Weather notes
Choosing a heated scarf
Heated scarves look like ordinary scarves and warm the neck in seconds. The differences between them are style, width and how you plan to wear them.
Heat levels in plain numbers
Genovega heated scarves use three colour-coded settings:
- Blue, 95°F: a cold office or a car before the heater kicks in
- White, 113°F: commuting and walking
- Red, 131°F: standing still outside in wind
The controller holds the chosen temperature steadily until you change it.
Which style?
A knit or plaid scarf suits everyday coats; faux fur is softest and dressiest; a wide 71 by 13 inch shawl doubles as a heated wrap for the shoulders; a scarf with hand pockets keeps fingers warm too. Men's knit styles are longer and plainer.
Battery, charging and runtime
Every scarf comes with a 6000mAh rechargeable lithium-ion power bank in a zip pocket. It runs the scarf for up to eight hours on low, around six on medium and four to five on high. Charge it over USB the night before; a full charge takes a few hours.
- Press and hold the button for three seconds to start
- Press once to switch between low, medium and high
- Keep the battery in the pocket, close to the body, in extreme cold
The power bank also has a USB output, so it can top up a phone when the scarf is off.
Heated scarf, heated vest or heated fleece?
A heated vest or a heated fleece jacket warms the body's core through several heating zones on the chest and back. A heated scarf is a single, focused zone at the neck. It is the lighter, cheaper and more portable option, and the easiest accessory to add to the coat you already own. If you feel the cold everywhere, pair a scarf with a Genovega heated jacket; if it is your neck and shoulders that suffer, the scarf alone delivers most of the comfort.
Women's, men's and unisex styles
Women's heated scarf designs include faux fur collars, plaid shawls and wide wraps with soft fabric and tassels; the men's style is a long plain knit. Most are unisex in size and colour. Look at the width: a 6-inch scarf tucks neatly into a coat collar, while a 13-inch shawl covers the shoulders like a warm wrap.
Flights and washing
Pack the battery in carry-on luggage when flying, as with any power bank. To wash, detach the battery, hand wash the scarf in cold water with mild detergent, press out the water without wringing and dry flat. Never put the heated section in a dryer.
