ARRIS Graphene Heated Jacket: FirstLook
8 Zones, 5 Modes , 11 Pockets!!!
When we took a FirstLook at Graphene-X’s new ThermAdapt Heated Jacket, readers asked a LOT of questions. The most frequently asked one was “Why does the ThermAdapt Jacket cost almost 4 times as much as many of the other heated jackets on the market…and more importantly, is it worth the extra cost?
We thought it was a reasonable question, so we decided to take a look!
ARRIS
ARRIS was selected based on:
- readers’ suggestions,
- its reputation as a trusted brand in heated apparel, and
- the incorporation of the latest tech into its products.
The jacket that appealed the most to us was the ARRIS 12V Graphene Heated Softshell. It is the newest in the product line, and looks good for daily wear, walking the dog, and cold-weather adventures. The jacket’s graphene-enhanced heating technology has multiple heating zones, adjustable temperature settings, and can be powered by 7.4V or 12V batteries.
Features:
- Jacket: ARRIS Softshell Heated w/ weatherproof controls
- Heating Elements: Graphene-enhanced heating tech
- Heating Zones: 8 Zones (collar, upper back, left & right back, arms, front)
- Pockets: 11 (2 upper pockets, 2 inner pockets, 4 side zipper pockets, 3 zipper pockets on arm)
- Heating Modes: 5 Modes (104℉ – 176℉), 12V high-capacity battery
Details
- Premium Fabric: The waterproof softshell outer layer of polyester and spandex protects the wearer from wind and rain while locking in heat. The fleece inner layer is soft, warm, and comfortable.
- Multiple Pockets: Seven strategically placed pockets, including chest, hand, and interior pockets, for secure storage of phone, wallet, keys, and other essentials.
- Detachable Hood: The removable hood is comfortable in a lot of different weather conditions.
- Elastic band in the jacket and Velcro straps on the cuff offer a custom fit.
- Waterproof zippers: Durable, they keep moisture out, and are built to stand up to outdoor use.
- Phone charging: USB port for phones and other devices that need charging on the go.
Heating and Battery Tech
Compared to the traditional wires woven into a jacket’s fabric, graphene heating delivers fast, efficient, and evenly distributed heat. The standard wire heating elements are durable and flexible, but can be heavy and less efficient than graphene. Graphene also offers unmatched safety, even if the fabric is damaged, there are no safety hazards, and heat generation is unaffected.
ARRIS’s 2nd-generation 12V large capacity battery has been upgraded to 20000mah, extending the heating time. The battery supports 5V/7.4V/12V output to the jacket via USB-C, and with the 20W fast charger, it will fully charge in about 4 hours. 12V heating means the jacket can heat faster and last longer.
Note: While the battery has both a DC and USB port, they cannot be used simultaneously.
How To Use
The ARRIS Heated Jacket features 8 heating panels (2 on the front, 2 on the arm, 3 on the back, and 1 on the collar). The panels can be used independently or together.
The jacket is controlled via 4 front buttons, which allow the wearer to selectively heat one, two, or all three zones according to their needs. Each button offers 5 adjustable temperature levels: 104℉, 122℉, 140℉, 158℉, and 176℉.
- Chest button: controls the 2 front panels;
- Neck and back button: control the collar and the 3 rear panels; and
- The arm button controls the 2 panels on the sleeves
FirstThoughts
The ARRIS Heated Jacket provides amazing value for the price. The quality of the construction and the materials used, along with the number of features, are high. The one drawback is that the jacket is a LOT heavier compared to the Graphene-X one. However, we feel that, at 1/4 of the price, the tradeoff will be justified for many folks.
Still, gear weight should not be dismissed without due consideration, and whether it is “worth it” will depend on individual buyers and specific applications. But for everyday cold-weather wear, this AARIS heated jacket should absolutely be high on the list!
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