Venustas Waterproof 3L Heated Ski Jacket Tested – Stay Hot and Dry on the Mountain

The Venustas 3L Heated Ski Jacket combines innovative heating technology with practical ski-focused features, making it a strong contender for cold-weather outdoor enthusiasts. Let’s dive into its key features, pros, cons, and who might benefit most from this jacket.

Waterproof 3L Thermolite Heated Ski Jacket

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What we liked:

Effective Heating System: The battery-powered heating pads provide noticeable warmth in key areas, especially during cold chairlift rides or when stationary in sub-20°F conditions.
3L Waterproof Membrane: The jacket’s waterproofing and sealed zippers effectively protect against snow and rain, keeping you dry throughout the day.
Plenty of Pockets: The variety of pockets, including a ski pass pocket, inner compartments, and outer storage, enhances convenience and organization.
RECCO Transceiver: Adds a valuable safety feature for backcountry skiers in avalanche-prone areas.
Powder Skirt and Pit Zips and Hood: Practical features like the powder skirt, helmet compatible hood, and pit zips enhance functionality for both cold and warm skiing conditions.

What we didn’t like:

Button Placement: The power button is hard to see with ski goggles on, making it inconvenient to adjust heating settings on the go.
Weight: The jacket feels a bit heavier compared to non-heated ski jackets, which could be noticeable during extended use.
Limited Color Options: Currently only available in black, which may not appeal to skiers who prefer more vibrant or visible gear.

Video Review

Key Features of the Venustas Waterproof 3L Heated Ski Jacket

We have tried a bunch of heated ski gear now. We have tried almost every popular heated glove out there. Venustas came out with this new jacket designed for skiing and asked us to try one out. We headed out to the mountain as soon as we got our hands on it to try it out. Let’s dig into the features of this jacket.

1 – 3L Membrane Waterproofing and Zippers

The jacket is made from a 3-layer (3L) waterproof membrane, ensuring you stay dry even in wet snow or light rain. Additionally, it features YKK waterproof zippers that prevent water from seeping into the pockets or inner layers.

The jacket has a waterproof rating of 20,000 mmH₂O; and a breathability rating: 8,000 g/m²/24h. The breathability isn’t 20,000 because the jacket is insulated, which cuts down the breathability from a pure shell.

2 – Thermolite Insulation

The jacket includes lightweight Thermolite insulation, which adds warmth without bulk. I found that I did not need heat until the temperature was well below freezing. Somewhere around 25F is where I started turning the heater on for chairlift rides.

3 – Battery-Powered Heating System

The heating system is powered by a 12 volt 4,800 mAh battery pack. Venustas publishes the following times for heat capacity.

• 2.2 hours on high power
• 4.5 hours on medium
• 6.6 hours low power

I found that high power worked for right around 2 hours. Medium worked for right around 4 hours. Low power isn’t really useful, as you can’t tell it’s on. Most of the time you will want medium or high if you are turning it on.

Heating pads are strategically placed on the left and right chest and back. These pads are particularly noticeable when sitting on chairlift with your back against the backrest. You can feel a very comfortable warm patch where the heating element is. This was my favorite part about this jacket. The heating effect is less noticeable while actively skiing, as the heated zones aren’t pressed up against your body.

4 – Lots of Pockets

The jacket boasts multiple large pockets, including a dedicated RFID ski pass pocket on the sleeve, 3 pockets on the chest area, and 1 zipper pocket just inside the main zipper. There are no other pockets inside the jacket. A few open pockets would have been nice on the inside of the jacket.

5 – RECCO Transceiver

Designed for safety in avalanche-prone areas, the RECCO transceiver enhances your chances of being located during a rescue. This feature is a must-have for serious skiers venturing into the backcountry or even off-piste at a ski resort.

6 – Helmet-Compatible Hood

The insulated hood is roomy enough to fit over a ski helmet, providing additional warmth and weather protection.The hood is removable if you don’t want to ski with it.

7 – Powder Skirt

An integrated powder skirt keeps snow out during falls or deep powder runs.

8 – Ventilation

Pit zips allow you to cool down when the activity level rises, ensuring comfort without sacrificing protection. The jacket has a breathability rating of 8,000 g/m²/24h. It does a good job of moving sweat out of the coat on warmer days. The pit zips are a nice add for those warm spring ski days.

9 – Sizing and Colors

It is available in size Small through 4XL. Almost anyone can buy one that will fit. It is only available in black color right now. If you like some color in your outfit, you are out of luck. I dislike black ski jackets so wish this was available in some other color.

On Mountain Performance

The jacket has a start up mode where it starts out at high power for a few minutes and then switches to medium. You can manually set it to stay on high if you want or the other 2 settings.

I found that above 25F I did not need to turn the heat on. The jacket is warm enough without it. Below 25F I started using the heater mainly for chairlift rides. I turn it on high for the lift ride and then turn it off at the top. This keeps you warm and toasty when your not making any body heat sitting on the chair.

I can’t feel low power, which has been true for almost every piece of heated ski clothing I’ve tried. You can feel it sitting around the house but not out on the mountain. Medium feels a little warm and high will give you hot spots on the heating zones.

The battery has enough capacity to make it through a ski day if you are only turning it on high for chairlift rides and using medium if you need it for some ski runs. 2 hours of high is enough for almost half a day if you want to leave it running all the time.

The jacket weighs several pounds. The battery is more than half a pound by itself. It’s much heavier than a shell and down liner. It’s similar in weight to the average 3 in 1 ski jacket. This is not gear for someone who is doing a lot of skinning or climbing where weight matters. For resort skiers where an extra pound in the jacket doesn’t make much difference, it is good.

Power button location

The control button is my one big complaint about this jacket. It’s located on the upper chest region of the jacket. You can’t see it while wearing ski goggles. It needs to be a few inches lower. To look at what setting it is on, I have to take my gloves off so I can grab the button and pull it up and away enough to get it into view.

Conclusion

The Venustas 3L Heated Ski Jacket is a well-rounded option for skiers seeking added warmth and functionality. Its waterproofing, RECCO transceiver, and battery-powered heating system make it a compelling choice for cold conditions and safety-conscious skiers.

Best For:

• Skiers who frequent cold or windy environments and need extra warmth.
• People who find chairlift rides cold and would like some heat pads for the ride.
• Skiers who ski in a wet environment and need a coat with 3L waterproofing to stay dry.

Not Ideal For:

• Skiers who prioritize lightweight gear.
• Individuals looking for more colorful ski apparel

Overall, the Venustas 3L Heated Ski Jacket excels in its niche, offering warmth, safety, and practical features for those braving icy temperatures. While it has room for improvement in design and battery performance, it’s a solid investment for skiers who need reliable, all-day warmth.

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Use our discount code ERO15 to get 15% off at VenustasOfficial.com

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Ryan Craig
Chief Editor

I am a total gear nerd and love learning how things work and thinking about how they could be improved. Nothing excites me more than trying out new gear. I’d rather spend 3 hours taking my bike apart and learning how to change something than go to a bike shop. These days, I reside in Michigan by the Great Lakes and go skiing, biking, and boating as much as possible. Visit our About Us page and learn more.

ryan@greatlakesbikeskiboat.com