Staying Warm Without Sacrificing Stealth: My Journey With the TideWe SilenTrace Heated Jacket

A cold‑weather hunter’s dilemma

Anyone who spends a significant amount of time outdoors knows that the most taxing part of late‑season hunting isn’t finding game and instead, it’s staying warm enough to outlast it. Over the 15+ years I’ve hunted across the U.S. for everything from whitetail deer and spring turkeys to squirrels and Alaskan Muskox. I’ve hung from saddles in the bitter cold until my fingers were numb, sat on wind‑swept ridges in the Rocky Mountains, glassed bean fields from ground blinds in the Midwest and still‑hunted river bottoms on foot. The one common denominator across these environments isn’t deer movement or turkey gobbling but that bitter cold that seeps into your bones and cuts hunts short.

During the early years I dealt with the cold the same way most hunters do: layer upon layer of bulky clothing, hand warmers and thermoses of tea or coffee. While those methods work, they also make you feel like a Puffy Marshmallow Man and limit your mobility at the very moment you need to draw a bow or shoulder a rifle. Swinging on a squirrel when you’re bundled in four jackets is clumsy and unsafe, and standing up in a treestand with three layers of pants makes you feel like you’re in a straight jacket (plus dangerous.) Last year in partuclar, I remember having 2 separate sits on my saddle in 11 degrees or less and thinking to myself, "is there a better way?"

Modern technology eventually peaked my curiousity to heated clothing. Electric‑powered heated socks, gloves, and vests were a revelation, and they pushed me to research whether a full heated jacket could keep me comfortable without compromising stealth or adding bulk. One of my buddies started using heated gloves and spoke the world of them which made me give this consideration and even higher, more in depth look. After reading about the TideWe SilenTrace heated jacket (a two‑piece system designed specifically for hunters,) I decided to give it a try. What follows is a deep dive into what the SilenTrace is, how it’s designed and, most importantly, how it has performed for me on real world hunts.

What exactly is the TideWe SilenTrace heated jacket?

The SilenTrace is not just a single coat with wires sewn into it—it’s a thoughtfully engineered hunting system. I read an article that describes the jacket as a two‑piece heated camo system that combines warmth, stealth and scent control to help hunters stay longer and hunt smarter. In other words, it’s designed from the ground up for hunters who need to sit still for long periods in cold weather without alerting game.

The system consists of a soft base layer shirt and a durable outer shell. You can wear each piece individually or combine them for maximum insulation. The jacket uses TideWe’s so called Nano Carbon Heating System, a technology that integrates graphene and carbon‑nanotube heating elements into the garment. According to the company, the heating elements deliver far‑infrared warmth directly to the abdomen and back, and the system is controlled via a single button with three heat settings. The low (blue) setting provides extended battery life for all‑day sits, medium (white) offers balanced heat for active still‑hunting, and high (red) delivers instant warmth on frigid mornings. This targeted approach means the jacket warms your core exactly where you need it without overheating your arms or causing you to sweat. This was an important piece to me especially if I am hiking in for a longer period to a location and I don't want to sweat. Plus, I pondered which setting would be best and the length of time they would last on some of my sits. Would doing an all day sit from 6am to 5pm on the low setting keep me warm enough? Would I need 1 more battery pack to last the time on the medium sit because that is better?

A closer look at the heating technology

The jacket uses three strategically placed heating pads in the abdomen which are (in my opinion) closer to your chest and then under your rib cage. The pads are made from graphene and carbon nanotubes, materials capable of emitting far infrared rays that penetrate the skin and enhance blood circulation. Far‑infrared energy is the same type of gentle heat used in medical therapies to improve circulation, so it makes sense that warming your core with it feels different than the superficial heat from chemical hand warmers. The heating levels are adjustable and activated at the touch of a button which took a little getting used to with the battery pack. Turning on the battery pack is simple, just hit the button and attach the USB connection from the jacket. However, you need to hold the TideWe logo down for 3 seconds to get it to turn on the heat and it starts with the (red) high setting. You can also turn the heating off by holding the same logo button down for 3 seconds. To turn the battery pack off so it doesn't lose charge, you need to double click the battery button.

