Yesterday we showed you a new heated jacket from Ravean that promises to provide plenty of warmth, without much bulk, during the long, cold months of winter. That jacket should do a fine job of keeping the core of our bodies warm when the mercury starts to drop, but what about our extremities, such as our hands and feet? Fortunately, there are some heated products designed to address those needs as well, including a new set of insoles from ThermaCELL specifically made to bring extra warmth to our boots.
The ProFLEX Heavy Duty Heated Insoles come in sizes ranging from as small as 3.5 all the way up to 13. They are designed to slide into your boots or shoes and provide a bit of extra cushion, just like any other insole you might come across. But, their primary function goes well beyond that, because these insoles feature tiny rechargeable batteries that when activated can provide warmth as well.
ThermaCELL”s Heated Insoles are powered by tiny lithium-ion batteries that offer as much as 8.5 hours of performance between charges. They can also be recharged in two hours or less, ensuring you never have to go too long without heated boots. Should you find that you’re out in the cold for longer than you expected however, the company offers additional battery packs for $59.95 as well.
The insoles feature three power settings – low, medium, and high – with corresponding temperatures of 100ºF, 110ºF, and 115ºF respectively. Those settings are managed by a special app developed by ThermaCELL for both iOS and Android. Once the app is installed on your mobile device, you can connect it to the insoles via Bluetooth technology. The app then allows you to actually control the temperature of each foot independently of the other. That way, if you discover that your left foot is feeling a bit warmer than your right, you can simply turn the temperature level down a notch or two to compensate. The app also monitors the battery life on each insole as well, allowing you to know just how long you have before they need to be recharged.
Having put the insoles to the test during the latest polar vortex, we can attest to how well they operate. Paring with your phone takes just a few seconds, and controlling the temperature with the app is very handy. Additionally, even on the lowest setting, the insoles did a great job of keeping our feet warm while outside for extended periods of time. In fact, ThermaCELL has designed them in such a way that our toes stayed toasty, but didn’t get overly hot.
These high-tech inserts could be a game changer for anyone who likes to be outdoors in the winter months, but finds their feet getting cold after a short time. Whether you enjoy hitting the slopes, snowshoeing through fresh powder, or just find yourself having to work outside in cold conditions, these heated insoles just might be the answer to your prayers. Not only do the perform well, but they are also durable (ThermaCELL says they’re good for 1 million steps), water resistant, and have antimicrobial properties that help keep food odor to a minimum too.
Unfortunately, this level of performance does come at a price. The ProFLEX Heavy Duty Heated Insoles cost $199.99, which does make them a hefty investment for the casual outdoor enthusiast. For those customers who don’t need the same level of performance ThermaCELL does offer a less expensive model however. Those insoles cost $134.99 instead, but lack Bluetooth connectivity for use with your phone, and offer just 5 hours of battery life before requiring a recharge.
But, for those of us who take our outdoor winter play seriously, but often find ourselves suffering from cold feet, these heated insoles are fantastic. They might even end up changing your whole perspective on the season in general, allowing you to enjoy more time outdoors in the cold than you could in the past, while keeping your feet comfortable and happy too. I suspect more than a few of you will find these heated insoles to be worth the investment.
Find out more at ThermaCELL.com.
