Spoiler Alert: Conquerwild named the Snow Deer Upgraded Electric Heated Socks as the best heated socks to keep your feet warm!!
There are a number of things that can go wrong while camping and hiking. However, nothing ruins a backpacking adventure like a pair of cold, wet feet.
The greatest and most innovative solution to this: electric heated socks. They’re an incredible luxury that so many people have yet to discover. I’ve scoured the internet and discovered what I believe to be the best heated socks out there..
What We’ll Be Reviewing:
- Daintymuse Electric Battery Heated Socks
- Snow Deer Upgraded Reachargable Electric Heated Socks
- Jomst Upgraded Heated Sock
- Xbuty Heated Socks
- Global Vasion Heated Socks
What To Look For In A Heated Sock
There are dozens of heated socks on the market, currently. The question is, which fits your needs?
Heated socks have two major components: fabric and the heating system. Two different areas, but both essential parts of a good product. With an effective pair of battery heated socks, these 2 categories overlap and work together.
Material Matters
When it comes to choosing any pair of socks: material is make-or-break.
Fabric is more than a title on a tag. It’s about understanding your body and knowing what your needs are.
Think about how long you’ll be wearing these socks in general. How much stress will you be spending on your feet? How much will you be sweating? What type of environment will you be walking through? Your choice of fabric should depend on all of these questions.
Comfortability
When it comes to comfy, cozy- cotton is one of your best options. It’s what most socks and a lot of your clothes are made of. It is often favored because it’s lightweight and absorbs moisture. It is also durable and breathable.
However, cotton does take some time to dry.
You should also pay attention to the amount of sizes available when looking for a sock. Lack of sizes may indicate a lack of quality on the manufacturer’s end. Pairs that are “one size fits all” are generally not the best to go with.
Dryness
Breathability is a crucial factor of heated socks. Too much heat can cause your feet to sweat more than usual. Accumulating moisture is never a good thing.
Moisture + friction = blisters.
Blisters occur when a layer of skin on your foot peels away from the layers beneath. The more pressure you put on your feet and the more you sweat, the more likely you are to develop a blister. Unless you are a pain enthusiast, you do not want blisters on your feet. Hence why you must keep them dry.
While cotton does absorb moisture, it does not quickly get rid of it. After hours of sweating, that perspiration will retain within the material. This can result in a soggy, cold sock. When performing long, strenuous activities, it’s best that your sock has some sort of “moisture-wicking” layer.
Luckily, cotton works well when combined with other materials like nylon or polyester. These fabrics are able to draw that moisture out of the fabric and leave you with a drier, cleaner sock.
Flexibility
If you are looking to be physically active, flexibility is crucial. You don’t want socks that will rip or tear when stretched to their limits. This is especially relevant when climbing or running.
There are a few different materials to look for, though the most effective is spandex.
Spandex is made from polyurethane and is sometimes used to replace plastic. Its elastic nature allows for a tighter fit and even more durability than cotton. It can stretch 5-8 times its regular size! There’s a reason it’s so often used for sports wear.
Also, any sock that has a reinforced heel or toe is a winner. These are the two major points of stress for socks. Reinforcement makes a big difference.
Heat Your Feet
The most important factor of a good heated sock is -you guessed it- the heat.
While normal socks depend solely on body heat and insulation to keep your feet warm, heated socks use battery powered heaters. They’re fantastic for hiking, camping, skiing or any time when you need a bit more than just body warmth.
Not all products operate with the same heating system. There are a couple of important things to remember when deciding which to buy.
Temperature Range
Remember this: your feet have specialized blood vessels that help control the temperature of your whole body. Think of them as the furnace in the basement. When your environment gets too cold, you need to fire up the furnace.
Every good furnace has a thermostat, which allows controllability. This is key in heated socks as well. The more heating options a product has, the better.
The best electric socks have more than one temperature setting. If you choose one with limited options, you’ll be stuck flipping between burning hot and ice cold.
Many pairs of electric heated socks use different colored lights as a guide to heat settings. You don’t necessarily have to always know the exact temperature your socks operate at. However, it’s important to read the manual and assess your body’s needs based on your environment.
Hit The Right Spots
Another factor to look for is the location of the heating device within the sock. Generally, less reliable products have small heated areas that do not radiate or stay warm. The job of a great heater is to stimulate blood-flow throughout the foot.
