Latest news with #Gobi
UPI
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- UPI
Watch: Apple TV+ drops trailer for documentary series 'The Wild Ones'
"The Wild Ones" documentary series arrives on Apple TV+ in July. Photo courtesy of Apple TV+ June 5 (UPI) -- Apple TV+ released a trailer for upcoming documentary series The Wild Ones, which features a team of wildlife experts traveling to some of the most remote locations in the world to find endangered animals. The trailer, released Thursday, introduces expedition leader Aldo Kane, camera trap specialist Declan Burley and cinematographer Vianet Djenguet as they adventure to locations rarely visited by other humans. "Our mission: to find and film some of the most endangered animals on the planet and help scientists save them," Kane, a former Royal Marines Commando, says in the trailer. The six-part series will see the team venture to Malaysia, Mongolia, Armenia, Indonesia, Canada and Gabon to capture rare video footage of animals including the Malayan tiger, Gobi bear, Caucasian leopard, Javan rhino, North Atlantic right whale and Western lowland gorilla. The Wild Ones is produced by Offspring Films (Earth At Night In Color, Earthsounds) and executive produced by Alex Williamson and Isla Robertson. The first episode of the six-part series premieres July 11 on Apple TV+.
USA Today
13-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Coachella 2025: Green Day, Charli XCX and other Saturday highs and lows
Coachella 2025: Green Day, Charli XCX and other Saturday highs and lows Show Caption Hide Caption Coachella 2025: Charli xcx fans show off their best 'brat' strut We asked a bunch of Charli xcx fans to show off their best "brat" struts ahead of the singer's performance on Saturday, April 12, 2025. Another Coachella day, another edition of our Coachella highs and lows. And this action-packed day featured no shortage of either, as Charli owned the stage while T-Pain (partially) flopped. But we're going to keep this thing snappy as I've still got a Travis Scott set to catch (so the jury's out on which part of this story that set would fit into). THE HIGHS Rock is alive and well at Coachella with Weezer and Green Day There's been a great deal of talk about how Coachella has strayed from its rock roots only to seemingly turn somewhat back toward them this year. But if this year's festival was something of an unofficial trial on the question of whether booking big-name rock acts is still a viable path for the festival, Saturday's early performances certainly delivered (The Misfits set was still to come as of this writing). Weezer delivered a barrage of hits early in the day, Jimmy Eat World brought a full-blown rock show to the Coachella Stage in the mid-afternoon and then Green Day delivered a commanding and energetic highlight set that was heavy on spectacle and seemed to be making a clear argument that while this was somehow Green Day's first time playing Coachella, it should not be the last of a rock band of their ilk. The massive crowd seemed to eat it up, and I hope Goldenvoice CEO Paul Tollett did too, and will act accordingly when booking future festivals. Charli XCX delivered a magical golden-hour set Sometimes the Coachella stars really align and you end up with something like Charli XCX's unforgettable golden hour set. A bonafide superstar clearly at the height of her powers, Charli XCX oozed unfathomable levels of charisma as she worked through the hits that defined Brat summer, only to cap things off with her OG classic "I Love It." She also didn't disappoint on the special guest front as she deployed her beloved collaborators Troye Sivan, Lorde and perhaps most exciting of all Billie Eilish. But that was all icing on the cake as Charli is every bit a commanding star in her own right and showed it as she owned the stage in her sunglasses despite the lack of backup dancers or even much in the way of set pieces. Seriously, Lady Gaga may be the best performer who has graced the stage so far at Coachella 2025 but Charli is certainly the coolest — and also pretty great herself. Medium Build offered an uplifting party vibe I didn't have much in the way of expectations when I wandered into Media Build's 2:10 p.m. Gobi set. I only loosely knew who he was after listening to a couple songs with my wife during a road trip to the coast we took last weekend. Which is why I was totally blown away by what a fun, charismatic and talented performer he turned out to be. From the luscious locks of the wig get ups he repeatedly donned during the show to his gorgeous voice and exaltations to stop worrying about what everyone else thinks and enjoy your life, Medium Build proved to be a perfectly uplifting way to start the day. The weather = idyllic Oh what a difference a day makes! One day after we suffered through 100-degree temps that made for one of the sweatiest days at Coachella I can recall, the weather gods changed their tune and blessed us with a forecast that showcased why Coachella can be among the best