Working outside in winter usually means one of two things: freezing or piling on so many layers that moving becomes a job in itself. Milwaukee has been tackling that problem with heated workwear for years, and HEXON Heat Technology is the latest evolution of the system.
Milwaukee HEXON is designed to deliver faster, more evenly distributed heat while keeping heated jackets and gilets practical enough to actually work in. The latest garments combine improved heating technology with updated insulation, materials and new power options.
So, what exactly is Milwaukee HEXON, how does it work, and what has changed from previous Milwaukee heated gear?
What Is Milwaukee HEXON Heat Technology?
Milwaukee HEXON Heat Technology is an advanced heating system built into Milwaukee’s latest generation of heated workwear.
It uses specially designed heating elements positioned throughout the garment to provide warmth across key areas of the body. Rather than simply creating a few isolated hot spots, HEXON is designed to distribute heat across a greater area while maintaining the freedom of movement needed for working on site.
Milwaukee states that the latest HEXON heated gear can reach maximum heat in under two minutes and provides 40 times more heat coverage within the same footprint as its previous heating design.
It also uses custom heater placement to improve heat retention and comfort, while Milwaukee says the technology can adapt to its environment to provide effective heat as conditions and battery charge change.
On current ITS HEXON products, Milwaukee uses carbon-based heating technology to spread warmth through the garment without relying on thick insulation alone. The result is active warmth that can be worn as part of a normal site layering system rather than a huge winter coat that gets in the way.
How Does Milwaukee HEXON Work?
There are a few different parts to the HEXON system that work together to keep the wearer warm.
Rapid Heat-Up
One of the biggest improvements is how quickly the clothing gets warm.
Milwaukee states that HEXON heated gear can reach its maximum heat in under two minutes. That can make a noticeable difference when you’re getting out of the van first thing in the morning or starting work in an unheated building.
Instead of waiting for layers to trap enough body heat, the garment actively starts producing warmth.
Greater Heat Coverage
HEXON is also designed to spread that warmth across more of the body.
Milwaukee describes the technology as offering 40 times more heat coverage within the same footprint, using custom heater placement to increase the area receiving useful warmth.
Current HEXON workwear uses heating elements across key body zones, helping maintain core warmth without making the garment excessively bulky.
Adjustable Heating
The point isn’t to run the garment flat-out all day.
Being able to change the heat output means you can reduce the temperature when you’re moving around and increase it when you’re standing still or working somewhere particularly exposed.
That makes heated workwear particularly useful for jobs where your activity level changes throughout the day, such as maintenance, first fix, site inspections, plumbing and heating work.
What Milwaukee Heated Clothing Uses HEXON?
HEXON is being introduced across Milwaukee’s next generation of heated jackets and vests, including TOUGHSHELL, AXIS and other heated workwear options.
The heating technology is only part of the upgrade. Milwaukee has also changed the construction of the garments themselves.
Milwaukee TOUGHSHELL
The latest TOUGHSHELL heated jackets are built for tougher working environments.
Milwaukee states that the updated jackets provide three times more insulation and use bonded fabric, triple-stitched seams and wind and water-resistant materials.
Adjustable cuffs and waist sections also help retain warmth once the jacket is heated.
Milwaukee AXIS
AXIS jackets and vests provide a lighter option for users who want warmth without as much bulk.
Milwaukee states that the latest AXIS garments provide twice as much insulation, with ripstop fabric designed to help prevent tears from spreading.
Their lighter construction can make them particularly useful when working with your arms constantly moving, or when the heated garment is being worn underneath another layer.
ITS also stocks HEXON heated puffer vests designed around this type of use, providing core heating without sleeves restricting movement.
Jacket Or Gilet: Which HEXON Style Should You Choose?
The best option depends just as much on how you work as the conditions you’re working in.
A full heated jacket makes more sense if you’re spending long periods outside on exposed sites, roofing, steelwork or other jobs where you want additional coverage around the arms as well as your core.
A heated gilet or vest is a better option if movement is the priority. For plumbing, electrical work, maintenance, driving and overhead fixing, keeping the core warm without adding another layer around the arms can be much more comfortable.
Gilets also work particularly well as part of a layered setup. They can sit underneath a waterproof or outer site jacket, giving you active warmth without doubling up thick sleeves.
HEXON isn’t intended to replace proper wet-weather clothing. On wet or particularly exposed jobs, it makes more sense to use the heated garment as part of your overall layering system.
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How Is Milwaukee HEXON Powered?
Milwaukee HEXON heated gear can be powered in two ways, giving you the choice between Milwaukee’s standard M12 battery system and a dedicated heated gear power source.
HEXON garments can be powered using a standard Milwaukee M12 battery, making them particularly convenient if you’re already using M12 tools and have compatible batteries in your kit.
Alternatively, you can use the Milwaukee IRPSU3-0 Heated Gear Power Source. Its compact design provides a slimmer, less bulky alternative to carrying a standard M12 battery inside your jacket or gilet, helping maintain comfort and freedom of movement while working.
