Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Heated Seats - A Better Alternative?

As it's biker kit it will be designed to go under a more 'protective' outer jacket.

cheers, sort of what I thought.

My wife and I have been using these jackets for a few years now and wouldn't want to be without them. With each seat there is a cable with the appropriate plug.

With relatively thin clothing underneath you cover a wide temperature range. If it is warm > without jacket; not so warm > jacket without heating ... very cold > jacket with heating on the highest level.

We always use the jacket as the outermost layer of clothing.

Have a look at heated fishing clothing, you can get heated jackets with battery packs.

I've been told in a car you really don't need anything over the top, this is another reason I chose a heated jacket as ultimately I wanted less bulk. A light weight long sleeve base layer is all that's needed under the Keis, apparently Merino wool is best, cotton is to be avoided as it makes you sweat while Merino wool breathes and insulates better too.

I've just bought these from Mountain Warehouse for £60 making them a very reasonable (for Merino wool) £30 each, they look nice and thin which is important.

https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/merino-mens-base-layer-top-multipack-p37066.aspx/navy/

It was explained to me for an electric heated jacket to work best, it should itself be close to the body, so I went with the size that was more ‘Fitted’, it was also recommended if I did want to put something over the Keis J505RP Premium Extreme heated jacket, the most I should consider is a lightweight and thin waterproof shell.

I already own an Endura Hummvee waterproof cycling jacket, I've just checked and it goes over Keis heated jacket perfectly. Even if it's not raining the Endura Hummvee is my go-to cycling jacket as it acts as a very effective windstopper, and because it's made for cycling Endura have given a lot of thought to breathability. It should prove ideal over the Keis when Morganeering through the winter months, especially with Monty's side screens off.

So, here's what I hope will prove to be the ultimate three layer system?

Layer One:


Layer Two:


Layer Three:


Each layer is as thin as possible, but the middle layer, the Keis heated jacket, is pumping out 78W of car battery powered heat. The arrangement is yet to be tested in anger as the weather is still quite mild, however, my early experiments prove the three thin layer system is much less bulky and offers way more freedom of movement than wearing a typical winter jacket in the tight Morgan cockpit.

I'll update everyone on comfort and performance when the temperatures properly start to fall.

If you want to go with period style clothing in keeping with a Morgan without the bulk of a sheepskin, then this leather coat takes some beating for warmth and durability with an Alpaca wool lining. https://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/mens/barnstormer/mto010.

Mind you the £960 price tag is a little steep, but I've had my black one over 30years now and its still not broken in.........and there is a quite strong second hand value and market for them.

I already own an Aero Leathers Heavy Horse Hide Half Belt in cordovan which is a beautiful subtle reddish brown colour.



It looks like the Steer Hide one above but has the Alpaca wool lining upgrade, the jacket is an absolute work of art and indestructible, however being heavy horse hide I find movement in the arms is too restrictive for driving.

It weighs an absolute tonn too, for all these reasons I seldom wear it which breaks my heart as it's a truly stunning jacket, I really should sell it, but I just can't bring myself to part with the thing

The barnstormer is 3/4 length and much heavier than yours and yes it is a little restrictive in the arms, but the absolute dogs dangly bits when it comes to warmth, designed originally as an aviators coat for open cockpits.......where it does get a little cold!!!!! I just love wearing mine when its really frosty out, it probably doesn't get as much wear as it used to. I thought about selling mine as I had put weight on, so it became a tight fit but I preferred to lose the weight rather than the jacket.

If you need a warmer thin layer: as an under layer, or even, in milder autumnal or Spring months as a light outer one, I've found that it is challenging to beat the Patagonia Nano and Micro Puff ranges. Micro is slightly thinner in profile and mimics down better but Nano is hardly bulky, so it really is a toss up. I purchased a pullover version when I had to drive extensively in sub-zero conditions and even without the heated jacket, the layer of warmth was impressive. I've subsequently added a vest and zip jacket versions to my colder month wardrobe. They aren't inexpensive, but can usually be found on sale via outdoor retailers, look presentable and because they are designed for outdoor activities, including climbing, are very light, can be tucked into very small places and come out looking good.

So, if you need another layer, I'd recommend them.

Looking at the German KEIS website, I found two different jackets (J505RP Extreme and J501RP).

I would be interested in the experiences with both versions or differences in practice.