heated insoles vs heated socks

Heated Insoles vs Heated Socks – Which is Better and Why?

You feel cold the most from your feet, mainly because it is part of your body’s extremities, so when your feet get warmer, it generally gives a feeling of warmth to your whole body.

A cold foot is a difference between how much time and fun you can have hiking, skiing, and other fun activities in the winter. Hence the warmer your feet are on cold days, the more you can get done.

There are two great ways of keeping your feet warm on cold days: you can either use heated socks or a heated insole. Many people do not know which is best for them. So, today, we will help you figure out which option is best for you. 

What Exactly Are Heated Socks and Heated Insoles

Heated socks are battery-powered socks that generate heat that travel around the entire length of socks through wiring to heat your legs to keep them warm. Some of these heated socks come with rechargeable batteries, while others are replaceable when they die out. 

There are high-tech heated socks that have an App that you can download on your smartphone, with which you can control the temperature of your socks from your phone without using a remote control. This is a convenience offered in style.

On the other hand, heated insoles are products that keep your feet warm by applying heat generated from a battery or any other artificial means to the soles of the feet. 

The heated insoles are placed inside your shoes, keeping your feet warm as you wear the shoes. The aim is to give your feet warmth without them becoming overly sweating, and that is why you must control the temperature.

Difference Between Heated Insoles and Heated Socks

 

Reasons You Should Have Heated Socks or Heated Insoles

There are a few reasons why you would want to buy heated socks or insoles, including:

  1. They keep your feet warm on cold days when hiking, skiing, snowboarding, or generally doing anything in winter. When you walk in the snow, the importance of keeping your feet warm can never be overemphasized because complications like trench foot can result.
  2. They supply additional support to your feet by helping you relieve pressure and pain when you walk or participate in a winter sport or fun activities.
  3. Heated socks and insoles supply comfort for your feet; they make you feel great on very cold days. When you feel warm and comfortable, it makes everything else feel nice and pleasant.
  4. The warmth that heated socks and insoles provide helps make blood and oxygen circulation in your body better. This improved circulation provides health benefits and prevents health problems like frostbite.

Which Is Better Between Heated Insoles and Heated Socks

The issue of which out of heated socks and heated insoles is better is not the right question. It is more a question that will fit your personal need, preference, style and how much you are willing to pay to keep your feet warm because they all have pros and cons. Based on the parameters below, you can choose between the heated insole and heated socks, which is best for you.

1. Warmth

Even though they both provide you with an opportunity to keep your feet warm and control the temperature of your feet, heated insoles only warm the under of your feet alone and not your whole feet. 

Heated socks on the hand warm your whole feet and even part of your legs which means they heat a greater part of your body. So, if you are looking for a product that warms a greater part of your legs, then heated socks it is.

2. How it fits with your clothing

Because heated insoles take a little more room for your shoes, wearing one might make you feel a tad uncomfortable, especially if you will be wearing them for long, unlike when you are wearing a heated sock. 

The standard heated socks do not take up any room in your shoes. So, if you don’t mind feeling like you are wearing a shoe that is assize less than your actual shoe size, then you might opt for a heated insole.

3. Ability to control the temperature

Most heated insoles come with a remote control used to control the insole’s temperature, which is very easy and convenient. 

Heated socks, on the other hand, mostly have their temperature line the battery park that is at the top cuff of the socks; what it means is that for you to adjust the temperature of the heated socks, you must bend down and then peel up the multiple layers of clothes you have on before you can get to them. This is a little bit too much work, especially when hiking or involved in a winter sport.

4. Washing

With a heated insole, you do not always have to remove and wash them after every use. If they get moist and sweaty, all you need to do is pull off your shoes, keep them dry and then wear them afterwards, but with heated socks, you will have to wash them almost after every use. 

The washing process is still even tedious, too, because you will have first to remove the battery pack, wash the socks by hand, allow it to dry, and then fix back the battery pack before you can wear it. 

Doing this will take a lot of time, which means that when you are doing anything, your feet will be cold, except you have another pair that you will wear while washing your heated sicks.

5. Price 

While the prices of heated socks and heated insoles can differ based on the company manufacturing them, heated socks are a lot cheaper than heated insoles. So, if you are on a budget, you might want to stick to your lovely, wild socks. 

6. Convenience

Heated insoles are meant to be worn only when you are wearing a shoe, or mostly for outdoor activities, but with heated socks, you can wear it anywhere, even when you are sleeping, which makes it a better choice if you will be indoors.

