Heated Ski Socks vs Heated Insoles: Which keep your feet warmer while skiing?
If you’ve ever cut your ski day short because your feet were freezing, you’ve probably asked the question: should I buy heated ski socks or heated insoles for my ski boots? Cold toes are one of the most common problems skiers face, and nothing ruins a ski day faster.
The good news: modern heated ski gear solves this problem. Both heated socks and heated insoles use slim battery packs and heating elements to keep your feet warm, with adjustable levels of heat you can control from your phone.
But which option is better for skiing—heated insoles or heated socks? In this guide, we’ll break down how each works, their pros and cons, and how to decide which heated option is best for your skiing.
Heated Socks: Pros and Cons
PROS:
✅ Versatility - Heated socks are independent of your ski or snowboard boots. You can wear these at a hockey game, walking the dog, a winter hike, or any other of the endless times when you’re feet have been freezing.
✅ Washable - The socks can be washed and worn over and over. We recommend air drying them but the heat elements are safe for your washing machine. Just make sure you’ve removed the batteries. (Always check the care tags on your products before washing)
✅ Battery Ease - The batteries used on heated socks use a simple snap closure to attach the socks and are incredibly easy to attach and remove.
✅ Multiples - You can purchase multiple pairs of socks for long trips, allowing for washing between uses.
✅ No installation Needed - Charge your batteries, download the app if you want, and put on your socks- you’re good to go. No trimming, cutting or ski tech needed.
CONS:
❌ Must use one type of sock - If you are a wool loyalist, have a favorite brand of sock, or are extremely particular about your cushion level, you loose your options in socks. The heat element is built into the socks and therefore you must purchase the style compatible with the brand/battery you’ve chosen.
❌ You could lose em’ - Socks do tend to go missing. If you misplace your sock, battery, charge chords, leave them behind at the condo, or just forget to pack them - you’re out of luck.
❌ Washable - While it’s nice you can wash them, it also means you do…have to wash them.
❌ Feel - Most people do not notice the heat element in the sock, however some have mentioned they do notice the material and spots where the heat and wires run through the the sock. This is not a deal breaker for most, but worth mentioning.
Heated Insoles: Pros and Cons
PROS:
✅ Wear whatever sock you want - If you are that person that’s very particular about the cushion level, material, or even style of your ski socks, insoles will be your friends.
✅ Lives on your boots - Once you trim and install the insoles, they live in your boots. You will need to charge your batteries, but they are easy to unclip from the heat system and you never need to mess with the footbed.
✅ Can feel the heat, can’t feel the device - The heat element is extremely thin and is nearly undetectable under the top sheet and your ski sock. On ski boots, the wire runs outside the liner, inside the boot shell. Even the Princess and the Pea wouldn’t feel it.
CONS:
❌ Not versatile – They only work in ski or snowboard boots. The heating element is attached to the footbed, so unlike heated socks, you can’t use them off the hill (like walking the dog or hanging around après).
❌ More boot work – Installation requires sticking them on your footbeds and routing the wires, which can be a little fiddly.
❌ Less transferable – If you have multiple ski boots, you’ll need a set for each, or constantly swap them.
Who should get socks? If you want to move them from boot to boot and use them outside of skiing, want to open the box and get out there you will probably be happiest with Heated Socks
Who should get insoles? If you want to set it and forget it, wear your favorite socks, Heated Insoles will be your new favorite gear.
Which battery Size should you choose?
Both heated socks and heated insoles usually come with different battery size options. The bigger the battery, the longer the heat will last — but also the bulkier it gets.
- Control: Heat levels can be adjusted directly on the battery pack or through your phone.
- Small batteries: Great for most skiers, especially if you’re only running low-to-medium settings.
- Large batteries: A must-have if you want full-heat “bell-to-bell,” are heading on a multi-day trip without charging access, hut trips, or overnight winter camping.
For most people, a smaller battery is plenty — unless you tend to crank the heat up high or are skiing long, cold days back-to-back.
PRO TIP: You can shut the batteries off when not in use or turn them on only after you start to get chilly. I don’t kick mine on until I start to feel my toes get too cold.