Many heated jackets include their own proprietary batteries. TideWe’s hunting line typically relies on a 10,000mAh battery pack, and the low setting should last you 10 hours. The cool part with this SilenTrace jacket is that the battery pack was not sold separately and came in the box with it. You also can use this battery pack as a charger for your phone or other electronics if you are in the field and need a boost.

Silent materials and scent control

Staying warm is only part of the battle; I need to remain unnoticed by game. One of the SilenTrace’s biggest selling points is its silent exterior which I have had with some parkas and not with others. I do believe it makes a difference, especially when it is super cold out and the fabric gets a little crunchy or when I am bowhunting because of the animals needing to be in such close quarters. The outer shell is made of whisper‑soft brushed fleece, a fabric that eliminates the noisy swishing that many jackets make. In addition to being quiet, the jacket uses Agion® Active XL antimicrobial technology to suppress odor and integrates NEXTG2 camo to blend into a variety of environments. Overall, I like the camo for bowhunting purposes but camo isn't my personal selling feature when it comes to these items. To each their own, as I say! These features ensure that not only will animals fail to hear me move, they’ll also be less likely to smell or see me which is a perk. I will take any extra perk when it comes to those deer and their great noses.

A modular, two‑piece design

The SilenTrace isn’t a bulky parka. It's designed as a two piece system consisting of a soft, flexible base layer and a durable, yet quiet outer shell. The base layer uses four‑needle, six‑thread stitching to provide full mobility, which I was very impressed with, while the outer shell features a detachable hood, a built‑in neck gaiter, adjustable cuffs and a drawstring hem so you can fine‑tune the fit. Pockets matter in the field, and the jacket delivers: there are five functional pockets, two utility D‑rings for clipping gear and a rear safety harness port that allows you to wear a tree‑stand harness. For tree‑stand hunters like I used to be, the harness port is a thoughtful touch that keeps the tether from dragging across your back. Not all jackets have this feature and I can't say I will never use a treestand again so this is a good add that will be useful down the road.

I tend to use a deodorizer in my clothing bag and then wash my jackets at the end of the season so I did like to see that the jacket is machine‑washable. I have not washed it yet but from seeing the material, I do have full belief it will wash well. This is a concern when it comes to heated products so that was a surprise to say the least since it has wiring components.

Breathability and durability

Warmth is worthless if you sweat through your clothes. TideWe does mention that their SilenTrace prioritizes breathability and durability. For the breathability aspect, I can say that it does have the right material to be breathable but it is a warm jacket so I wouldn't be walking miles in this bad boy. I would be in the initial layer and then once I get to my stand, blind, or tree that I will be seated upon, I would be throwing the jacket on to maintain my body heat. The outer jacket resists abrasion and is machine‑washable, while the baselayer’s stretch paneling and strong seams resist tearing. In my experience this matters: crawling on my hands and knees through cedar thickets or sitting in a muddy blind can quickly ruin fragile gear. Knowing that the jacket can handle abuse is a nice add.

Pros and cons from my use thus far.

No product is perfect, and I always like to be very transparent. Here are the Pros:

• Ultra‑quiet brushed fleece exterior for silent movement.

• The ability to change heat settings is a nice feature.

• It comes with a 10,000mAh battery.

• The scent suppression and camo is a nice touch for the whitetail hunter

• A modular 2‑piece design that adapts to temperature swings is smart.

• Built‑in safety features for treestand hunters, including a harness port is a benefit for sure.

• There is a built in neck gaiter that I really liked! It hooks into the inside of your jacket for when it is not in use and you can snap it out to put on. Super slick.
  

A few so called cons:

• The battery pack takes 3-4 hours to charge depending on your cables and the rate of charge speed you have. I would highly recommend purchasing a second battery bank.

• The jacket may be a little warm for some hunters. If you are hunting in 50 degree weather, this would be more of an insurance policy because it might not get cold enough for you to desire a heated technology.

• There is a slight learning curve to layering and operating the heat efficiently. I can see folks putting the base layer and jacket on and getting really sweaty so playing with the layering is a wise move.

• The colors of the settings are static so you will see the light on your jacket the entire time. I will be filling in my logo with black permanent marker or covering with tape so animals cannot see the blue or white colors on their temperature settings.
  

