How Corinna, a Passionate Motorcyclist, Dog Mom, and Kitchen Designer,

Meet Corinna: A Passionate Motorcyclist, Dog Mom, and Kitchen Designer

From the scenic roads of the Okanagan Valley to early morning dog walks, Corinna Haimerl doesn’t let cold temperatures slow her down. As a passionate motorcyclist, loving dog mom, and kitchen designer, Corinna found a way to stay warm, comfortable, and stylish, with the help of her ororo heated jacket. 

In this conversation, she talks about her journey from Germany to Canada, her love for riding, and why her heated jacket has become a daily essential, both on and off the bike. 

Q & A with Corinna Haimerl

Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself? 

My name is Corinna Haimerl, and I was born and raised in Germany. In 2016, when I was just 22, my husband Andy and I moved to Canada. We thought it would be just a one-year work-and-travel kind of thing, but we kind of never left. We started out in Toronto, lived there a few years, and then moved to London, Ontario, because Andy went back to college. 

On a vacation to explore more of Canada, we discovered the Okanagan Valley, fell in love with it, and decided to move here. We’ve been living here since 2020. 

Q: What’s winter like where you live? 

We’re actually extremely lucky when it comes to winter. The entire Okanagan Valley is basically considered a desert, and it’s also kind of like the only desert in Canada, meaning we have a relatively mild and short winter. For riding, the only time we can’t really drive is from November to mid-February.  These three months are the roughest, because you’re just counting the days  until spring.

On a positive note, we also have one of the nicest ski resorts in Canada: Big White Ski Resort. Pretty cool, we haven’t made it there for actual skiing yet, just hiking, but it makes it easier for us. 

Q: What kind of motorcycle do you ride, and how did you get into biking? 

I ride a Harley-Davidson Street Glide, one of their big baggers, and Andy rides a Harley-Davidson Road Glide.

We got addicted pretty quickly. Neither of us rode back in Germany, so we only started in 2019, but once we did, we got hooked and haven’t stopped since. 

Q: That’s awesome! Do your dogs ride with you too? Tell us about them. 

Yes! We have 2 Golden Retrievers. One is Lowna, and she’s four and a half years old, and the other is the little one, Gracie, who’s about one and a half. They’re both freaking adorable and super cute, but also the most stubborn dogs I think I’ve ever had the privilege of owning. 

Both of them actually ride with us, because we built custom platforms that mount onto the motorcycle, and we strap them down. It depends on the day if they like it or not, but usually, if they don’t, we won’t take them (of course). But it definitely steals a couple of glances from the cars going by!

Q: How did you first hear about ororo?

It was actually you guys reaching out to me. I’d never heard of ororo before and I almost missed the email. You guys were basically checking in to see if I wanted to try one of the heated items for motorcycling and review it.

Q: What made you decide to try our heated apparel?

I was a bit doubtful at first, because I had received a few spam emails from other companies. But I did my research, found you guys online, checked out the different styles and designs. Honestly, I loved all of it. 

Then, I saw that you guys are pretty much involved in golfing as well. And as it happens, both Andy and I are golfing as well. So at this point you basically won me over right away. 

Q: Now that you’ve had a chance to try it, how does the jacket perform when you’re on the bike?

It performs incredibly well. It’s pretty wind-tight, which helps to keep the cold out and the warmth in, and that’s extremely surprising. For how thin the jacket is, it’s super cozy and I’ve been more than positively surprised by it. 

Q: What’s your favorite feature for riding?

It’s actually how well it stands up to rain. For some reason, I always seem to get caught in rain. So, next to the heating feature, the fact that I stay dry and that the jacket is actually long enough, kind of keeps my kidneys warm and everything. The water-tightness is incredible and it actually makes it easier for me to clean after I get caught in rain. 

Q: Since you’ve been using the jacket, have you noticed a difference in your rides? 

Yes, absolutely. I usually am a “frozen chicken” when it comes to anything. I get cold pretty quickly. I’ve used heated gloves for quite a while now, but having the heated jacket as well was an absolute game changer. 

It helps me stay more alert, doesn’t drain my energy as much, and makes rides more enjoyable. It also extends my riding season because I’m still willing to go out even if it’s 39°F (4°C).

Q: Does anyone else you know own one too?

Yes, actually Andy owns one too. I got him one for Christmas because I’m such a big fan of it, and he loves it. He got the male version, of course, but we’re both big fans of ororo. 

Q: Do you also wear the jacket when walking your dog?

Yes, I do, as I mentioned earlier, I’m a “frozen chicken”, and thankfully, my dogs are too. But as soon as snow hits, they love it. So just for me to be able to be with them outside for longer so they can enjoy and run in the snow without being uncomfortable, is a total game changer. I use it every single time. It’s not as bulky as a regular winter jacket, which gives me more room to move. 

Q: What’s your winter walking routine like? 

Honestly, nothing too special, but we have this walkway along Lake Okanagan that’s lit up with Christmas lights during winter months. Funny enough, not many people walk there in winter since it’s a very touristy spot, so it’s mostly busy in the summer and not as much in the winter, but it’s super cute down there.

Because it’s very enclosed, we can let the girls run around. So they have a blast, especially with not that many people around. The heated jacket definitely helps keep us warm so we can stay out there for longer. 

Q: Does the jacket help with early morning walks? 

To be honest, I’m not a morning person at all, and just being able to walk the girls without freezing my bum off, while staying cozy, is an absolute game changer. 

Q: How easy is it to switch between activities (riding vs. walking)?

Super easy. I don’t really have to do anything differently. Honestly, I just throw my jacket on and do whatever I want. There’s nothing I actually need to change.

Q: Have you received any questions about your heated jacket?

Yes, constantly! The button lights up when the jacket is on, so people always ask about it. I’ve also gotten tons of compliments, because it’s such a sleek-looking jacket! It’s not bulky, it’s very elegant, and still black and simple, right? 

And as a kitchen designer, I’m often out visiting job sites and meeting clients. Most of the time, the homes don’t have windows, or even a roof, so it can get quite cold in the winter months. That’s why I always bring my heated jacket, which makes such a difference! I used to dread those site visits when it was minus 14°F (10°C), but this jacket has made even my work life way, way better. 

Q: Would you recommend this jacket to other riders or dog parents?

Yes, absolutely, and I already do! Every time I get a comment or question about it, or people tell me how cold they are over the winter months, I send them the link to the ororo jackets. 

Q: If you had to describe the jacket in 3 words, what would they be?

Absolute game changer. 

It’s such a simple thing, but it made life so much more comfortable without sacrificing style or comfort! I just absolutely love this jacket. 

Q: Anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

Probably just about a motorcycle trip we’re going to do in June. We’ll be on the road for 16 days. 

We’re riding from Kelowna, down to Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, then up through Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and then Idaho. So we’ll hit everything from extreme heat in Arizona to very cold temperatures just over a couple mountain passes, especially in Yellowstone and the Rocky Mountains. We’re going to take our heated jackets without a doubt. This jacket is an absolute game changer and I can recommend it to anyone.   

If anyone wants to join us on our journey, they can follow us on YouTube and Instagram. 

Heated Gear: A Game Changer

Corinna’s story shows how the right gear can make a big difference, not just on road trip adventures, but in everyday life. Whether she’s riding through unpredictable weather or out walking her dogs in the snow, staying warm has helped her enjoy every moment a little more.

Follow along with Corinna’s journey on Instagram and YouTube as she shares more about life on the road!