I know I gave 4 stars instead of 5 but there's a very serious reason why. Maybe it's just a personal issue and you won't have a problem with the issue I took at all...
Before you read this review, take into consideration I own no less than 12 different apparel from Ororo. I live in NYC and started scouring the internet for heated clothes over 15 years ago. When Ororo launched, MANY heated apparel companies came up right behind it. I've researched every single one, all their products, and let me tell you: Ororo is number 1 in every category: Apparel, heat level, heat quality & location, battery duration and more. With a massive growing line of truly exceptional products, Ororo continues to dominate the market. When these leggings came out, I knew I needed to give them a shot.
Here's the deal - They're really nice, but they're tricky. Here are my pros and cons:
Cons:
- Battery location, unfortunately. As you can see in my pics, the battery bulges right on the front of your leg, offering an utterly unavoidable 2 inch by 3 inch brick buldge. I haven't yet met a woman that's like "Sure, add several inches to my leg on one side, who cares how that looks" and maybe that's you, god bless! But it's not me. Ororo if you're listening - I love that these are high waisted. In my pic I showed the backside and I'm wondering why the battery couldn't go in the back at the top? I wear a body mic when I'm on set and that's almost always the best hiding place for a battery pack to be hidden! It would be so easy to hide the battery wearing a sweater, hoodie, or even a regular blouse or tshirt!
- These aren't "pants", per se, they're high waisted yoga pants, which is different. In the dead of winter I wouldn't dream of wearing these by themselves without wearing jeans over them for true insulation. Unfortunately, the location of the battery makes it difficult to even wear baggy jeans over these.
Sidebar: In my experience with Ororo, most of the apparel works to it's greatest capacity when it's insulated. This is why the Ororo Vest is the number one Ororo item in my wardrobe- it's so easy to wear something (anything) over it and lock that heat in! The jackets don't need insulation, they're extra insulated. I'm talking about the smaller products that have the option to be covered!
It would be very difficult to insulate these pants and lock this heat in. Yes, they're warm! But the heat escapes if you wear these outside by themselves. It's nearly impossible to wear anything over them. If the battery were in the back at the top, I could easily wear slightly low waisted jeans over them and they'd be incredible. But for now, let's get to the pros these pants do have.
PROS:
- You can wear these at home with all the comfort in the world and who cares about the battery bulge in the front pocket.
- They're classic Ororo warm and you can insulate them wearing a small blanket over your lap and you'll be the warmest & snuggliest you've ever been. If you have furry babies, children, or even grown adults in your house they will all be flocking to where your sitting on the couch trying to sit on your extra warm lap.
- Here's the BEST SURPRISE PRO: I got these pants a few weeks ago when suffering from surreal PMS pain. Well guess what? These yoga-ish pants are thick, high waisted, well fitted and have built-in heat that goes right to your lady cramp areas. No amount of Tylenol or Ibuprofen can do what these pants can do for easing that PMS pain, so that was a very serious bonus. I would grant a thousand extra gold stars for this alone.