locations for a music festival anywhere — after the sun sets, that is. The evening temperatures were mild, the wind was light and the sunset created an explosion of color across the sky just as thousands were gathering on the lawn in front of the main stage in anticipation of Charli XCX's set. THE LOWS People making too much noise during the sets I am a Coachella diehard, which means I often find myself having to defend the festival when talking to people who bemoan that it has turned into an influencer fest for people who care more about posting the perfect Insta story than the music. Which is why it was so disheartening to have several experiences today when people around were loudly laughing, talking, taking photos and generally making tons of noise at some of the key moments of several sets, such as the dramatic closing minutes of Above & Beyond's. Look, I'm all for people having fun and enjoying Coachella however works for them but ya'll need to chill. T-Pain's lack of actual singing Look, I know and generally accept that backing tracks are a thing. But it still felt like T-Pain, who is already famous (infamous?) for being the artist more associated with the use of Auto-Tune, took things a little far as he let song after song pass with him only bothering to sing or rap a few words (if that) while blaring backing tracks that obviously did 90% of the work. This is not to say, however, that this set was bad necessarily. While it was disappointing that T-Pain chose to relegate himself to hype man for most of the set, he is still a pretty incredible hype man and the crowd scarcely seemed to mind as they raucously danced to hit after hit. Seriously, who remembered T-Pain was part of so many early 2000s bangers? Like remember 'Kiss Kiss' and 'Alcohol?' Wow. And T-Pain was definitely singing (seemingly with less Auto-Tune than usual?) when he delivered a unique Coachella moment by covering Chris Stapleton's 'Tennessee Whiskey' and Journey's 'Don't Stop Believin'.' Less-than-ideal scheduling Jimmy Eat World starting moments after Weezer ended when there was a lengthy walk between the stages and only a few high-end rock acts playing the whole weekend? Frustrating. Nearly Above & Beyond's entire set overlapping with Green Day's? Unforgivable. Fine, am I one of the few Coachellagoers who probably enjoys both top-notch pop punk and emotive, trancy EDM in equal measure. Well, maybe. But still, this is my highs and lows and I didn't appreciate it.
Telegraph
05-04-2025
- Telegraph
A new rail journey is helping to heal the wounds of Sri Lanka's civil war
It didn't take long for me to get drawn into my first Michael Portillo moment. 'Come, come and eat with us!' came the cry from a family grouping eagerly tucking into rice and curry spread out on a banana leaf as the train eased into the new day and the journey from Colombo Fort to Jaffna. Curiosity had got the better of me. I was up in the posh seats (padded chairs; air conditioning), but wanted to wander through the train and get a sense of who else was on board and what the other compartments were like. The friendly family was in Second Class – perfectly comfortable, with table space enough for a full spread. 'It's very good, no? Come and join us! Can you sing?' It was a bit early in the day for that – just gone 7am – so I declined the invitation to burst into song, but gave an approximation of a little jig. The Thameslink service from Bedford to Brighton this was not. I've travelled on lots of trains in Sri Lanka, a country of quite extraordinary beauty and generous-hearted people, but this was something very special: the Yal Devi Express from Colombo to Jaffna. For years during Sri Lanka's protracted civil war, services ceased between the two cities which so symbolised the division between Tamils and Sinhalese, Hindu and Buddhist, north (or north-east) and south. And here I was on a train that was once again linking Colombo and Jaffna, a train running on gleaming new tracks providing a lifeline between two previously warring communities – but also a train giving travellers like me the possibility of hugely expanding their perceptions of this treasure trove of an island in the Indian Ocean. The family I'd joshed and eaten rice with was Tamil. So, too, was the fellow passenger sitting next to me in the First Class carriage as we'd pulled away from Colombo Fort at the magical pre-dawn time of 05.45. One of very few from his school cohort who hadn't fled abroad during the war, Gobi had stayed and studied, working his way up in a firm selling life assurance. He'd also been a good son, providing vital support for ageing and ailing parents, who he was on his way to visit now. 