Cold hands and feet plague many skiers and snowboarders, but some of us suffer from chronically cold extremities more than others. If you’re on the verge of foregoing skiing and snowboarding when the temps dip into the teens—and have tried everything from cayenne pepper in your boots to hand warmers in your mittens, we’ve got news for you.

You don’t have to give up skiing and snowboarding, and you certainly don’t have to stay lodge-bound on frigid days. The latest tech can keep you outside this winter, in the form of battery-heated accessories.

While single-use hand and foot warmers work temporarily, heated accessories for winter sports easily recharge, last for years, and provide reliable, seamless solutions to chronically cold digits. The same tech works just as well for ice fishing, ice climbing, or duck hunting as it does for skiing and snowboarding, so you can beat the cold on all your winter adventures.

Here’s the rundown on heated socks, gloves, boot bags, and boot driers, plus other tips on how to keep your hands and feet warm this winter.

Benefits of Heated Accessories

Cold hands and feet not only take the fun out of a winter adventure, but when combined with poor circulation, high altitude, and long-term exposure can cause more severe complications like frostbite. 

Battery-heated accessories can run anywhere from 5-14 hours, meaning they’re usually good for a full day of outdoor use before you need to recharge. They often have a range of settings so you can customize your warmth depending on the outside temperature and the duration of your activity, allowing you to conserve energy if temps warm up—and avoid the opposite problem of sweaty hands. Most heated accessories can be recharged with a USB cord so you can power up in your car on the way to the mountain.

What Heated Accessory Is Right for You?

The most common types of heated accessories are gloves, socks, and heated insoles that work in ski or snowboard boots. Choosing the right heated accessory depends on which area of your body is most susceptible to cold. If you suffer from frozen fingers, heated gloves are a great option. If your toes go numb as soon as you load the chairlift, invest in heated socks or insoles. Or maybe you’re prone to cold extremities in general and need both. 

In addition to wearable heated accessories, off-body accessories like ski/snowboard boot dryers and heated boot bags can go a long way to keeping you warm on the mountain. Starting the day with your feet in toasty, dry boots instead of damp, cold ones will keep your feet warmer and more comfortable throughout the day. 

More Tips for Keeping Your Hands & Feet Warm

1. Always start the day in clothing and accessories that are completely dry 
2. Keep your boots, socks, and gloves warm prior to dressing—don’t store your boots in your car the night before!  
3. If possible, put your boots and gloves on inside so you can start out with warm feet and hands
4. Choose mittens over gloves 
5. Steer clear of cotton and opt for wool or synthetic materials instead 
6. Keep your core warm with proper layers and outerwear 
7. Sip a hot beverage in between laps  
8. If you can’t get the feeling back in your hands or have wet accessories, head to the bathroom and get creative with the hand dryer 
9. Make sure you stay hydrated and fuel up with nutritious snacks 

Ready to beat frozen fingers and toes?

Shop our selection of heated accessories here.