Staying warm on the slopes is always important, especially on extremely cold days. The Thermacell Proflex heated insoles provide a versatile and practical way to keep yourself warm without impeding your performance out on the mountain.
Keep reading to learn more about the pros and cons of this heated insole, who it is best for, and other similar alternatives to consider.
Contents
Quick Summary
- Where to Buy: Amazon
- Best for: Those who get cold feet while skiing or snowboarding.
- Pros: It has various levels of heat, can recharge hundreds of times, and can be trimmed to fit any shoe size. It’s also quite flexible, which adds to the comfort.
- Cons: The insoles can make your boot feel a little cramped, especially in the heel. In some cases, it can take a while for them to heat up.
- Alternatives: Axcuds heated insoles, Warmfits heated insoles, Outrek 2 heated insoles
Are the sizes accurate?
Yes, the sizes advertised are accurate in most cases. The ability to trim gives you a little wiggle room if you’re in between sizes.
Do these require pressure to activate?
No, you don’t need to be walking or putting pressure on the insoles for them to heat up. Whether you’re on the ski lift or sitting down on a bench, the insoles will heat up the same as if you were running or skiing.
Do the insoles come with extra batteries?
When you purchase these insoles, the package comes with two batteries. This is one for each. Additional batteries can be purchased, but are sold separately.
Why Trust Me
As a snow sport enthusiast, I know a thing or two about trying to stay warm in freezing temperatures. If there’s some way to try and stay warm in the winter, I have probably tried it at one time or another. I have also scoured the internet far and wide to look at skiers’ thoughts who have tried this particular product.
Detailed Review of Thermacell Proflex Heated Insoles
Whether you want a slight bit of warmth on the hills or need to really heat up your feet, these insoles will help you out. They work well for skiing, hiking, snowboarding, or any other outdoor activity you can imagine. They also have a durable build that adequately protects the internal electronics.
Levels of Heat For Your Feet
The most important thing to look at when getting any heated insole is how well it actually heats your feet. The Thermacell Proflex does a great job with that, and it even allows you to control how much heat you want. The insoles have three different levels for customized control.
There’s a medium level that the company claims reaches 100 degrees Fahrenheit, as well as a high level that can hit around 111 degrees Fahrenheit. The last level has no heat for when you want to take a break from the extra warmth.
It can take a while to get hot in some cases. You can adjust the temperature with a small handheld remote control that you need to keep in a safe place so it won’t get damaged or lost.
Whether you want something subtle on a mild day, or some serious heat in subzero temperatures, these insoles have you covered. Some have complained of the heating becoming less effective over time, however, so be sure to keep an eye out for that if you want them for extra cold days.
Rechargeability and Battery Life
From a battery life point of view, these insoles claim to last up to five hours. Unfortunately, if you use the insoles on the “high” heat setting, they last closer to four. While still good, and more than enough for some skiers, those who are out on the slopes all day might be a little bit disappointed with those specs.
Thankfully, the batteries can be recharged in less than four hours. There are also extra batteries that can be purchased separately to ensure you always have one ready to go. These batteries are light and incredibly easy to take with you in a pocket or bag.
Recharging is also quite simple at any wall outlet or USB port. Removing the battery is quick and easy, and you don’t even need to remove the insole from the boot. You get 500 charges in all, but there’s a chance you see a decrease in performance before you hit that number.
Sizing and Fit
If you’re going to ski some difficult and intense runs, you want to be sure that your insoles are sized right for optimal performance. The good news is that the Thermacell Proflex heated insoles come in five different sizes.
- Small (men’s size 3.5-5 and women’s size 4.5-6)
- Medium (men’s size 5.5-7 and women’s 6.5-8)
- Large (men’s size 7.5-9 and women’s 8.5-10)
- X-Large (men’s size 9.5-11 and women’s 10.5-12)
- XX-Large (men’s size 11.5-13 and women’s 12.5-14)
No matter the size of your feet, there’s a good chance one of the options above ones will work for you. If you feel you could benefit from a bit more customization when it comes to sizing, you can also trim down the insoles as you see fit. Just be sure to be careful when trimming. If you trim too much, it could void the warranty and/or potentially damage the insoles’ technology and electronics.
