179.99 (price November 2026) | 4 | not stated | approx. 3 hrs high to 10 hrs low | cold, in wash bag | 3 years elements, 1 year battery |
| Heat Vest 1.2 | Lenz | €119.95 without battery (price November 2026) | 2 removable pads | not stated | depends on separate battery | 30 °C | 2 years statutory |
What to look for when buying
1. Where the heat zones sit
You feel warmth on your neck and back fastest, especially on a cycle commute into a headwind. Zones across the front, back and neck keep your core evenly warm. More zones are not always better; placement matters most.
2. Separate front and back control
Walking into sideways rain you may want heat on your chest; standing still on the touchline, your back. Separate control lets you fine-tune and saves battery.
3. Battery and run time
Think about how long you are out in one go: a quick dog walk or a full Saturday on site? Read more on our page about how long heated clothing batteries last.
4. Fit
Heat works best when the gilet sits close to your body. A tailored women's cut or stretch panels on a men's model keep the elements where they should be.
5. Washability and safety
Check for clear washing instructions, overheating protection and CE marking.
6. Warranty and service
Electronics in clothing should last several winters. Check the warranty length, what it covers and whether service is available in Europe.
The gilets reviewed
Høgge heated ladies' body warmer (Gløde)
This black, tailored Høgge ladies' body warmer has five heat zones: two panels on the front, two on the back and one at the neck. One button selects three heat settings, and front and back are controlled separately. The silver lining reflects your own body heat, so it stays cosy even when the heating is switched off. Why it is at the top: a women's fit, separately controlled zones, a 2-year warranty and a 30-day trial. For sizing, see the Høgge size chart.
Høgge heated men's body warmer (Gløde)
The Høgge men's body warmer has the same five zones and three settings, plus stretch panels for a close fit and a detachable hood. The shell and filling are polyester and the silver lining adds warmth without the power bank. Choose a 10,000 mAh power bank (up to 6 hours) or 20,000 mAh (up to 12 hours). It is washable. A sensible pick for commuters, tradespeople and anyone out early.
Bertschat Beheizte Weste Dual Heating
Pros: ten zones across two power banks, a stated maximum of 65 °C and clear washing instructions. Cons: you need two power banks for all zones, the wash bag is sold separately and the warranty length is not shown on the product page.
Ororo Women's Classic Heated Vest
Pros: a sharp sale price and, uniquely in this overview, 3 years' warranty on the heating elements. Cons: four zones, no maximum temperature stated and a 1-year warranty on the battery.
Lenz Heat Vest 1.2
Pros: an Austrian brand with two removable pads you can reposition with hook and loop. Cons: the price excludes the battery, which costs €179.95 to €219.95 extra (price November 2026), so the total is considerably higher.
Who is an infrared heated gilet for?
- Commuters cycling or walking through wet and windy mornings.
- Outdoor workers on site, in the yard or on the farm.
- Sports fans and parents standing on cold touchlines at the weekend.
- Riders at the yard. See our page on heated clothing for horse riding.
- Anyone keeping the heating down at home to save on energy bills.
Frequently asked questions
Is an infrared gilet warmer than a normal heated gilet?
Not by itself. Every heated gilet gives off part of its heat as infrared radiation. How warm you feel depends on zones, settings and fit.
Does it work in the rain?
Wear it as a mid layer under your waterproof and it keeps doing its job on a drizzly commute.
Is infrared heat good for you?
We make no medical claims. Many customers do find the direct warmth on the back and neck pleasant in cold weather.
How do I wash it?
Remove the power bank, and the elements where needed, then follow the care label.
Can I try it first?
Yes, Gløde offers a 30-day trial with a money-back guarantee.
Conclusion
On heated gilets, "infrared" mostly describes the radiant warmth from the heating elements. So choose on zones, settings, battery life and fit. The Høgge body warmers for women and men do well on all four, are CE certified, protected against overheating and delivered within 1 to 3 days. Gløde is rated 4.8 on Trustpilot (237 reviews). For more background, read our guides to the best heated body warmer, the best heated body warmer for women and the best heated body warmer for men, or browse all heated body warmers. Ready to choose? Head to the Gløde infrared heated gilet collection.
Updated November 2026.
