Have you ever considered using heated insoles to combat those bitterly cold ski sessions, hikes or times working outside?
If not, you’re definitely missing out!
But, there’s also a barrier to going out and buying the first product you see. Do you go for self-heating disposable ones or the more-permanent battery-powered models?
We’re here to guide you through these current best heated insoles:
But, before we go in-depth into each product, check out these reasons to invest in one:
Are Heated Insoles Worth It?
Heated insoles are the perfect pick to keep your toes warm in cold environments. They easily fit in your shoes and instantly help you bear the chilling winter.
Many of these heated insoles are battery-powered, and you can easily recharge them, while others are disposable. The manufacturers claim that you can use the insoles for winter sports, hiking, cycling and various other sporting events. Some buyers also use them for outdoor work during colder months.
Although heated insoles may sound unconventional, they have many benefits:
Improve Circulation
Blood pressure increases in the winter, leading to heart attacks and strokes, emphasizing how important it is to stay warm when outside.
You might have experienced numbness in your toes while being outside on a frosty day and feel pain as you get indoors and slowly warm up. In such situations, heated insoles can help you by maintaining the warmness to prevent irregular blood flow.
If you’ve ever had chilblains, you’ll know how painful they can be once blood returns to the area after being cold. Heated insoles can combat this by avoiding the drop in temperature around the toes in the first place.
Prevent Frostbite
While telling you to dress appropriately to avoid frostbite is telling you how to suck eggs, using foot warmers, such as heated insoles, can create the required insulation in the feet to prevent frostbite. But, be sure they don’t create a tight environment and restrict blood flow.
Complement Winter Sports
While skiing, hunting or any other winter adventure, people often complain that they couldn’t enjoy their outdoor activities thoroughly due to discomfort.
By keeping your feet warm, heated insoles will make your adventure enjoyable. They ensure you can stay out for longer and level-up your trip that bit more.
Types of Heated Insoles
All heated insoles have the same purpose, but their mechanism varies as per type and the manufacturer.
However, there are two broad categories of heated insoles:
- Self-heating.
- Battery-powered.
Self-Heating Insoles
Chemistry powers self-heated insoles. The ingredients (usually, iron powder, salt, water, activated charcoal and wood fiber) oxidize when you remove them from their packaging. In some cases, you may also have to shake them to mix the chemicals before you put them into your shoes.
Also, if you feel that the warmth is dropping, you have to remove them to provide more air pressure to continue the chemical reaction. Self-heated insoles won’t work when the reaction finishes.
How long self-heating insoles take to warm heavily depends on the brand. For example, the Hothands Foot Warmers provide warmth for up to 9 hours.
Furthermore, self-heating insoles are disposable and packaged in pairs of 10 or more. These are the most convenient options when you’re on the go.
Battery-Powered Insoles
Some electric heated insoles come with a singular battery, whereas others contain two separate power sources:
- Wireless heated insoles.
- Rechargeable heated insoles.
Wireless Heated Insoles
With wireless heated insoles, once you’ve charged them, simply put them in your footwear, and you’re ready to head off on your adventure. You don’t need to worry about strapping the batteries to your calves or ankles due to the wireless capability.
They’re the ultimate in hands-free heat aside from a disposable model. While they’re more of an investment up-front, they’ll save you repeated shopping basket clicks and money in the long-term. That’s not to mention never running out of supply, as long as you recharge them.
Rechargeable Heated Insoles
With the second variation, you have to carry the battery with you, typically on your ankle or calf. Even so, they’re super convenient due to their rechargeability.
Do note that not all models will fit if you have thicker calves or ankles or if you’re wearing thermals or thick layers. Also, insoles with short wires won’t reach above the top of high boots.
Although heated insoles with rechargeable batteries seem like the best option, the disadvantage is that you can’t replace the batteries when they die, as they’re securely packed into the inserts.
However, with battery-powered heated insoles, manufacturers provide information on how many times you can recharge the batteries before they die. This allows you to judge when you’ll need to replace it with a new model.
