I’m Monica, and I’ve been reviewing heated jackets for around 10 years. I’ve tested so many heated coats, gilets, wraps, thermals and lightweight jackets! It’s a weird niche to have landed in, I know, but I’m not complaining. I’m always looking for the best combination of warmth, practicality and style in a heated coat and I think I may have finally found it…
The problem with most heated jackets is that they’re incredibly warm, but they don’t look very nice.
Ouch. It’s harsh, I know, but it’s true.
Most women’s heated jackets seem to be men’s jackets made smaller. ‘Shrink it and pink it’, as they say in the outdoor clothing world. Except with women’s heated jackets, they rarely even bother with the pink bit. They’re usually black, boxy, outdoorsy and look like they’ve been designed for tiny men.
I’ve often found myself wearing a heated gilet underneath my ‘proper coat’ just to get the benefits of heated clothing without looking like I’m about to embark on a three-day hike.
And this is coming from a self-proclaimed outdoorsy gal. I often am about to embark on a three-day hike, but that’s actually the last place I’d want to wear a heated jacket. Hiking gets you hot! In fact, most outdoor activities get you hot.
What I really wanted was a heated jacket for everyday life. Something for strolling around town, going out for dinner, travelling somewhere cold, standing on the school playground watching my children play football and generally being outside when it’s absolutely freezing.
I wanted a heated coat that looked like a nice winter coat, rather than something I’d wear on an expedition to the Arctic.
I’ve worn it now on lots of winter city breaks with thermal leggings, fleece lined socks and wellies and it’s perfect!
After years of hunting for a stylish heated coat for women that doesn’t cost over $500, I think I’ve finally found ‘the one’.
Let me introduce you to the Venustas Heated Long Down Jacket for Women.
OK, it’s still not something you’re going to find on the catwalk but it’s the closest I’ve found so far!
If you’re in the UK then you can get it shipped but here are some other options for those in the UK.
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Venustas Heated Long Down Jacket 7.4V for Women
The Venustas Heated Long Down Jacket is a long, slim-fit winter coat with a much more elegant design than most heated jackets I’ve tried.
The longer length is one of my favourite things about it. It covers your hips and bum, giving you that extra bit of warmth and coverage while still following your silhouette rather than hanging like a big box.
When you first put it on, you’ll notice the lovely soft, velvety lining inside the hood and pockets. There are also thumb-hole cuffs on the sleeves, which I love. They create a lovely seamless transition between your coat and gloves and help keep cold air from creeping up your sleeves.
These little details make a difference. They give the coat a more considered, premium feel and make it look and feel like a proper women’s winter coat rather than a purely functional outdoor jacket.
It comes in three colours: black, burgundy and navy, with sizes ranging from XS to 3XL.
Another feature I really like is the two-way zip. You can unzip it from the bottom as well as the top, which is particularly useful when walking, sitting down or getting in and out of the car. With a longer coat, this is a surprisingly important detail.
The outer shell is made from 100% nylon, while the filling is 90% white duck down and 10% white duck feathers.
And, of course, there’s the main event…
How warm is the Venustas heated coat?
The main reason you’re probably considering this coat is its built-in heating system.
The Venustas jacket uses carbon-fibre heating elements under its Venustas-Warm™ technology.
If you’ve never worn a heated jacket before, imagine having a tiny radiator inside your coat. Or imagine putting on your coat after leaving it on a warm radiator for half an hour, except it stays lovely and toasty for hours.
It’s one of those things that sounds a bit unnecessary until you try it. Then you start wondering why all winter coats don’t have this feature!
There are five heating zones:
- Left chest
- Right chest
- Mid-back
- Left pocket
- Right pocket
I particularly like that the heating extends into the pockets. There’s something lovely about having warm hands without needing to constantly wear thick gloves.
You can choose between three adjustable heat settings:
- Low: approximately 37°C / 100°F
- Medium: approximately 45°C / 113°F
- High: approximately 55°C / 131°F
The battery provides approximately three hours of heating on high, six hours on medium and ten hours on low, with all heating zones active.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll probably be a maximum-temperature kind of person! I love being properly toasty and find that three hours on the highest setting is plenty for shorter outings.
Of course, you don’t have to keep the heating switched on all the time. You can adjust the temperature depending on how cold you are, which is particularly useful if you’re going from outside into shops, restaurants or other heated buildings.
Is the coat warm without the heating switched on?
Yes, and this is actually one of the biggest selling points for me.
The jacket has a substantial down filling, so it provides plenty of insulation even when the battery isn’t connected or the heating is switched off.
This means you’re not relying entirely on the battery to stay warm. You essentially have a proper insulated winter coat with the added bonus of built-in heating when you need it.
I think this is particularly important when buying a heated coat because battery life is always going to be a consideration. You don’t want to be left freezing just because you’ve forgotten to charge it!
Is the Venustas heated coat waterproof?
The outer shell is water-resistant rather than fully waterproof.
This means it’s designed to repel light rain and snow, but I wouldn’t rely on it as a completely waterproof coat in heavy or prolonged rain.
Given that the jacket is filled with down, this is worth bearing in mind. Down is brilliant for warmth and insulation, but it doesn’t perform as well when it gets wet.
