The time has come for me to get some heated clothing! I am looking at the range from Keis and trying to decide whether to get full sleeved or if a vest would be sufficient. Interested to hear people's experiences of the pros and cons of both! MM
Sleeved. I’ve had both, in fact probably still have both. If I remember rightly the sleeved version allows you to plug in the gloves. I have Keis never had a problem. I bought a second lot with the gloves when there was a discount for blood bikers. I haven’t tried any other brands.
I have the sleeveless one, really good but make sure you have the heat controller so you can switch it up and down. I’d say if you can get the sleeved vets then it would probably be better. Motoledgends were selling off all their Macna heated gear as they were stopping stocking it, might be worth a look?
I bought an Avade vest. It's basically a long sleeved t shirt with heat panels accross the chest and one down the centre of the back Never had it off the lowest setting on this setting the battery lasts all day. Sadly they ceased trading at the beginning of covid (Australian company)
In theory a heated core will help keep extremities warm(er) , so sleeved or vest probably depands on what you wear it under & does it need to act as a wind break layer (for arms?) . If I were to follow Moto-legEnds advice & do layering with a breathable jacket & Scott/similar water proof layer, I’d say get full sleeves . If you wearing a full goretex jacket you may not want the added bulk of sleeves (personal preferences)
Thanks for the advice guys, most helpful. I was wondering if there was any specific advantage to having a vest, or if full sleeves might have been a bit of an encumbrance but no one seems to say so, therefore I’ll pay the small amount extra for sleeves.
short answer get the sleeves bit longer I don't have the Keis but have the long sleeve warm & safe base layer, went with W&S because of the Bluetooth controller. As it's thin I can wear it under my leathers so I get to use then longer in the year, I used to use a scott over the top but this is much more comfortable. In the winter when switching to gortex I can leave the thermal liner out which I like a lot. had this for the last four years and just added the socks to the list, I'd never go back now.
