Heated Socks and Insoles

[vernon]

Wondering if anyone has had any luck with heated socks or insoles for cold weather golf?

 

For an old guy I can do OK keeping most of the body warm during play but my feet and toes are always freezing by the time I get to the back nine and I'm trying to find a solution.

 

There seems to be about a thousand different types and brands out there most of which appear to be Chinese junk - especially on Amazon.

 

However, although many might be junk most still seem to be pretty expensive so if anyone has had a positive experience with either or both of these items I'd appreciate hearing about it.

 

I don't mind spending more on a quality product but don't want to just throw money away either.

 

Thanks!

[Ajota]

Ever try the little hooties feet warmers?

[Ferguson]

Think about investing in better shoes.  A pair with gore tex.   

[MattM97]

Get those hand/feet warmer packs, no need to worry about a battery pack, cable, extra weight/etc. And if feet get too hot just pull them out and toss them in your pocket, they'll definitely last a round of golf. 

[vernon]

On 11/28/2023 at 2:47 PM, Ferguson said:

Think about investing in better shoes.  A pair with gore tex.   

I have several pairs of gore tex shoes and boots and they're no warmer than anything else.

[dcmidnight]

Adidas Boa boots. I used to drop a handwarmer in there if I really needed to but honestly when I got to that point I said F this, its too cold to be playing if I have to resort to this lol.

[vernon]

On 11/28/2023 at 4:12 PM, MattM97 said:

Get those hand/feet warmer packs, no need to worry about a battery pack, cable, extra weight/etc. And if feet get too hot just pull them out and toss them in your pocket, they'll definitely last a round of golf. 

I've tried those and just don't like them as I'm constantly taking my shoes off to take them out when they're too hot and then putting them back in when I get cold again.  Plus they're always bunching up in the toe of my shoe.  I still use the hand warmer packs occasionally but I purchased a G-Tech battery powered hand warmer pouch a couple of years ago and it's so much better and easier to use.

 

Was looking for a similar option for cold feet.

 

Think I'm gonna try a pair of Mobile Warming heated insoles.

 

I picked up one of their heated base layer vests from Costco and it's a quality garment and works well.  It's thin and lightweight and designed to be worn under a pullover or jacket.  All of their stuff is BlueTooth controlled so it's really easy to regulate the amount of heat.

 

Hoping the insoles are equally well made.

[MattM97]

3 minutes ago, vernon said:

I've tried those and just don't like them as I'm constantly taking my shoes off to take them out when they're too hot and then putting them back in when I get cold again.  Plus they're always bunching up in the toe of my shoe.  I still use the hand warmer packs occasionally but I purchased a G-Tech battery powered hand warmer pouch a couple of years ago and it's so much better and easier to use.

 

Was looking for a similar option for cold feet.

 

Think I'm gonna try a pair of Mobile Warming heated insoles.

 

I picked up one of their heated base layer vests from Costco and it's a quality garment and works well.  It's thin and lightweight and designed to be worn under a pullover or jacket.  All of their stuff is BlueTooth controlled so it's really easy to regulate the amount of heat.

 

Hoping the insoles are equally well made.

 

A heated hand pouch is completely different but if that's the route you want to go for your feet if you have a Bass Pro or similar outdoor shop go check there. Hunters and outdoorsmen always have stuff to keep warm. 

[cassel191919]

On 11/28/2023 at 11:04 AM, vernon said:

Wondering if anyone has had any luck with heated socks or insoles for cold weather golf?

 

For an old guy I can do OK keeping most of the body warm during play but my feet and toes are always freezing by the time I get to the back nine and I'm trying to find a solution.

 

There seems to be about a thousand different types and brands out there most of which appear to be Chinese junk - especially on Amazon.

 

However, although many might be junk most still seem to be pretty expensive so if anyone has had a positive experience with either or both of these items I'd appreciate hearing about it.

 

I don't mind spending more on a quality product but don't want to just throw money away either.

 

Thanks!

I know not all products are the same, but when I was on my way to the Michigan game this weekend someones heated insole caught on fire and he had some major major burns. He claimed they were from a respected brand. 

[cardia10]

On 11/28/2023 at 5:12 PM, MattM97 said:

Get those hand/feet warmer packs, no need to worry about a battery pack, cable, extra weight/etc. And if feet get too hot just pull them out and toss them in your pocket, they'll definitely last a round of golf. 

Tried that last year, I didn't realize how hot they were getting, my shoe started smoking and burned through my sock...

