Top 10 Best Ski Boots Warmers To Fight The Cold

Check it out so you don’t have to be stuck with products that just can’t get the job done like I was at first. All of these warmers can keep you on the slopes having a blast for longer. Your feet will thank you.

Hotronic FootWarmer S4 Universal – A Warm & Dry Insole

One nice feature of these warmers are the settings. There are three base settings of heat level as well as an extra timed setting that can give you an extra blast of heat periodically.

These settings are great because on really cold days you’re looking for more heat whereas on warmer days you don’t want your feet to get too hot. These warmers let you adjust day by day or even hour by hour. The temperature range is 74-184°F.

The batteries on these warmers are quite good. They are high capacity NiMH AA cells perfectly suited for cold temperature operation. How long the batteries will last on a full charge depends on the ambient temperature and the setting used. They should be able to easily last through a day of skiing.

The batteries could last as long as 20 hours or they may only make it 4.5 hours. On average, they will probably last 6-8 hours on a single charge. The charger is easy to use and it only takes a few hours for the battery to recharge.

While you can technically move these from boot to boot or even from your ski boots into another shoe, it’s a bit of a hassle and not quite as convenient as Hotronic advertises.

DryGuy Travel Dry DX – For When You Need Warm Dry Boots in the Morning

They utilized convection and forced air to safely and efficiently dry all types of footwear. You just plug them in, insert them in your shoes, and within a few hours, your footwear will be totally dry.

Additionally, putting on warm dry boots can be a great way to start out your day. These warmers are also pretty energy efficient so you will have a hard time running the battery dead on a generator or car battery while using them.

The hybrid combination of forced air and convection heats up to 99-degrees to safely and quickly dry footwear.

They’re safe to the touch and won’t damage your shoes, boot liners, work boots, or any other footwear. That being said, these aren’t the kind of boot dryers that will have your boot liners dry in 15 minutes.

They take a few hours to work effectively.

Still, if you need a versatile and portable footwear drying solution, they fit the bill very well.

Therm-ic Smartpack RC + Soles – The Convenience of a Remote Control

How long these batteries will last depends on both the ambient temperature and the heat setting you are using. At the highest heat level of 158°F, you may only get 3-4 hours of power but if you only need a low level of warmth, the batteries will last nearly 24 hours.

What makes this stand out is the remote control. When skiing, it’s a frustrating hassle to have to reach a button down in your boots. With these, a small and simple remote control lets you control the temperature of the insole with the push of a button. It’s easy to zip the remote away in a pocket on your ski jacket until you need it

This Therm-ic system gives you three levels of heat to choose from: 99°F, 113°F, 158°F. It also features the unique Impulse Control system. It’s kind of a strange name for it but it helps to stimulate your own blood circulation. This boosts your warmth without having to rely on the highest heat level at all times.

Hotronic XLP ONE Heat Sock – Warms More Than Just Feet

These would be nice socks even if there were no heating element but with the heat added in, they are great socks.

Powered by a lithium ion battery, heat is supplied along the lower leg and then wraps around to also heat up the toes and the ball of the foot. The battery pack is securely held in place in the ergonomically-positioned spot in the sock’s double cuff.

Like with the Hotronic FootWarmer S4 Universal, you get four heat levels. There are three base levels plus a boost level that gives you an extra boost of heat on a timer.

The XLP ONE battery pack will last for years. It’s a reliable battery that maintains up to 90% of a full charge and 90% of its initial capacity after two years of nonuse. The battery will provide continuous heating power rather than the uneven heating output you’ll get with some other models.

Lenz Lithium + Sock Heating Pack – There’s an App For That

What makes these heating socks stand out is the remote control possibility with the Lenz Heat app. You can download the app for a free trial but unfortunately, the app does cost $4-5. The app is useful, as it lets you see the current percentage of the sock’s battery and lets you adjust the temperature settings or even turn the socks on or off.

The ability to turn the sock off mid-day is a definite plus because these can get too warm for many people.

Lenz is a German company and while the instructions are better than some, they are a bit on the confusing side. Luckily, it’s not too difficult to figure out how these socks work

Therm-ic Basic PowerPack + Soles – A More Affordable Solution But Basic

You get three temperature levels with this power pack and you adjust them by pushing the + or – button. You can tell what temperature level you’re on by the LED lights.

Like the other Therm-ic warmer setup, you also have a system with these that stimulates your own blood circulation. This helps naturally boost your temperature so you won’t need to always rely on the highest temperature setting.

ThermaCELL ProFLEX – A Remote But With Quality Control Concerns

One thing that makes this better is that you get two sets of batteries with these insoles. That means that you can start the day with two fully charged sets and then switch out mid-day when needed. You also get two chargers. A drawstring travel bag makes it extra convenient to bring the whole set with you when traveling for a weekend of skiing.

These insoles are pretty reliable and ThermaCELL backs them up with a one-year warranty. They claim that the insoles will work for at least 500 uses.

While there are a number of really positive Amazon reviews, there are an almost equal number of really negative reviews. Among the biggest complaints are receiving entirely defective units or not receiving the spare battery packs. Some also complain that they don’t get warm enough.

