Essential Winter Tech for Staying Warm When the Weather’s Frightful
January 9, 2017
Winter in the city is fun for about, oh…five hours. (We’re still not immune to the magic of that first snowfall.) But then the snow turns to slush, the ice builds up on the sidewalks, and the bone-chilling cold sets in.
All the more reason to invest in some super-smart winter tech to keep things cozy. We’re talking thermal scarves, Bluetooth-enabled beanies, and jackets that hug you back. With this kind of gear on your side, who knows: you might discover that you actually like winter in the city.
1. BLUETOOTH BEANIE: Don't choose between keeping your head toasty and playing your tunes (and ditch that headphones-over-hat look for good) with BE Headwear's line of
Bluetooth beanies. Choose from a medium-weight version, a cozy knit, or even a kicky headband if you're the kind of jogger who won't let a little blizzard slow you down.
Image courtesy of BE Headwear
2. COZY INSOLES: You know what's not fun? Walking around in temperatures that are so arctic that your toes freeze inside your boots. Considering there are only so many sock layers you can wear at once, ponder picking up a pair of Thermacell's
heated insoles. Designed to slip right into your winter footwear, these puppies are lightweight, can be trimmed to size...and are controlled by your smartphone. Take that, ice.
Image courtesy of Thermacell
3. TOASTY JACKET: Down jackets: they're one of those classic winter staples that can't be improved upon, right? Well, the folks at
Ravean have gone and done it with their ultra-light,
heated version of the style. Lined with heat panels on the chest, back, and pockets, this smart jacket holds a 15-hour charge, is washer/dryer safe, has three heat settings, and even charges your phone. If this piece of winter tech isn't a city essential, we don't know what is.
Image courtesy of Ravean
4. HEATED SCARF: Winter is coming—and if you ask us, Jon Snow would've been a lot happier if he had a
FNDN heated scarf wrapped around his neck. This Detroit-based maker is behind what might be the ultimate winter accessory: a scarf that's made of super-soft microfleece
and is its own heat source. It'll keep you warm for up to four hours, which is more than enough time to dig out your snowed-in stoop, take your pooch for a very slushy walk, and reward yourself with a warm drink at the end.
Image courtesy of FNDN
5. SMART HAND WARMERS: You could get those microwaveable gel packs to help keep your hands warm. Or—because it's 2017—you could ante up to a smarter version. Meet the
EnergyFlux Ellipse: small, sleek, and rechargeable (this guy's got a six-hour battery life), it heats according to two different settings and emits warmth from both sides. Better yet, it's got USB charging capabilities for your devices, so your phone can juice up while you warm up, too.
Image courtesy of Human Creations
6. WARMING GLOVES: Since keeping your paws warm is one of winter's key priorities, here's another techy option. Whether you're battling the ski slopes (or just your city's streets when the polar vortex hits), Seirus's
Heatwave and
HeatTouch gloves and mittens warm you on the go. Breathable, wind-resistant, and with their own heating elements nestled within, they're a real wintertime treat—just don't you dare leave them behind on the subway.
Image courtesy of Seirus
7. BLUETOOTH EAR WARMERS: What's winter tech without Bluetooth?
180s' ear warmers just go to show there's no seasonal gear you can't make that much smarter. With Siri and Google Now voice activation features, hi-definition speakers, water-resistant material, and a slick back-of-the-head design (that's one way to avoid mussing up your tresses), they're as clever as it gets.
Image courtesy of 180s
1. BLUETOOTH BEANIE: Don't choose between keeping your head toasty and playing your tunes (and ditch that headphones-over-hat look for good) with BE Headwear's line of
Bluetooth beanies. Choose from a medium-weight version, a cozy knit, or even a kicky headband if you're the kind of jogger who won't let a little blizzard slow you down.
Image courtesy of BE Headwear
2. COZY INSOLES: You know what's not fun? Walking around in temperatures that are so arctic that your toes freeze inside your boots. Considering there are only so many sock layers you can wear at once, ponder picking up a pair of Thermacell's
heated insoles. Designed to slip right into your winter footwear, these puppies are lightweight, can be trimmed to size...and are controlled by your smartphone. Take that, ice.
Image courtesy of Thermacell
3. TOASTY JACKET: Down jackets: they're one of those classic winter staples that can't be improved upon, right? Well, the folks at
Ravean have gone and done it with their ultra-light,
heated version of the style. Lined with heat panels on the chest, back, and pockets, this smart jacket holds a 15-hour charge, is washer/dryer safe, has three heat settings, and even charges your phone. If this piece of winter tech isn't a city essential, we don't know what is.
Image courtesy of Ravean
4. HEATED SCARF: Winter is coming—and if you ask us, Jon Snow would've been a lot happier if he had a
FNDN heated scarf wrapped around his neck. This Detroit-based maker is behind what might be the ultimate winter accessory: a scarf that's made of super-soft microfleece
and is its own heat source. It'll keep you warm for up to four hours, which is more than enough time to dig out your snowed-in stoop, take your pooch for a very slushy walk, and reward yourself with a warm drink at the end.
Image courtesy of FNDN
5. SMART HAND WARMERS: You could get those microwaveable gel packs to help keep your hands warm. Or—because it's 2017—you could ante up to a smarter version. Meet the
EnergyFlux Ellipse: small, sleek, and rechargeable (this guy's got a six-hour battery life), it heats according to two different settings and emits warmth from both sides. Better yet, it's got USB charging capabilities for your devices, so your phone can juice up while you warm up, too.
Image courtesy of Human Creations
6. WARMING GLOVES: Since keeping your paws warm is one of winter's key priorities, here's another techy option. Whether you're battling the ski slopes (or just your city's streets when the polar vortex hits), Seirus's
Heatwave and
HeatTouch gloves and mittens warm you on the go. Breathable, wind-resistant, and with their own heating elements nestled within, they're a real wintertime treat—just don't you dare leave them behind on the subway.
Image courtesy of Seirus
7. BLUETOOTH EAR WARMERS: What's winter tech without Bluetooth?
180s' ear warmers just go to show there's no seasonal gear you can't make that much smarter. With Siri and Google Now voice activation features, hi-definition speakers, water-resistant material, and a slick back-of-the-head design (that's one way to avoid mussing up your tresses), they're as clever as it gets.
Image courtesy of 180s