'Milk tea? Milk tea? Oh we do love a milk tea!' Our exchanges were broken by excited cries across the aisle coming from a group of animated Sinhalese ladies, former school friends, now mothers of strapping children themselves, who were travelling together (minus husbands) to visit Anuradhapura, a sacred city of Buddhist statutory and stupas (dome-shaped shrines) and Sri Lanka's ancient capital. They were clearly enjoying a good old catch up, the prospect of fresh discoveries ahead – and, more immediately, some 'milk tea', a wickedly calorific concoction involving black tea, condensed milk and several spoons of sugar – all boiled up together and served piping hot. The ladies confessed that they did not speak Tamil – 'our generation did not learn it… but our children will!' – but nevertheless showed interest in Gobi and plied him (in English) with questions about the north and eastern sides of the island, to them for so long out of bounds. I'd already heard plenty about the north to whet the appetite: the rice-based hoppers and coconut-infused crab curries; the puja rituals of the Nallur Kandaswamy temple; the elegant Dutch-era fort and lingering Portuguese influences; the sacred waters of Keerimalai. An equine-loving friend had told me breathlessly of the island of Delft and the wild horses descended from those originally transported there from Arabia; another spoke of the region's unblemished beaches, of the sense of time having stood still, of the mangroves providing sanctuary for exotic migrating birds. I looked forward to exploring these and much more from my base in the newly-opened (and history-replete) Mahesa Bhawan boutique villa in Jaffna. The Yal Devi Express – inaugurated in 1956 and affectionately known as the 'Queen of Jaffna' – made the last of its sorties between Colombo and Jaffna in 1990, when damage to the track meant the route was no longer passable or safe. Following extensive work on the war-damaged section of the line, the train made its first return in 2014, but the comeback proved premature as it soon became clear that other parts of the line were in need of serious restoration and the long-awaited connection with the north was at best stop and start. The Covid pandemic and political turmoil of 2022 did not speed matters, but late last year (2024), work on the new, improved line was finally declared complete and the 'Queen of Jaffna' was at last back on track. I had been looking forward to this journey for years – not because it promised to be Sri Lanka's most scenic (the journey from Kandy to Badulla through tea plantation territory lays claim to that), but because it bore testimony to the fact Sri Lanka was no longer tearing itself apart, and promised to serve as an introduction to a tantalisingly different side of the island. At around the time I was being offered rice and curry on a banana leaf, the sun was rising and the tall blocks and slightly incongruous Lotus Tower of modern-day Colombo had been replaced with gentler scenes of swaying palm trees and paddy fields; in one small settlement I spotted a man in flip-flops on a motor bike; in another, alms-seeking Buddhist monks attired in orange robes. Sri Lanka's lush vegetation and striking scenery make any journey here a pleasure – as do the people you share it with. As I embarked on further wanderings along the train, I shared happy exchanges with guards in peaked caps and crisp white uniforms, the legendary milk tea brewers in the buffet car and a friendly man called Vass who had spent years living and working in Hounslow but had chosen to come home for his golden years. 'Call me; visit me!' he implored. I also bumped into a film producer named Ayesha, who was travelling to the north to give Tamil women the tools to tell their stories and to record them for posterity. 'I had very negative images of Jaffna when I was growing up and the war was on,' said Ayesha. 'But going there has changed my view. And while there are problems all over the country, they are much worse in the north. 'We hope through this film project to help the women of the north, not educated, not rich, to tell their stories, to rebuild their lives.' It was heartening to hear these words and to realise that there are genuine efforts being made to build bridges between the two communities (though my experiences over the coming days alerted me to the fact that for many, the wounds of war still run deep). I returned to my seat for a final chat with Gobi, sharing his pride in the fact that he had recently been promoted to branch manager and enjoying hearing him say how much he loved his country and was glad to have stayed. Together we looked out of the window as we came to Elephant Pass, the strategically vital causeway linking the Jaffna peninsula with the mainland. The surrounding land was flat, the horizon wide; in this once fiercely-contested spot, the hand of history was palpable. And then, almost too soon, at a little past midday, our destination approached and after just over seven hours and 250 miles it was time to say our farewells. Trains unite and bring people together; they also open up new worlds. I gave a little whoop as I descended onto the bustling platform and posed for a photo beneath the sign that read Jaffna. More than four decades after my first visit to Sri Lanka, I'd finally made it. One small step for a rail aficionado; one giant leap for a country. How to do it Adrian Bridge was a guest of the Experience Travel Group which offers a 12-night trip to Sri Lanka including international flights, first-class train tickets from Colombo to Jaffna, three nights at Maniumpathy boutique villa in Colombo, four nights in Mahesa Bhawan in Jaffna, four nights at the Jungle Beach Resort north of Trincomalee and one night at the Notary's House close to Colombo Airport. Stays are on a B&B basis with some additional meals; also included are the services of a chauffeur-guide. From £4,500pp;
