Boot Heaters, heated socks, and other old man products

[XavierD]

They're awfully proud of those Lenz socks, huh?
The Costco ones list a higher Merino content, btw.

I have purchased both. The Costco ones are priced appropriately to their quality and suitability for skiing compared to the Lenz socks.

Having used various brands of heated socks and the thermic boot heaters, I think the installed boot heater is the best option if installed well. Socks work well in touring and cross over boots but really don’t have the room to fit them in the resort boots. Be interested to try the Sidas option if they are an actual ultralight sock thickness.


Boot heaters are also generally more economical than the socks IMO.

[oldblue]

The new Sidas S.E.T. Race heated socks are super thin, on par with a Smartwool Ultralight . . .

https://www.thewarmingstore.com/sida...hoCfKEQAvD_BwE

Do these seem to be thinner than the Lenz 6.1 socks?

[jmills]

Do you mind naming names? May be looking into Zipfits soon, and will steer clear of this hack shop

I won’t, I haven’t ever read anything negative about them on TGR or Skitalk and went to them because of all the positive reviews.
I didn’t agree with the owners decision but shit happens. I wouldn’t hesitate to make a purchase online and handle them yourself. If you have questions, Jeff at Zipfit will give you the answers you need

[altacoup]

I have hotronics, boot caps and boot gloves. I’m also in a plug dobermann. Started with hotronics 8 years ago and instantly wish I hadn’t been so cheap in the past. Being able to stay out all day on a cold pow with a high performance fit in a high performance boot is way better than foot destroying pain I put myself through for years. Warmer days the boot cap is enough (not the claimed 20 degrees) but it is noticeable. Anything below freezing and the batteries are in. Single digits and below I’ll put everything on. Easy to cut holes for buckles in boot gloves. Boot gloves don’t last very long so buy cheap knockoffs. Don’t use hotronics in boots with walk mode. Heated socks would simply never work for me as I’m in boots pretty much every day of the winter.


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[Duffman]

I have hotronics, boot caps and boot gloves. I’m also in a plug dobermann. Started with hotronics 8 years ago and instantly wish I hadn’t been so cheap in the past. Being able to stay out all day on a cold pow with a high performance fit in a high performance boot is way better than foot destroying pain I put myself through for years. Warmer days the boot cap is enough (not the claimed 20 degrees) but it is noticeable. Anything below freezing and the batteries are in. Single digits and below I’ll put everything on. Easy to cut holes for buckles in boot gloves. Boot gloves don’t last very long so buy cheap knockoffs. Don’t use hotronics in boots with walk mode. Heated socks would simply never work for me as I’m in boots pretty much every day of the winter.


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Interesting to hear that the boot caps work for you ,even somewhat . I saw them here and was skeptical that they would do much, but since it's just my big toes that are an issue maybe this is worth trying.

[gregL]

Do these seem to be thinner than the Lenz 6.1 socks?

Yes, quite a bit. Trying to get a pair for long-term testing.

[SnowMachine]

I bought a bunch of the stick on toe (chemical) heat packs. I haven't had a chance to try them yet. Never really got that cold, even last year. Anybody regularly use these in colder climes? I have decent wiggle room over my toes in my Zips. I'd like to have an option that I can throw in my pocket as a backup plan.

Also a huge fan if heated boot bags. Mine is always turned on. Dries everything out and warms my shells and liners. My original heater element died, so I just replaced it with a cheap heating pad. Not quite as warm, but the original element was almost too warm, anyway. Mine is a Snow Eagle (several years old). It fits my shells and liners (upside down and separate), has a helmet pouch, goggle compartment and a zippered pouch where I keep radios and beacons. I love having everything in one place since I'm usually rushing around packing kids gear for a quick ski team swoop. I've only forgotten the whole bag twice.

[stuckathuntermtn]

Yeah, I used to do the liner slits when I would install that stuff way back in the day. Always makes me cringe a little. I remember how some companies made liners with a premade hole that looked a lot nicer than anything I could do with a pocket knife. Not comfortable modifying my footbeds, either.
I'm not paying $400 for socks.

[Kya]

I’ve tried both Lenz and Hotronic heated socks. The Lenz are superior for sure. Over two years I’ve had two battery failures with Hotronics. Also, the Lenz socks fit better and are thinner. I just remolded my liners with a little extra material around the heating elements and they fit great.
Definitely get the 1800 battery with the Bluetooth capability. It rules!
I use these for resort skiing, bc skiing and my job as a snowmobile tour guide and it’s a game changer. Yes they are stupid expensive but saving the toes and still being able to be in cold weather for 10 hours a day with warm toes is off the charts awesome.


