Milwaukee Tool has updated their line of M12 heated gear with three new-to-market products – a TOUGHSHELL vest, AXIS hooded heated jacket, and women’s heated hoodie – and have also made significant updates to existing styles.
Milwaukee M12 Heated Gear Updates
Let’s start by talking about the changes made to existing styles.
Most notably, Milwaukee has relocated the battery pocket from the garment’s rear, to a new, pass-through side pocket. This allows wearers to access or change the battery from either the front or back.
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Milwaukee describes this as a “total portfolio battery upgrade.”
The latest heated workwear products also feature improved heating elements, which Milwaukee says will heat up to three times faster than with previous versions.
Lastly, re-engineered materials provide even greater durability and longevity, along with slight design changes aimed at improving comfort and mobility.
The new gear is now available at Milwaukee tool dealers.
Here’s a quick rundown of the other new additions to Milwaukee’s 2022 line of heated gear:
Milwaukee M12 Heated AXIS Hooded Jackets & Vests
The AXIS line of jackets and vests received a significant redesign, with larger and easier-to-access front pockets that feature a button instead of a zipper closure, a hood, and the aforementioned pass-through battery pocket.
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Like its TOUGHSHELL cousin, the AXIS jacket features the same updated heating technology and re-engineered materials to increase durability.
Purchasing Options
Men’s Sizes: S – XXXL
Men’s Jacket Color Options: Black (205B), Gray (205G)
Men’s Jacket Pricing: $219 kit (add $10 for 3XL)
Men’s Vest Color Options: Black (305B), Blue (305BL)
Men’s Vest Pricing: $149 vest only (add $10 for 3XL)
Women’s Sizes: S – XXL
Women’s Jacket Color Options: Black (234B), Gray (234G)
Women’s Jacket Pricing: $199 kit
Women’s Vest Color Options: Black (334B)
Women’s Vest Pricing: $149 vest only
Milwaukee M12 Heated TOUGHSHELL Jackets & Vests
Long the anchor of Milwaukee’s heated gear line, the TOUGHSHELL jackets received updated heating elements, materials that Milwaukee claims to offer five times longer life and three times more stretch than previous generations, as well as the pass-through battery pocket.
New this year is a TOUGHSHELL vest, offering the same comfort, protection, and durability as the jackets but without the sleeves.
Purchasing Options
Sizes: S – XXXL
Jacket Color Options: Black (204B), Blue (204BL), Gray (204G), Red (204R)
Jacket Pricing: $169 jacket only; $199 kit (add $10 for 3XL)
Vest Color Option: Gray (304G)
Vest Pricing: $149 vest only (add $10 for 3XL)
Milwaukee M12 Heated Hooded Sweatshirts
Ladies, rejoice: Milwaukee heard your complaints and requests over the years and has finally added a women’s version of its popular heated sweatshirt while the men’s version gets an updated closer-to-the-body fit for more efficient heating and better mobility.
Like the TOUGHSHELL and AXIS offerings, the heated hoodies also get the new battery pocket.
Purchasing Options
Men’s Sizes: S – XXXL
Men’s Heated Hoodie Colors Options: Black (306B), Gray (306G), Green (306GN), Red (306R), High-Visibility Yellow (306HV)
Men’s Heated Hoodie Pricing: $129 hoodie only; $159 kit (Add $10 for 3XL)
Note: Men’s kits only available in black or gray.
Women’s Sizes: S – XXL
Women’s Heated Hoodie Color Options: Black (336B), Blue (336BL), Gray (336G)
Women’s Heated Hoodie Pricing: $159 kit
Discussion
Whether you’re watching a high school football or soccer game from the sidelines, taking the dog out for a walk, or just getting around town, nothing has made the long Wisconsin winters more bearable for me than Milwaukee’s heated gear.
My collection currently consists of a TOUGHSHELL jacket, AXIS jacket and vest, an older red hooded sweatshirt, and the original heated ripstop vest. While I honestly love all of those garments, accessing the battery has been a pain, both figuratively and literally.