National Geographic
13-02-2025
- National Geographic
The best heated clothing for 2025
By clicking on the featured links, visitors will leave and be directed to third-party e-commerce sites that operate under different terms and privacy policies. As a participant in multiple affiliate marketing programs, National Geographic will earn a commission for certain purchases. See full disclaimer below.* Whether you're skiing or birdwatching, getting outdoors in the winter means layering. Staying warm can also help preserve energy, which is especially important if you're near water. 'When we get cold, we tire more easily, are more likely to strain a muscle, have a harder time gripping the paddle, and lose motivation and energy,' notes Dane Jackson , a Tennessee-based whitewater kayaker who spends most of the year in a travel trailer or overseas. For some active travelers, layering clothing may feel too bulky. One solution? Heated clothing, which have unique cold-weather benefits that go beyond what your typical heavy winter sweater or thermal underwear can offer. This type of clothing incorporates technology powered by rechargeable batteries or special heat-retaining design features for extra warmth. From jackets to shoe insoles, here are the heated clothes we're packing on our next winter trip. The best heated clothes The best heated clothes help you stay warm and protected from the elements but aren't uncomfortable or bulky. For items with heating functions, look for features like long battery life, user-friendly controls, and a variety of heating modes. Clothing without an electric/battery heating system may have features such as reflective dots or panels, or specially designed material with enhanced insulation or heat-retaining properties. Heated hoodie: Gobi Heat Ridge Heated Hoodie (women's) (men's) Photograph courtesy Amazon Women's Gobi Heat Ridge Hoodie Buy it now on Amazon Photograph courtesy Amazon Men's Gobi Heat Ridge Hoodie Buy it now on Amazon Why we like it: This hoodie has three heat zones, including a large panel across the back that can be helpful if a cold wind is bearing down on you. We also like the three heat settings, with the lowest getting you up to 10 hours of battery life, according to the maker. The hoodie has a tough cotton and polyester outer layer made to withstand the elements and a polar fleece lining that's soft, comfortable, and warm. The drawstring is great for a snug fit. It's also machine washable and made to resist water. We also like the Patagonia Diamond Quilted Bomber Hoody . This stylish full-zip hoodie is made with a quilted stitch that the brand says helps lock in heat. A drawcord on the hoodie and elastic cuffs and hems offer more heat retention. It's also easy to pack. Keep in mind: The Gobi has a slim-fitting design. Travelers should size up for a looser fit. Product details: Materials: Cotton and polyester blend outer layer; polar fleece lining | Sizes: S-4XL (men); XS-3XL (women) Heated work jacket: Milwaukee M12 Heated Toughshell Jacket Photograph courtesy Amazon Milwaukee M12 Heated Toughshell Jacket Buy it now on Amazon Why we like it: With a layered interior designed to retain and redistribute heat, this work jacket is warm enough without the heated function on a cool day. It's also coated with DWR (durable water repellent) and has a bit of stretch so it's easy to move around. We also appreciate extra details like the extended length on the back, which can help protect you from chilly drafts when you're crouching or bending over. Five zipped pockets come in handy when you need to stash keys, tools, or other items. You can also store the battery in the front or back pocket—whichever is more comfortable. Keep in mind: The battery is somewhat bulky. Product details: Materials: Polyester/spandex | Sizes: S-3X ( These merino wool base layers will keep you warm wherever you roam ) Heated insoles: ActionHeat Insoles Why we like it: Heated insoles can help keep your feet warm no matter what kind of shoes you're wearing. We love that these insoles are thin and that the heating pads are located under the toes—where you tend to feel the cold most. These insoles have three heat settings and come in two sizes (you can trim them). The wireless remote clips to a keychain or a bag loop for easy access when you want to adjust the temperature. We also like these Sharper Image Heated Insoles. They also have three heat settings and a remote, plus three sizes you can trim. Keep in mind: These