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[old goat]

how warm does that bag get? if i were to slip a couple a frozen burritos in there after i took my boots out in the morning, would they be ready togo by lunchtime?

Since you'd have to leave the engine running to power the bag, you'd might as well just stuff the burrito in the exhaust pipe. It should get good and hot.

[stuckathuntermtn]

Finally used my Costco heated socks. They are thicc. I think they worked ok though. Hard to tell, since I couldn't really feel anything down there the whole time. I heard they soften a bit after their first wash, but I don't think that's the problem. OTOH, my fit has some volume in height and it got warm today, so maybe it also helped? Fuck me sideways.

[gregL]

Yes, quite a bit. Trying to get a pair for long-term testing.

Got a pair of the Sidas/Therm-ic S.E.T. Race socks; they are super thin (maybe thinner than my trusted Darn Tough RFL's) and seem to work OK - will ski them Monday.

[stuckathuntermtn]

I'm not paying that much for a pair of socks.

[SoVT Joey]

I'm not paying that much for a pair of socks.

then just accept your mediocre to poor results.

[m2711c]

fact.

[stuckathuntermtn]

Oh yeah, these things have a left and a right. That may or may not have had anything to do with it. I didn't feel any lumps, just over all tightness. There's a 50/50 chance I got it the correct way around, anyway.

[Duffman]

Are all of these batteries interchangeable? Or must the Thermic Power Sock battery be used with then SET socks above?

[gregL]

Are all of these batteries interchangeable? Or must the Thermic Power Sock battery be used with then SET socks above?

Interchangeable with what? The Therm-ic batteries and bluetooth app work for all Sidas, Therm-ic (and possibly soon) Dissent heated socks; the footbed batteries are different. Not sure if Lenz batteries will work or not.

[jmills]

Tesmasport has the best pricing on Lenz but shipping batteries takes a while… I picked up some from a great Italian shop w/ fast ups shipping to UT


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Let’s see if I can post and not delete it 10 minutes later.

I have used the chemical warmers on my toes on days when I am using a rechargeable warmer in my mitts to help keep my fingers warm, the chemical warmers are keeping my toes warm. I am using them inside my Zipfits and had one day on one foot when I felt like I was getting excess pressure which might have been my over buckling the bottom two with a foot of fresh on the ground.

Since this thread started I began shopping for heated socks and had tried to purchase a pair from Snowinn (I think) and could not complete checkout with a shipping restricted item in my cart. I was then able to add another brand of a battery only that would have allowed shipping to the US. I gave up looking for a week or so and then looked at Tesmasport and saw they were offering 20% off Lenz products.
I purchased the 6.1 sock with rcb-1800 batteries for $250USD shipped. They shipped within 24 hours and think the estimated delivery date was 2/23/24. If they arrived by the end of the month I would be happy.

I had previously used a Hotronic S4-Custom warmer inside my boots and am going to list it in GS and would offer it up to this thread first.
I had tried the different styles of brackets to hold the batteries and had realized having extra brackets and heating elements was good between crashing, stepping into shell racer style, or mistakenly wearing the bracket on the back of of my booster to have it catch on the chair when loading and snap. PM me if interested in the S4 warmers

[Danno]

The shipping restriction thing is driving me crazy, some places won't ship things at all (or explain how to ship them if they will ship), another place offering the same thing said nothing about restrictions. Not wanting to purchase and THEN get screwed by restrictions, I asked and have been unable to get an answer for days.

[DGamms]

My buddy got these last month, I just home installed a pair too. A bit dorky looking but worth it for me if my toes stay warmer on the cold days.

I use HV Intuition liners daily (warmer than stock liners or Zipfit for sure), and Lenz socks on the really cold days too.

Will report back on the Bootcaps after a few days on them.

[jmills]

I ordered the Lenz 6.1 socks w/rcb-1800 batteries from Tesmasport on 2/12 and received them in Utah today.

[DGamms]

Three days on the Bootcaps so far… and those little fuckers help! None of the days were super cold, but my toes were noticeably warmer than normal. Not cold at all when I took the boots off at the end of the day, which is rare for me without using heated socks.

[sb]

Nice!

[whyturn]

Used my thermic IC heated soles again and been really happy Easy Bluetooth and works well to keep feet happy


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