Disposable vs. Battery-Powered
Disposable or self-heated insoles are easy to use. You can just shake them and slip them into your shoe. However, they usually take 15–30 minutes to heat. They’re best for people who don’t need heated insoles very frequently.
In contrast, battery-powered electric-heated insoles come with rechargeable batteries, meaning you can use them multiple times before giving up the ghost. But for some users, using them is quite challenging as most of them are wired and don’t last for more than 9 hours when used in the highest temperature settings.
Considerations When Buying the Best Heated Insoles
OK, so now you have an idea of which type of heated insole to go for, take the below features into account when picking out your favorite option from the reviews further down.
Base-Level Settings
Disposable heated insoles have a predefined temperature that you can’t change until the heat starts to dissipate.
On the flip side, electric (whether battery-powered or wireless) insoles have various temperature settings the users can choose from, giving them a customization advantage over self-heated disposable ones.
Activation
You activate most disposable heated insoles by shaking them, while electric insoles just need the push of a power button. For convenience, disposable, shakable insoles are preferable.
However, both types don’t take long to warm up, so there’s no major advantage here.
For example, our top-rated insoles, the Hothands Foot Warmers, take between 15 and 30 minutes to heat and just need a shake. In contrast, customers mention that the battery-powered Warmfits Rechargeable Heated Insoles only take 10 minutes.
Size
Some heated insoles come in different sizes to fit various shoe sizes, while you can trim others to fit any size smaller.
Since many of the heated insoles available are already thin and flexible, you can manipulate them into different-sized shoes.
But, we have to pick out the Warmfits Rechargeable Heated Insoles as the easiest to trim, according to users.
No matter your choice, remember to take into account what your shoe width letters mean to ensure you get insoles wide enough for your feet.
Also, don’t forget that different brands size differently, so be sure to check out something like Nike and adidas size differences.
Quantity
Battery-powered heated insoles mostly come as a single pair, whereas disposable options come in packs of up to 30.
For those who work outdoors during the winter, we recommend you buy disposable ones, so you don’t have to recharge your battery insoles at the end of each day. You simply throw the used pair out and start the next day afresh.
If you’re going on longer hikes, the single battery-operated option can save packing space, and you also have the option to charge it, especially if you have a portable USB charger.
Batteries
Electrically heated insoles mostly use lithium-ion polymer batteries. You can charge these batteries within a few hours, which is quick if you have time before you need them. You can also charge them hundreds of times before reaching their recharge limit.
In contrast, self-heated insoles don’t need any charging, so you can use them much more quickly. A simple shake activates the heating mechanism.
Adhesion
Many heated insoles come with self-adhesive strips and covers. The adhesiveness helps the insoles to avoid slippage.
For instance, the Hotronic Custom S4+ Footwarmers come with adhesive stripes and stay in place.
Water-Resistance
The last thing you want from your insoles to stop working due to moisture. Hence, it’s a must-have feature for those who want to spend hours in snow or rain while wearing heated insoles.
The Upstartech Wireless Heated Insoles are ideal for environments where there’s a risk of water/moisture slipping into shoes.
Longevity
To give you an idea, common expiry time for battery-powered insoles is 500 charges.
Hence, self-heated insoles are good for those who need to keep their feet warm on short trips, whereas for those who live in freezing temperatures, we recommend you buy battery-powered ones.
Footwear Should Complement the Insole
If your shoes aren’t winter-ready, your insoles can’t do much to keep your feet warm. Also, you should make sure that your shoes are waterproof at some level as wet feet lose heat up to 25 times faster than dry feet. Hence, it doesn’t make sense to have the best heated insoles in your shoes if your shoes aren’t winter-ready.
The moisture can also ruin your insoles. Therefore, make sure that your boots or shoes are waterproof and can accommodate insoles perfectly.
Also, buy insoles with handy ankle straps, such as the Warmfits Rechargeable Heated Insoles and Thermrup Electric Insoles.
Comfort and Support
While none of the heated insoles can compare to the support of the best insoles for supination, some are made from soft memory foam for ultimate comfort.
