floridakeysskibum
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
what does everyone think of battery operated boot warmers? You know, the $200+ variety?
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boot warmers
- Thread starter floridakeysskibum
- Start date
bklyn
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I personally don't like them, but YMMY (your mileage may vary).
Either way, if you buy them or not, making sure your boots are completely dry inside before you put them on will make a world of difference in your comfort.
You can get a very efficient boot dryer for under $25.
Either way, if you buy them or not, making sure your boots are completely dry inside before you put them on will make a world of difference in your comfort.
You can get a very efficient boot dryer for under $25.
skilove1
Diva in Training
This past weekend I was up at Jay in VT, with very cold weather (single digits / teens). I've always used the warmer packets for hands and toes, but I've started to notice the toe warmers just sort of freeze after a few runs (they stop warming and go cold), which they did at Jay.
But -- my sister and I overheard a guy saying that his electric warmers didn't really work either in the cold. So it may just be a scam. I think $200+ is a bit extreme for something that may not work, unless you talk to someone who's actually used them and had a good experience. Maybe we mis-heard him. But I also wonder if it won't screw with your current level of comfort in your boots. (It seems like it would be comparable to adding a gel insert, taking up space in an already tight place!)
But -- my sister and I overheard a guy saying that his electric warmers didn't really work either in the cold. So it may just be a scam. I think $200+ is a bit extreme for something that may not work, unless you talk to someone who's actually used them and had a good experience. Maybe we mis-heard him. But I also wonder if it won't screw with your current level of comfort in your boots. (It seems like it would be comparable to adding a gel insert, taking up space in an already tight place!)
JaneB
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
They don't take up much room in the boot, as they're a very thin layer under the forefoot, but I don't experience them as very effective. I use both a neoprene boot cover and the toe warmers on really cold days. I can get away with just the boot cover for average days. It's about $30. vs. $200. I'm in VT. where it's more often cold than not!
JaneB
JaneB
Robyn
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I think a lot (not all!) of people who think they don't work are expecting toasty warm toes. They are not met to keep your toes toasty, just tollerable. In fact, you don't want them toasty as that leads to sweating which then leads to freezing. I just got mine after enduring a day of -40 skiing but haven't had a really cold day to use them yet. However, I did test to see what the difference in feel was between one on and one off at a level 2 one day and I could tell the difference. Race days are notorious for cold coach's toes (too much standing around in snow) so I'll get to really test them out this weekend.
perma-grin
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
ditto Robyn, and as for taking up too much space, the size of the element is very small and thin about twice as wide as a postage stamp. It's triangular shaped heating element is very thin very little thickness to it. I think the validity of whether you justify the cost of the heaters or not depends on how often you ski and how much tolerance you have to the cold.
WildKitten
Certified Ski Diva
From what I've been told by a bootfitter those packets are ineffective in boots because they need an air supply to work, which they don't get in a boot.
My DH had hotronics installed in new ski boots last month. He doesn't notice them, they're very thin pads glued to the foot bed.
As far as working? In normal temps (teens, 20's) his has not experienced a problem with cold toes. He was out first thing this morning for 4 hours in 7 degree temps. No, they didn't keep his feet "toasty warm", but as he said without them he wouldn't have been able to ski as long as he did and he may not have gone out at all. So, as far as he is concerned they're a good investment.
I guess you just can't have unrealistic expectations for them. Their manual actually says "Do not expect fireplace toes".
Telluride Ski Babe
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Personally, I wouldn't be without them. My feet get cold really easily, so I had them installed in my boots this year. The sensation is best described as keeping your feet neutral...not hot, not cold. Perfect for me!
michpc
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I haven't used the packets in really frigid weather, but I find them to be quite effective at curing my tendency for freezing toes. They're certainly not toasty warm, but I felt a major difference in comfor the first time I used them, which was the day after not using them in similar temps. Went from being ready to quit due to numb/freezing toes after a couple hours, to feeling great all day. Just my 2 cents! In really really cold weather I'd probably need boto gloves too though.
cinnabon
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
It generally has to be pretty cold (less than 10 deg. or so) before I have a problem with cold feet, so it's never seemed worth it to go for built in heaters. But I do find the disposable packets very effective - and they fit well on top of my toes. I think the key is to let them fully start working before you put them in the boot. Then they are meant to work with very minimal air so they last longer. The other key is make sure they are fresh. If they sit around too long they lose their effectiveness (they are stamped with exp. dates).
AussieSkiGirl
Diva in Training
I have the Hotronics. I've used them for about 4 years and I'm very grateful that I have them. I have the old batteries (Nickel-MH) that last me a cold day of patrolling on level 2 - antifreeze level, not warming! A friend has the new Li-ion batteries which last for 2 days, but also takes 2-3 days to charge!! You need 2 sets of batteries for sure if you're using the Li-ion.
Robyn
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
My new ones most certainly do not take 2-3 days to charge. At most a few hours. I'm thinking something is wrong with your friend's outlet, charger or batteries.
AussieSkiGirl
Diva in Training
Yes, I thought it strange too! I've never had batteries that take that long to charge. Although, my NiMH take overnight (about 12 hours) to get to trickle charge. I'll have to get my friend to call hotronic and figure out what could be wrong with her charger.
Shellski
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
What is the voltage? Did your friend buy them in the US and is charging them in Australia? Just a thought...
skimomma24
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
So I am reading all this talk of electric boot warmers. That is simply out of my price range at this point. Have any of you resorted to those little heat packets you stick in your boot? Are they annoyingly uncomfortable? How much room do you need in your boot to be comfortable using them? I ask because I was teaching last night and it was -25C and for the the first time ever, my toes were really cold.
bklyn
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I put the heat packs on top of my feet. They warm the blood going to the toes (all the blood vessels on the top of your foot) and they benefit from the extra air available. I never have a problem with them bunching up under my toes or interfering with the boots' fit or my footbeds.
Number 1 for me is dry boots. Makes a huge difference.
Number 1 for me is dry boots. Makes a huge difference.
