Make heated socks the sole solution to chilly feet

Sock it to cold feet and have toasty toes this winter.

Make heated socks the sole solution to chilly feet

by Natalie Knowles |
Updated on

Cold feet are a thing of the past, thanks to heated socks. Warm winter socks are an obvious gift idea, and they just got better, with the addition of a heating element and rechargeable batteries. As well as hand warmers and heated jackets, these hot socks are ideal to wear with wellies on winter walks. Be it a loved one pottering in the garden or sitting at a desk all day, blow their socks off this winter with a toe-tally awesome gift.

Whether it's winter sports or some relief from poor circulation, thermal socks have generally been the go-to winter warmer. Heated socks have all the warmth and cosiness of thermals with the addition of a rechargeable battery pack. Generally, there are three heat settings and some pairs can be controlled by an app.

Best heated socks at a glance

Best heated socks with app control: Viceplus Rechargeable Heated Socks – View on Amazon UK
Best all-round heated socks: Hoelg Heated Socks – View on Amazon UK
Best easy to use heated socks: Fantaseal Rechargeable Heated Thermal Socks – View on Amazon UK

For a loved one who's working outside, or freezing on the byline while the kids play football, a pair of heated socks could just take the chill off. It makes it possible to stay outside longer and enjoy outdoor sports, walking the dog, fishing, camping, cycling, and more. No matter what the winter hobby is, we all know someone who would benefit from this stocking filler.

More practical than stylish, do bear in mind that there is a small battery pack to wear on the calf. Most pairs have carefully designed its placement, so that it doesn't rub. When shopping for heated socks, consider the quality of the material, battery capacity, and quality of the heat output. Similar to heated footwarmers and slippers, heated socks can be used to relieve Raynaud's Disease, Arthritis, Restless Leg Syndrome, and cold feet in general. Just take care if you or a loved one are insensitive to heat, because prolonged use on a high setting can cause low level burns. In addition, it's not advisable to sleep in heated socks.

Best heated socks

Best heated socks with app control

Whether you're biking, skiing or hiking, these Viceplus Rechargeable Heated Socks are robust and provide a range of temperature settings depending on your environment. Manually switch on and control using the battery pack, or operate via Bluetooth and iWarmU app. You can set a timer up to 120 minutes and control the temperature. There are three temperature settings, from 45℃ up to 65℃. The socks consist of multi-layered, breathable, elasticated, and moisture wicking fabric with integrated heating fibre elements. Use the laundry bag that's provided to wash the socks in a washing machine and air dry.

Customer review: "They are really worth the price. The textile quality is excellent. I've already washed them on the washing machine and they remain as new. The app connection is an amazing idea, just be aware that leaving the Bluetooth on will expend more battery."

Pros

  • App control
  • Perfect for winter outdoor sports
  • 360° wraparound heating for feet

Cons

  • Heat doesn't go all the way up the sock, only the foot

Best all-round heated socks

We really like these Hoelg Heated Socks for their unbranded design and neat hemming around the battery pack pocket. The simple black and grey socks recharge the battery via a USB connection, which makes it convenient to recharge on the go. There are three heat settings from 40°C to 65°C and red and blue lights on the battery pack indicate the temperature and the battery life. The heating element heats the sole, toes and instep, helping to soothe aching muscles, tightness and cold feet. Hoelg are producers of multi-functional outdoor apparel, and heated gloves and jackets are also available.

Customer review: "These socks works as described, the attached power banks are not that much heavy and easy to charge them. Highly recommended."

Pros

  • Unbranded design
  • Simple to use
  • USB charging

Cons

  • A customer comments that they were too bulky

Best easy to use heated socks

Help accelerate blood circulation with Fantaseal Rechargeable Heated Thermal Socks. Colour-coded lights on the battery pack indicate the temperature range. The highest setting is red (55°C), medium is blue (45°C), and green is low (35°C). Bear in mind, the heating area is in the toe and ball of the foot only. Breathable and warm, the fabric is a cotton, polyester, and spandex blend. To clean, remove battery pack and machine wash the fabric socks inside a mesh wash bag.

