The future is here - and it’s self-heated

here are many moments in Back to the Future II that fans of the movie marvel at, not least the futuristic inventions audiences in the 80s thought the new millennium might have in store.

From self-lacing sneakers to apps that pinpoint the precise end of a rain shower, the second instalment of Robert Zemeckis’s epic trilogy is packed with genius wizardry and tech.

While we still live in hope for a time-travelling DeLoren to roll onto forecourts (CC: Tesla), there is one version of a product in the movie that you can get your hands on right now - a heated jacket.

In the movie, Marty wears a jacket which self-dries after he falls into the Clock Tower pond and foils Griff and his band of bullies.

Today’s heated jackets are the closest we can get to that - and once tried (especially in winter’s freezing temperatures), it’s hard to go back.

Using heating panels in the chest and back, they’re powered with the help of lightweight portable battery packs. The rechargeable power banks usually sit in a dedicated pocket in the lining or in an internal pocket, keeping it safe from our infamous British weather.

Absolutely - there’s no chances of accidental shocks here. As well as a safety switch-off which cuts the power if the panels are overheating, most coats are made to withstand bad weather, featuring things like water-repellent finishes. These also add an extra layer of protection to the power banks.

Whether you want to find a way to make working outdoors less of a misery, or you simply like the idea of an extra boost of heat on the move, a heated jacket can make winter wonderful again.

We’ve rounded up the best designs for both men and women to shop now.

Stay red hot in more ways than one with Regatta’s heated jacket, available from sizes 10 - 20 in a rich claret colour. The heated hooded jacket boasts a water-repellent finish, taped seams and plenty of insulation, while still being breathable, keeping sweat at bay.

It’s warm enough on its own, but if you need an extra boost, simply activate the battery powered heating system on the back panel - you’ll be snug as a bug in no time. The power bank, sold separately, sits safe from the elements in an inner pocket.

This unassuming-looking jacket has a hot secret up its sleeve. It uses a rechargeable copper heating zone to keep you toasty, whether you’re braving the commute or heading out for a hillside hike. Not only will the padded hooded jacket keep chills at bay, but you can even charge your phone through the water repellent jacket - what’s not to love?

Browse Regatta’s full range of heated jackets for men and women here.

Using TriZone Heat Technology with heating elements across the chest and on the back, the Explorer jacket puts outdoor pursuits back on the cards. It uses a rechargeable 5V powerbank, which once connected, offers three heat settings so you can reach your desired level of toastiness with the push of a button.

Besides the built-in central heating, the jacket is filled with Thermolite insulation, which will cloak you in warmth alone, while fleece-lined front pockets help keep your mitts warm too - helpful if you forget your gloves.

Whether you’re tending to the garden or nipping to the shops for supplies, this heated sleeveless jacket will be your white knight in keeping warm. Made from easy-care polyester, it heats using a battery pack stored in an inner pocket. The high collar also helps protect your necks against wintry breezes. Available in small to medium sizes.

A gilet with ambition, this piece is ideal for everything from taking Rover for daily walks and camping trips to keeping warm on the footy terraces. The padded sleeveless jacket has warming panels around the waist as well as the upper back, all working to keep your core nice and warm with a choice of three settings that go up to 65℃ - winter weather, take that!

The Scandinavians have a saying: "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes". That's certainly true when it comes to this future-forward coat, which has carbon fibre warming panels by the front two pockets and three across the back. They're powered with a 7200mAh battery which can last for up to eight hours with a top temperature of 60°C - Jack Frost won't get a look in. There's also a hood and elastic cuffs to keep the cold well and truly out.

A warm coat that doesn’t weigh you down, Regatta has hit the nail on the head with its Voltera insulated jacket, which comes in navy as well as a beetroot red. The heated tech is one large panel on the back, which runs on a battery pack. It’s lightweight and water repellent with elasticated cuffs and hems to keep the warmth where it should be.