Over the last six years I have had keis and gerbing and exo2.
I started with a keis jacket and inner glove liners, wasn’t impressed with that the reason I found out much later was that I bought the jacket at my normal size. Inner gloves made the glove too tight.
Swapped to exo2 jacket and gloves. They failed and I got mild hypothermia and frost bite in my left hand one January. It just crept up on me whilst riding.
Obtained gerbing jacket, gloves and trousers and dual remote controller. Again made the mistake of getting the jacket and trousers my normal size. The trousers created a significant hot spot on my leg to which I still have the scar, complained and they weren’t interested, I thought the gloves were rubbish, they just didn’t appear that warm. Remote controller had to be returned as it failed.
So full circle 2019, back to keis with waistcoat, jacket, trousers, insoles and gloves.
All works if you get one or two sizes smaller than normal, except gloves. The jacket, trouser and gloves have created hot spots. Jacket on my chest and neck, trousers on my knee and gloves on left thumb. Not too bad. Waistcoat, its good and fits under my leathers, but arms get really cold so I just use that in early autumn and spring.
One glove has leaked and I got a lovely buzzing sensation, so they are being sent back.
I get good warmth. So far this winter not had the controller more than low (green).
I did look at warm and safe but there were few reviews and I didn’t know anyone with the stuff, but I do like the concept of the base layer as it is far less bulky. So may be next year I’ll get their stuff. It does look like a significant investment as it appears you need controllers and wiring looms that are sold separately whereas with keis, it comes with them. So it appears a cheaper investment.
On the recent trip I had jacket, gloves and trousers and was nice and warm, just on low. I didn’t have them on all the time.
I don’t subscribe the view that just keeping the core warm then keeps everything else warm by warm blood flowing to the cold areas. That doesn’t appear to be the case for me.
Of the major brands available I would not recommend any of them over another. Having field tested them all, they all have their pluses and minuses which is what I have come to expect.
It’s down to budget and individual fit of the garment and availability. The main two brands do what they say they do.