These particular Battery-Heated Gloves are 'powered' via an under-the-jacket, lanyard-type heat-producing system, which consists of thin cord that runs from a rechargeable-battery pack through a three-level controller to each glove. The pack is placed in one's shirt or interior jacket pocket, with the controller hanging from the cord that goes around the neck. (This differs from other systems where battery pack and controller are either fastened to the glove or strapped to wrist or arm and plugged into the glove.) By pushing a button on the controller, heat is emitted continuously for from 11/2 to 5 hours. The gloves themselves are waterproof, breathable, have barrel-lock cuffs, and contain a micro-polyester insulation that holds the warmed air molecules yet allows for maximum dexterity and grip. They're also machine-washable.