Mobile Warming Classic Softshell Jacket Features The Windshark 4-way stretch high breathable, waterproof fabric provides additional flexibility needed in active outdoor sports Features three heating panels lined with steel alloy fiber elements Optimum placement with two panels on the chest and one on the back provide quick warm-up and even distribution of heat Includes one 7.4V 2.2Ah rechargeable lithium-ion battery and charger Battery features built-in 4-level thermo-regulating controls Provides up to 10 hours of comfortable warmth while enjoying favorite outdoor activities Reaches a max. surface temperature of 135F at full power Adjustable hem drawcord Specifications Mobilewarming Pro Heating System 7V 2.2Ah lithium-ion battery Current 1.0A Watts 15.0W Surface Temp 135F Battery Life 100 Power setting 135F 2.5 hours 75 Power setting 120F 3 hours 50 Power setting 105F 5 hours 25 Power setting 90F 10 hours
A great alternative to traditional heated clothing for commuting.
PostedNovember 13, 2012
WhiteBoard
From State College
State:PA
Rider Type:Commuter
Age:35-44
Gender:male
Bang for the Buck
5/5
Style
4/5
Comfort
4/5
Protection & Durability
4/5
Air Flow
1/5
Features
5/5
I've been shying away from heated gear as my primary commuter bike is known for not liking electrical loads - ever. So when these hit the market, I was more than curious.
My work attire is business casual, and I'm admittedly too lazy to change once I get to work. In the winter I would usually commute by bike on "casual Fridays" so I could wear a long sleeve T with long johns underneath.
My goal is to be able to commute ~35 minutes in 30Fdeg mornings w/o the need for long underwear in the torso area. I usually wear a golf polo and khakis at work.
My winter outfit in the 30's is as follows: - AlpineStar WebTex boots with Smart-Wool Socks - Fieldsheer Mercury Pants with Quilted Liner - Olympia MotoX Jacket with rain liner and quilted liner - Upper base layer of long underwear and a cotton long sleeve T-shirt - AlpineStar Winter Gloves w/liner (forget the name) - Bike: 2005 Triumph Tiger, Touring windscreen - Body Type: Beer advocate
Test parameters - 34 degrees, overcast, very damp (rained the night before) interstate speeds (~70mph) for 25 minutes. Normally in this temperature with the above mentioned outfit I'm comfortable when leaving, and marginally comfortable once I get to work when dry.
Changes to above outfit with jacket: Olympia Moto-X Jacket with rain liner ONLY. MobileWarming Jacket set to 100% Base layer - Adidas Golf Polo (designed for max airflow) Regular cotton socks (forgot to do laundry).
While I wasn't sweating to the oldies, I am *impressed* with how comfortable I was with this jacket. You can definitely feel the transition between the heated and non-heated area, but duh. The quilted liner in the Olympia is quite warm, and I was really testing this jacket by removing it. I did notice my arms were slightly chilled, but considering I was wearing a short-sleeve polo I cannot complain one iota.
People reference the sizing of this as running small. I find the sizing to be consistent with other Patagonia or North Face soft shell jackets, so I'm not too surprised by its fit.
Word of caution - I ordered a "tall" version of this jacket as I wanted to prevent plumber-drafts while riding. The catch is that the battery pack and last 6(?)" is not protected by the rain layer of my jacket. There is conflicting nomenclature with the jacket - some parts say "DO NOT EXPOSE TO WATER - RISK OF SHOCK AND FIRE" yet other sections goes on to say "Batteries are water resistant". Blah.
Only other gripe is the male pinout on the charger - it is considerably longer than the female port on the battery pack. So it looks like it's not fully plugged in when indeed its bottomed out. The male pinout on the jacket is an appropriate length for the battery pack and will fully seat.
I too plan on buying the gloves after my experience with the jacket.
Note: I rated AirFlow as poor - which is a *GREAT* thing in a cold-weather jacket in my opinion.
Michelin Anakee 2 Adventure Touring / Dual Sport Rear Tires New competition-derived rubber mix in the most popular sizes delivers at least 29 greater tread life than its two nearest competitors in the adventure touring segment Same remarkable wet traction as the original Anakee tires Lateral rigidity and stability thanks to reinforced casing Radial tire for large adventure touring bikes Large tread blocks for on-road stability Designed specifically for adventure bikes like BMW GS and Suzuki V-Strom Radial design Versatile tread with deep channels for water evacuation Compared with Bridgestone Trail Wing and Metzeler Tourance EXP. Test conducted by CERM (Centre d'Essais Routiers Mecaniques) in 2008 using sizes 110/80R19 and 150/70R17
I've had these tires for ~7000 miles, and I should get another 3000 before I *need* to change them. I couldn't be happier. Aggregate traction on wet asphalt is impressive, especially considering its long tread-life. Hydroplane resistance is stellar, even at half worn. I ride primarily on road, and these tires are very stable to illegal speeds despite their blocky design.
Michelin Anakee 2 Adventure Touring / Dual Sport Rear Tires New competition-derived rubber mix in the most popular sizes delivers at least 29 greater tread life than its two nearest competitors in the adventure touring segment Same remarkable wet traction as the original Anakee tires Lateral rigidity and stability thanks to reinforced casing Radial tire for large adventure touring bikes Large tread blocks for on-road stability Designed specifically for adventure bikes like BMW GS and Suzuki V-Strom Radial design Versatile tread with deep channels for water evacuation Compared with Bridgestone Trail Wing and Metzeler Tourance EXP. Test conducted by CERM (Centre d'Essais Routiers Mecaniques) in 2008 using sizes 110/80R19 and 150/70R17