My field experience with the SilenTrace

I received my SilenTrace jacket in early November and immediately put it to work. Here in Michigan, our whitetail rut typically runs from late October into December. During the first week of owning the jacket I hunted 2 mornings in a row where the temperature ranged from 22 °F to about 30 °F, conditions that usually make me shiver before dawn. My typical routine involved walking for 20 minutes to my favorite location and either climbing into a saddle setup an hour before sunrise or sitting on the ground. I hung around until 11am waiting until those deer movement peaks were over.

Setup and first impressions

Out of the box, I could tell the two‑piece system was going to offer flexibility. The base layer feels like a heavy‑duty performance shirt which is soft, stretchy and quiet. The outer shell is heavier, with a fleece exterior and multiple pockets. I used the jacket with the 10,000 mAh 5‑volt battery that was in the box. Setting up the system was straightforward: run the USB cord from the inner pocket to the battery, secure the battery in the pocket and then press the TideWe logo button on the chest to cycle through low, medium and high. Reminder, you have to press down and hold that button down for 3 seconds to turn the heat on. Same as turning it off.

On my first morning, I started the walk in without any heat as I was worried about getting to warm. By the time I reached my tree—roughly a half‑mile uphill through frosty leaves—I was warm. Once settled in the saddle and waited 30 minutes, I turned the heat on medium. It took about a minute before I could tell that it was getting warmer around my ribs and pretty much the entirety of my torso. The far‑infrared warmth took the chill off without making me sweat, and I realized just how little clothing I was wearing. Instead of three insulating layers under a parka, I had an under armour T shirt, the SilenTrace base layer, and the outer shell. My arms remained free and I could easily draw my bow and clip into my tether without the any uncomfortable bulk.

Stealth, scent and comfort

One of my biggest concerns was noise. Many waterproof or insulated coats make that tell‑tale swish‑swish sound when I move, which is unacceptable at bow‑range. The SilenTrace’s brushed fleece exterior lived up to my expectations: I could turn my torso, raise my bow and reposition in the saddle without any audible noise.

As someone who pays close attention to scent control, I was curious about the Agion® Active XL treatment. While it’s hard to measure odor suppression objectively in the field, I can say that during these hunts I had the same small buck come through 4 times all around my tree and he never boogered out of there. At one point, he came through, looked up and me and then started eating without any concern. The wind was headed right to him, so maybe it worked?! Whether that was due to perfect wind direction, my regimen of ozone and scentless soap or the jacket’s antimicrobial treatment is debatable, but it certainly didn’t hurt.

Heat management and battery life

I alternated between high and medium heat settings depending on the wind and how long I’d been sitting. On the second morning where temperatures hovered around 19 °F, I used the high setting for the first hour, then switched to medium once the sun peeked over the horizon. After 3 hours my 10,000 mAh battery still had around 30 % capacity left, confirming that the jacket’s settings are efficient. I wanted to run the battery dry and then see how long it would take to get it fully recharged. Once it was down to 0% I stayed the rest of my sit in the evening, headed home, and put it on the charger. It took about 4 hours to charge it which isn't a problem when you have the evening to do so. However, I would highly recommend having a second one so you can swap them out and not have any concerns.

Mobility and fit

I was pleasantly surprised by how non‑bulky the jacket felt. The base layer is high quality and reminds me of some other base layers from Sitka and Cabelas that I have. Hell, it seems to be the exact same and the stitching is actually really nice so I can see why that is highlighted by the company. The outer shell was roomy enough for a wool sweater if I needed extra insulation. The built‑in neck gaiter eliminated the need for a separate balaclava, and the adjustable cuffs and drawstring hem kept cold air from creeping in. I could go without velcro but I am not sure what other option would be viable for a jacket like this. The detachable hood was handy for ground‑blind sits where I wanted maximum camouflage, but I removed it for saddle hunts to maintain better hearing.

Pockets and harness port

I appreciate gear that’s designed by hunters. The five pockets on the SilenTrace allowed me to stash a grunt call, wind checker, knife and phone without fumbling around in my pack. The D‑rings could be used for a rangefinder or a pair of gloves but I had a bino harness on so those were not needed at this time. The was not used but I do like having it there as an in case aspect for a treestand.

