TRIED AND TESTED: Stay warm with the KEIS J801 Heated Puffer Jacket

For years, KEIS has been keeping us warm while we ride through winter – but now we can stay toasty off the bike too, with the release of its new J801 Heated Puffer Jacket.

Having always bought into the notion that there is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong sort of clothing, I am pretty-well versed to protecting myself against the elements. Puffer Jackets and Gilets hang in my hallway in readiness for cold outings, whereas with my riding gear is a box of heated KEIS product to keep me on two wheels even in the coldest spells.

At the start of this year (2022) KEIS added to their range with the J801 Heated Puffer Jacket, combing both leisure and the heat elements that have been so well developed for on bike. This being a must look-at garment for those in the know, who enjoy an outdoor life whatever the temperature.

This is a dual-purpose jacket for ‘riding and for leisure’, in fact all KEIS products can be used on and off the bike powered by 12v either via hardwiring into your bike or portable battery.

The J801 however does lean more toward the leisure, you can power from your bike and use as a mid-layer though given its thickness you would certainly need to remove the thermal lining, which you wouldn’t need anyway.

However the J801 also omits the additional ports for gloves, insoles and the like that you would find on other products which are predominantly for on bike like the J501RP premium heated jacket in the range.

Therefore, I see this predominantly as a leisure item with the added benefit that I can use the same batteries as I do with other KEIS products, spares being very handy when you are going to be out for an extended time in the cold.

Even without the additional heat this is an extremely comfortable, well-crafted and warm garment complete with 3M Thinsulate insulation, YKK zips for the front closure and two ample side pockets and elasticated cuffs keeping the cold out.

There is also a zipped inside pocket and battery pouch.

Adding the heat via the KEIS logo’d button on the front will give you low (green), medium (amber) and maximum (red) heat, warming up the two chest panels and lengthy back panel swiftly. Though this control button looks a bit like a ‘Novelty-Badge’ of sorts I have found it becomes a talking point when standing pitch side with shivering parents watching 22 kids chase after the same football.

At £260 this is a sizeable investment, but a quick search of similar winter coats reveals that it is in the right area considering the tech involved. It is also worth noting that KEIS offer a lifetime warranty on all heating elements of their products, stipulations apply of course but caring for your product within these gives you considerable piece of mind.

With snow and ice currently on the ground and the increase in heating bills I am getting a lot of use out of the J801, dependant on your lifestyle this is certainly worth a look.

If you want to know more about the Keis J801, click here.

TESTED BY: Charlie Oakman

Charlie started out riding a PX-125 Vespa around the streets of London playing out his ‘Rude Boy’ phase prior to taking his test to lose the L-Plate. From here he owned a couple of bikes before riding seriously under the watchful eye of Fast Bikes Magazine, which included racing CB500’s and undertaking numerous lengthy test tours. Though well versed in many disciplines Charlie still has a hankering for that old Vespa… first bike love.