With winter wind and cold rapidly approaching, I’m sure glad to have my new Milwaukee 3-in-1 Heated Jacket (251B-21), which pairs a heated hooded sweatshirt with a durable water-resistant shell. The flexible combination of layers helps me stay comfortable all day in any weather, no matter what I’m doing. Besides being comfortable, the jacket is job-site tough. Rivets and reinforced stitching strengthen all the highwear, high-stress areas. The insulated shell, which can be worn with or without the hoodie, is made from thick rip-stop nylon and includes storm flaps and elastic cuffs to keep out wind and weather. Overall, it’s durable, functional, and has an understated style that suits me fine.

The hooded sweatshirt is heavier than the average sweatshirt, and because it’s made from polyester, it’s warmer, more water resistant, and tougher than a cotton hoodie. Embedded between the hoodie’s inner and outer layers are flexible heating elements, creating front and rear heating zones. The carbon-fiber elements, which are powered by Milwaukee’s M12 12v battery packs, have three settings (high, medium, and low), so you can match the heat output to the temperature and your activity level.

Milwaukee claims about eight hours of run-time with the heat on low and a 2.0-Ah pack, which matches my experience. Unlike other heated garments I’ve owned, the Milwaukee 3-in-1 can be machine washed and dried (on low), which sure beats trying to wipe away construction grime with a damp rag — the method suggested for cleaning my old heated jacket.

Available in black and camo, and in sizes from small to 3X, the jacket sells for about $300 without battery packs.