New Craftsman heated jackets have just launched at Lowe’s, and they’re powered by Craftsman’s V20 cordless power tool battery.
The product descriptions describe these as hybrid jackets that feature a rip-stop quilted polyester shell and knit sleeves, hood, and pockets.
The body of the jacket is lined with fleece for warmth, and the sleeves are lined with nylon taffeta to make the jacket easier to put on and take off.
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Additional features include D-rings in outer pockets and at the shoulder for holding keys, headphones, or other accessories, toggles at the waist and hood to help block out the wind and cold, and fitted ribbed cuffs.
There are 2 lower zippered pockets, 1 upper zippered chest pocket, 1 upper interior pocket, and 2 lower interior pockets, as well as a rear battery pocket.
There are 3 heat zones, 3 temperature settings, and a pre-heat function.
The model number, CMXCGRAJ10GD1, suggests that the kit comes with a single 2.0Ah battery. Craftsman does not disclose runtime estimates in their Lowe’s listings.
Price: $260
Sizes: S to 3XL
There is a separate women’s jacket, model CMXCGRAJ11GD1.
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It looks like Craftsman designed the women’s jacket with slightly different heating zones.
The Craftsman hybrid women’s heated jacket does not appear to have a hood.
Price: $255
Sizes: XS to 2XL
The kits – men’s and women’s – come with a battery (likely 2.0Ah), charger, and power adapter for the jacket.
Discussion
The $250+ pricing surprises me a little, but it looks like Craftsman put a lot work into making distinct heated jackets that are powered by their V20 cordless platform.
I haven’t made up my opinion on the D-ring that’s located close to the right shoulder. That seems like a good place to clip something for hands-free carrying, but I can’t say I recall ever wishing I could do this with a jacket.
I am also curious as to why the women’s jacket does not appear to have the same hood as the men’s jacket. Perhaps Craftsman polled potential users, and these are the majority preferences? I suppose there’s always room for additional jacket styles in the future.
These are Craftsman’s first-ever heated jackets since Stanley Black & Decker acquired the brand. Sears also came out with Craftsman heated jackets a couple of years ago.
Will
I was excited seeing the title, cause I thought they’d be budget. They cost more than milwaukee!! D:
Rog
$250?? Do they come with a 6aH battery in the pocket?!
Stuart
With apologies to Mae West – is that a 6 aH battery in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?
Stuart
The battery pocket is at the lower back.
Brad
I clip a small EDC flashlight to my Carhartt winter coat all year round to the breast pocket zipper. A d-ring would work way better.
Chris S
They look like more expensive Milwaukee knockoffs…
Julian Tracy
These are glorified sweatshirts… you may be warm, but you’ll be soaked if it rains even a little bit
JoeM
Uh… This is one of those times when I’m going to contradict myself intentionally…
I wish they had sent this design over to DeWALT at that price, but at the same time, I wish they had just copied-and-pasted the DeWALT lineup of heated gear to Craftsman, and offered them at a lower price point… Much Lower Price Point…I don’t see Craftsman doing well on this model… if they’re “Just testing the waters” so to speak, then this one may sink… it’s too expensive for such a basic setup. That’s a DeWALT price for a Craftsman Budget item. It should be the other way around.
ca
Heated jackets with power tool batteries are uncomfortable. I wouldn’t buy another one.
Vards Uzvards
Are those powered by smaller, 12V batteries, any better?
https://www.boschtools.com/us/en/boschtools-ocs/workwear-ghj12v-20mn12-207342-p/
ca
I’ve never used one, but surely smaller must be better comfort-wise (with the trade-off being less heat and/or less runtime). However, there’s still going to be a chunk of plastic poking into your back or ribs.
Vards Uzvards
Alright! This one from Bosch – it’s coming with a battery adapter – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z5R8CRS/ – that has a belt clip, so it might be more comfortable to wear. Might try this one!
Adam
Virtually all heated coats run off the same 12v barrel connector. If you like a coat, but are in a different platform, not a problem. Yes, even if you get the 18v hart on clearance for $50, that is stepping down to 12v in the power supply. Use your Milwaukee or Dewalt pack with it.