It’s true that they don’t get as hot as some other ski boots warmers. However, many other warmers get too hot for some people so these insoles are just right for some people in terms of heat level.

ThermaCELL Heated Insoles – Simple But Effective

Heat is powered by rechargeable Lithium Polymer batteries. These don’t have as long of a runtime as some other insoles but it is decent, at around 5 hours of warming on the medium setting.

Hot Hands Foot Warmer – Low Cost But One-Time Use

If the heat decreases too quickly, just expose them to warmer air for a bit and shake. These odorless liners are safe and disposable without risk of hurting the environment. However, you shouldn’t apply them directly to your skin.

The box of sixteen pairs makes for a pretty great value considering the low price. If you don’t ski all that often, this might be the best solution for you.

Dry&Warm Footwear Pre-heater – Start Warm

If your boots are wet, you can use these overnight to dry them out. If the boots are dry, it will only take around half an hour to get them nice and warm before a day of skiing.

Buyer’s Guide & FAQ

Can I buy Ski Boots with built-in heaters?

Ski boots that have built-in heating are surprisingly relatively new. There aren’t too many available on the market just yet but it’s likely that more boot makers will start adding the option for central heating. Salomon was the first company to make boots with integrated heating and for now, the Salomon Quest Access Custom Heat Ski Boots are the best ones available.

Because ski boots are so personal, I’m not sure it’s worth changing boots just for the heating system at this point. Maybe eventually, your favorite line of boots will be available with built-in heaters. Until then, you’re probably best off using an add-on boot warmer with the boots you already love and trust.

How Do I install these warmers?

In all of these cases, installation of the boot warmers is fast and easy. It is ultimately just as simple as putting on socks or boots. The only difference in the case of insoles is that you may need to cut them to size.
Checkout the video below from alpine accessories on how to install and cut heated insoles for ski boots:

The other difference, in most cases, is that you’ll have to charge the warmers. You’ll be able to handle this step if you’ve ever had to plug in to charge your phone or any other device.

Are they worth it?

It really depends on you!

How much is it worth for your feet to not be freezing?
Will it mean a few extra hours on the slopes?
Will it mean you enjoy your runs more?
Will it mean you’ll spend less time complaining about being cold and more time enjoying the beauty all around you and the company of your ski companions?

Personally, I think those things are worth quite a bit. For me, ski boot warmers are most definitely worth it!

If cold feet is just a minor or occasional problem for you and one that doesn’t impact your ski day all that much, the investment in boot warmers might not be worth it.

My recommendation is to try them! Chances are good you probably know another skier with some boot warmers. Give them a try and see whether or how much it improves your skiing experience. If it makes skiing more fun, ski boot warmers are probably worth it for you.

If it only makes things a little bit better, then investing in one of the more expensive boot warmers probably doesn’t make sense. In that case, I’d recommend going with a cheap option like the Hot Hands Insole Foot Warmers. They aren’t the very best option but they can help warm you up and they are mighty affordable.

Can I make a DIY version myself?

You can definitely make a DIY ski boot dryer but a DIY warmer is a different story.

Making sure your boots are dry to begin with can really help with keeping your feet warm, though, so I strongly recommend the boot dryer project.

I like a good DIY project that isn’t too hard or too expensive and this one was right up my alley. Making a DIY boot warmer, on the other hand, would almost certainly be extremely challenging and quite expensive. It’s doubtful the results will be all that effective either.

Can a simple boot cover help?

Yes, a simple boot cover can make a difference in your foot warmth. It’s unlikely they will do as much as a boot warmer but you will notice an improvement. Neoprene covers like the DryGuy BootGlove Boot Covers are waterproof and easy to put on. They should boost the in-boot temperature by a decent amount. Personally, I think a boot warmer plus a boot cover are great when the conditions are really bitterly cold.

Should I get heated Skiing insoles or socks?

This is a matter of personal preference. Insoles really only heat the bottom of the boot. For many, this is all they really want or need. When just the bottoms of the feet are heated, there is some corresponding heat transfer to the rest of the foot. For many people, an insole won’t do enough.

A heated sock will apply heat to more of the foot and lower leg. A more broad application of heat will likely lead to more warmth, more quickly.

How long is that battery pack going to last?

It depends. The answer is different for pretty much every boot warmer on this list. For the Hot Hands Foot Warmer, of course, there is no battery! The warmers can be expected to last for up to nine hours but they are one-time-use only and will probably really only be decently warm for 3-4 hours.

For the Therm-ic Smartpack RC 1200, on the other hand, the battery pack will last up to 22 hours. In most of these ski boots warmers, the battery life will depend on the outdoor temperature and the heat setting you are using on the warmer. If it’s really cold and/or your warmers are set to the hottest setting, the battery won’t last as long.

Closing Thoughts

For me, adding ski boots warmers to my collection of ski gear has made all the difference.

When I’m not focused on my cold feet, I can enjoy the beauty and the fun of one of my favorite activities so much more. There are great ski boots warmers available at a range of prices and in a range of styles, from insoles to socks to chemical warmers.

Have you tried any of these? What did you think? Let me know in the comments if you have any questions about boot warmers!