insoles do not provide arch support. Product details: Materials: Fleece-lined soft shell | Sizes: S/M and L/XL Heated gloves: Hammacher Schlemmer Heated Flip Back Mittens Photograph courtesy Hammacher Schlemmer Hammacher Schlemmer Heated Flip Back Mittens Buy it now at Hammacher Schlemmer Why we like it: These hefty mittens are built with heating elements that run along the top and in the thumb. You can choose from three heat levels that range from 111°F to 142°F, via the control button built into the cuffs. The flip-back design comes in handy when you need to use your fingers to operate your phone or other touchscreen devices. Keep in mind: These gloves tend to run small. Product details: Materials: Not specified | Sizes: S/M and L/XL ( 12 of the coziest winter gloves for travels near and far ) Heated hat: Columbia Polar Powder II Beanie Columbia Polar Powder II Beanie Buy it now at Columbia Why we like it: This hat is made with small thermal-reflective dots that the brand says reflect body heat. That helps create warmth without adding bulk or weight. The fleece-lined band targets vulnerable areas like the ears and forehead. Keep in mind: This hat can't go in the washer or dryer due to the thermal lining. The brand recommends against removing the pom-pom at the top because doing so could damage the hat. Product details: Materials: Acrylic shell; polyester lining | Sizes: One size ( Here are our favorite winter hats ) Heated scarf: Ororo Heated Scarf Photograph courtesy Amazon Ororo Heated Scarf Buy it now on Amazon Why we like it: A chilly wind hitting the back of your neck can make your whole body feel cold, so it's helpful that this scarf has a built-in heating zone right where you need it. You can choose from three heat settings via a button on the front. Some styles of this scarf offer the option to upgrade the battery for longer battery life. We appreciate that this Ororo scarf isn't super bulky because it relies on 3M Thinsulate insulation for warmth, plus soft and cozy fleece that's made to resist wind and water. Keep in mind: This scarf isn't intended to go in the washer or dryer. Product details: Materials: Polyester or polyester/spandex shell; 3M Thinsulate fill; polyester lining | Sizes: One size (37 x 4.7 in.) Heated shirt: Venture Heat Heated Midlayer Shirt with HeatSync Venture Heat Midlayer Shirt with HeatSync Buy it now at Venture Heat Why we like it: Although it's called a midlayer, this heated shirt is warm enough to wear on its own. It's snug enough to pull on a sweater or jacket, too, if the heating elements don't provide enough warmth. This Bluetooth-enabled shirt has three heat settings you can control through an app. The lowest setting provides up to 10 hours of heating time, according to the brand. The Heat Holders Thermal Base Layer Top is another suitable option. This heavyweight top is made with a brushed yarn for warmth and has some stretch for comfort. It makes a great foundation for layering. Keep in mind: The Venture top is made to be form-fitting and runs slightly small, so you may want to size up if you want more room. Product details: Materials: Not specified | Sizes: XS-XL (women's); S-2XL (men's) Heated jacket: Eddie Bauer Radiator Heated Down Jacket (women's) (men's) Photograph courtesy Eddie Bauer Eddie Bauer Women's Radiator Heated Down Jacket Buy it now at Eddie Bauer Photograph courtesy Eddie Bauer Eddie Bauer Men's Radiator Heated Down Jacket Buy it now at Eddie Bauer Why we like it: This jacket's 650-fill power premium down insulation offers considerable warmth on its own, but you can increase the temperature using the built-in heating technology. There are three heat modes (Eco, Comfort, and Boost) operable via a button on the jacket or the Clim8 app. The down filling creates a 'puffy' feel that many travelers may find cozy without being overly bulky. The jacket's shell is lightweight, stretchy, and has a DWR coating that helps keep you dry. Another great option, the Ororo Heated Jacket is machine-washable, has a detachable hood, and a weather-resistant shell, plus three heating options. Keep in mind: The Radiator jacket can't go in the washer or dryer, and Eddie Bauer says it shouldn't be dry cleaned, so you mainly maintain it via spot cleaning. Product details: Materials: Polyester with 650-fill power premium down insulation | Sizes: XS-2X (women's); S-2X (men's) ( This Antarctica packing list will prepare you for cold weather adventure anywhere ) Heated vest: Venture Heat ProMax 38W Heated Vest with HeatSync (women's) (men's) Photograph courtesy Amazon Women's Venture Heat ProMax 38W Heated Vest Buy it now on Amazon Photograph courtesy Amazon Men's Venture Heat ProMax 38W Heated Vest Buy it now on Amazon Why we like it: This heated vest from Venture Heat is thinner and sleeker than puffer vest styles. Like the Venture Heat midlayer, it is Bluetooth enabled and can be controlled via the Add Heat app. This vest has five heating panels—more than many other heated clothing items on the market (and on our list). We