Anyone own a Heat Straps N1 deck jacket or Dehen 1920 N1?

[mattb1241]

Im looking to buy a super warm N1 deck jacket and these two look to be about the warmest out there? I particularly love the look of the Heat Straps N1 but am slightly concerned they've gone overboard with the weight of the outer material as it looks as stiff as a board. with every youtube video on it showing it stood up without any support. Does anyone own a HS N1 and could comment re comfort levels: does it soften up with use? Has anyone been able to compare it to the Dehen N1? Thank you

 

[Albe64]

I am a fresh owner of a Heat Straps Workhorse V5, mouton lined and with the 24oz waxed cotton on the outside (quite similar to their N1 but shorter).
It's the heaviest jacket I own by far (and I have a few beasts in my closet) but also one of the comfiest ever....the mouton lining in the pockets create an immediate addiction, it's simply something else. For sure the 24oz cotton needs time to get broken in, but the feeling is better than what I was thinking...and yes, it stays standing by itself if put on the ground.
It feels like a very cosy and comfortable armour, I could jump in the thick woods without fearing any damage...a very nice feeling.
Dehen has a 10oz outside so it's gonna be quite different, I guess.

 

[Bfd70]

Dehen is extremely warm. If it is not warm enough you shouldn’t be outside.

 

[Incandenza]

Can't comment on the Heat Straps but love my Dehen N1! I live in Montreal and have worn it in -25 temps (celsius) with no issues. Warm, comfortable and versatile
I was able to get mine used via another lounge member, but brand new they're pretty expensive as you probably know... something to keep in-mind.

 

[mattb1241]

Thank you for the replies. I think Id be very happy with either but you are 100% right Incandenza- I really should wait for one to come up in a sale or 2nd hand, lightly used

 

[canvas]

I am a fresh owner of a Heat Straps Workhorse V5, mouton lined and with the 24oz waxed cotton on the outside (quite similar to their N1 but shorter).
It's the heaviest jacket I own by far (and I have a few beasts in my closet) but also one of the comfiest ever....the mouton lining in the pockets create an immediate addiction, it's simply something else. For sure the 24oz cotton needs time to get broken in, but the feeling is better than what I was thinking...and yes, it stays standing by itself if put on the ground.
It feels like a very cosy and comfortable armour, I could jump in the thick woods without fearing any damage...a very nice feeling.
Dehen has a 10oz outside so it's gonna be quite different, I guess.

@Albe64 How long did it take for you to break in your N1? I have a HS N1, but didn't get enough mileage in to break it in. The thing that bugs me about the HS N1 is the shoulders - they have that thick shoulder pad look. Did your shoulders break in, or do they still have that boxy thick shoulder pad appearance?

 

[Albe64]

Good point... Mine is beginning to break after a full winter use, mostly on my scooter to go to work on a rainy day (best rainy day jacket ever btw).
So, the texture is beginning to show some mileage and the jacket is definitely less rigid, but still a beast.
The shoulders are still boxy but not that much, I guess that is a pattern issue and, of course, due also to the thickness of the mouton lining. Every time I wear it I grab the wrist and pull down, so to let the shoulders adapt to my body. I am sure that with time, and with the thinning of the mouton, it will get better

 

[canvas]

@mattb1241 I have both. You can't go wrong with either - both will keep you very warm, and are high quality. That being said, my preference is for the Dehen. The HS is too stiff with its heavier weight canvas, where as the Dehen is easier to break in. Additionally, the Dehen has a slimmer fit. If you ever look at the HS jackets, they tend to have exaggerated shoulders (as if you were wearing shoulder pads and this pattern extends across all products); so when you actually wear them, you have this unnatural T-shape silhouette. I think the "shoulder pad" look is a byproduct of the design pattern. I have Freenote Cloth RJ-1, which is similar to the HS deck jacket (heavy canvas and mouton lining) and it doesn't have the shoulder pad look; BTW, the RJ-1 is also more form-fitting as well.

The mouton on the Dehen looks more "refined" because it is combed.

The HS wins in the side pockets. HS lines their side pockets with mouton as well, whereas Dehen uses a felt / fleece like lining.

Make sure you look at the sizing charts - for the HS, I'm in a Large and for the Dehen, I am in **L.

 

[Lukken]

Im looking to buy a super warm N1 deck jacket and these two look to be about the warmest out there? I particularly love the look of the Heat Straps N1 but am slightly concerned they've gone overboard with the weight of the outer material as it looks as stiff as a board. with every youtube video on it showing it stood up without any support. Does anyone own a HS N1 and could comment re comfort levels: does it soften up with use? Has anyone been able to compare it to the Dehen N1? Thank you

I don’t own the Heat Straps N1 myself but I’ve handled one, and yeah, the outer fabric is seriously stiff at first. It’s kind of that “armor” feel straight out of the box, which is probably why you see it standing up on its own in videos. That said, it does start to break in with wear, just takes some time. The Dehen is still pretty hefty but a bit more wearable right away (less cardboardy if that makes sense). If you’re after max warmth either will get you there, but the Heat Straps feels more like a project jacket that’ll reward you after a season of wear, while the Dehen is easier to throw on from day one.

 

[Peacoat]

And be careful with the sizing on the Dehen. After looking at the sizing chart, I was still undecided. I sent Customer service an email asking for clarification. The answer I got back was, "Just go with your chest size according go the chart."

Well the chart said the p2p on the small was 43". My chest size is 42", so that would seem to fit. I have not, however, ever warn a Small anything. So, I rephrased my question, making it simpler and easier to understand.

My question, boiled down to its essence, was, "With a measured chest size of 42" what size jacket should I order." I thought that succinctly stated what I needed to know before I ordered. Evidently not.

