The Best Heated Gloves, Mittens, and Socks for Travel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Executive Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Caroline has a passion for adventure travel and has hiked to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro and the bottom of the Grand Canyon in pursuit of a good story. Follow her around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

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The right pair of heated gloves, mittens, or socks can make the difference between going inside early due to freezing fingers or toes and staying outside all day, regardless of the weather. However, good heated gear is tough to find—plenty of versions on the market don’t hold a charge or warm up to the promised temperature.

We’ve done the research and found the best heated gloves, mittens, and socks for cold-weather travel.

What to Look for When Buying Heated Gloves, Mittens and Socks

Close up of hand wearing a black winter gloves in the snow — Dimitry Dolgikh | Adobe Stock

Here’s what you need to know to buy the right heated gear that will actually work:

Fit: Size up in your gloves and mittens. Your hands need circulation to stay warm, and tight gloves or mittens will restrict that blood flow. However, you don’t want to go too big. The right gloves should fit snugly without being super tight. According to Swedish glove company Hestra, “The right size is important to ensure the heated panels work properly. Too big a glove will mean a greater distance between the heated panels and the fingertips, reducing the heating capacity.”

Material: For gloves and mittens, look for heated options that will be warm even when the rechargeable heat is turned off—which means wind- and water-proof styles.

Battery Type: Some heated gloves, mittens, and socks run on non-rechargeable batteries, but we don’t recommend those. Cold weather causes batteries to drain quickly, and you’ll burn through a lot of batteries. Instead, look for gear that uses rechargeable batteries, preferably ones with extra battery packs that you can swap out as needed.

Battery Life: Battery life varies widely depending on the product you choose. Make sure to check the estimated amount of time the gear you choose can run on a single battery charge. You don’t want to get used to having heated hands and feet and then lose power halfway through the day, as you’ll feel extra cold without the heating element.

The Best Heated Gloves, Mittens, and Socks

Hestra Power Heater Gauntlet

Don’t let the temperature determine whether or not you make it until last chair—Hestra’s Power Heater Gauntlet Gloves were designed to help skiers’ hands stay warm all day. Made with a waterproof CZone membrane to protect against wet snow, and a moisture-wicking fleece liner, these gloves will keep hands toasty even if you don’t turn on the heating element. On extra frigid days, however, you’ll be glad to have the additional help from the heated panels built into the fingertips.

An easily accessible control on the back of the gloves allows you to change the heat to three different settings without removing the gloves. The rechargeable battery can last up to 10 hours on the low setting, up to 5 hours on medium, and up to 2 hours on high.

Fieldsheer’s Mobile Warming Technology Premium 2.0 Merino Heated Socks

Keep your toes toasty all day long in Fieldsheer’s Mobile Warming Technology Premium 2.0 Merino Heated Socks. Wear these with any shoe or boot (including ski boots), as the rechargeable battery packs sit in a dedicated pocket at the top of each of the calf-length socks.

Heating elements under the front of the foot provide warmth exactly where you need it, and targeted cushioning in the arch and heel add extra comfort and support. The socks are Bluetooth-enabled, so you can control the temperature of these socks from your phone, making it easy to turn the heat up or down as needed (and see exactly how much battery power you have left).

There are four heat settings available, and if you leave the socks on the lowest setting, you can get around 11 hours of power before needing to recharge them.

Although the merino wool socks are odor-resistant, they can be machine-washed after removing the battery pack.

ActionHeat Rechargeable Heated Insoles

Make any pair of boots heated with ActionHeat’s Rechargeable Heated Insoles. Cut the insoles down to create a perfect fit for your foot, and then place them in your slippers, ski boots, or shoes.

The rechargeable insoles have three different heat settings that can be changed via an included remote control. On the lowest setting, these insoles will keep you warm for up to eight hours on a single charge.

The thin insoles won’t change the fit of your footwear, and have a deodorizing feature that will keep odors away.

Aroma Season Heated Mittens for Kids

Kids get cold hands too! Help them stay outside longer with Aroma Season’s heated mittens. Available in sizes for ages 4-12, the gloves come in bright pink or blue to suit your kids’ preferences.

An oversized button makes it easy for kids to control the temperature themselves, and a full charge can last up to 10 hours on the lowest setting.

These mittens can be used with or without the heat, thanks to a waterproof fabric and extra-long cuff that keeps out the snow.

All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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