Just because the weather outside is frightful, doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors huddled close to a delightful fire. There’s plenty of things to do in the winter that don’t involve shovels or shopping.
So with this collection of self-warming garments and accessories, you’ll have no reason to fear venturing out into the cold. In fact, you’ll be so cozy you may never want to venture back indoors — it’s just too bad batteries don’t last forever.
ThermaCELL Heated Insoles
Since your feet are always touching the frigid ground, or even snow, it’s a good idea to make sure that’s your first line of defence against the cold. And using an included wireless remote, you can crank these insoles to a toasty 111 degrees and leave a trail of melted snow wherever you wander. US$200
Gerbing’s Microwire Heated Socks
But insoles only really protect the bottom of your feet against the cold. To keep everything warm below your knees you’ll need a pair of heated socks, and using ultra thin wires and heat conducting fibres this pair evenly spreads the heat around. So no need to fear even the deepest of frigid snow drifts. US$200
Zippo Hand Warmer
Fire has been keeping mankind warm, fed, and safe for thousands of years. And while mostly relegated to camping excursions and birthday cakes these days, you can still harness the power of the flame to stop your fingers from freezing with Zippo’s hand warmer. Powered by lighter fluid it provides 12 hours of warmth, while keeping the flame safely tucked away inside. US$20
Chaval Response-XRT Heated Gloves
When you venture out into chilly temperatures your hands and fingers will be the first places you lose heat. So splurging on a pair of gloves that guarantees to stave off frostbite is far from a luxury. Chaval’s gloves run for 4 to 6 hours on a charge and automatically adjust their temperature to keep things comfortably warm inside, not scorching. US$390
Columbia Electro Amp Jacket
With a glowing Columbia logo on the chest that indicates its working, this self-warming jacket might not be the most inconspicuous way to battle the cold. But who cares? With an integrated heating system and a reflective lining to trap heat all you’ll care is that you look and feel warm and toasty. US$375
Cordless Heated Headband
What’s the point of wrapping yourself from head to toe in electric outerwear when heat can still escape through your exposed head? This fleece headband is an acceptable alternative to dorky earmuffs, but only because a small battery on the back promises to prevent your ears from completely freezing in the cold. US$20
Pajama Warming Pouch
Even with a furnace pumping out heat or a crackling fire by your side, it can still get unpleasantly cold in the middle of the night. So start your slumber the right way with a pre-warmed set of pajamas. This plug in pouch saves you a trip to the dryer, and at just 10 minutes it’s a faster and more energy-efficient way to prep your PJs. US$40
Image by Horiyan/Shutterstock