Customer review: "Great socks, very comfortable and top quality. Batteries last for ages and my feet are no longer cold. Even the lowest heat setting is perfect. I've tried the highest setting and my feet were boiling.
I work outside all night just sat on a forklift in all weather. Freezing cold feet are now a thing of the past. Happy days."

Pros

  • Easy to operate
  • Thickened toe
  • Good value

Cons

  • Some customers did not find these effective

Best heated socks using AA batteries

A bit more neutral in design than other 'sporty' heated socks, these MUTOUHE Electric Heated Socks are simple and customers find them effective. Powered by AA batteries, an infrared heating elements radiates heat to help keep your whole foot warm. The temperature is not adjustable, but you can expect five hours of heat from a set of batteries. It's recommended to use rechargeable AA Li-on batteries, and note that batteries are not included. The fabric is a blend of breathable cotton and spandex for comfort, with a cosy lining and durable wear-resistant heel and toe.

Customer review: "These socks have been excellent so far and work very well. Simple to use and to take batteries in/out. I purchased these to wear to football matches during the winter and they have proved to be a wise purchase."

Pros

  • Rapid warming
  • Elastic sock mouth
  • Super simple to use

Cons

  • Conspicuous battery box and wire

Best heated socks for outdoor sports

PROSmart Heated Socks
Price: $28.99

Intended for use outdoors PROSmart Heated Socks contains carbon fibre that heats up quickly. There are three colour-coded heating levels: Red is high level (50°C), White is medium (45°C), and Blue is low (40°C). The battery pack has a Type-C USB connection so you can recharge it with a phone power bank. Enjoy long-lasting warmth, radiating from the sole of the foot, as this is the best area for stimulating blood flow. Hand wash is recommended but the socks can be machine washed.

Customer review: "With several heat settings to keep me warm and the breathable material, it’s genuinely a pleasurable experience to wear them as they really help with the aches and pains of my arthritis without becoming unbearably hot. They don’t retain moisture and the batteries can be removed easily for washing and recharging."

Pros

  • Larger capacity battery pack than others
  • Recharge with a phone power bank
  • High quality material retains heats

Cons

  • Some customers comment on uncomfortable wire and battery pack can rub

Best heated socks set

Face the cold weather with this handy 2-in-1 heated socks and hand warmer set. Comfy Mate Heated Socks heat up to a cosy feeling in just five seconds and full temperature in two minutes. Aluminium wire and a conducting plate is layered in between high quality wool and thick pure cotton, for superb elasticity and comfort. Uniquely, the hand warmers can be used to power the heated socks. These one size, unisex socks are a compact design, so suitable for a wide range of shoes.

Customer review: "These socks and hand warmers are ideal for cold feet and hands this winter. They work really well, and make sure a positive difference for someone like me. Would highly recommend this product. Wouldn’t be without them."

Pros

  • Rapid heat-up
  • High elasticity and skin-friendly fabric
  • Long battery life

Cons

  • Hand warmer power pack is a little bulky

Best heated socks with heat packs

Unusually, these Warmawear Battery Heated Socks with Dual Fuel Pocket come with a secondary heating option: disposable heat packs that slip neatly into a pocket on the top of the foot. Warmawear advise switching the heat on for small bursts to prolong the battery life, and use a heat pack to maintain heat. There are three colour-coded heat settings. High is red and lasts up to two hours between 32-50°C. Medium is orange and lasts up to three hours between 32-45°C. Low is green and lasts up to five hours between 32-40°C.

Customer review: "Came in plenty of time, really quick great socks, just the job."

Pros

  • Simple and accessible on/off switch
  • Combines batteries with heat packs
  • Machine washable at 30°C

Cons

  • Requires a lot of batteries

Best for fabric heated socks

Sun Will Heated Socks are made for outdoor pursuits. Where feet can get sweaty, the premium material helps wick moisture and stay breathable. These socks are operated by a single power button. Three heat settings are indicated by red for high, white for medium, and blue for low. Keep pressing the power button to get the desired temperature. Additionally, the power button will flash when the battery is below 20%. The material is a soft and elastic vertical weave, with thick lining to lock in heat. It's anti-piling, comfortable and supportive. Also, there's a reinforced heel and toe for cushioning and durability. Sun Will Heated Socks are machine washable in a laundry bag or can be hand washed.