The fact that your feet are at the end of your limbs means they get cold very quickly. They don’t have enough muscle to stay warm. Your toes are the absolute tip of the iceberg, meaning that they are the first to get cold. If you consistently find your toes going numb, you may want a pair of socks that hit the toes directly with heat.
Which Heated Socks Are The Best?
Taking all of the above factors into consideration, I’ve compiled a list of what I think are the best heated socks on the market. After reading my comprehensive, heated socks reviews, it will hopefully be easier for you to make a decision.
Daintymuse Electric Battery Heated Socks
These sleek-looking socks are best identified by their carbon fiber heated element. This means that they use tiny hidden wires to keep your feet warm and encourage great circulation. The wires act like undetectable veins running through the sock’s fabric. The heat generates on the instep (top of the foot) and comfort is not sacrificed.
Daintymuse’s Heated Socks come with 3 temperature settings, which allow for a decent amount of control. Each pair is equipped with two lithium ion batteries and a charger. A light on the battery pack will allow you to distinguish between settings: green for low heat, orange for medium heat and red for high heat. On high, you can crank these babies up to 125 degrees fahrenheit.
This product requires an initial 12 hours of charging before your first use, so keep that in mind before stepping out into the cold wilderness. Luckily, subsequent uses only require about four or five hours of charging.
They are comprised of cotton and spandex, which means that they are absorbent and they dry quickly. This makes them especially good for trekking through snow, skiing or any cold, rainy day. As an added plus, if fashion is important to you, these socks come in virtually every color of the rainbow!
Pros
- Three adjustable heat settings, guided by color-coded light indicators.
- Contain pocket for battery pack.
- Comes with 2 lithium ion batteries.
- Comes with dual charger.
- Comes in black, brown, green yellow, gray, pink and red.
- Lasts up to 6.5 hours of heat on low setting.
- Takes only 30 seconds to heat up.
Cons
- Must be hand washed.
- Heating area is somewhat small.
- Some customers claim upper upper portion is disproportionately tight.
Snow Deer Upgraded Rechargeable Electric Heated Socks – Best Heated Socks Overall
Truly the epitome of a great heated sock, the Snow Deers use infrared heating to warm up your feet. These babies are nice and thick- maybe even too thick for some. They’re comprised of 80% cotton, 12% polyester and 8% elastane material. This combination makes them super absorbent and breathable. The polyester and elastane material (spandex) wicks away all excess moisture. This significantly lowers your chances of getting blisters. Elastane material is also used for the sewing, meaning that they can be stretched to their limits and still remain in tact.
The battery on these is super compact, which means it does not get in the way or cause discomfort. A zippered pocket at the top of the sock makes for efficient storage of the battery pack. This seemed to be a major plus for most satisfied customers.
These socks also feature 3 heat settings with color-coded lights. The heating here occurs around the entirety of the toes. They’re great for backpackers with arthritis or stiff joints as they keep the toes from going numb. This also makes for great heated ski socks. Although not as affordable as the other products on this list, these are the total package.
Also- if we’re being honest- these are the true winners when it comes to visual appeal.
Pros
- Offers up to 6.5 hours of battery on lowest setting.
- Heats entirety of the toe region.
- Designed for both men and women.
- Come in small, medium, large and extra large.
- Tiny, compact battery and zippered pocket.
- Padded and reinforced heel and toe.
- Breathable, durable, absorbent and quick drying.
- Can be machine washed when placed inside sack bag.
Cons
- Customers have complained about the heat-indication lights being too bright.
- Only comes in black and gray.
- Priciest pair on this list.
Jomst Upgraded Heated Sock – Most Affordable Heated Socks
If you consistently find the sole of your feet getting cold, the Jomst Upgraded Heated Sock may be your best choice. This pair uses fiber heating to encourage bloodflow. Its 3 temperature settings range from 95 degrees fahrenheit (35 C) to 131 degrees fahrenheit (55 C). I love this range because my feet are sensitive and cannot always handle temperatures above 100 degrees. This somewhat low temperature option is something that not every heated sock offers.
They have three layers of material to ensure maximum efficiency when it comes to insulation. This makes them great for not only camping, but also snowboarding, skiing or even shoveling snow from your driveway. These are some of the cheapest heated socks I could find that also cover all the essential areas.
The pair comes with lithium polymer batteries for power. While the battery pack is not as tiny as that of the Snow Deers, they do come with a pouch for proper storage. If affordability is your biggest concern, then you cannot go wrong with these heated socks.
