You know those days when it is so cold that all you want to do is bring your quilt with you or keep your electric blanket firmly wrapped around you as you face the cool weather? Well, ORORO is the next best thing, and it’s a whole lot more stylish! ORORO is a leading apparel line specialising in heated apparel, designed in some of the coldest parts of the United States and tested for all geographical climates. As Melbourne’s winters seem to be getting cooler and cooler, we were curious to see what ORORO could offer and see just how functional heated apparel could be for daily wear and were impressed with the Women’s Quilted Heated Vest.
What to expect when you purchase an ORORO heated jacket in Australia?
ORORO is a US brand, but they are rapidly growing and spreading to countries all over the world that are in need of warm apparel. Using state-of-the-art technology with advanced design to deliver unmatched comfort, warmth, and versatility, ORORO is a pioneer in outdoor apparel and lives true to its goal of ‘challenging the climate’ with up to 10 hours of heat delivered before the batteries require charging.
Each item comes with a generous three-year warranty, which is comforting when you are buying a product that you intend to use for a long time. I was very surprised by the pack that I received in the mail when I ordered. It was perfectly packed and I was not overwhelmed by all the manuals, boxes and items that were included.
Here’s what I received when the Women’s Quilted Heated Vest arrived:
- A well-packaged vest in a stylish zipped product bag
- A box with a battery charger, cord and user guide
- A box with the ORORO battery (the ‘MINI 5K’ model)
- A small box with the small battery plug
- Comprehensive user manual
What exactly is heated apparel and ORORO?
If heated apparel sounds like marketing speak for warm clothing, it is so much more than that. ORORO started in 2015 with the bold yet simple mission of creating the ultimate jacket that can be worn through every season of the year. When it comes to warm clothing, we instinctively prepare to spend lots of money to secure quality materials that ensure warmth and comfort. Well, ORORO has levelled the playing field and put the warmth in the control of the wearer.
Each piece of ORORO apparel is fitted with a compact, lightweight battery system and heat source which, depending on is located at the chest and pocket area. The adjustable heating is one of the standout features for us. The apparel integrates carbon fibre heating elements with 3 heating settings that can be easily adjusted to provide the perfect amount of warmth for any situation. Whether it’s a gentle warmth for a chilly morning hike or a toasty heat blast when rooting for your favourite AFL team, the garments have you covered.
The heating level can be adjusted depending on your surroundings with the ORORO logo on the front of the apparel showing what head level you are. The range is pre-heating (blinking red), high (solid red), medium (solid white) and low (solid blue). The ORORO apparel comes with a battery, battery charger and battery charger cord.
If all this sounds a little bit complex, ORORO has created a very straightforward system. Initially, I thought the vest I ordered was going to be bulky and too heavy to travel with or it would look very obvious that I had batteries packed inside. Honestly, I couldn’t be more wrong as it’s light and retains the look of a normal vest when worn. The ORORO products are also ‘bluesign Approved’ and if you do not know what that means, it’s essentially a green tick to say that these items meet the highest level of consumer safety. It also means that minimal impact has been made on the environment, which is something we should always be conscious of with any apparel.
The ORORO fit and style
In Melbourne, everyone has quality winter apparel so it was important that I ordered something that would fit with my lifestyle and would work with my style. The coloured vests and jackets did catch my attention, but I knew that the Women’s Quilted Heated Vest would be so much more versatile and something that I could wear all year. It’s not uncommon to have a 10-degree day in Summer here so I knew the vest would be on high rotation.
The vest has a diamond quilted fabric and feels soft to the touch in a matte finish rather than a glossy vest. There are also a zip pocket on each side and a zip up the middle. There is a slight curve to the vest so that you get that feminine pinch in the waist, but it’s not too much and would be flattering for all wearers. I ordered the Large size and it was definitely a standard Large, which is reflected on ORORO’s comprehensive size charts online.
Caring for heated apparel
When I was initially browsing ORORO’s heated apparel, one of the main concerns I had was about caring for the apparel. How would I clean my quilted vest and what about the logistics of charging the battery or replacing then? All of ORORO’s articles of clothing can have the battery packs removed, which means they can be machine washable. This also indicates to me that ORORO is serious about providing affordable and accessible winter wear that doesn’t need to be dry cleaned or undergo any complex care routine – which is a big win for me and my busy lifestyle! When I am not wearing the vest, I like to have it charged up and ready to go so that I can rely on the warmth when the weather turns or I am heading outdoors without warning.
Another question I had was about what would happen in the case of rain and unpredictable weather. Fortunately, ORORO is weatherproof and durable and designed to withstand the harshest weather conditions. With water-resistant and windproof materials, you can confidently embrace the elements while staying dry and cozy.
Now that I have a battery charging pack, I plan on purchasing other ORORO articles like a jacket that will provide even greater warmth when I travel overseas. Have you tried ORORO’s heated apparel before? We want to hear what you think! Be sure to check out our other style recommendations.