The response I received was, "I have checked with our production department, and they tell me the chest sizes on the chart are accurate." Well, that answered a question I didn't ask.

So what if the p2p measurement is accurate? I knew the mouton was thick and would take up a considerable amount of room in the interior of the jacket. So, a small with a p2p of 43" wouldn't give me sufficient room in the chest for a comfortable fit. I probably wouldn't even be able to get it on. I also knew that further questions would lead to the same answer. I gave up on additional questions. I had received all I would get.

So, I ordered a large. Regular shipping was fast, and I had the jacket less than a week later. Tried it on. It fit. Probably enough room to comfortably layer a light sweater, certainly so after the mouton compressed a bit. But, honestly, with the thickness and warmth of the mouton, I knew layering wouldn't be necessary. I congratulated myself for ignoring the advice and going with my regular size.

Several days later, I happened to notice the size of the jacket: XL. Well, that was fortuitous. They made a mistake and sent me a size larger than I had ordered. Their mistake led to a perfect fit and obviated the necessity of my sending the size Large jacket back for an XL.

But was it a mistake? Or had someone actually read my questions, determined what size I needed and sent me that size? I'll never know.

But at this point it really isn't relevant. The Dehen is a quality jacket. Can't give a review of how it performs in cold weather yet. But based on the thickness of the mouton lining, I think it will perform very well.

 

[Peacoat]

I should have added, but neglected to do so, that the Dehen is a heavy jacket. At 5.45 lbs. it is 1/2 pound heavier than my size 42 peacoats. Most of the weight appears to be in the mouton lining.

I imagine the Heat Straps is much heavier because of the 20 oz. canvas shell, vs. 10 oz. shell for the Dehen. But I fail to see the need for a shell that heavy, unless the wearer spends a considerable amount of time fighting his way through briars and brambles. Then, the year long break in process might make sense.

I was looking more for warmth than toughness, and I think they are both about the same in warmth.

The HS seems to be waterproof, whereas the Dehen is not, at least not without an additional coating of wax. I have two waxed Barbour jackets that are waterproof. The surface of the Barbours has more wax than the surface of the Dehen. If I wanted to put the time in on it, I see no reason why an additional application of wax wouldn't bring the Dehen up to the level of the Barbour in terms of water shedding ability.

So, if spending a considerable amount of time wearing the jacket in the rain is in your future, the HS might make sense as it is waterproof right out of the gate.

 

[Albe64]

Yes, I can confirm that the HS is waterproof....I use it to commute home/office on my scooter in rainy winter here in Italy and it works amazingly

 

[Pbosse22]

And be careful with the sizing on the Dehen. After looking at the sizing chart, I was still undecided. I sent Customer service an email asking for clarification. The answer I got back was, "Just go with your chest size according go the chart."

Well the chart said the p2p on the small was 43". My chest size is 42", so that would seem to fit. I have not, however, ever warn a Small anything. So, I rephrased my question, making it simpler and easier to understand.

My question, boiled down to its essence, was, "With a measured chest size of 42" what size jacket should I order." I thought that succinctly stated what I needed to know before I ordered. Evidently not.

The response I received was, "I have checked with our production department, and they tell me the chest sizes on the chart are accurate." Well, that answered a question I didn't ask.

So what if the p2p measurement is accurate? I knew the mouton was thick and would take up a considerable amount of room in the interior of the jacket. So, a small with a p2p of 43" wouldn't give me sufficient room in the chest for a comfortable fit. I probably wouldn't even be able to get it on. I also knew that further questions would lead to the same answer. I gave up on additional questions. I had received all I would get.

So, I ordered a large. Regular shipping was fast, and I had the jacket less than a week later. Tried it on. It fit. Probably enough room to comfortably layer a light sweater, certainly so after the mouton compressed a bit. But, honestly, with the thickness and warmth of the mouton, I knew layering wouldn't be necessary. I congratulated myself for ignoring the advice and going with my regular size.

Several days later, I happened to notice the size of the jacket: XL. Well, that was fortuitous. They made a mistake and sent me a size larger than I had ordered. Their mistake led to a perfect fit and obviated the necessity of my sending the size Large jacket back for an XL.

But was it a mistake? Or had someone actually read my questions, determined what size I needed and sent me that size? I'll never know.

But at this point it really isn't relevant. The Dehen is a quality jacket. Can't give a review of how it performs in cold weather yet. But based on the thickness of the mouton lining, I think it will perform very well.

I’m typically an XL in jackets with a 46 in chest, but I’m thinking I should go with an **L in the Dehen n1. Is the XL roomy on you?

 

[canvas]

I’m typically an XL in jackets with a 46 in chest, but I’m thinking I should go with an **L in the Dehen n1. Is the XL roomy on you?

I would go **L. We have similar chest measurement and my Dehen XL is snug, without much room for layering. I think the high armpit contributes to the feeling.

 

[Pbosse22]

I would go **L. We have similar chest measurement and my Dehen XL is snug, without much room for layering. I think the high armpit contributes to the feeling.

That’s what I’m leaning towards, plus I like a roomy fit. It’s hard to find an **L Dehen N1 though

 

[Peacoat]

I’m typically an XL in jackets with a 46 in chest, but I’m thinking I should go with an **L in the Dehen n1. Is the XL roomy on you?

No the XL isn't roomy on me. It is a good fit. Maybe enough room for a light sweater at the most..

You will definitely need to go with the **L.

 

[Pbosse22]

No the XL isn't roomy on me. It is a good fit. Maybe enough room for a light sweater at the most..

You will definitely need to go with the **L.

That’s what I’m leaning towards, thanks for the help!

 

[Peacoat]

That’s what I’m leaning towards, thanks for the help!

With a size 46 chest, even the **L may be too tight on you. You might want to stay away from items that can't be returned because they don't fit.