While the sizing is good and can be trimmed for precision, the fit can be challenging. These insoles are quite thick, especially on the heel where the removable and rechargeable battery sits. That will lead to your foot sitting higher up in the boot, which can be a bit awkward if your boot is already quite tight.
Removing your boot’s original insole can help, but it still might not be enough in some cases. Many will get used to the fit over time and adjust, but some may struggle with the thickness on the first try.
Comfort
If you’re going to wear insoles for hours at a time, whether they provide heat or not, you want them to be comfortable. These are made out of a special polyurethane foam that’s breathable and makes the heat transfer easy. It’s comfortable, shock-absorbing, and retains its shape well.
Even the battery that sits in the heel is comfortable, and it doesn’t feel like you’re standing on something hard all day long. Also, the insoles feel quite durable and don’t seem like they will wear out fast. That flexibility helps them move naturally with your feet as you ride.
What I Like
The Thermacell Proflex heated insoles are a solid choice for skiers who want a bit of added warmth on their feet. One of the best things about them is that they provide skiers with options. They let you ski with no heat or only a little, rather than forcing the highest setting on you. The remote control also makes it easy to adjust on the go.
With such a wide range of sizes available (plus the option to trim) these insoles can essentially fit anyone, from men to women to teenagers. The material used, and the comfort it provides, are also part of what makes the insoles popular. You hardly notice that you’re standing on the battery (in terms of comfort).
The removable battery is another thing I like about these insoles. They are easy to take out to charge, and switching them out only takes a few seconds. Charging them is as easy as plugging them into an outlet or USB port. The batteries will also never be too hot to the touch. That’s because they feature an internal thermometer that can help to regulate the temperature and keep it comfortable.
What I Dislike
While a good choice for some, these insoles are certainly not perfect. One of the glaring issues is their size. Not in terms of numbers, but because of the battery in their heel. The extra features can lead to more thickness, and that can feel a bit awkward at first.
These will remain comfortable, but you can feel the difference in shape when compared to a traditional insole. You may adapt, but if your boot is already snug, these might not work for you. That stays true sometimes even if you get rid of the original insole.
Some people also might be unhappy with the battery life, which is marketed as five hours but is generally closer to four. This is perfect for a morning ski of a couple hours, but if you’re going out for the whole day, you’ll want at least one spare battery.
The remote control also makes it easy to change temperatures, but it needs to be carried around with you and be easily accessible. That can make it more prone to being lost. New ones can be purchased, but it’s still quite annoying to find out you have lost the remote and can no longer control the insoles for the time being.
The Alternatives
If you want to compare these insoles to other heated options, these are worth checking out.
- Axcuds heated insoles – The Axcuds heated insoles are a similar offering that allow you to adjust the intensity of the heat via an app. They are compatible with a wide range of different shoes, and the insole itself is thinner. Instead of having removable batteries, these need to be taken out of the shoe to be charged.
- Warmfits heated insoles – These insoles are among the thinnest in the category, as you wear the batteries mounted to your ankles. That provides you with a lot more comfort and space when it comes to your feet, but having batteries tied to your ankles can often be far from comfortable. Their thin design and the fact there’s no battery in the insole make them flexible and bendable. They can even be washed.
- Outrek 2 heated insoles – The Outrek 2 are a thin rechargeable insole that also comes with the ability to control the temperature with a remote control. The insoles reach a higher temperature than the Thermacell Proflex and are just as durable. They only come in two different sizes, however, so some trimming will almost certainly be required
Final Verdict
While Thermacell Proflex is far from perfect, both in terms of their thickness and relatively tame battery life, these insoles are a good choice for someone who wants an easy way to stay warm while skiing. They are flexible enough to keep up with all of your movements, and comfortable enough for all-day use.
Adjusting to different levels of heat is easy, and they give off adequate heat without burning you. Everything from charging the batteries to removing them from the insole is incredibly simple as well. If you struggle with cold feet on the slopes, these are a good solution to your problem.