also like that it can accommodate two batteries. Keep in mind: This vest comes with only one battery. You can purchase a second one separately. Product details: Materials: Not specified | Sizes: S-2XL (women's); M-2Xl (men's); Heated pants: Ororo Bristol Heated Utility Fleeced Lined Pants Ororo Pants Buy it now at Ororo Why we like it: These Ororo pants have a little spandex for comfort and stretch, plus thicker weaves in areas that tend to wear down more easily, like around the knees. There are three heating zones: On the thighs and lower back. The fleece lining adds a little extra warmth even when you're not using the heated function, and the seven pockets offer plenty of places for stashing essentials. Unlike many other items on our list, these are machine washable (on the cold/gentle cycles). Keep in mind: The fleece liner is somewhat loose and may bunch up when pulling these pants on and off, which may be cumbersome. While these pants are machine washable, they can't go in the dryer. Product details: Materials: Nylon/spandex shell; polyester lining | Sizes: 4-12 (women's); 32-40 (men's) Heated underwear: Gobi Heat Basecamp Base Layer Pants Gobi Heat Base Layer Pants Buy it now at Gobi Heat Why we like it: These pants are lightweight and breathable enough to be worn as a base layer for ski pants, overalls, or sweats, but they can also be worn on their own. They have three heat zones, including one across the lower back. There are three heat settings (from 113°F to 140°F), with the lowest giving you up to eight hours of battery life, according to the brand. We also love that these pants have zippered pockets and can be tossed in the washing machine. Keep in mind: These pants are designed with a slim fit, so you may want to size up if you prefer them to be a bit looser. Product details: Materials: Polyester/spandex | Sizes: S-2XL (women's); S-2XL (men's); Heat Holders Worxx Men's Socks Buy it now at Heat Holders Why we like it: These thick, warm socks from Heat Holders are made from a thermal yarn that helps retain warmth. They're also reinforced in the areas where socks tend to develop holes (the heel and toe). These socks aren't super tight at the top, so they're less likely to make your legs feel constricted. They're also machine washable. Keep in mind: Because they are thick, these socks are best for boots and looser footwear. Product details: Materials: Acrylic, nylon, polyester, and elastane | Sizes: 5-9 and 8-13 (women's); 7-12 and 13-15 (men's) Heated slippers: Volt Lava Heated Boot Slippers Volt Lava Heated Boot Slippers Buy it now on Amazon Why we like it: These heated boot slippers are versatile enough to wear while lounging around indoors or while doing outdoor activities. Three heat settings help keep feet warm—up to 14 hours on the lowest. The faux fur lining adds warmth and comfort, while the DWR exterior coating and rubber insole add durability and protection from rain. Keep in mind: For best results, you may want to wear these boots with thin socks. Product details: Materials: Nylon upper; faux fur and terry cloth lining; foam insole; rubber outsole | Sizes: 6-13 (women's); 5-13 (men's) Columbia Men's Fairbanks Omni-Heat Boot Buy it now at Columbia Why we like it: This Columbia boot has a thermal reflective lining that the brand says helps retain heat. The boot's construction involves multiple layers, but the individual materials are light and thin enough to keep the boot from feeling uncomfortably heavy. This boot would probably be a good choice for those who want to avoid cold feet while skiing or hiking in any season. The outsole has a grippy tread pattern that gives you more secure traction, which can be helpful in rainy or cold-weather conditions. Keep in mind: This style is only available in men's. Product details: Materials: Leather and mesh upper; 'Techlite' lightweight responsive foam midsole; 'Omni-Grip' non-marking rubber tread outsole designed for all terrain | Sizes: 7-15 standard and wide (men's) How we chose the best heated clothing In compiling this list of best heated clothing, we considered several factors, from customer reviews to expert advice. Here's what we analyzed: • Third-party reviews: We scoured customer reviews, paying particular attention to trends, frequently praised features, and common concerns. • Ease of use: For items with battery-powered heating elements, we considered how easy it is to access and adjust the controls. • Expert input: We gathered feedback and advice from several experts who spend considerable time outdoors in cold weather. Tips for buying heated clothing Lifespan Clothing designed for harsh weather conditions should last. Look for durable materials and/or weather-resistant elements, such as DWR (durable water repellent) coatings. Remember that proper care and maintenance are important to extending the lifespan of heated clothing. Always follow manufacturer instructions. Material Some materials are known for their warmth or insulating properties but consider where you'll be traveling. 