Carhartt has built its reputation on outerwear that can handle punishment — canvas duck jackets, insulated bibs, and heavy-duty coats designed for people who clock long hours outdoors regardless of the forecast.
But one of the brand’s most technologically sophisticated layers takes a decidedly different approach to staying warm.
The Carhartt X-1 Smart Heated Vest doesn’t rely on traditional insulation alone — it uses an AI-powered heating system that actively responds to your body and the environment in real time.
We know that firsthand — our own Hayley Helms put the vest through its paces back in 2023 and came away impressed.
And right now, it’s on sale.
Beyond canvas and insulation
The X-1 is built around Clim8 Intelligent Thermal Technology, a system developed by French wearable tech company Clim8 that treats heating less like a dial you adjust and more like a thermostat that manages itself.
The vest houses three heating elements — two across the front chest and one along the back — driven by a 7.4V 3000 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery. A control module with an indicator light lets you tap through settings manually, but the real draw is the smart functionality underneath it all.
Using the companion Clim8 app, paired to the vest over Bluetooth, wearers can set a target temperature and choose from different activity profiles. From there, the vest takes over, automatically modulating the heat output across all three zones based on body temperature, activity level, and ambient conditions.
The shell is constructed from 100% Cordura Nylon, and the closer-to-body fit is designed to maximize heating efficiency while still allowing it to layer comfortably under a heavier outer shell. Two exterior zip pockets and a right-side stow pocket for the battery round out the functional details.