[BYK]

5 hours ago, cardia10 said:

Tried that last year, I didn't realize how hot they were getting, my shoe started smoking and burned through my sock...

Say what????

[MattM97]

7 hours ago, cardia10 said:

Tried that last year, I didn't realize how hot they were getting, my shoe started smoking and burned through my sock...

 

Uh....yeah unless you were using some bootleg off brand hand warmer I highly doubt that story. 

 

HotHands® has perfected the process so that our warmers, depending on the individual product, produce heat anywhere from 100°F to 180°F for duration of 1 to 20+ hours.

 

Dryers run at 125-135° 

Wool ignition is 1058° 

Cotton is 760°

Polyester is 840° 

[cardia10]

8 hours ago, MattM97 said:

 

Uh....yeah unless you were using some bootleg off brand hand warmer I highly doubt that story. 

 

HotHands® has perfected the process so that our warmers, depending on the individual product, produce heat anywhere from 100°F to 180°F for duration of 1 to 20+ hours.

 

Dryers run at 125-135° 

Wool ignition is 1058° 

Cotton is 760°

Polyester is 840° 

Regular brand bought at walmart. It is still the running joke in our group about not taking any hot hands products from me when it is cold. I should have sent them to the company to shoot for some freebies but it was kind of funny. If I were named Karen, I'd obviously retained a lawyer and been mentally scarred for life, but I'm not and it was a golf group so it was just kind of funny. One of the engineers in the group thought it could have something to do with moisture in my shoes or sock possibly. No clue.

Edited December 1, 2023 by cardia10

[bcjim]

I'd be cautious. I agree that following the labeled directions on a product from a known brand is likely safe. But,  I'd pay attention to any heat producing reaction sealed in my shoes.  

 

Also agree that if it's that cold,  maybe it's just too cold to golf. 

[dropkicked]

On 11/30/2023 at 9:30 AM, vernon said:

I've tried those and just don't like them as I'm constantly taking my shoes off to take them out when they're too hot and then putting them back in when I get cold again.  Plus they're always bunching up in the toe of my shoe.  I still use the hand warmer packs occasionally but I purchased a G-Tech battery powered hand warmer pouch a couple of years ago and it's so much better and easier to use.

 

Was looking for a similar option for cold feet.

 

Think I'm gonna try a pair of Mobile Warming heated insoles.

 

I picked up one of their heated base layer vests from Costco and it's a quality garment and works well.  It's thin and lightweight and designed to be worn under a pullover or jacket.  All of their stuff is BlueTooth controlled so it's really easy to regulate the amount of heat.

 

Hoping the insoles are equally well made.

Your feet get cold due to lack of proper blood circulation.. You don't want shoes that are snug, you need some space for thick wool socks.

Also place the "warmers" on the rear lower-calf, inside the sock

I fish a lot in the rivers during the cold winter months.... this works well for me when I am standing still in freezing cold water.

[caniac6]

On 11/28/2023 at 3:47 PM, Ferguson said:

Think about investing in better shoes.  A pair with gore tex.   

I wear Eccos with Goretex, and good quality (Kentwool) , wool socks. Never had an issue with cold feet. 

[vernon]

2 hours ago, caniac6 said:

I wear Eccos with Goretex, and good quality (Kentwool) , wool socks. Never had an issue with cold feet. 

How old are you?

[caniac6]

57 minutes ago, vernon said:

How old are you?

69. Also, I walk.

[vernon]

30 minutes ago, caniac6 said:

69. Also, I walk.

You're a lucky man.

 

Back in the day I used to sometimes walk up to fifty four holes a day carrying but have been relegated to a golf cart for quite a few years now.

 

My feet didn't get cold then either.

 

Can't walk more than a couple hundred yards at most now without having to sit down and stretch due to back spasms and foot pain.

 

And the course where I live and play discourages walking and very, very few people even attempt it.  

 

Especially the back nine.

 

I'll seldom play when it's cart path only - just can't do it anymore.

 

Old ain't all it's sometimes cracked up to be!

 

 

[caniac6]

29 minutes ago, vernon said:

You're a lucky man.

 

Back in the day I used to sometimes walk up to fifty four holes a day carrying but have been relegated to a golf cart for quite a few years now.

 

My feet didn't get cold then either.

 

Can't walk more than a couple hundred yards at most now without having to sit down and stretch due to back spasms and foot pain.