'Depending on the humidity or general moisture of the environment you're in, you're going to want to have either a down jacket/pants, or a synthetic jacket/pants,' says Hunter Hall , and outdoor adventure guide and program manager with Andrew Skurka Adventures, based in High Sierra, California. 'Wet environments demand synthetic materials, but drier environments prefer down,' continues Hall. 'The reason is that synthetic clothing handles moisture much better than down does, even if it is a little heavier. So, if I'm guiding in Alaska, I'm wearing synthetics. If I'm in the High Sierra, it's down. Either way, I'm always bringing a synthetic over-layer in winter, due to the excess moisture.' Cleaning and maintenance Heated clothing requires careful maintenance, especially for items with a built-in heating function. Be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions. These items often require hand-washing and air-drying. For machine-washable items, use cold/gentle settings to avoid damage. 'Clothing should be kept dry and stored uncompressed,' Hall says. 'Throwing down garments in the dryer on low heat after you use them is always wise but be careful with synthetic garments because they might shrink.' Brand reputation Choosing a brand with an established reputation can be reassuring and may be worth the higher cost. 'Trust and longevity are always worth taking that extra cost on the front end because you don't want to be halfway through a trip and start to have issues with whatever cold weather wear you are relying on to keep you warm,' says Jackson. 'Sometimes those bigger names take the extra time to use better materials and designs to make the most useful or trustworthy products, so that extra cost is often worth it in the long run.' Still, experts advise being open-minded to trying lesser known labels. 'Brand reputation is fairly important, but it's also a very fluid metric, because so many cottage manufacturers are producing cutting-edge products every year,' says Hall. 'They don't necessarily have the brand reputation of someone like Patagonia, but that doesn't mean their products are any less valuable.' Temperature Before buying specialized heated clothing, think about the weather and temperature range where you're traveling. Manufacturers often specify the ideal temperature range for a cold-weather item. For items with heated functions, look for the maximum temperatures for each heat setting. Keep in mind that higher temperature settings use more power, draining the battery more quickly. Charging Charging time is an important specification to consider when evaluating clothing with heated functions. You don't want to wait hours before you can get dressed to go outside. Pay attention to the expected battery life. You can usually get the maximum battery life by using the lowest heat setting. 'Having had both non-insulated and insulated heated vests, I think it's important to have an insulating layer because once your vest is heated up enough, you can turn it off, preserve your battery and still stay warm,' says Martin Patterson, a TV sound recordist based in Montreal, Canada. 'Most batteries only last about five hours or so depending on which temperature setting you use. Turning it off means you'll be able to cycle your battery to make it last 12 hours in the cold.' Some heated clothes can accommodate an extra battery, but they're often sold separately. Frequently asked questions Is it safe to wear heated clothing? Wearing heated clothing is generally safe, as manufacturers typically have built-in safety features to prevent overheating or other issues. It's important to follow manufacturers' instructions regarding care and use. How long does heated clothing last? Heated clothing can often last several years or more. Obviously, your results will vary depending on how often you use the item and in what type of conditions. You can help extend the longevity of heated clothing by following the manufacturer's care instructions. Are heated gloves worth buying? Heated gloves are worth buying if your hands tend to get cold easily or you plan to spend lots of time in cold weather. Look for heated gloves with features such as flip-back ends that allow you to use your fingers to operate touchscreen devices or perform other tasks. Bobbi Dempsey is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in Parade, The New York Times, Harper's, and others. Follow her on is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in, and others. Follow her on Instagram *Although we are sharing our personal opinions of these experiences or products with you, National Geographic is not endorsing these experiences or products on behalf of anyone. It has not performed product safety testing on any of these products, did not manufacture them, and is not selling, or distributing them and is not making any representations about the safety or caliber of these products or experiences for individual consumers. Prices and availability are subject to change from the date of publication.