So, it goes without saying that the updated battery pouch is more than enough to make me consider investing the money to update or maybe replace my current collection.
I’m also a big fan of the redesigned AXIS jacket, from both a design and color standpoint, as well as the addition of a hood. The TOUGHSHELL vest is likely to replace my AXIS vest, which I currently reach for every time I walk out the door for work.
Lastly, I can’t even begin to count how many times I’ve heard from significant others or female friends that they love the heated sweatshirts but wish they were offered in a women’s cut. It seems like a long-overdue but nonetheless great addition that should do terrific from a sales perspective.
Where to Buy the Latest Milwaukee Heated Gear
Milwaukee dealers should now have the new M12 heated jackets, vests, and hoodies in stock.
aaron+s
The battery replacement on the access women’s vest was also just absolutely atrocious. I really enjoy heated gear, my wife is always cold, but just doesn’t enjoy the battery pack pressed up against her kidney and lower rib cage. The men’s access has the battery a little lower and position in a way that manages to be out of the way for most chairs and vehicles but the women’s was just a stark disappointment. If the new gear improves on it maybe I can get her to check it out again.
Jason McDaniels
“ Most notably, Milwaukee has relocated the battery pocket from the garment’s rear, to a new, pass-through side pocket. This allows wearers to access or change the battery from either the front or back.”
The hoodies look great, the Axis looked exponentially more stylish before IMO. Would be nice if they made a standard “puffer” style jacket. I get the job site whatever but I just want to be warm at a football game and not look like I came from the shop
Kent+Hanson
I’ve found from having some of the jackets or hoodies from multiple generations that its most important to have base layer heated rather than a big jacket. I live in the Canadian prairies and it’s currently -19c or -2f and I’m wearing a m12 hoodie and a Columbia shell and I’m so warm. The first generation had a hi-vis heated jacket and I got that for working on commercial job sites and I could barely feel any difference except when driving and the heating element was pressed closer to the skin, the following generation I got the hoodie and it actually warmed me up.
Robert
A simple 3′ DC extension cable will allow her to put it anywhere she wants, even a handbag. I use an 18″ one that came with some electronics to move it to the front pocket on my old hoodie.
Lance
That’s a great idea!
Chip
I have 2# Gen1 hoodies (since 2013 ish) withe rear uncomfortable battery locations, as well as side battery in coat and hoodie on a newer style.
Unfortunately all 5 of the battery holders have failed.
TomD
I got some lithium ion packs that laid flat but the new battery positions look to be a winner
If you’re a bit crazy you can use the m18 power adapter thing with these. Perhaps with an extension and a 12 AH for deer hunting.
You need 49-24-2371 not the 120v one.
fred
I bought a 49-24-2371 when it first came out – so maybe Milwaukee has tweaked it to correct the issues that I found. Strike1 – mine had a parasitic draw that drained the battery (had it on a 9Ah) just sitting in place – with no connected load. Then -(Strike 2) the second time I used it I had to attach and un-attach it multiple times to get it to work. I didn’t wait for strike 3 and returned it to Home Depot. Maybe mine was a fluke – but suggest that if you buy one – put it through its paces while you can still return it if necessary.
OhioHead
Quick question for you MKE heated gear fans, this year at Home Depot they offering a woman’s vest that looks very nice (material, good pocket layout, etc.) does MKE offer an exact men’s equivalent of this vest (if yes, what is model #)?
TomD
It might be here: https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Work-Gear/Vests but I’m not sure which one you saw.
Lance
Just sold my M12 toughshell, last year’s model I think. M12 heated gear fits funny. Too much room in the midsection and the arms are too short.
Does Milwaukee think all of their customers are fat?
Agree with previous poster, a heated base/mid layer is far more effective than a heated top layer.
Mitherial
Can someone explain to me what the difference is between the Milwaukee’s “Axis” and “Toughshell” lines? Fit? Style? Fabric weight or durability? “Toughshell” sounds more durable, but they are claiming increased durability with the Axis line too.
Joellikestools
Axis has a hood designed to go under a hard hat. Toughshell does not have a hood. If I remember the heating elements are in different spots as well.
