Heated Base Layers seem like a no brainer, right? Placing those heat panels right up against your core is a great way to create warmth. By utilizing our patented Zero Layer Heat System we can minimize the bulk and optimize heat transfer deep into your body’s core. When you keep your core warm, you can also keep your hands and feet warm easier. When you go to our Heated Mid-Layers collections page you will see a handful of products available. Two of them are base layers with only two real initial differences between them, color and voltage. Before I try to explain the differences let’s first know the similarities. Both use a 4-way stretch poly fleece fabric, both have a 4-panel heat system that runs down the center of the back and neither have heat in the chest. Let’s look at both and see what the actual major technical difference is.
7V Tactical Base Layer – The biggest benefit to the 7V Heated Base Layer when compared to the 5V is the pad size. With 7V we can increase the surface area that we are heating by approximately 25% per pad. This places more heat against your core helping to keep you warm when it gets cold outside.
5V Tactical Base Layer – The biggest benefit to the 5V Heated Base Layer is the batteries are mass produced. 5V USB power bank batteries are becoming more and more apart of our daily lives. Almost everyone has a USB battery in today’s day and age for charging cell phones while you are on the move. The 5V benefit is two-fold when you look at the ease of finding replacement batteries or extra batteries and also being able to use your heated clothing battery to charge your cell phone if you get in a pinch.
Conversely, the downside to the 7V is that you are limited to purchasing the battery directly from us. 7V batteries are also a little more expensive as they are not mass produced on the same level as 5V USB batteries. The downside of the 5V is that the surface area being heated is smaller. The amount of felt heat is going to be diminished when compared to the 7V heat system.
That is the real basics when looking at the 7V Tactical Base Layer and the 5V Tactical Base Layer. Both are great products that heat well and can fight against the elements to keep your core warm. Knowing the pros and cons to both items will help you determine which attributes are most important to you so you can make an informed decision.