One such product is the Kamlif Memory Foam Heated Insoles. They’re specifically designed for extra cushioning while providing heat for your feet. Despite this, they don’t have any advantages over our reviewed insoles on this list, which is why we excluded them.
Even so, if you really are needing that extra comfort, totally check them out.
Odor and Moisture Control
Sweat or moisture can result in stinky shoes/feet and a decrease in warmth.
With this in mind, look for heated insoles with an antimicrobial treatment to help eliminate the bacteria and odors.
The closest model we have to this is the Hothands Foot Warmers. They come with moisture-repelling materials to keep your feet dry in the wet.
Pro Tips To Repel the Cold
Here are some pro tips to keep you warm during blustery winter weather, other than a focus on your feet:
Cover Your Entire Body
The rest of your body is as vulnerable to cold as your feet.
Consider wearing gloves and well-stitched insulated clothing, such as warm jackets, hats, scarves and earmuffs.
Also, ensure that the clothes are dry before you wear them and head out.
Be Knowledgeable About Cold-Related Issues
In extreme cold, you might suffer from frostbite or hypothermia if you don’t take preventative measures. Therefore, it’s crucial you know the early signs of these adverse situations.
Early symptoms can be:
- Clumsy hands.
- Drowsiness.
- Exhaustion.
- Confusion.
- Slurred speech.
- Memory loss.
- Shivering.
If you’re in a group, keep an eye on your partners and immediately head back if any symptoms appear.
Stay Tuned To the News
Due to adverse climatic conditions, you may have to cancel or postpone your trip. Hence, pay attention to the local news and take the warnings seriously.
Reviews of the Best Heated Insoles
Feeling all toasty now you know how to choose the right heated insoles?
It’s time to go through the best heated insoles we’ve picked out below to see if any of them match your needs.
Let’s go!
Our Overview
Hothands specializes in self-heating products, so it’s no surprise that these foot warmers are at the top of their game.
These disposable heated insoles come in a pack of 16 pairs that will last through long adventures. Also, the brand claims that these insoles have a shelf life of 3 to 4 years, providing excellent value for money.
In addition, the company claims that their heated insoles last for 9 consecutive hours. Though some buyers complained that they sometimes get too hot to be touched with bare skin, you can wear thick socks to avoid this. But, their low-profile design makes sure that they fit into most shoe sizes.
Another great thing about these chemistry-powered heated insoles is that you won’t have to mess with the wires or batteries. All you have to do is to shake them in the open air, put them in your shoes, and they’ll heat up within 15 to 30 minutes.
Watch out when doing this, though—some customers felt they were far too hot and unusable. We recommend you test them before putting them on to avoid any discomfort.
Note that these Hothands are also adhesive, so you’ll have no issues with them slipping around in your shoe, which we know can be really frustrating.
Also, Hothands has made these heated insoles from natural ingredients, which is perfect for the environmentally conscious out there. They also have activated charcoal in them to absorb odor and moisture, and they don’t contain any harmful compounds that can harm the environment. Hence, you don’t have to think twice while disposing of them. Just simply toss them in your nearest garbage bin and forget.
The only disadvantage with these Hothands insoles is that they can’t fit feet longer than 9 inches or wider than 3 inches, which is around a men’s US size 8. If you’re one with large feet, you shouldn’t opt for them and consider the Warmfits option below.
Pros:
- Heat lasts up to 9 hours.
- Environmentally friendly.
- Activated charcoal to absorb moisture.
- Adhesive, so no slippage in the shoe.
Cons:
- Not suitable for big feet.
- Might be too hot for some.
Our Overview
The heating source is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which can keep your feet warm for up to five or six hours. As they’re battery-powered and can be recharged, they’re ideal for hunters sitting in shelter waiting for their prey. However, if you don’t hunt frequently, the Hothands insoles above are still a great choice.
The battery-powered unisex Warmfits heated insoles are ready to trim to fit your shoe size. They easily fit shoe sizes between 7 to 12. You can size them by cutting off the excess material for your shoe size—a good way to do this is by tracing your foot and marrying the insole over the trace.
