There’s no denying that cold weather can quickly take the fun out of any adventure. Whether you’re hoping to appreciate the northern lights in Finland or planning a backpacking trip through the Canadian Rocky Mountains, you need to be prepared for when the temperature starts to drop.
To avoid being forced to layer up all your clothing and effectively turn yourself into a giant marshmallow person, you might want to consider getting a heated jacket like the Ravean Down X Heated Jacket.
Surprisingly lightweight yet still incredibly warm, this heated jacket could be the solution to your cold-weather problems. If you’re questioning whether or not the Ravean Down X is right for you, you’ve come to the right place for a detailed review about how the jacket operates and what makes it so effective.
Product Specs and Performance Breakdown
From the multiple heating panels to the convenient fact that you can charge your phone on this jacket, the Ravean Down X has a lot going for it.
For city dwellers and outdoor adventurists alike, the jacket makes any time spent in a wintery setting a little more bearable.
The Ravean Down X is only available in black and comes in sizes from x-small to xxx-large, so most people can get a jacket that fits them well. With 750 fill power duck down filling, it’s also a great (mild) winter coat even without the heating system turned on.
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One of the only consistent complaints on the Ravean Down X is that the sizing tends to run a little small. In most cases, it’s not enough to warrant swapping out the jacket for a larger one, but it is something to keep in mind, particularly if you’re the type of person who likes their jackets a little looser to begin with.
Although the girth runs small, the Ravean is designed to be a little longer than some jackets on the market. In terms of cold weather, it’s always better to have a jacket that’s a bit longer to help keep you protected even when bending over.
The sleeves of the jacket feature elastic cuffs with thumbholes to keep the arms down and in place. There’s nothing more annoying than having cold air get into the space between your jacket and gloves, and Ravean does an excellent job of remedying this issue!
We like that the Ravean has a decent collar that provides protection up to your chin when fully zipped. It’s also loose enough that it doesn’t feel as if it’s choking you – and there’s still space for a small scarf or facemask for added warmth.
Shell Material
The Ravean Down X makes a name for itself by being made from RDS (Responsible Down Standard) certified down inside the jacket. If you’re familiar with down material, you’ll know it makes excellent gear for cold weather thanks to the fact that it’s lightweight and highly breathable while also incredibly warm.
Weighing in at only 150 grams or 5.3 ounces, you might be wondering at first how effective the jacket really is. That’s the beauty of down though: it creates a lightweight garment that’s actually capable of keeping you toasty even when temperatures drop below zero.
The Ravean is designed to be a great winter coat even without the heating system turned on. If you’re out later in the day and the temperature starts to drop, you can easily switch on the heating system to stay nice and toasty.
The outer shell of the Ravean is made from nylon with a water-resistant coating. It’s important to note that the Ravean is not waterproof.
Although the water-resistant coating is certainly enough that light snowfall or even a few water droplets won’t be an issue, it’s not going to do anything to protect you from an icy rainstorm.
That being said, the Ravean is 100% washable, making it easy to clean without any worries about damaging the jacket or its ability to keep you warm.
Ravean Heated Jacket Heating System
So, you’re probably wondering how the Ravean actually works. The heat comes from an ingenious system of six battery-powered heating panels – 2 on the chest, 2 on the back, and 2 in the pockets. The pocket heaters are a particularly nice touch, especially for people susceptible to cold fingers or who don’t like wearing gloves.
The power for the heating system comes from a 10,050mAh 12 volt battery, which takes about 90 minutes to fully charge. There are also three different settings for the heat, so you can adjust the jacket temperature depending on the weather.
On high, medium, and low settings, the battery lasts 2.2 hours, 3.5 hours, and 6.5 hours respectively. While this is usually plenty of time for most outdoor excursions, it is something to be mindful of if you’ll be camping or outdoors for an extended period.
The switch on/switch off button is located on the front left lapel of the jacket, making it quick and simple to adjust when moving around.
Next to the input port for charging the battery, there’s also a USB outlet that allows you to plug in your own mobile device while wearing the jacket. Although charging your phone will drain the battery a little quicker, it’s not by a substantial amount.
The final cool touch Ravean has added to the Down X jacket is the LED flashlights, which are built-in and powered by the battery. Be sure to not leave the light on accidentally otherwise you will drain the battery.
Pockets, Hood, and Zippers
Besides the actual heating system of the Ravean Down X, the other thing that really stands out about the jacket is the awesome pockets. In addition to the two traditional heated front pockets for your hands, there is a chest pocket and one located on the right arm.
Inside the jacket, you’ll find one pocket for storing the battery and a second side pocket for your mobile device or another charger, which you can purchase separately to double the heat time of the jacket. There are also two unzippered mesh pockets for other odds and ends.
The hood of the Ravean is detachable with a zipper and velcro, and the velcro portion is tucked underneath a flap so it doesn’t rub against your neck. There are also front and back drawstring cords to further adjust the hood depending on how much protection you need.