There are a few thoughtful details to help keep you warm in cold weather, including the thumb-hole cuffs, which help seal out draughts, and the soft-lined hood, which provides extra warmth around your head and neck.
For everyday winter wear, light showers and chilly weather, I think the weather resistance is useful. But if you’re heading out for a long walk in persistent Welsh rain (which, let’s face it, is always a possibility), you’ll want a proper waterproof outer layer on top.
How long does the Venustas heated coat battery last?
The battery lasts between 3-10 hours.
The jacket comes with a 4800mAh, 7.4V lithium-ion battery.
It has a dual-output design, with one connection to power the jacket and a USB-A output (5V/2.1A) that can also be used to charge your phone.
The battery weighs approximately 186g, which is roughly the same as carrying a smartphone in your pocket. I don’t find it particularly noticeable once the coat is on and zipped up.
Charging takes approximately four hours using a USB plug.
The battery life is:
| Heat setting | Approximate battery life |
| High | 3 hours |
| Medium | 6 hours |
| Low | 10 hours |
These are manufacturer’s stated figures, so actual battery life can vary depending on conditions and how you use the heating system.
The main thing to remember is that you’ll need to keep the battery charged.
I have a slight love-hate relationship with rechargeable gadgets. Between my phone, watch, toothbrush, LED face mask, iPad, doorbell and even my dog’s winter collar, I’m running out of plug sockets!
I can see myself regularly forgetting to charge this battery, so my advice would be to create a little charging station by the front door for all your winter gadgets.
Can you wash the Venustas heated coat?
The manufacturer’s care instructions allow for washing and I’ve washed mine with no issues.
Venustas recommends hand washing or using a laundry bag when machine washing, followed by line or hang drying. It should not be tumble dried.
You’ll also need to remove the battery before washing and make sure the jacket is completely dry before reconnecting the heating system.
Always follow the latest care instructions supplied with your particular jacket.
Can you take a heated jacket on a plane?
Yes! You can travel with a heated jacket, but you need to be careful about the battery.
The important thing is that lithium-ion batteries generally need to be carried in your hand luggage rather than packed in checked baggage, subject to the airline’s battery capacity and carriage rules.
You should remove the battery from the jacket before flying and keep it with you in the cabin.
I’ve seen people get into trouble at airports because they’ve accidentally packed lithium batteries in their checked suitcases, so this is definitely something to remember!
The battery supplied with this jacket is listed as 35.4Wh, which is below the usual 100Wh limit for lithium-ion batteries carried by passengers. However, always check your airline’s current rules before travelling, as individual policies can vary.
I think a heated coat is a particularly useful thing to pack for winter city breaks, Christmas markets and trips to colder destinations. It’s lovely having the option of switching on a little extra warmth when you’re outside sightseeing for hours.
Pros and cons of the Venustas Heated Long Down Jacket
After reviewing heated jackets for several years, I think this is one of the most appealing options I’ve come across for women who want something that looks good as well as keeping them warm.
But, as with any coat, there are a few things worth considering before buying.
What I love:
- A much more flattering design: The longer, slim-fit shape is far more feminine and elegant than most heated jackets I’ve tried.
- Lovely little details: The soft lining, hood and thumb-hole cuffs make it feel like a premium winter coat.
- Five heating zones: Having warmth across your chest, back and pockets is brilliant.
- Proper down insulation: The coat is warm even when the heating is switched off.
- Three heat settings: You can adjust the warmth depending on the weather and what you’re doing.
- A useful longer length: Extra coverage over your hips and bum makes a real difference in cold weather.
- A good range of sizes: XS to 3XL means more women can find a comfortable fit.
Things to consider:
- Battery life on high is relatively short: Three hours is fine for shorter outings, but you might need to use a lower setting or consider an additional battery for longer days.
- It’s water-resistant, not waterproof: You’ll need something more protective for heavy rain.
- You need to remember to charge it: The battery is another gadget to add to your already busy charging routine.
- Washing requires care: It’s not quite as straightforward as throwing an ordinary coat in the washing machine. I’d personally stick to hand washing and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Is the Venustas Heated Long Down Jacket worth buying?
If you’ve been looking for a stylish heated coat for women, this is one I’d definitely consider if you’re in the US. If you’re in the UK then I’d go for this one which is very similar.
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The biggest thing that sets it apart from many other heated jackets I’ve reviewed is the design. It actually looks like a nice winter coat!
It’s long, flattering, comfortable and has some lovely little details that make it feel more premium. Most importantly, it’s properly warm thanks to the combination of duck down insulation and the additional heating system.
I particularly like that you can wear it without the heating switched on and still have a lovely warm winter coat. The battery-powered heating is an added bonus for those really cold days when you want an extra boost of warmth.
I can see it being particularly useful for everyday winter life: walking around town, travelling, commuting, watching outdoor sports, standing around at the school gates or generally spending time outside when you’d rather be tucked up indoors.
It’s not a fully waterproof outdoor coat, and the battery does require a little planning, but those are compromises I’m happy to make for a heated jacket that I actually want to wear.
After years of reviewing heated jackets and complaining that they’re all a bit too boxy and masculine, it’s refreshing to find one that feels like it was designed with women in mind.
Finally, a heated coat that doesn’t make me look like I’m about to climb Everest.