These best heated insoles for hunters come with a USB cable and an adapter, allowing you to recharge insoles through a laptop, powerbank and even the car charger. This makes them portable and ideally suited for long trips or remote hunts.
Note that you’d have to wear the battery on your ankle or calf using a velcro strap. The battery connects to the sole through a 16-inch cable, meaning that you can wear these insoles with every shoe type and up to 15-inch-tall boots. The wires are only 0.19-inches thick, making them comfortable to wear.
Based on the temperature conditions and your socks and shoes’ insulation, these Warmfits heated insoles heat to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This seems like a good number on paper, but some buyers have complained that the temperature is uneven among the toe, mid-foot and heels. Although there aren’t any temperature settings with this pair of heated insoles, they come with ventilation to help prevent sweating.
Pros:
- Excellent for hunters.
- Lasts up to four to six hours.
- Fits a wide range of shoe sizes.
- Ventilation to prevent sweat.
Cons:
- No adjustable heat settings.
Our Overview
These Thermrup unisex heated insoles can fit foot sizes from 4.5 to 14. Note that you’ll have to carefully trim them along the size lines to customize their shoe size and comfort.
No matter the final size, they’re 0.19-inches thick, meaning that you can slide them easily into your low-profile winter shoes or boots.
Note that these aren’t wireless, so you have to wear the battery pack around your calf or ankle using the included strap. However, the wire is 27-inches long, meaning it will easily go through all your winter clothing layers.
You can lock the strap with velcro, which can be expanded or contracted as per your comfort. Also, the battery pack is slim and doesn’t require much room, so it won’t restrict your movements while you’re on the go.
For extra customization, these insoles come with four different heat levels, which can be adjusted manually using the power switch. As per some customer reviews, these insoles tend to run hot, so the lower settings will be enough for most environments. At the lowest settings, they can last for up to five hours, which isn’t the best duration we’ve seen, but it seems to suffice for many.
In terms of comfort, the insoles distribute heat through a rubber pad, while EVA foam cushions on both sides. This combination also evenly distributes heat from toes to heels, with users praising the wide heat coverage.
Be aware that as the batteries are separate from the insoles, you can purchase new batteries when the existing ones are worn out, offering excellent value.
We have to pick out that these insoles don’t grip the shoes as well as an adhesive option, such as the Hothands pairs. Instead, these Thermrups have a flannelette base that doesn’t grip shoes as well.
Pros:
- Trimmable to fit a wide range of sizes.
- Four temperature settings.
- 27-inch long cable.
- Comfortable insole due to rubber and foam.
Cons:
- Flannelette base lacks grip.
- Can run too hot on high settings.
Our Overview
Upstartech offers these wireless footwarmers in two unisex sizes:
- Small/medium.
- Large/extra-large.
The small/medium will fit shoe sizes between 4 to 7.5 while the large/extra-large are for 8.5 to 11.5. To get your desired size, simply trim them for a custom fit.
A built-in battery powers the insoles’ far-infrared (FIR) heating elements and should keep your feet warm without any discomfort, which can be caused by batteries strapped around your calves or ankles.
Not having to wear batteries also makes them a better choice for skiing over other heated insoles. They come with a wireless remote that indicates the current temperature, which also has an LED display to indicate current temperature settings.
Note that these Upstartech wireless heated insoles come with three different heating levels and can go up to the maximum temperature of 118 degrees Fahrenheit, which customers mention is more than enough to keep your feet warm while skiing.
Depending on the heat settings, the brand claims that their insoles can last for 4 to 8 hours. However, some customers pick out how they only last 3 to 6 hours with a full charge.
They’re also made from Osley foam, which is soft on the skin, breathable to avoid overheating and easily absorbs moisture to prevent odors. In addition, they’re also waterproof, so you won’t have to worry about snow sneaking into your boots.
In terms of charging capacity, the manufacturer claims you can charge them 500 times. While that sounds a lot on paper, customers mention it’s actually lower than this, and they’ll only last a few winters.
Also, these heated insoles have a heel-to-toe drop of 11 millimeters, or 0.43 inches, which some customers find uncomfortable.
Pros:
- Wireless remote controls have LED displays.