 

And the course where I live and play discourages walking and very, very few people even attempt it.  

 

Especially the back nine.

 

I'll seldom play when it's cart path only - just can't do it anymore.

 

Old ain't all it's sometimes cracked up to be!

 

 

Just keep playing, and moving the best you can. My father is 95, and plays 9 three times per week. He rides, and on cpo days his playing partner just throws the ball back towards the cart path. Hang in there.

[Minarets]

2 hours ago, vernon said:

You're a lucky man.

 

Back in the day I used to sometimes walk up to fifty four holes a day carrying but have been relegated to a golf cart for quite a few years now.

 

My feet didn't get cold then either.

 

Can't walk more than a couple hundred yards at most now without having to sit down and stretch due to back spasms and foot pain.

 

And the course where I live and play discourages walking and very, very few people even attempt it.  

 

Especially the back nine.

 

I'll seldom play when it's cart path only - just can't do it anymore.

 

Old ain't all it's sometimes cracked up to be!

 

 

Costco has some of the fieldsheer ones like the vest. 

[Bigarch]

Warmest socks EVER!  https://www.heatholders.com/collections/mens-original-socks

Combine with Footjoy Stormwalkers.... you're set for life.

[vernon]

16 hours ago, caniac6 said:

Just keep playing, and moving the best you can. My father is 95, and plays 9 three times per week. He rides, and on cpo days his playing partner just throws the ball back towards the cart path. Hang in there.

Oh I'm not quitting and it's actually not as bad as it might sound (well except for the walking part) and a whole lotta people are way worse off than I am.

 

I still play four or five times a week weather permitting and sometimes more and I still hit it pretty good and relatively far for my age.

 

Most people think I'm quite a bit younger than I am and other than the pain issues I still function at a pretty high level.

 

I recently found a new chiropractor that so far has helped me considerably so I'm optimistic that things are going to get better.

 

If I could stand and walk without pain I think I could live forever!

 

Thanks for the encouragement.

[vernon]

10 hours ago, Bigarch said:

Warmest socks EVER!  https://www.heatholders.com/collections/mens-original-socks

Combine with Footjoy Stormwalkers.... you're set for life.

Never heard of them.

 

Any particular style that you recommend?

[Bigarch]

9 hours ago, vernon said:

Never heard of them.

 

Any particular style that you recommend?

Go with the warmest first and then you can work your way down from there.  The "Originals" are the warmest damn socks I've ever seen.  My wife has Reynaud's Syndrome and it causes her fingers and toes to turn blue even when its summertime.  I bought her a pair on a whim a couple years ago... now she has several pairs and wears them all the time around the house and I have a couple pairs for in the winter.  They're incredible that they hold heat without your feet sweating.  But they're thick... might need to tweak what size shoes you have on.

[PedronNiall]

On 12/1/2023 at 9:47 AM, dropkicked said:

Your feet get cold due to lack of proper blood circulation.. You don't want shoes that are snug, you need some space for thick wool socks.

Also place the "warmers" on the rear lower-calf, inside the sock

I fish a lot in the rivers during the cold winter months.... this works well for me when I am standing still in freezing cold water.

Good advice here. Much better heat distribution this way. Same reason they recommend heating or cooling via your wrists & neck when your entire body is cold or overly toasty. Surprised there's so little gear made to help keep warmers in place around the wrists and calves/lower legs.

[vernon]

On 12/2/2023 at 7:19 PM, Bigarch said:

Go with the warmest first and then you can work your way down from there.  The "Originals" are the warmest damn socks I've ever seen.  My wife has Reynaud's Syndrome and it causes her fingers and toes to turn blue even when its summertime.  I bought her a pair on a whim a couple years ago... now she has several pairs and wears them all the time around the house and I have a couple pairs for in the winter.  They're incredible that they hold heat without your feet sweating.  But they're thick... might need to tweak what size shoes you have on.

Took your advice and ordered a couple of pair and you're right they are some kind of warm - and thick!

 

I'll definitely use them for around the house and watching TV in the evenings but I don't have any shoes for golf or otherwise that are big enough to accommodate the extra thickness.

 

I also find the fit to be a little too loose to wear for golf even if I had oversized golf shoes.  Don't get me wrong the fit is perfect insofar as length in the foot and they'll be great for casual wear but they move around too much on my foot to wear for golf or walking any distance.

 

Nonetheless I think they were a great purchase and I look forward to wearing them off and on throughout the winter.

 

Thanks for the recommendation!