English adventurer Sir Ran Fiennes once said, “There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.” He ought to know since five years ago, at age 65, he climbed Mount Everest. Can you imagine walking across Antarctica? Me neither, but he did it, as well as numerous other expeditions — on foot, by watercraft or all-terrain vehicle — that have for decades made him a legend among the hardcore expedition community.
For most of us weekend warriors, certainly our time on the water is far more tame. But that doesn’t mean we don’t want to stay as comfortable as possible. I recall last winter, sitting on a marsh bank, with my feet so cold I wondered if they had reached a freezing point where they could simply snap off, like Legos.
So when the email about Thermacell ProFLEX Heated Insoles (thermacell.com) popped up on my screen, I knew I had to give them a try. (Editor’s note: A pair of ProFLEX insoles did not arrive in time to field test prior to this deadline. Visit proptalk.com later this year to see how they worked.)
For many gear heads, the Thermacell name is a familiar one. The company makes products to ward off mosquitoes, no-see-ums, and black flies, as well as lanterns that pull double duty as insect repellant dispensers. Hunters use one of ThermaCELL’s mosquito repellents with built-in deer-hunting cover scents.
In addition to having all the features of the original Thermacell Heated Insoles, the big improvement in the new version is they have a rechargeable and removable battery that’s both USB-cable or wall-charger compatible. Plus, say company representatives, the ProFLEX Insoles are more comfortable and flexible than their predecessors.
Everything these days is “hands free,” so why should your heated insoles be any different? The ProFLEX boasts a wireless remote with three settings: high, medium, and off. The insoles are constructed of durable and lightweight polyurethane foam, so they not only warm your dogs but allow them to breath in comfort.
Experts say the keys to keeping your feet warm are breathability and efficiently transferring heat. I’ve tried those chemical pads, and while they work in a pinch, they get too hot and don’t really distribute heat evenly. Additionally, you want to retain that heat. That’s why wool blends (Merino wool, for example) and base layers of synthetic materials are so popular.
The ProFLEX inserts are designed to maintain a steady temperature inside your boots, so your feet are the same temperature as the rest of your body temperature. Or if conditions warrant it, or simply personal preference, you can crank up the heat with the remote.
Let’s talk battery power. How do rechargeable, removable lithium-ion polymer batteries sound? These have been built into the insoles of the foot warmer and are rated to run continuously for up to five hours on one charge. If your day on the boat or waterfowl blind lasts longer than that, you can easily insert a new battery, without even removing the insoles from your waders, boots, or shoes. The remote is small enough to fit into your jacket pocket, or on a lanyard.
The engineers at Thermacell designed the ProFLEX Heated Insoles to perform in the conditions we do, cold and wet, and should fit nicely into whatever footwear the activity you’re engaged in calls for. The ProFLEX Insoles are sized from a women’s four and a half to a men’s 14 and retail at $179.99.
Cold weather Bay boaters and outdoors folks may not trek across the frozen tundra, but no one likes to suffer icicle toes. The ProFLEX Heated Insoles foot warmers represent the latest incarnation of Thermacell’s product lineup, and well may be the answer to keeping your feet comfy and toasty.
by Captain Chris D. Dollar
Thursday, October 30, 2014 - 09:00
English adventurer Sir Ran Fiennes once said, “There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.” He ought to know since five years ago, at age 65, he climbed Mount Everest. Can you imagine walking across Antarctica? Me neither, but he did it, as well as numerous other expeditions — on foot, by watercraft or all-terrain vehicle — that have for decades made him a legend among the hardcore expedition community.
For most of us weekend warriors, certainly our time on the water is far more tame. But that doesn’t mean we don’t want to stay as comfortable as possible. I recall last winter, sitting on a marsh bank, with my feet so cold I wondered if they had reached a freezing point where they could simply snap off, like Legos.
So when the email about Thermacell ProFLEX Heated Insoles (thermacell.com) popped up on my screen, I knew I had to give them a try. (Editor’s note: A pair of ProFLEX insoles did not arrive in time to field test prior to this deadline. Visit proptalk.com later this year to see how they worked.)
For many gear heads, the Thermacell name is a familiar one. The company makes products to ward off mosquitoes, no-see-ums, and black flies, as well as lanterns that pull double duty as insect repellant dispensers. Hunters use one of ThermaCELL’s mosquito repellents with built-in deer-hunting cover scents.
In addition to having all the features of the original Thermacell Heated Insoles, the big improvement in the new version is they have a rechargeable and removable battery that’s both USB-cable or wall-charger compatible. Plus, say company representatives, the ProFLEX Insoles are more comfortable and flexible than their predecessors.
Everything these days is “hands free,” so why should your heated insoles be any different? The ProFLEX boasts a wireless remote with three settings: high, medium, and off. The insoles are constructed of durable and lightweight polyurethane foam, so they not only warm your dogs but allow them to breath in comfort.
Experts say the keys to keeping your feet warm are breathability and efficiently transferring heat. I’ve tried those chemical pads, and while they work in a pinch, they get too hot and don’t really distribute heat evenly. Additionally, you want to retain that heat. That’s why wool blends (Merino wool, for example) and base layers of synthetic materials are so popular.
The ProFLEX inserts are designed to maintain a steady temperature inside your boots, so your feet are the same temperature as the rest of your body temperature. Or if conditions warrant it, or simply personal preference, you can crank up the heat with the remote.
Let’s talk battery power. How do rechargeable, removable lithium-ion polymer batteries sound? These have been built into the insoles of the foot warmer and are rated to run continuously for up to five hours on one charge. If your day on the boat or waterfowl blind lasts longer than that, you can easily insert a new battery, without even removing the insoles from your waders, boots, or shoes. The remote is small enough to fit into your jacket pocket, or on a lanyard.
The engineers at Thermacell designed the ProFLEX Heated Insoles to perform in the conditions we do, cold and wet, and should fit nicely into whatever footwear the activity you’re engaged in calls for. The ProFLEX Insoles are sized from a women’s four and a half to a men’s 14 and retail at $179.99.
Cold weather Bay boaters and outdoors folks may not trek across the frozen tundra, but no one likes to suffer icicle toes. The ProFLEX Heated Insoles foot warmers represent the latest incarnation of Thermacell’s product lineup, and well may be the answer to keeping your feet comfy and toasty.
by Captain Chris D. Dollar