kctyphoon
Banned
Ok - I just came home about 20 min ago to find the new M12 heated jacket on my doorstep. Wanted to give you guys some initial impressions compared to the models from the last two years..
For starters, the sizing on the new jackets are not at all consistent with the previous generations. The new one runs much larger. It's longer, and wider. The arms are longer too, and have the mobility gussets in the armpits. Probably a full size off from my old ones, and I'm not exaggerating.. I laid them on top of each other, flattened out on my bed, and there is a big difference in sizing... The XL I bought (which is what fit me in the previous gens) is way too big. I'm actually gonna run to HD and buy the kit in large and try that one, cause there's no way I can pull off the XL in this new model. It's just too big for me everywhere..
It's a lot heavier.. The layout and general pattern is basically the same, but there is a big difference in the weight. It's not nearly as lightweight as the old. The new one lost the large netted inside pocket, and there is no more protruding pocket for the battery and power source. It in the same location, but it's now just a flat zipper pocket.
It's a lot stiffer.. It's not free flowing and "swishy" like the old. It's a tough and stiff outside material
It's a lot more durable - the old ones needed to be guarded as you wore them.. Catch a nail or sharp metal and you'd for sure have a rip.. Not so much the case with this new one..
As of now I kinda have mixed feelings on it. The great thing about the old ones were how lightweight they were.. I'm a little put off since this thing doesn't fit right, so I'm gonna run to HD and get a large outta the store. Worst case is I just keep the kit and return the bare tool.. I'll decide that later, but I'm not waiting another 4 days for another size to show up, just to decide if I like this or not..
Update - I just got the new jacket in the large size too. So I have both the XL and Large with me. It fits MUCH better.. I'd say it's very close (maybe just a tad) tighter fitting than the XL sizes of the previous generations. The arms are the same length between the old XL and the new large. The weight difference isn't as drastic either between the two sizes. In my case, the large is still comfortably loose enough but just very slightly more snug than the previous XL. it's a pretty good fit, and I will be keeping the large over the XL. The material is a bit stiff but I have complete faith that it will loosen up with some wearing.. I'm much happier with the smaller size. This will be my first Milwaukee heated anything that's not in the XL size..
A word on the mobility - there is a huge difference in the mobility of your arms in this new jacket. With the older version, if I zip up the jacket, and then raise my arms over my head, the sleeves wind up being pulled about 6 inches below my wrists, and the bottom of the jacket is pulled over my waist. ( and keep in mind, this is with the larger size, and the softer, lighter jacket). With the gussets incorporated in the armpits of the new jacket, despite it being advertised as a smaller size, and being made of a heavier and stiffer material - this does not happen nearly as bad. While the bottom of the jacket still gets pulled up a bit,(maybe half as much) the sleeves are only pulled maybe an inch and half down with my arms fully raised.
For starters, the sizing on the new jackets are not at all consistent with the previous generations. The new one runs much larger. It's longer, and wider. The arms are longer too, and have the mobility gussets in the armpits. Probably a full size off from my old ones, and I'm not exaggerating.. I laid them on top of each other, flattened out on my bed, and there is a big difference in sizing... The XL I bought (which is what fit me in the previous gens) is way too big. I'm actually gonna run to HD and buy the kit in large and try that one, cause there's no way I can pull off the XL in this new model. It's just too big for me everywhere..
It's a lot heavier.. The layout and general pattern is basically the same, but there is a big difference in the weight. It's not nearly as lightweight as the old. The new one lost the large netted inside pocket, and there is no more protruding pocket for the battery and power source. It in the same location, but it's now just a flat zipper pocket.
It's a lot stiffer.. It's not free flowing and "swishy" like the old. It's a tough and stiff outside material
It's a lot more durable - the old ones needed to be guarded as you wore them.. Catch a nail or sharp metal and you'd for sure have a rip.. Not so much the case with this new one..
As of now I kinda have mixed feelings on it. The great thing about the old ones were how lightweight they were.. I'm a little put off since this thing doesn't fit right, so I'm gonna run to HD and get a large outta the store. Worst case is I just keep the kit and return the bare tool.. I'll decide that later, but I'm not waiting another 4 days for another size to show up, just to decide if I like this or not..
Update - I just got the new jacket in the large size too. So I have both the XL and Large with me. It fits MUCH better.. I'd say it's very close (maybe just a tad) tighter fitting than the XL sizes of the previous generations. The arms are the same length between the old XL and the new large. The weight difference isn't as drastic either between the two sizes. In my case, the large is still comfortably loose enough but just very slightly more snug than the previous XL. it's a pretty good fit, and I will be keeping the large over the XL. The material is a bit stiff but I have complete faith that it will loosen up with some wearing.. I'm much happier with the smaller size. This will be my first Milwaukee heated anything that's not in the XL size..
A word on the mobility - there is a huge difference in the mobility of your arms in this new jacket. With the older version, if I zip up the jacket, and then raise my arms over my head, the sleeves wind up being pulled about 6 inches below my wrists, and the bottom of the jacket is pulled over my waist. ( and keep in mind, this is with the larger size, and the softer, lighter jacket). With the gussets incorporated in the armpits of the new jacket, despite it being advertised as a smaller size, and being made of a heavier and stiffer material - this does not happen nearly as bad. While the bottom of the jacket still gets pulled up a bit,(maybe half as much) the sleeves are only pulled maybe an inch and half down with my arms fully raised.
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