Customer review: "I bought these socks for my daughter who had problems with cold feet when cycling in winter. They made such a big difference that she immediately bought the matching gloves."

Pros

  • Breathable, skin-friendly and anti-bacterium fabric
  • Safe and portable battery pack sits in its own pocket
  • Sporty style
  • 360°C heating

Cons

  • Power light is bright and can show through trousers

Best heated socks for heating coverage

Have more fun outdoors with Bemkia Heated Socks. With full sole and over-the-toe nano-fibre heating elements, these socks are the best for extreme outdoor weather and pursuits, such as skiing. The lightweight battery pack is curved so it's more comfortable to wear against your leg, and an elastic connecting cord makes the wire more less conspicuous. Additionally, the Coolmax fabric is skin-friendly Olam cotton that's sweat-absorbent, breathable and hygienic.

Customer review: "Batteries are slightly curved to fit leg contours. Because they’re positioned at the side of the calves, I tried a couple different of pairs of deep snow boots while wearing the socks to see if the batteries would affect the fit or feel. They did not. These worked exactly as described, and after-sales customer support was excellent."

Pros

  • Large heating area than other socks
  • Ergonomic battery pack
  • Premium quality material

Cons

  • No UK reviews

FAQs

How do I use heated socks?

In order to use heated socks, first, charge or insert batteries into the power pack. Then, turn on the power and if there are multiple heat settings, choose whether you want low, medium or high. It will take a few minutes for the socks to reach temperature. Put the socks on and enjoy toasty tootsies. Secure the wires and power pack to your calf, if there is a strap, otherwise this will be contained in a pouch.

If you're wearing them indoors, treat it like an electric blanket, where you put it on for a short period of time and stay toasty in the residual heat. By switching the heated socks on for short bursts of time, it'll help prolong the battery.

Keep an eye on the battery life and be sure to switch the heated socks off after use. Remove the battery before washing and read the manufacturer's care instructions as to whether the socks are hand wash only or if they can go in a washing machine.

What are the benefits of heated socks?

There's a famous saying: "When your feet are warm, your whole body is warm" and investing in a pair of heated socks is a good place to start. As well as promoting good circulation – by preventing blood vessels from constricting – heated socks contribute to feeling comfortable. Warmth and wellbeing are all-important in winter. Additionally, keeping warm helps to maintain the flexibility of joints. We all know that feeling of having dead legs when our toes are numb. Warm feet are more flexible and responsive, so it's easier to walk, especially in icy conditions. And when trying to sleep, there's nothing more disruptive than cold feet. In fact, it can make leg muscles seize up. Relieving winter-induced muscle pain and stiff joints with a pair of heated socks is also a cost-effective way of staying warm as you are heating the body rather than the entire room.

If you're into extreme outdoor pursuits, wearing heated socks can help prevent frostbite and hypothermia.

What conditions can heated socks help with?

Arthritis

Arthritis is very common and causes inflammation in a joint. There are many types of arthritis listed on the NHS website, and whilst there is no cure, the condition can be slowed down. If it occurs in the feet, joint pain and stiffness is eased and circulation improved with heated socks.

Raynaud's Disease

According to RaynaudsDisease.com giving your feet direct heat can help protect against Raynaud's Disease. Paul Simmonds, the founder, writes: "Up to 1 in 8 men, and 1 in 5 women suffer from Raynaud's Disease in its varying levels of severity". Raynaud's Disease is a condition that causes blood vessels in fingers and toes to constrict in response to cold or stress, limiting blood supply. Triggered by temperature fluctuations, symptoms include colour changes, numbness and pain. Heated socks provide warmth that improves blood flow to the extremities.

Cold feet

Winter exacerbates poor circulation, which results in cold feet. Cold temperatures constrict blood vessels, reducing blood flow to extremities. By keeping feet warm it maintains the blood flow.

Natalie Knowles is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Yours, specialising in home appliances. When she's not testing sparkling water makers, she flexes her creative flair as an artist.

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