With the weather starting to turn a little cooler (the temp was in the mid-40’s when I got up this morning) I felt it was my civic duty (LOL) to tell you about what I think is the best, most AWESOME heated apparel product we carry. It is a Battery Powered Heated Vest. The product originated in the motorcycle industry. I have to start by telling you I was, to say the least, skeptical of this product when about a year ago I was approached by a rep for the company wanting us to carry it. As any good rep does, I was being told the features and benefits and how I couldn’t possibly live without this product in our lineup. And I fully admit, I was thinking and saying, “Um yeah, ok, sure, whatever. I seriously doubt it’s all that, but whatever. I’ll think about it”.
A few weeks later, I received a vest in the mail saying, Julie—you really just need to try this. It was a cold Kansas January day where the wind and wind chill cut straight to the bone. Even indoors I was COLD. If you are like me, once my back is cold, I’m pretty well chilled everywhere all day until I can get my back warm again. I read the instructions, saw that it had four settings for heat temperatures, cranked it up to the highest setting and ...aaahhhh...finally became warm. I immediately sent an email off to the rep, saying—ok—you were right—it is all that it is cracked up to be. The hook is set, go ahead and reel me in. We still laugh about the complete turnaround in judgment I had on the vest. I’m telling you right now that if you ride in the fall and winter, even early spring…and you do not want the bulkiness of a heavy jacket…this is an item you must have.
But not just for riders. As I’ve told you before, I am a farm kid, and this vest keeps me warm when I’m outside in the winter helping around the farm. Both of my boy’s are very active in sports. I absolutely LOVE this thing when it comes to football season!!! My oldest, JT, actually has a game this evening ,and I already have the vest packed to go with me tonight. Last spring, I was at one of JT’s baseball games where the high never reached 50 all day. I was sitting outside with what appeared to be just a sweatshirt on. I think every Mom there asked me if I was really that tough or hot blooded to be just sitting there in a sweatshirt when you saw Carhartt coats, gloves and blankets everywhere. I had to laugh, and then pulled up my sweatshirt and said, "Nope…got a heated vest on---makes all the difference in the world!!" I will be honest, when I saw the price….I did have sticker shock-----but with the big man upstairs as my witness---I can tell you without a doubt in my mind and as a friend this vest is worth every single penny. Julie