Unfortunately, the Ravean hood does not contain any heated panels, so if you’re exceptionally susceptible to cold ears, you won’t want to get rid of your warm winter hat.
Ravean has done a nice job of designing zippers that are easy to open and close and don’t snag. In addition to the main zipper on the front, the two hand pockets, the chest pocket, and the right arm pocket all have zippers to prevent your wallet or gloves from slipping out.
The larger chest pocket – which is about 6 by 9 inches – is designed so that it pretty much disappears when zipped, which is nice both in terms of security and overall appearance of the jacket.
Best Use
If you’re wondering what circumstances are best for using the Ravean Down X, then “cold weather” is the obvious answer – but beyond that, there’s a lot of versatility.
For people who live in a cold, northern climate, the Ravean is a great addition to your wardrobe, so you don’t have to bundle up in so many layers every time you go outside. Switch on the heat when you’re out walking, and turn it back into a normal jacket once you get in the car so you don’t overheat.
Note that if you live in an extreme weather climate where temps go below -20 C or more, you will need to pair the Ravean jacket with something heavier.
Since the Ravean is very lightweight and packable, it also makes a great travel jacket. Whether you’re going to visit relatives who live up north or planning a skiing vacation to the Alps, the Ravean can easily be compressed to fit inside your luggage.
In the camping world, the Ravean Down X certainly has its merits, but since you only get 6.5 hours of heat on the low setting, it’s not meant for a week-long trek through the wilderness in the heart of winter.
However, for weekends at the cabin, car camping, or overnight excursions where you know you’ll be able to charge the jacket again soon, it’s a great piece of gear to have and makes it possible to enjoy the wintery outdoors for longer periods of time than you normally would.
The Ravean is also a good choice for backpacking trips in cold climates, as long as you’ll be staying at hostels or hotels. You’ll be able to recharge it each night, and the jacket doesn’t add much weight to your overall load.
Need something a bit more waterproof, check out the Dewbu heated jacket instead.
Now, you could spend a fat chunk of $$$ on the WRONG present for someone. Wrong size hiking boots, wrong fit backpack, wrong shape sleeping bag… As any adventurer will tell you, gear is a personal choice.
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Buy on REI!Competitor Comparison: Ororo Men’s Heated Down Jacket
If you’re on the hunt for a heated jacket, you could also consider getting the Ororo Heated Down Jacket, which is comparable to the Ravean Down X in many regards.
In terms of price, it’s also fairly expensive but usually runs about $50 cheaper than the Ravean, depending on where you purchase it. The jacket is also made of 750 fill power down and has a water-resistant shell, just like the Ravean.
However, the Ororo isn’t quite as packable and doesn’t squish down as much as the Ravean, making it a bit less desirable for travelers really looking for lightweight and compressible items. It also is not as slick visually and does not have the same classis outdoor cut as the Ravean jacket.
In addition to the heated front, back, and pockets, the Ororo also has a heated collar. Some people love this feature; others hate it – it’s all a matter of personal preference. It’s also possible to charge your phone using the Ororo jacket.
There are high, medium, and low heat settings on the Ororo and the battery life is a bit longer than the Ravean, lasting up to ten hours on the low setting. However, the Ororo battery is also heavier than that of the Ravean and takes a longer time to fully charge.
One final drawback of the Ororo is that the logo on the front of the jacket lights up when you switch the jacket on. For the Ravean, the part that lights up is located on the inside lapel, so it’s not noticeable on the jacket’s exterior. Again, this is a matter of personal preference; the little light might not bother you, but to others, it could potentially become an annoyance or look a bit strange.
Pros and Cons of the Ravean Heated Jacket
Here’s the general takeaway for the main high and low points of the Ravean Down X Heated Jacket.
Pros
- Lightweight (only 5.3 ounce/150 grams)
- Three easily adjustable heat settings, or can function as a regular jacket
- Lots of well-placed pockets with good zippers
- Good hood coverage and spacious collar
- Elastic cuffs and thumbholes to keep arms in place
Cons
- Girth size runs a little small
- Not good for longer camping trips without a way to recharge (could purchase a second charger to extend jacket life)
- Expensive
Looking for some more options? Check out our rundown of the best Ororo heated jackets and see which one matches your needs. There’s also the Gamma Wear Graphene heated jacket at the top end and the snazzy 3-1 Venustas heated jacket too.
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Final Thoughts on the Ravean Heated Jacket
Whether you’re perpetually cold and in search of some way to get out of the house more in the winter or planning a trip to visit Iceland, the Ravean Down X Heated Jacket might be the perfect solution to staying warm.
Although this jacket is certainly an upfront investment, both the jacket itself and the battery are made from high-quality materials. Since you can purchase a replacement or second battery, there’s a good chance that the Ravean will last for many winters to come.
There’s no doubt that the Ravean is one of the highest quality heated down jackets on the market. For activities from walking your dog on cold city streets to weekend winter camping trips, it has the potential to help make bitter winter weather a more enjoyable experience.
And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!
