Now that temperatures have truly plummeted, the daily struggle of trying to keep warm in the midst of an energy crisis is at the forefront of everyone's mind. With heating bills skyrocketing, it can be stressful and worrying just thinking about turning on your boiler. As a result, we've all been searching for clever ways to stay warm without spending a fortune - and it turns out the best solution yet might just exist in the form of a heated gilet.
This is not just any gilet, this toasty heated gilet, believe it or not, exists in a wide variety of styles and colours - and for just £39. You may have heard of heated dressing gowns (thanks, Aldi) and even heated throw (which have also been flying off the shelves) but online searches for heated gilets have increased by 250% in the last few days.
Before you conjure up images of you trailing a power cord behind you at all times, heated gilets in fact have a battery pack concealed inside them, which can be charged via USB. This makes them relatively cheap to charge, ensuring you're getting more for your money.
You can find some of the best heated gilets online, with Amazon even offering a unisex style for £39.99. There's also Regatta, which is offering a range of heated jackets, should you want even more warmth.
Ideal for wearing on the school run, walking the dog or just for putting on indoors when you want to save on heating costs, heated gilets are the highly practical item you didn't know you needed. Rechargeable, they'll last forever, meaning you can stay warm for every winter to come. And when it's really cold (right about now) you can even layer them under coats to stay really snug. And smug, let's be honest.
Shop: The Best Heated Gilets and Jackets
AmazonWhether you spend lots of time outdoors or literally can't face your cold morning commute any longer, this toasty heated gilet is hear to answer all your winter woes. Designed with four carbon fiber heating elements, this gilet is designed to heat up in the pockets, around the collar and up the outer back. All you need to do is press the button on the chest to kickstart your gilet. This one also comes with the charging pack, which promises 10 hours of heat.
www.regatta.com
If you're looking for something a bit more substantial than a heated gilet, we suggest investing in a high quality heated jacket. Functional and stylish, this high-tech coat is designed for all conditions, from rain to snow. Complete with a water repellent finish and taped seams and insulation, this jacket is all you need conquer any cold spell. To activate the battery powered heating system, you will need the 5V USB power bank, which is sold separately at Regatta here.
AmazonThis machine washable heated gilet is going to be your winter saviour this year. Made with three heating modes, this lightweight, waterproof jacket can be layered underneath coats, worn on its own, or even underneath your ski clothes to keep you extra cosy on the slopes. The vest also comes with a built-in safety protection system, and will power out after 8 hours.
Robert Dyaswww.robertdyas.co.uk
This Yard Force heated gilet is a great find this winter. Made from a premium down material and finished with a graphene coating, this jacket is lightweight, stylish and easy to use. With five different heat settings, this vest is easy to increase and decrease the heat, depending on your environment. Even better, it has a USB port located in the pocket, making it easy to charge the heated gilet while on the go.
Regattawww.regatta.com
This heated jacket is a winter staple, and doesn't compromise on style too. Crafted from a waterproof and breathable Isotex 10000 peached polyester fabric, this insulated coat is all you need to make it through those cold snaps. Made with Thermoguard insulation, combined with Regatta's battery pack heating system, this coat is the practical coat we all need for any outdoor pursuits. It also comes with a safety cut off function, which tends to finish after 2-6 hours, depending on the chosen heat settings you're using.