Factors You Should Look When Picking Heated Socks and Heated Insoles Online

There are a few factors that will guide you in shopping for your heated socks and heated insoles; some of them include:

  1. Battery life: this is one of the most important considerations before shopping for heated socks or insole online. You must find out the type of batteries they are if they are rechargeable or replaceable batteries. You must ensure that you look for one with low voltage, with no potential for leaking and which can be recharged for at least 500 cycles.
  2. The material used in making the heated socks and insoles: the material used in making these products will determine their price, quality, and efficiency and comfort. For instance, some heated socks are made of tightly knit cotton and wool which are good insulators to keep you warmer.
  3. The heating element’s zone is placed: the placement of the heating element can determine how you enjoy wearing your heated insole and socks. Some manufacturers place it in the toes, others in the arches or soles. You should be sure of this fact before you make a purchasing decision.
  4. The price: your budget will ultimately determine what you can buy. So be sure to know the price of the product you want to buy. Secondly, you should check to see if there are stores giving discounts or are on sale so you can save some cash.
  5. The brand and reviews: sometimes, the information that many sellers post online can be misleading. Before you part with your cash in acquiring heated socks or insole, ensure that a reliable company makes them. You can go further to read reviews by customers to make sure you get value for money.

Are Heated Socks Worth It

Heated insoles are worth every cent you spend on them because they are excellent in keeping your feet warm during a very cold winter day. Some of the advantages of using a heated insole include:

  1. Heated insoles are a good way to keep your feet warm.
  2. They can be worn many times before you will need to wash them; in fact, you can dry them after each use, and they will be okay.
  3. Heated insoles are remote controlled and are so easy to use and control the temperature.

What Are the Best Heated Socks on The Market?

There are lots of heated socks that are available in the market, and some of them include: 

  1. COZIA Thermal Socks: these heated socks are made of Acrylic, Polyester and Spandex. These socks supply ultimate warmth and are breathable because of the long-looped cushion pile that keeps the feet warm but not sweaty.
  2. Hissoux Unisex 2.44 Tog Ultra Thick Warm Insulated Heated Crew Socks: Acrylic, nylon, polyester, and spandex. These heated socks are thick yet lightweight, versatile, and comfortable for indoor or outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, and the likes.
  3. CORFUNVE Heavy Thermal Insulated Crew Socks: this striped heated sock warms the feet 7 times more than cotton socks. The padded reinforced toe helps reduce pressure on the toes, while the padded reinforced design helps lightly cushion the heel to prevent foot irritation. It is also a stay-up-top engineered to keep the socks from falling during wear without being tight and causing discomfort.
  4. Sunew Thermal Socks: this sock is made mostly of Acrylic, which is ultra-plush and has a fluffy fleece material layer inside and textured synthetic blend material on the outside. They are, however, not to be dry cleaned, ironed or bleached.
  5. Chalier Thermal Socks: these heated socks come in different styles and combinations and are made of high-quality materials that make them very durable

How Long Does Heated Socks Stay Warm

Heated socks can stay warm for a whole day provided the batteries are properly and fully charged (for heated socks with rechargeable batteries). 

Some batteries can last if 25 hours and keep the feet warm. For replaceable batteries, a new battery can last for as much as 24 hours if you get ones of premium quality.

Can You Run in Heated Socks?

The answer is YES; you can run in heated socks. Heated socks are just like your standard stocks; you can do all the things you can while wearing them. So, if you want to climb a mountain, go snowboarding or skiing on a cold winter day, or run a marathon, your heated socks will prove reliable.

What Is the Best Foot Warmer?

There are definite answers to what the best foot warmer is; it is a question of preference and taste. There are different foot warmers, from heated socks to heated insoles; electric foot warmers, hot toe foot heat warmers, microwaveable boots, and the like.

Different devices can be helpful in keeping your feet warm; what will determine what is best for you apart from taste and preference will include the price of the product, the function that you will put the foot warmer to, whether you will be using it indoors or outdoors, whether you will want to adjust the temperature easily or not. These are some of the things that will help you figure out what feet warmer best for you.

Conclusion: Heated Insoles vs Heated Socks

Heated insoles and heated socks are a great way to keep your feet warm on cold days, and they both have their pros and cons. Some factors will determine the choice that is best for you. 

Heated socks have the advantages of warming a more significant portion of your legs, being cheaper, and being worn indoors. In contrast, heated insoles are preferred by many because they are easy to clean, provide convenience and ease of using the remote control.

So, if you are thinking of a way to ward off cold during those cold winter days, then a heated insole or socks is the way to go.

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