Aerostich Electric Warmbib

On a three week camping ride through the northwest, I rode through and camped at Lava Beds National Monument in far northern California, near the Oregon border, last week October 3 and it was snowing then it stopped and temperatures plunged below 30 and I was so very warm. I had compromised and wore an Olympus mesh jumpsuit with bicycle water proofs under neath. The vest made the difference between a bone chilling ride and one of comfort and joy. I don't hang with motorcyclist cause their usually a kinda weird bunch, present company excepted of course, but on several occasions I bragged to riders I met that I was riding with the breeze flowing through my lightweight mesh suit AND heat waves emanating from chest. PS the airflow is sufficient around the back to obviate a full wrap around vest. Get one for your whole family...

It took me 61 years to buy my first electric vest. Something about "new fangled contraptions" and "losing my macho" kept me from joining the 20th Century until we were into the 21st Century. Early in 2008, I bought an Aerostich Kanetsu Airvantage electric vest and wore it for several months, extending my fall comfort range right up until ice began to stick to the streets. In 2009, I discovered another warm electric product, the Kanetsu Electric Warmbib. At $67, even a cheapskate can justify mobile electric heat. Like all things Aerostich, the construction quality of the Warmbib is exceptional. Mr. Goldfine wants me to say that my test product was "1st generation" and that the current version is improved. I haven't seen the improvements, but my bib is terrific.

My only complaint about the Airvantage is that it's fairly bulky. I'm either committed to wearing it or it stays at home. I was too cheap to buy the sleeves for the Airvantage, so that's a problem, too. The biggest reason I wanted to test this product was because I hoped it would fit under my Darien liner and that the self-packing feature would allow me to stuff the bib into my tank bag. Both assumptions were accurate.

For example, on a moderately cool March weekend, I decided to make a run across town for some computer gear. I tossed my Darien over whatever I'd been wearing around the house and hit the road. About two miles from home, I realized 45F on the bike was a lot colder than 45F in the sun in my backyard. I stopped, pulled the Warmbib from my tankbag, strapped it on (without having to remove my jacket, helmet, or gloves), plugged in, and hit the road in near-instant comfort. With only the Warmbib and my liner-less Darien gear, I was polar bear toasty for the rest of the trip.

The Warmbib is held in place only with a hook-and-loop patch that is the end of the stretch fleece collar. You just pull it around your neck and push the collar on to the hook patch and you're set. The Warmbib uses the usual Aerostich wiring gear, including a lighted switch or not, and I simply plugged mine into the wiring I installed for the Airvantage. The the slick Gore-tex® Windstopper® material on the front allows the bib to slip under your jacket while the fleece at the back of the bib does a fine job of holding the bib in place. Compared to typical heated vests, the Warmbib's 2.5A, 30W consumption is 66-250% less demanding on your bike's electrical system. That's worth considering for dual purpose or scooter applications. In fact, I installed wiring for the Warmbib on my Kawasaki KL250; a bike that has a limited electrical system capacity.

I was worried that I'd really miss the heat my Airvantage applies to my back, especially on below freezing days, but that hasn't been much of a sacrifice. In use, the Warmbib might even be a diet device. I'm not kidding. The bib heats your chest and stomach, but the heat on my gut isn't much different from the warm afterglow of a big meal. As a daily commuter accessory, the Warmbib does the job effectively. I include mine on any spring or fall ride that has the slightest chance of turning cold. Now that cold weather is upon us, it's back in my luggage and I'm ready for winter.

I have a Kanetsu fleece vest with sleeves; I love it when I use it; I hate it when I pack it. This is the best $70 I've ever spent, period. I have it when I need it & it works. Cold mornings, returning after dark, rain, mountains etc. Surprisingly effective. I have a thermostat from the vest but mostly I just wear this closer to the skin when it gets colder & over a sweater when it's warmer. Made in America & I'm a Canadian & that's important to me. For the price of a meal for two at a moderate restaurant or a night in a moderate motel, you can be comfortable & keep your mind on the road, not on how uncomfortable you are. Buy it!!

I ordered the warmbib last week Sunday night and it arrived on my doorstep on Thursday afternoon. I packed it in my saddlebag and rode to work on Friday night. On Saturday morning I left work at 6am and it was 4C or 39F. I plugged my bib in, crossed my fingers and rode home. Man I was glad that I packed it as it did a great job of keeping my warm all the way home.
The bib is a keeper. I have an electric liner and had thought that the bib would be a great backup if I had a pillion who got cold. No I am thinking that I might not share at all- lol.

I wear Gerbing liner, gloves and socks for serious cold weather riding. They have worked well for me, but pack large. The Aerostich bib is small, easy to pack and simple to use. It heats the torso nicely and makes 20-40 degree Fahrenheit days more comfortable. If you're riding on the cooler side of 35 degrees without hand guards, all the leather in the world won't change things. So the bib is a great addition to "cold" riding in the southern states and is also a smile producing item on those unexpectedly cold spring/summer/fall evenings when you didn't pack any serious clothing and need to stay toasty without a lot of bulk. I keep it in the sidecase of my FJR year-round now, because I live farther south but still enjoy being comfortable in the other three seasons. Can't beat it for the bucks. bl

Used in the 20's to the 50's now. Useful plugged or unplugged. Stores very small. I will carry this on long trips in the summer. I did have to stop and buy a newspaper once this summer. I'll never freeze again even in my summer gear or winter for that matter. Yayyy WarmBib.