Heated Socks
One of the secrets of enjoying winter weather is to keep the feet warm. Cold
feet can make us feel miserable, but as soon as the feet are comfortable we can
endure almost anything.
When the feet are cold the body uses a lot of energy to warm them up. That's
why heated socks contribute to our overall comfort level - the body has more
energy to keep other parts of the body warm.  Heated Socks
That's why heated socks are the most practical item of heated clothing.
Heated socks make the difference between enjoyment and suffering when doing
outdoor winter activities.
Heated socks are also good for indoor use. Imagine turning down the
thermostat and still being comfortable! Heated socks can make all the
difference!
Types of Heated Socks
Several manufacturers make battery-powered heated socks. The most common
design for this type of heated sock is with a "D" battery holder at the top of
each sock. Other battery-powered heated socks have a connector cable so that the
battery can be positioned anywhere on the body.
The problem with using "D" batteries for heated socks is their size and
weight. When the battery is positioned at the sock cuff the weight of the
battery tends to pull the sock down.
"D" batteries also have a rather limited charge time. Most of these heated
socks will only operate for a couple of hours, although there are a few designs
that will remain heated for up to 10 hours.
Some battery heated socks use re-chargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) or
Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery packs that can be worn on the belt or in a
pocket. These are preferable to "D" battery heated socks because they avoid the
two problems mentioned above - the bulk and weight of the battery and the
limited charge time. This type of heated sock is usually more expensive than "D"
battery heated socks.
Power Sources for Heated Socks
There are also heated socks designed for stationary indoor use that plug into
a regular electrical outlet. Obviously your mobility is limited, but these could
prove useful for office workers who suffer from cold feet. Don't forget to
unplug when you're called away from your desk!
And there are also heated socks for motorcyclists that connect to the DC
battery. There are several manufacturers of this type of heated sock, and we
will be publishing a review of available brands in the next few weeks. You can
use the RSS feed on the left to keep informed of the latest updates to this
website.
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