- No need to wear battery packs on your body.
- Comes with three temperature settings.
- Waterproof.
Cons:
- 500-charge limitation.
- Heal-to-toe drop is high.
Our Overview
These ThermaCELL heated insoles come in five standard sizes (small, medium, large, extra-large, double-extra large) and are easily trimmable for different shoe sizes. They should cover most women’s sizes from 4.5 to 14 and men’s 3.5 to 13.
To protect the heating mechanism, these heated insoles have a water-resistant liner in their fabric and are made of polyurethane foam for excellent durability.
You control the heat using a remote. Furthermore, they don’t have a built-in thermostat, which would get too hot and burn your skin. Instead, they stop heating up once they’ve hit the desired temperature and will reheat when it starts to drop again.
The remote has three different temperature settings to achieve this. The medium will keep your feet warm at 100 degrees Fahrenheit and the highest setting will toast on 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The other setting is a “no heat” mode if you need an instant break from heating.
As per user reviews, they should take four hours to get fully charged, which is excessive compared to other models that only take a maximum of 30 minutes to heat.
Also, as per user reviews, people with feet problems won’t find these insoles’ rigid design comfortable.
Pros:
- Fits a wide range of sizes.
- Water-resistant liner.
- Polyurethane foam material for durability.
- Instant “no heat” mode to take a break.
Cons:
- Heating can be too low for freezing temperatures.
- Rigid build is uncomfortable for those with foot issues.
Our Overview
These trim-to-fit best heated insoles are suitable for feet size 6.5 to 12 for women and 5.5 to 12 for men. No matter the shoe and size, Hotronic claims users can easily put them into different shoes as they come with adhesive strips.
Note that there are four temperature settings. At its highest setting, they last for 4.5 hours, while at the lowest setting, they can last around 21 hours, which is excellent compared to similar models.
The battery pack is simple to wear around the calf or ankle with the provided straps, making the portability decent. Also, the manufacturer claims the battery’s lifespan is around four years, even if you don’t use (charge and drain) them frequently.
While having to trim insoles to fit your shoe size is a benefit, keep in mind that you’ll need to carefully trim them to ensure the fit is perfect.
Pros:
- Comes with adhesive strips.
- Batteries can last for years.
- Four different temperature settings.
- Lasts up to 21 hours.
Cons:
- Needs careful trimming.
FAQs
Do Heated Insoles Really Work?
Yes, heated insoles really work, especially at keeping your feet warm for prolonged periods. If you only expect to need your feet warm for a short period of 30 minutes, the investment isn’t necessarily worth it. But, if you’re going on a long trek or expect to need them regularly for short periods, they’re an excellent choice.
Which Is Better, Heated Socks or Insoles?
Neither heated socks nor heated insoles are better than each other since they have different strengths. Heated socks double-up as a sock and a footwarmer, so are more expensive, but you only need to wear them alone. Heated insoles go underneath socks, so warm the socks more than your feet, allowing you to wear your favorite socks and keep your feet warm.
How Long Do ThermaCell Heated Insoles Last?
ThermaCell heated insoles last 5 hours on the medium setting, according to the manufacturer. This duration increases on the low setting and reduces on the high setting. Note that customers report different durations on different settings, which is likely due to how often they use them and how they treat them.
Does Wearing Two Socks Keep Your Feet Warmer?
Wearing two pairs of socks doesn’t keep your feet warmer since the second pair doesn’t act as an insulator but more as a compressor on your feet, reducing circulation. You’re better to invest in a pair of heated insoles for warmth, especially a battery-operated pair that you can wear over and over.
Conclusion
Using heated insoles is one of those situations where you’ll never look back after your first try. That extra layer of warmth they provide for day-to-day or specific use is incredible.
We recommend you go for the Hothands Foot Warmers if you haven’t managed to make your mind up yet.
Why? You get excellent value for money with 16 pairs in a pack to start. They can also last up to 9 hours, so can cover you for the entire day if you’re working outside or on a trip. These factors combine well with them being self-heating disposable options, so you don’t have the hassle of setting them up and housing wiring.