Lance
Toughshell has a thicker, heavier and less flexible exterior. My gen2 (I think) Axis jacket is much lighter and more flexible. In fact, I wear an Axis vest under the Axis jacket and find that combo both warmer, lighter and less restrictive than wearing a Toughshell jacket.
The newest Axis jacket offers a hooded option, but is getting heavier with added pockets and other frills. I hope they don’t ruin it.
AlexK
I bought the original vest. Was a little too large for me, zipped up only to a v-neck and the battery was uncomfortable when driving. With a base layer of a light wool blend, the vest and a shirt jac, I was comfortable in temps down to 30f. I loved that set up. But love is funny. The first time you’re in love is nothing compared to true love. That’s how I feel about my new Axis heated vest. Sure, I still have feelings for my first heated vest- how it laughed at the jagged wood at the sawmill that would catch and try to tear the fabric, to no avail. How it could shake off sawdust, from the largest to the finest powder, and still look clean. Oh, and the joy of standing in line anywhere, and showing off the red, white and blue glowing heat settings. But things change. The first time I saw the Axis, was on a kitchen cabinet installation. Too busy working to take a close look, but I thought – my vest could kick that vest’s butt. One protruding nail and it will be walking around with a duct tape bandage. Sure, it looked good, and the zipper to the neck is better than having to use a bandana to keep my neck warm, but it looks like it would feel at home at an outdoor ballgame, not watching a two inch thick eighteen foot pin oak come barreling down the rollers. It would cringe at the almost urine like scent of the wood, and run screaming at the thought of the board pressed against its soft fabric, being carried to the flatbed. The “tough as crocodile” fabric of the original vest, would brush itself off and say, “what’s next”? Cherry? Black Walnut? Who cares, I can handle it all. But…… I had a weak moment. It turns out that my union rewarded me for my weekly (and weakly) pay off, by getting me a budget for boots and work clothes. Sure, I was tough…..at first. Get me some Red Wings and a high visibility arctic Carhartt. Nothing to think about. Got to Montano”s for the Red Wings, and walked out with Lowas hiking boots. What the hell? Could I be seduced so easily by my tootsies being encased in what has to a mixture of clouds and angel wings? Feeling like less of a man, I just went to Williams lumber and got the Axis vest, while my original vest wept manly tears, the kind of tears when a beautiful relationship is ending. It should have known better. Its creators always come up with a younger, better generation.
So, my new vest and I are very happy. We went for a drive the other night. Just a long sleeve base layer and the vest. The battery, happy in its choice of front pocket, not being strangled by a seat belt, and the vest, zipped up to my neck, but not even powered on, keeping me warm and happy, even though the temp was 34f. Being a size smaller than the original vest was a good choice. It’s warm without the battery, and very warm with it on.
Don’t know if it will handle rough work, but warmth wise, it is much better than the original.
Andrew
Hey Andrew. I have just bought an M12 toughshell jacket, it is still in the box. How can I tell if it’s the new model? Thanks
patrick kelly
I’ve had a m12 Hoodie since 2015 and love it still! It’s beat but I have a nice windbreaker style lined track jacket I layer over the Hoodie and that’s the combo!
I also took a slim 20v powestack with Dewalt adapter and now that think cooks…
Yes the battery placent isn’t ideal but that jacket has kept my ass warm for 6 or 7 years so it’s payed for itself.
Dirk Mudge
Anyone know how to make or find an adapter that accommodates the new 2 prong wire on the Milwaukee heated gear such that you can connect to the 18v battery for longer run time? The longest I get is about 2-3 hrs. WAY too little.
They make an adapter for the 18v mke batteries with a female receptacle for the single post wire on OLDER mke heated jackets, but nothing for the new 2 prong wires on new jackets.
Jeremiah McKenna
Just because I placed a heated jacket in my HD.com shopping cart, I het this article. Now, don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love this site and the indepth writing, and to tell you the truth, this article is way more informative than either HD or Milwaukee.com when it comes to these pieces.
Unfortunately, none of the HDs or Northern Tool have these in stock to try on for fitment.