Milwaukee Tool now lists a new heated clothing trio on its Canadian and US sites: the M12 heated shirt jacket, a heated merino wool crew neck baselayer and heated merino wool baselayer pants. All three use the company’s HEXON heat technology, and the pitch is simple: put the heat next to your body, then add or remove outer layers as the job changes.

What Milwaukee lists

The crew neck baselayer (model M500B-21S) has two heat zones, one on the chest and one on the back. The pants (M600B-21S) heat the thighs and the seat. Both are made from 60% merino wool and 40% polyester, are listed as washer and dryer safe, and work with the Heated Gear app.

Each baselayer kit includes a Heated Gear 2.5AH battery with app control and a USB-C cable. Milwaukee also says they run on the Heated Gear Power Source and on all M12 batteries, so crews already on the M12 platform have a way to share packs.

The shirt jacket (M103U-212X in navy) is a different build. It is 100% polyester with a wind and water resistant DWR finish, two heat zones on the hand pockets and core and on the back, six pockets and adjustable snap cuffs sized for gloves. Its kit comes with an M12 REDLITHIUM CP2.0 battery, an M12 charger and a battery holder. Milwaukee describes it as a three season layer.

Heated merino baselayer worn under work pants on a winter jobsite
Photo: Milwaukee Tool

Runtime on the maker’s figures

Milwaukee gives the same runtime figures for the baselayers with the 2.5AH battery, and for the jacket with the CP2.0 battery: 8 hours on low, 4 hours on medium and 2 hours on high.

Heated baselayer runtime bars for high, medium and low settings

Runtime by heat setting, as listed by Milwaukee: high 2 hours, medium 4 hours, low 8 hours.

These are the maker’s numbers, not independent test results. Trade publications that covered the launch, including Aviation Pros and ForConstructionPros, repeated Milwaukee’s description and also reported up to eight hours of runtime. None of the sources we read gave a price or a Canadian or US release date, and the Canadian product pages send readers to a Where To Buy page instead of listing a price in Canadian dollars.

M12 heated shirt jacket with its heat zones lit
Photo: Milwaukee Tool

Who it suits

  • Tradespeople working outdoors all winter: the baselayers are the thin layer under a work jacket. Check that the pass-through pocket and cable placement work with your harness or tool belt.
  • Crews already on M12: the jacket and baselayers accept M12 batteries, so existing packs can do double duty. Remember that heat draws from the same pack you may need for tools.
  • First time buyers: the baselayer kits include a battery and cable, while the jacket kit includes a battery and charger. Compare what is in the box before you add accessories.
  • Homeowners and DIYers: shovelling, garage projects and weekend work are the realistic use. Low is the setting that gets the longest runtime, so expect shorter days on high.
  • Fleet or crew buyers: the sizing runs from S to 3X on the sources we read, and Milwaukee says to size up for a relaxed fit. Confirm sizes and stock with a Canadian retailer before ordering for a team.

For now the practical step is to look at the official pages and a local retailer, compare the kit contents and wait for a Canadian price.