Additional applications and ideas

While my initial tests focused on whitetail deer, the SilenTrace’s versatility makes it suitable for a range of pursuits:

1. Turkey hunting: Early‑spring turkey seasons in Michigan often start with frost on the ground. A heated jacket can make pre‑dawn sits more tolerable without the need for loud outer layers. Because the SilenTrace is quiet and allows for a full draw, it would be ideal for archery turkey hunts where stealth is paramount.

2. Predator and small‑game hunts: Calling coyotes or foxes in winter requires long sits on the ground in open fields. Staying still and silent is critical. Similarly, squirrel hunting on cold mornings often involves lots of waiting. The SilenTrace’s heat system and silent fabric help you stay comfortable and ready to shoot.

3. Waterfowl and late‑season hunts: Although not designed for chest‑deep water like waders, the jacket could be layered under waterproof shells for duck or goose hunting. I plan to pair it with TideWe’s waders. Also, sitting out there on those cold days goose hunting on a farm waiting for them to fly over, this bad boy is perfect.

4. Ice fishing and other outdoor activities: The same features that benefit my core warmth, quiet fabric and odor control also make the jacket appealing for ice fishing, late‑season camping or watching outdoor sports so I definitely see other use cases for it.

   
   

Tips for getting the most out of a heated hunting jacket

After using heated jackets for several seasons, I’ve learned a few tricks to maximize their performance:

• Pre‑heat your core: Turn the jacket on high 10–15 minutes before you leave the truck (if you do not have a long walk.) Warming your torso before heading out helps maintain a comfortable body temperature longer. Once you start walking, switch to medium or off to avoid sweating.

• Layer smartly: Wear a thin moisture‑wicking base layer under the SilenTrace’s base shirt. Avoid heavy insulation between your skin and the heating elements because thick layers can block the heat. Add an optional thicker layer once you know how you'll feel from a few hours of use at particular settings.

• Manage batteries: Invest in at least 1 more 10,000 mAh capacity battery. Carry a spare on all‑day sits. Keep batteries in a warm pocket; cold batteries drain faster.

• Know when not to use heat: If you plan to hike long distances or still‑hunt aggressively, the SilenTrace may be too warm. In those conditions, you can wear the jacket without turning on the heating elements.

• Practice layering at home: There is a slight learning curve to combining the base layer and outer shell efficiently. Try different combinations in your yard before heading afield so you know which settings work for your body.

  
  

Price and overall value

As of my writing, the SilenTrace heated jacket retails for around $179.99 for the two‑piece set. That price fluctuates during sales, and for reference the MSRP was previously $399.99 before promotions. Batteries that are sold separately typically cost between around $40.

Given the jacket’s sophisticated heating technology, silent materials, scent‑control features and modular design, I believe the cost is reasonable. If you hunt only early‑season deer when temperatures remain above freezing, you probably don’t need this much technology. But for late‑season rut hunts, early spring or late fall turkey seasons or predator call sets in single‑digit windchills, the SilenTrace shines .

Where and how to buy

I'd recommend going straight to TideWe’s website as they often run promotions. If you’re interested in buying, I’ve partnered with TideWe to offer my readers, clients, and podcast listeners a discount. Use the code east2west at checkout to receive 16% off your order. I only recommend gear that I’ve personally tested and believe in. Feel free to reach out if you have questions about sizing or battery options.

Final thoughts

After testing the TideWe SilenTrace heated jacket in real hunting scenarios, I can confidently say it delivers on its promise of warmth without compromise. The Nano Carbon Heating System provides efficient, targeted warmth with adjustable settings, while the silent, scent‑suppressing fabric keeps you concealed. The two‑piece modular design allows you to adapt to changing weather, and the harness port, pockets and D‑rings show that the designers understand hunters’ needs.

Most importantly, the SilenTrace has kept me on stand longer and more comfortably than any other jacket I own. On those bone‑chilling 19 °F mornings, instead of thinking about the cold, I focused on the woods and the deer I was after. Staying warm isn’t just about comfort but it affects your confidence and your ability to make ethical, accurate shots. In my opinion, the SilenTrace is a winner, and I highly recommend it to anyone who hunts from a saddle, ground blind or treestand. If you’re a serious hunter who braves the cold to ambush mature bucks or wily gobblers, this jacket may become your new favorite piece of gear.