The Best Heated Insoles

Buying Guide

If you live in a cold climate, you know how important it is to have the right outdoor gear to keep yourself warm. It’s especially important to ensure the extremities, such as the feet, are toasty so that you don’t face any issues such as frostbite. Plus, if you have a condition like Raynaud’s syndrome or plantar fasciitis, it’s doubly important to ensure your feet are protected from the cold. This is where heated insoles for your shoes and boots are key.

As the name suggests, heated insoles use various heat mechanisms to provide extra warmth to the bottom of your feet. They are designed to slip easily into most shoes and boots, so you can switch them around in your footwear as needed. There are different heating mechanisms available for heated insoles. Self-heating insoles use your body chemistry and exposure to the air to warm up. They can provide heat for several hours with each use. Usually, you just have to take them out of the package to expose them to air and them put them in your shoes. Keep in mind these type of heated insoles are single-use only and need to be disposed of when you’re done for the day.

Another option are battery-powered insoles. These are charged with a power cord and batteries that you strap around your ankles or calves. While this kind of insole is bulkier than the self-heating version, they do offer long-lasting warmth. They are a good option if you don’t need to move around too much outside and want the ability to control how hot your feet get.

Wireless rechargeable insoles are controlled via remote. After they are charged, you just slip them into your shoes and get going. Unlike battery-operated ones, these type of insoles can’t be charged on the go, so once they run out of charge you’re back to having cold feet until you recharge them.

• Not sure what kind of heated insoles are best for you? Think about what you will be doing with them on. For example, if you’re just outside in mild cold weather, self-heated insoles will do the trick. You can also use these if you suffer from cold feet when indoors as well. If you’re spending the whole day out camping or skiing, you may want to go with rechargeable insoles, which will typically last about a day before needing to be charged.
• Support and comfort are key factors to consider when selecting heated insoles, especially if you have flat feet, high arches or other foot issues. Opt for heated insoles that have soft cushioning and offer stability from heel to toe.
• If you often deal with blistered feet, look for heated insoles that have antimicrobial treatments. This can help with healing the wounds.
• For those with sweaty feet, heated insoles made from moisture-repelling fabric are best. This way, you can avoid smelly shoes.
• In addition to heated insoles, another good foot-warming option is heated socks. However, one of the issues with these is that they can bunch up or ride down, which can be uncomfortable or leave your foot exposed. Heated insoles, on the other hand, remain where you put them and always keep the entirety of your foot toasty.