Volt Cracow Insulated Heated Jacket - Review 2025

A Lightweight Jacket with a Middleweight Punch

The Cracow is one of many products in Volt’s diverse line of heated apparel, including socks, base layers, and coats to mittens, neck pillows, and other accessories—few of which cost less than $100. As a newer technology, it’s hard to know if heated jackets are worth your money.

There are several areas, however, where the Cracow–at its current price–leaves something to be desired. It relies on fading-fast technology that is not as durable or convenient as some newer options. It’s slower to heat, and the pads only cover the chest and back—a weakness that, to be fair, is even true of most highly-rated jackets out there.

These—more than anything—are a heated coat’s make-or-break factors. But there are also advantages to some of The Cracow’s simplicity. So, let’s dive in further to evaluate what keeps it competitive (or not) as you shop for your heated jacket this season.

If the Cracow were $100 cheaper–more fitting for a jacket of its functionality–its overall rating would be better. With a single, long-sleeve baselayer, we ran it through the gamut of weather ranges–sunny and clear (50-60 ℉); cool wind and rainy (40-45 ℉); and a full-on snowstorm (25-30 ℉)–and, overall, it was just okay.

The instruction manual it comes with suggests 50% power is sufficient for temps between 50-64 ℉. So, really, this is a jacket made for sweater-weather. Much colder, and not only is your time with heat ticking (2ish hours on full blast), but you’ll likely feel the chill.

Some Redeeming Features

That said–the Cracow’s simple, lightweight design and comfortable fleece-lined sleeves give it the easy, breathing feel of a sweater, too. Maybe even something you could layer underneath a heavyweight vest if need be. As its manual suggests, it was perfect on cool, fall days and nights–including the stormy ones with its solid wind-breaking and waterproofing–for commuting around town, hanging around a fire, or waiting for the car to warm up.

Its sleek fit and mobility also served us well during more vigorous, cold-weather activities. On runs and bike rides in 35-45 degree temperatures, 50% was the perfect supplement to body heat. Adjusting the power requires that you have at least one hand free, but it works well if you can manage this.

This weight-to-warmth ratio is The Cracow’s saving grace. If you’re very active–especially in short bursts–its comfort and efficiency may be all you need over a strategic baselayer. For more leisurely (stationary) activities, however, make sure temperatures don’t drop much below the 50s.

Technology Powering the Heat

For heated jackets, technology is the key. It is their distinguishing quality and the foundation of how heated clothing companies compete. This is also the area where the Cracow seems too cheap.

Battery (3” x 2” x 1”): So easy to use– a single, straightforward power button and four-light charge indicator. Hold the button down to turn it on, then press until you’ve reached your desired setting.

The lightweight, 7v battery is smaller than the industry average, and it performs accordingly. At full power, it is advertised to last little more than 2 hours, and–at varying levels over a few weeks–that’s about what we got out of it.

The battery comes with a dual-cord, mini-USB charger. Perfect if it were 2010. Unfortunately, despite the cool, posi-lock feature that secures the battery to the jacket’s cord once it’s plugged in, the mini-USB is a rapidly receding technology.

More common is the twice as durable and thrice as common USB-C (almost universal on non-Apple smartphones or chargeable devices). This means that easily purchasing compatible accessories for the Cracow battery will only be getting harder.

Heat: As a starting point–that is, with the heat off–The Cracow is like a cozy windbreaker

or cardigan sweater. Its four settings, building from 25-100% power, warm you up from there–topping out at the equivalent of a midweight, conventional winter coat.

But it’s a pretty slow process. At its highest setting, it took nearly 20 minutes of walking in 45-degree weather to notice a temperature difference, and by that time, we were chilly and sitting down to dinner. During other trials, we noticed the heat a bit faster. Still, we recommend preheating the coat for at least five minutes before facing the elements.