- If you're wearing a 7 foot tall alien costume on a very brisk halloween night, you can not only wear these heated bottoms to stay warm all night, but no one will see your battery bulge and the alien will completely insulate you and lock all that heat in gorgeously. I am wearing the heated leggings in this alien pic (I wore my ororo vest under this costume when I went out too! haha) and I stayed warm all night. I'd like to thank Ororo and the alien for not letting me freeze to death on halloween. ā¤ļø
Ororo, let's seriously consider the idea of putting the battery in the upper back so it's easily hideable. Or, design another pair where it's heated on the inside with a regular looking pair of pants on the "outside" that could cover the battery location anywhere on the body AND insulate the leggings at the same time. Yes - a straight pant OVER these baselayer leggings. Just a thought, but I'm ready to be on the board of Ororo designers at any time. Until then, keep up the great work!! š
"I am a BIG fan of being warm and cozy; however, I live in upstate NY, so the weather is ALL over the place. I also have two active young boys and a dog, so I am constantly outside. I started my (literal) collection of heated apparel years ago with an ORORO winter jacket and have since added several vests, sweatshirts, and a seat cushion. I thought I had reached the pinnacle of toastiness. Then I got these baselayer bottoms. Game changer. Now both my upper AND lower halves are heated when it\u2019s freezing out and I need to sit through a sporting event, take the dog for a walk, wait for the school bus, attend an outdoor event\/function (like this past week\u2019s fun run and trunk-or-treat)\u2026 I have been wearing them even more than I imagined I would. They fit comfortably under pants and jeans (see photos), but I really can\u2019t wait to wear them under my snowpants this winter! They fit true to size and feel just like wearing regular leggings with the added benefit of extra warmth (in three settings, like other Ororo products). The battery stores in a convenient little side pocket and does not feel super bulky or obtrusive. I also really like that the cord is braided for longevity\/durability. If you\u2019re someone who enjoys being (or someone who has to be) outside during cool or cold weather, I HIGHLY recommend these base layer pants--they do not disappoint."
"I am a BIG fan of being warm and cozy; however, I live in upstate NY, so the weather is ALL over the place. I also have two active young boys and a dog, so I am constantly outside. I started my (literal) collection of heated apparel years ago with an ORORO winter jacket and have since added several vests, sweatshirts, and a seat cushion. I thought I had reached the pinnacle of toastiness. Then I got these baselayer bottoms. Game changer. Now both my upper AND lower halves are heated when it\u2019s freezing out and I need to sit through a sporting event, take the dog for a walk, wait for the school bus, attend an outdoor event\/function (like this past week\u2019s fun run and trunk-or-treat)\u2026 I have been wearing them even more than I imagined I would. They fit comfortably under pants and jeans (see photos), but I really can\u2019t wait to wear them under my snowpants this winter! They fit true to size and feel just like wearing regular leggings with the added benefit of extra warmth (in three settings, like other Ororo products). The battery stores in a convenient little side pocket and does not feel super bulky or obtrusive. I also really like that the cord is braided for longevity\/durability. If you\u2019re someone who enjoys being (or someone who has to be) outside during cool or cold weather, I HIGHLY recommend these base layer pants--they do not disappoint."
"Thanks Ororo for mastering yet another wonderful product\r\n\r\nI absolutely love the new Ororo Toasty Unisex 5-Zone Heated Pullover Hoodie\r\nThe quality of this pull over hoodie is exceptional. It is so soft and comfortable and surprisingly lightweight. The outside of this hoodie was perfect when I was off exploring and taking pictures in the nice fall weather on the west coast, it kept me completely warm and dry. All 5 zones heat quickly, loving that the kangaroo pocket heats too, and cool slowly so that you don\u2019t notice the temperature drop. The battery lasted 5+ hours and was used consistently for 5+ hours outdoors. This has been my new daily go to hoodie both indoors and outdoors. \r\nAs for Ororo support, I am grateful that they are so patient and friendly, I really needed the help. \r\nThank you!\r\n\r\nCandice\r\nI'm 5'6 & 130lbs wearing a medium "
"Thanks Ororo for mastering yet another wonderful product\r\n\r\nI absolutely love the new Ororo Toasty Unisex 5-Zone Heated Pullover Hoodie\r\nThe quality of this pull over hoodie is exceptional. It is so soft and comfortable and surprisingly lightweight. The outside of this hoodie was perfect when I was off exploring and taking pictures in the nice fall weather on the west coast, it kept me completely warm and dry. All 5 zones heat quickly, loving that the kangaroo pocket heats too, and cool slowly so that you don\u2019t notice the temperature drop. The battery lasted 5+ hours and was used consistently for 5+ hours outdoors. This has been my new daily go to hoodie both indoors and outdoors. \r\nAs for Ororo support, I am grateful that they are so patient and friendly, I really needed the help. \r\nThank you!\r\n\r\nCandice\r\nI'm 5'6 & 130lbs wearing a medium "