The only exception I am aware of is Bosch, and that requires you to insert the power pack 3 times to activate. I’ve seen Bosch coats only once, and they were being worn by a tool companies sales peoples.
John
Yeah it’s amazing it ended up this way. I have a dewalt jacket (which runs off 20v batteries) that I use with a milwaukee 12v battery. Works great!
Jared
I try never to get too worked up over launch pricing.
Based on the description, I presume these jackets should be warmer than the typical soft shell heated jacket? That’s nice.
The styling doesn’t really do it for me. The lighted battery indicator on heated jackets is enough “flex” for me. I don’t like it when the jacket is too in-your-face with the power tool branding. I realize there’s just the one small logo – but that’s a lot of red accents.
Aaron s
Looking forward to buying a bunch when they cancel it and clearance it out
Big Richard
Right? They will be $47.98 next fall at Lowes.
AlexK
I like the look of the coat, and the woman’s coat is very stylish. It seems much too expensive compared to other brands, but if you have craftsman batteries, I suppose some will buy it.
For me, I don’t get the heated jacket versus a heated vest. The heating elements are supposed to be close to your body to feel it and it is suggested to wear as small a size as possible. Maybe the jackets aren’t recommended to be tight ? I have worn a heated vest about every cold day in the northeast for four years, usually with a thin hoodie to keep the heat from escaping, and my Carhartt rain defender zippered sweatshirt when it gets to a bit below freezing, maybe colder. If I’m moving around or going from the car to a store, I don’t overheat. If I’m going to wear a coat, there are plenty of light coats that keep you warm without being heated. Maybe someone can explain why the coat is better than a vest that gives you the option of having your arms free. My poor Carhartt winter jacket sits in the passenger seat praying that I get cold enough to put it on, but I rarely need it. The vest made a huge difference in how much more I do outside in the winter and how I can enjoy it without being bundled up like the kid in ” A Christmas Story”.
Aaron S
m12 vest, dewalt heated hoody and jacket. vest is most of spring and fall layered with different weights over or under it. Hoody is designated for grungy days. Heavy heated jacket is for days when I expect it to stay within a tight temperature band and I don’t need layers. Vest is far more versatile and effective.
Aaron S
The way they’ve drawn the heating elements on these might be a little too honest. Everyone else is like “enormous heat zones everywhere” but craftsman is like “yeah we put two squiggle wires there, you’re welcome”
Looking at the picture it doesn’t seem like it has as many squiggle wires as the competition shows in their marketing materials. How accurate are the other brands about their squiggle wires? I know I’ve seen a lot of deceptive marketing images in heated gear.
PETE
My milwaukee jacket is very warm with a good area of heat.
These craftsman jackets heat area look pretty dismal
Al
I think these are for company employees. IMHO, a vest is practical. I can cover it with a light flannel shirt, hoodie, or a ski parka. All of which will protect the vest from dirt, moisture, and wear.
But…that would cover up the branding. The corporate types would not want a Carhartt logo covering their own.
Sad, because a vest would be more affordable. Fit a wider range of people. And would ship and stock and display more efficiently.
So, if someome is throwing out all of the logical benefits for logistics and customer experience…it’s likely an ego project.
Aaron s
If you find a place that will put a logo on a heated jacket please share. The places I tried wouldn’t do it
Joe E.
Typical Stanley/Craftsman… keep churning out crap nobody asked for but they can’t seem to get the USA mechanics tools to market.
SMH. Is anyone else really starting to despise this company as much as I am?
John S
I know taste is subjective but man, that’s one ugly jacket.
I Did pickup the milwaukee one recently- it’s nice, almost too warm
Chad
Does anyone know of heated gear that has heat zones in the flanks? That’s where I get cold.
Tammy
A woman’s jacket without a hood? Would never buy.
Corey Moore
You’ve got to already know how to dress in cold weather if you expect these things to be effective, that gets missed a lot. You aren’t going to be impressed if your not considering your base layer and insulating with something else. Carhartt light thermal long sleeve, heated hoodie, Carhartt range coat, been working in high desert sub zero winters for years with no issues.