The other issue–and an industry-wide weakness–is that the heat pads only cover the chest and upper back. Yes, these are crucial points for warmth around the heart. But it would be nice to tend to all those other vital organs, too, which, in The Cracow, are left fending for themselves.

This is a problem that Volt seems capable of fixing, especially with their “Zero-Layer” heating pads–paper-thin resonators that make the Cracow’s sleek fit possible. So, we’ll see if they address it in the future.

Features and Construction

No bells and whistles here. The Cracow looks and feels like the heated version of your quintessential down jacket.

Material: A 20D, 100% Nylon shell and lining make for a light, breathable layer that

keeps out wind and water with ease. It’s got a low volume on the “swish-scale”–you may notice it at first, but you won’t wake grandma.

The 100% Polyester fleece lining the sleeves, pockets, and along the collar, creates cozy insulation; but avoid letting these areas get wet–as they are slow to dry and uncomfortably cold against the skin depending on the outside temperature.

Waterproofing: Water beads and drains easily off of the outer shell. We can see the

potential for some breakthrough saturation, however, over an extended period of time. So be wary when sitting for too long in the rain if you’re fishing or watching a sporting event.

Pockets: There are three pockets, and one secret pocket-within-a-pocket on the bottom left side that zips shut to store the battery in the inner-lining of the coat–allowing full use of the outer pocket for your left hand. The other pockets are on the bottom right and on the left upper chest.

All fleece-lined pockets are pleasant to the touch, but keep them dry because, once the fleece gets wet, it cancels the otherwise insulating effect.

Comfort and Style

Style and comfort are The Cracow’s strong points. It has a sleek fit and classic look. Its nylon lining and shell are light, breathable, easy to move in, and feel good against the skin.

Elastic drawstrings are available to cinch the waist, which helps to lock in heat and create the appearance of a perfectly fitted waistcoat.

The gold zipper accents and rubber emblem on the left breast are cool, but it would be nice to have an all-black option. Its outer shell shines like any down coat, but–because the heating components can’t be crushed–you never have to look at exaggerated wrinkles.

Of course, this inability to be tightly folded or rolled also makes it less packable than a conventional down coat–so, if traveling, be careful not to cram it too densely into a suitcase or bag.

The warm, fleece insulated sleeves also feature thumb cuffs that extend past the wrist to fit snugly around the base of the hand. They add a nice layer of warmth beneath a glove. A cool perk, but these also must be kept dry; since, when wet, they are cold, hard to ignore, and stay that way for a while.

Lastly, the high, fleece-lined collar is a bit much. It serves a scarf-like purpose, but when fully zipped it can brush annoyingly against the chin. This might not bother some, but if frequent head-turning is needed on a run or bike-ride, the collar-height could lose an inch.

About Buying Heated Jackets

It’s true, technology makes our fashion choices change–but the reason you need a new coat hasn’t: warmth.

The only difference between a heated jacket and the old faithful friend in your closet is that the heated one is meant to keep you warmer longer, while allowing you the freedom to wear fewer layers underneath. More heat, less clothing.

Let that be your guide as you look to go heated this winter.

Prices, styles, fits, colors, and functions will vary. Make sure, however, that the coverage you get from the heat pads is in areas most suited to you, and the battery will last you as long as the activity you’re planning for.

Check out our full Buyer’s Guide, or dive into our Best Heated Jackets Guide of 2025 for more details on styles and brands that work best for you.

As for the Volt Cracow, here’s what you need to know:

When to Wear The Cracow

At $250 the Cracow will not replace the value and practical functionality of layering. But for certain, active outdoor activities, or casual-wear, the Cracow can still provide the upgraded level of comfort that heated jackets offer.

For watching a football match in the late fall or a leisurely stroll, the Cracow takes the edge of the shrewdly-biting chill.

• Cool summer-night camping. (50-64 degrees F)
• Fall leisure activities. (50-64 degrees F)
• Vigorous, cold-weather exercise (32-50 degrees F)