Pros
- Cheapest pair on the list.
- 3 temperature options.
- Color-coded light temperature guide.
- Heating for up to 4-10 hours, depending on setting.
- Includes pair of rechargeable, lithium polymer batteries.
- Contains windproof layer, heating layer and warm layer.
- Absorbent, elastic, quick drying and breathable.
- Padded and reinforced heel and toe.
Cons
- Must be hand washed.
- Only comes in black and gray.
- Heating mechanism does not cover a large area.
Xbuty Heated Socks
For longer excursions with no access to a power source, the Xbuty Heated Socks may be your best option. When on the lowest of this product’s 3 heat settings, its battery can last for up to 15 hours! This is the longest battery life of all the products on this list. According to Xbuty, its range in temperature is from 101 to 160 degrees farenheit! This also easily gives them the title of “hottest socks” on this list.
Combining cotton and polyester, these socks give a great balance of comfortability and durability. They are 30% thicker than the average sock. This means that the heat that’s generated stays insulated. At the same time, they are breathable and sweat absorbent.
Some customers have complained about the battery pack sometimes falling out of its designated pouch. However, if warmth and long battery life are your greatest priorities, then you may be willing to overlook this minor issue.
The heat comes from the bottom instep, which means that you get heated pressure just below the toes with every step. These are wonderful at stimulating circulation which, at the end of the day, is what you need a good heated sock to do.
Pros
- 3 levels of temperature settings with a color-coded light guide.
- 8-9 hours of heat on high setting and 14-15 hours on low setting.
- Suitable for men and women.
- Soft, breathable, absorbent, elastic thickened, quick drying and durable.
- Includes “no hassle money back guarantee.”
- On the cheaper side of the spectrum.
- Includes a warm layer, heating layer and insulation layer.
- Comes with pair of rechargeable lithium polymer batteries and charger.
Cons
- One size fits all, so they may not be the best fit for everybody.
- Battery pack is a bit bulky.
- Some customers have reported issues with getting the socks to heat up properly.
Global Vasion Heated Socks
Advertised as being for “chronically cold feet,” this product covers all the basics of a rechargeable, electric sock. These babies, which come in black and gray, are sleek and firmly hug the foot, ankle and calf. Their padded, reinforced heel and toe make for durable socks that will not wear out after just a couple of uses. An elastic sock mouth allows for a tight fit for all sizes.
The heating mechanism here focuses on the toe and is easy to operate. Alike the other socks listed, these have a color coded temperature guide. The material is nice and thick, meaning the heating device is buried deep inside.
Comfortability is a major focus with this pair as it is comprised 100% of cotton. However, this can also be seen as a negative. As we discussed before, cotton absorbs moisture, but does not wick it away. I would generally suggest that you use these socks if you are looking for a cozy camping night or other leisurely activities. These are not the best for more strenuous, sporty circumstances.
The temperature settings here may not be as precise as some other heated socks. Global Vasion does not list specific temperatures for this product. However, if maximum controllability is not a huge issue for you, then these socks will still get the job done.
Pros
- 3 levels of temperature settings with a color-coded light guide.
- Padded, reinforced heel and toe.
- 2 li-ion rechargeable batteries included.
- Shock proof.
- Includes an AC charger which allows simultaneous, dual charging.
- Up to 7 hours of battery life on low setting.
- Durable, carbon fiber heating element.
Cons
- Only comes in black and gray.
- Heat does not radiate throughout the entire sock as effeciently as some other products.
- Must be hand-washed.
Conquerwild’s Conclusion
With all things considered, my choice for best heated socks goes to the Snow Deer Upgraded Rechargable Electric Heated Socks.
The controllability and efficient heating is top shelf, even if the price is a bit higher than the others. They are made up of cotton, polyester and spandex. This combination checks all the points of being breathable, durable and moisture wicking. Also, they are ultra comfortable.
The heater focuses on the most important area of the foot. If you are worried about your toes freezing and nearly falling off, these socks are a great solution.
The small battery and zippered pocket allow comfortability to remain front and center. Also, let’s be honest, these are the “sexiest” looking pair.
If you are looking to stay on budget, I may go with the Jomst Upgraded Heated Sock. However, if you need the all around total package, Snow Deer Heated Socks definitely have Conquerwild’s vote.
