First Gear Heated Jacket Liner

Let’s first clarify; I’m no fair weather rider. Having logged over 150k miles on a motorcycle, I’ve spent my share of time riding in rain, hail, snow, sleet, wind, and even 120-degree heat. The best riding days are obviously the warm, sunny, blue-sky days. The best riding stories come from encounters with inclement weather. Who doesn’t have a Sturgis hail story to tell!

You want to be a hero and ride through the cold in a t-shirt, that’s your choice. But, if you do a lot of riding, want to extend your riding season, improve rider safety, and like to be warm, then heated riding gear is for you. It’s lightweight, comfortable, fits well, and keeps you toasty warm. I never leave home without it. Temperatures can change quickly when riding in the Rocky Mountains and heated clothing is lightweight and takes up very little room. Why ride without it? 

Firstgear’s Heated Jacket Liner is available in 90-watt and 65-watt versions and designed to be plugged into a DC power source. The jacket liner is lightweight, fits well, and heats quickly. It is important to note that heated jacket liners are designed to be worn over a single layer of clothing; not sweatshirts, not sweaters, a t-shirt or other lightweight garment is all that is necessary, with an outer jacket over the heated jacket liner. Trust me on this; you will be warm, even in 30-degree temperatures.  

For over 15 years, Firstgear has built a reputation on full-function, all-weather apparel known for quality fit, superior comfort, styling and rugged construction tough enough for the most extreme conditions. Whether you’re riding across town or cruising cross-country, the last thing you want to worry about is your gear.

Firstgear’s Heated Jacket Liner is built to be temperature neutral, so that you can wear your liner all day and not have to change clothing when you need heat. I traveled very comfortably all day in the heated jacket liner and a long-sleeved t-shirt under my leather jacket, turning off or adjusting the temperature as necessary using my Firstgear Dual Remote Control Heat-troller. 

The lightweight soft 100% nylon outer shell is constructed to minimize bulk and has a non-coated finish for breathability. The fleece inner collar is 100% poly microfiber designed to wick away moisture. Firstgear’s Heated Jacket Liner is hand washable in cold water; line dry. The jacket liner packs into its own included zippered pouch (~10” x 12”) and includes a 1-year limited warranty on the liner and a lifetime warranty on the wiring.

The jacket liner is cut for a form fitting, snug fit for optimum heat transfer to body. Heating pads are included on front, upper and lower back, sleeves and collar for full heat coverage. Integrated glove plugs and pants plug stow in their own zippered pockets when not in use. Flex panels and action back allow for a full range of movement.

I initially had a concern about the lack of ribbing on the lower liner edge and sleeve cuffs fearing cold drafts up my back and sleeves. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the lack of bulk created by ribbing allowed my jacket sleeves to zipper tighter and the bottom of my jacket to fit better against my torso. I also like that the zippered pockets zip down and not up; a good idea. Not only is it easier to zip the pocket down with one hand, versus up which often requires pulling down with the other hand below the bottom of the zipper, any Heat-Troller wires exit the bottom of the zipped pocket and not the top.

Like I mentioned, Firstgear has built a reputation on full-function, all-weather apparel and is known for quality fit, superior comfort, styling, and rugged construction tough enough for the most extreme conditions. Quality materials and workmanship can be seen in the stitching, closures, and construction of the jacket liner. Firstgear has set the standards for motorcycle apparel for quality, innovation, and technology. Thousands of riding miles are put into the development of every product.

Firstgear’s heated clothing line includes jacket liners, pants liners, gloves, socks, and a variety of single and dual Heat-Troller kits.  All Firstgear heated clothing interconnects, so heated gloves plug into the sleeve plug of a Firstgears’s heated jacket liner, socks plug into pants, and pants plug into the jacket liner, and the temperature can be controlled by a Heat-Troller.

A Firstgear Dual Remote Heat-Troller was used for this review. The Wireless Heat-Troller and Remote Control features:

• Small single or dual remote control with power adjustment capability from 3% to 100%
• Remote control is easily synced to the receiver
• JIC support turns the dual receiver on 1/3 power so that even if the remote control is lost, the heat sill flows. The single receiver has a button to control heat if you lose the remote.
• Red LED on the receiver indicates that unit is connected to the power correctly
• An LED is on the remote for feedback
• Receiver unit is waterproof and can be left in the liner if laundered by hand.
• Solid-state, high-tech, safe and reliable electronics designed by Firstgear
• Fits comfortably into the palm of your hand, pocket or on the bike
• Battery harness is made of automotive grade wire that is resistant to oil, acid, water, and grime and has an automotive style fuse
• Plug compatible with most DC heated products
• Handles 15 amps of 13 volts with an internal circuit reset for overloads and shorts, and works from 7 to 24 volt 

The Firstgear Heated Jacket Liner includes a small pocket inside the left jacket liner pocket for installation of the Heat-Troller Receiver. The receiver fits securely in the pocket. The small, wireless dual remote control includes color-coded knobs, LEDs for visual feed, and an attached cord wrist loop. The remote control is wireless…awesome…and can be kept wherever it is convenient for you to use; in your jacket, hanging from your belt, mounted on your bike, your choice. 

Firstgear’s Heated Jacket Liner is one of those items you should never leave home without. How do you put a value on warmth when you are cold or the ability to control a bike more safely? The styling, fit, construction, and materials make this an excellent value for our money. Firstgear Heated Jacket Liners are available in Men’s (sizes SM to 3XL), Men’s Tall (sizes LG to 2XL), and Women’s (sizes XS to XL) styles, in both 90-Watt and 65-Watt versions to accommodate the size of your motorcycle. Retail Price $199.95

Also recommended is the Dual Remote Control Heat-Troller Kit, which is a Hi tech wireless remote control that allows the wearer to separately control the amount of heat supplied to gloves, liner, socks, and/or pants. Retail Price $139.95

Final Thoughts

I am impressed with this jacket liner; it’s quality, comfort, workmanship, and materials. I love that it fits into its own little, compact bag making it very easy to grab and go. The jacket liner heats quickly and evenly. It not only looks good, but it fits well.

I am totally a fan of Firstgear’s Heated Jacket Liner and the wireless remote system. I think you will be, too. While the cost of heated clothing may seem like a luxury to you; it is not. Most riders spend a lot of money purchasing sweatshirts, fleece, sweaters, and other garments trying to get warm, and they are still cold. Spend your hard earned dollars on a sure thing, something that never goes out of style, will last for years, and guaranteed to keep you warm. 

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