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Hotronic Boot Warmers
- Thread starter ski chick
- Start date
NannyMin
Banned
I just had the Hotronics m4 version installed in my boots a few weeks ago. I LOVE them! I haven't needed extra battery packs. Mine last at least 8 hours. However, I haven't skied with them in super cold weather, so that impact the battery life. Make sure you get the newest version of clips (the part that attaches the battery pack to your boot) as I've heard last year's version has a tendency to come off.
Also, the tech who installed mine recommended charging and draining the batteries three times before using them.
Also, the tech who installed mine recommended charging and draining the batteries three times before using them.
Shellski
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Love them, love them, love them. We find the batteries tend to last all day, but not on the higher settings. You shouldn't need the highest setting though, the low setting is fine for keeping the chill out. No problems with the clip staying on, we clip them to the power strap.
The only problem we have ever had is the chargers dying, but we subject them to a lot of knocking around - international travel etc. They are easy to replace however.
The only problem we have ever had is the chargers dying, but we subject them to a lot of knocking around - international travel etc. They are easy to replace however.
Telluride Ski Babe
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Had these installed in my boots this year, and today is the first day I've used them. My feet (toes) are ALWAYS cold, and today it was cold enough were I felt I'd need the warmers. My feet aren't toasty, but they aren't cold either. At least I can feel my toes! A giant step forward, I must say...
canski
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Well worth the investment! My husband calls me 'popsicle toes', and I have had boot warmers since they were invented! Frigid New England......We will both be upgrading to the 4's this year, as our old ones are dying, etc. Rave reviews from a tech at the shop vs. the older models - last longer, charge only takes 3 hours! And neither of us have ever been able to put them on the highest setting without feeling too much 'burn'. I usually have them on 2 with an occasional blast of 3. Again, you may not feel that your toes are 'warm' all over, but you will be able to stay out longer - I can tell when one battery gives out or comes unplugged when the other one is still OK, even though the heated foot may not feel toasty, the unheated one is undeniably colder. We have always just used the velcro strap for the battery packs, as well. Make sure you get the proper footbed option (for custom footbeds, or not). Some boot manufacturers are actually making their liners with slits in them to accomodate the leads from boot heaters! See if the shop will install them for you - they can be tricky to do properly.
I had a pair of Hottronics several years ago. Lost one of the battery packs... and that was the end of that. I found the cables running up the backs of my boots extremely annoying (they are flat and were taped down but I could still feel them). It felt like a big seam going up the back of my calf. They did keep my feet nice and warm, but considering the discomfort, after losing a battery pack I didn't bother replacing it.
Now I use those disposable toe heater packs, which are much more comfortable for me. I stick them on top of my toes before I slide my foot in the boot and it just sits on top of my toes. It's the one and only spot in my boots that has any wiggle room, so it works really well. And I only use them on really cold days, so the cost is minimal when you buy them in bulk.
Now I use those disposable toe heater packs, which are much more comfortable for me. I stick them on top of my toes before I slide my foot in the boot and it just sits on top of my toes. It's the one and only spot in my boots that has any wiggle room, so it works really well. And I only use them on really cold days, so the cost is minimal when you buy them in bulk.
vanhoskier
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I don't know. I had the Thermics installed, simply because those were what my shop carried. I used them on Sunday and they kept my toes from going numb like they usually do. I need to use them more times to be able to give a more accurate assessment. I'd bet that there's very little difference between the 2 manufacturers. I'm prone to cold toes and got sick of trying to get the little instant heater packs to sit in the right spot on my toes.
volklgirl
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I flip them upside down and stick them to upper side of the toe box in the liner, then squiggle my foot in underneath. They have worked very well for me that way.
Slidergirl
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I've had both
I bought a pair of Hottronics back in 2002. My ex-hubby had a pair of Thermics. Really no difference in the two that we could see. I used them for skiing and working outside. My feet were never "warm", but they never felt cold, if that makes sense.
I just got new boots (Lange Exclusive 100) with custom liners in them. I have some nerve damage in my left toes due to some surgery last year, and I am a little afraid that I won't be able to tell if they get too cold. My bootfitter (Surefoot) made me some custom footbeds (I needed the orthotics, anyway) and imbedded some new Thermics in the footbeds. I paid a hefty price for all this, but it's definitely worth it to me to have comfortable feet while I ski. When I get new boots again, I can just transfer the footbeds into them, so they were a good investment.
I bought a pair of Hottronics back in 2002. My ex-hubby had a pair of Thermics. Really no difference in the two that we could see. I used them for skiing and working outside. My feet were never "warm", but they never felt cold, if that makes sense.