The IRPSU3-0 also unlocks one of HEXON’s biggest features: app control. When using the dedicated power source, compatible HEXON heated gear can connect to the Milwaukee Heated Gear App, giving you much greater control over how the garment heats.
Milwaukee HEXON App Control
For users wanting more control, compatible HEXON garments can also be paired with Milwaukee’s Heated Gear Power Source with App Control.
Using Bluetooth and the Milwaukee Heated Gear App, the system gives the wearer access to 10 different heat levels.
Individual heating zones can be controlled independently, so you can adjust where and how much heat is being produced rather than treating the entire garment as one heating area.
Settings can also be saved for different working conditions or activities.
Milwaukee states that its app-controlled 36W power source can provide up to 12 hours of runtime on Low and three hours on High with M12 heated gear.
Runtime will ultimately depend on the garment, power source and heat settings being used, so running maximum heat continuously will naturally use the available power more quickly.
Milwaukee HEXON vs Previous Milwaukee Heated Gear
HEXON isn’t Milwaukee abandoning its existing heated clothing idea and starting again. It’s the next development of it.
The key changes are centred around heating speed, coverage and control.
| Feature | HEXON Heated Gear | Previous Milwaukee Heated Gear |
|---|---|---|
| Heat-Up | Maximum heat in under 2 minutes | Previous Quick Heat system |
| Heat Coverage | 40x more coverage within the same footprint | Traditional heating zones |
| Heating | Custom heater placement | Previous carbon fibre heating layout |
| Heat Control | Up to 10 levels with compatible app control | Typically 3 selectable heat levels |
| Power Options | M12 and compact HEXON power options | Primarily M12 battery powered |
Older Milwaukee heated jackets already offered carbon fibre heating and selectable heat levels, so the important thing about HEXON isn’t simply that the clothing gets hot. The bigger difference is how quickly that heat arrives, how widely it is distributed and how much control the wearer can have over it.
Who Is Milwaukee HEXON For?
HEXON makes the most sense for anyone spending a significant amount of time working in cold or unheated environments.
That could include roofers and steel erectors working on exposed sites, electricians carrying out first fix before a building has heating, plumbers working in lofts and plant rooms, or maintenance engineers moving between warm and cold locations throughout the day.
It’s also useful for site managers, surveyors and other trades who may spend periods standing still. If you’re moving constantly, your body is already producing plenty of heat. It’s often those slower periods when the cold really starts to bite.
For active work where arm movement is important, a heated gilet may be the better choice. For prolonged outdoor exposure, the additional coverage of a heated jacket is likely to make more sense.
Can Milwaukee HEXON Heated Gear Be Washed?
Yes, Milwaukee HEXON heated gear can be washed, but because the garments contain integrated heating elements, it’s important to follow the correct care instructions.
Before washing, always remove the battery and battery holder from the garment. Milwaukee recommends hand washing its M12 HEXON Heated Hoodie and advises against wringing or twisting the garment, as this could potentially damage the internal components.
Once clean, the garment can be tumble dried at a maximum temperature of 60°C. It should not be ironed or bleached.
For the HEXON Heated Hoodie, Milwaukee’s care instructions are:
- Hand wash
- Remove the battery and battery holder before washing
- Do not wring or twist
- Tumble drying is permitted at a maximum of 60°C
- Do not iron
- Do not bleach
As care requirements may vary between HEXON jackets, hoodies and gilets, always check the care label or instructions supplied with your particular garment before washing it.
Frequently asked questions
What is Milwaukee HEXON?
Milwaukee HEXON Heat Technology is the latest heating technology used within selected Milwaukee heated workwear. It is designed to provide faster heat-up, greater heat coverage and improved control.
How quickly does Milwaukee HEXON heat up?
Milwaukee states that HEXON heated gear can reach maximum heat in under two minutes.
Does Milwaukee HEXON work with M12 batteries?
Yes. Milwaukee HEXON heated gear can be powered using a standard Milwaukee M12 battery. Compatible garments can also use Milwaukee’s dedicated Heated Gear Power Source, which provides a more compact power option and enables control through the Milwaukee Heated Gear App.
Can Milwaukee HEXON be controlled with a phone?
Compatible HEXON garments can be paired with Milwaukee’s Heated Gear Power Source with App Control, allowing heat settings and individual heat zones to be adjusted using the Milwaukee Heated Gear App.
Is Milwaukee HEXON waterproof?
Individual garments vary. Milwaukee uses wind and water-resistant materials on several of its heated jackets and vests, but this should not automatically be taken to mean every HEXON garment is fully waterproof. Check the specification of the individual product and use a suitable waterproof outer layer when required.
Final Thoughts
Milwaukee HEXON takes the basic idea behind heated workwear and develops it further.
Rather than simply adding more heat, Milwaukee has focused on getting that heat to the wearer faster, distributing it across a greater area and providing more control over how the garment operates.
Combined with updated jackets and gilets, improved insulation and more compact power options, HEXON gives tradespeople another way to deal with cold jobs without relying entirely on bulky winter layers.
For anyone regularly facing freezing starts, exposed sites or unheated buildings, that could make Milwaukee HEXON a very welcome upgrade when winter rolls around.