I just got new boots (Lange Exclusive 100) with custom liners in them. I have some nerve damage in my left toes due to some surgery last year, and I am a little afraid that I won't be able to tell if they get too cold. My bootfitter (Surefoot) made me some custom footbeds (I needed the orthotics, anyway) and imbedded some new Thermics in the footbeds. I paid a hefty price for all this, but it's definitely worth it to me to have comfortable feet while I ski. When I get new boots again, I can just transfer the footbeds into them, so they were a good investment.
cinnabon
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Same here - they work great! The only drawback I found was for a long ski work day they did not last all day - maybe 5-6 hours max, which for most people is probably adequate.
For me this is a better option than boot heaters because my feet only get cold on the coldest days - or when I was working and had to stand around a lot on snow.
I had Hotronics installed last year, and I love them. I used to use the adhesive warmers. They're not bad, though they do tend to bunch up. I'd actually tape them in place, which was a somewhat satisfactory solution, but not ideal.
Anyway, I used my Hotronics on Monday when the wind chill was well below zero. And though my feet weren't toasty (I had the Hotronics on the second setting), they didn't feel achingly cold, either -- which I think is really the point. If your feet are too warm they're going to perspire, and that's not good. Plus the batteries last longer on the lower setting. A definite thumbs up!
Anyway, I used my Hotronics on Monday when the wind chill was well below zero. And though my feet weren't toasty (I had the Hotronics on the second setting), they didn't feel achingly cold, either -- which I think is really the point. If your feet are too warm they're going to perspire, and that's not good. Plus the batteries last longer on the lower setting. A definite thumbs up!
Slidergirl
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Those are the ones I had installed in my orthotics. The remote is small and is on an elastic lanyard. The battery pack looks just like the battery pack of the non-remote warmers. Now, you can't control one boot over the other, it's both boots at the same time. Honestly, I don't know that it would be worth any extra price over a non-remote pair. You just don't have to bend down, find the battery pack under your boots and turn the dial. But, it came with my orthotics, so...
I haven't skied yet - I just ordered my skis last night at the industry night. So, it'll be next week before I try the whole shibang (new boots and skis) out.
gailandnorm
Diva in Training
I've had mine for about 4 years (they replaced some old thermics) and wouldn't be without them. Do be sure to read the instructions and follow them exactly in terms of charging and discharging.
I had what I thought was a problem last year because the charger wasn't working. Took battereies and the charger into the ski shop and he told me that sometimes when the batteries really die over the summer, the charger wont work, but his charger would. So he gave my batteries a jolt with his charger and all has been fine since.
With regard to the line from the footplate to the top of the boot, the line goes through a hole in the liner which the service guy makes, to the outsideof the liner of the boot right next to the shell and then up the back. I have always, until this season, simply hung the batteries on the back of my boots without a problem. My new boots (Atomic)have a built- in hanger on the back. I'm a happy camper.
I had what I thought was a problem last year because the charger wasn't working. Took battereies and the charger into the ski shop and he told me that sometimes when the batteries really die over the summer, the charger wont work, but his charger would. So he gave my batteries a jolt with his charger and all has been fine since.
With regard to the line from the footplate to the top of the boot, the line goes through a hole in the liner which the service guy makes, to the outsideof the liner of the boot right next to the shell and then up the back. I have always, until this season, simply hung the batteries on the back of my boots without a problem. My new boots (Atomic)have a built- in hanger on the back. I'm a happy camper.
Hotronics work great if used to their potential. If you are going to use them, turn the heat on before you get outside in the cold. So set them on the lowest setting when putting your boots on and manage the heat throughout the day. If you turn them on after your feet are cold, your feet will probably not recover and your batteries won't last as long because you are using a higher setting.
The only "extra" I bought was a second set of batteries, so that I can be charging one while using the other. I leave my boots at work, and there is nowhere to charge them there. I guess I like to know I have a second set should I need to switch mid day. When it is -14 F and gray out, I do run out of juice. Though, after using them all winter for 8 years, I finally invested in custom liners, and find that I barely use them anymore as the circulation is vastly improved while still having a snug fit...just a thought.
gr8outdoors
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I got some hotronics for Christmas and love them! No more cold feet. We recently purchased a pair of boot gloves for my son and they seem to work quite well too and were a lot less expensive (although he still wants hotronics because he thinks they are neat!).
skidaup
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I am a simple person, I have looked at the Hotronics a bunch of times but never bit on them. I do use the toe warmers in my boots since my new boots this year are 2 sizes smaller than my old boots, quite a phenomenon to have boots that actually fit my feet but they are colder than my old sloppy ones. I must thank Volklgirl for the idea to stick those little buggers to my liner, thought never occurred to me. I had been taping them to my toes as advised by a friend. Sticking them to the top of my liner was almost as great of a tip as buying icebreaker long underwear which still are my most favorite new ski thing this year. Thanks volklgirl! I feel very ski educated this year.
