With winter right around the corner, it is time to prepare for chilly weather and stay warm in style. In New York, winter weather can be harsh, frustrating and freezing. This year, get creative and go beyond simple scarves and knitted hats. Here are the top 5 gadgets to help keep you warm over the next few months.
1. Earmuffs with Built-in Headphones
Make your trip to class warm and entertaining with a pair of hi-tech earmuffs with built-in headphones. A simple pair with a colorful pattern of your choice can be found at Nordstrom for $10. If you are looking for headphones to keep you warm while you exercise outdoors, pick up a pair of Degrees by 180s EarGrips Discovery sporty fleece ear warmers with headphones, $16 at Kohls.
2. Microwavable Slippers
Microwavable slippers are a recent invention that will keep your feet toasty all winter long. These colorful slippers can be purchased online from Hot Botties, orderhotbooties.com. Microwave these slippers for just 60 seconds, and the heat will last for about an hour. Wear them like ordinary slippers and enjoy toasty warm feet, guaranteed.
3. Warm up Soles
Though you will want to stay indoors with your microwavable slippers all winter, you will have to head out into the cold. Heated soles are the perfect solution for your freezing toes. Verseo’s Thermo Soles ($99) are efficient and easy to use. After a quick charge, these soles will give your feet ultimate warmth for eight hours. These soles mold to your feet for a comfortable fit and can be worn with many different types of shoes. They are especially useful for ski and snowboarding outings and for chilly walks to and from class.
4. Heated Mouse
With freezing temperatures outside, it is important to keep out the cold when writing final papers or browsing the Internet. Though a heated mouse seems like a silly invention, it is actually quite practical. Purchase the popular WarmMe brand mouse ($59) at warmmouse.com. The WarmMe mouse is especially useful for those with poor circulation.
5. Touchscreen Gloves
While gloves and mittens keep your heated, they make it impossible to send texts or emails from an iPhone. When in contact with a touchscreen phone or iPod, these gloves detect a change in electrical signal or impulse that connects to your body and is transmitted through your fingers. Pick up a pair of L.L. Bean’s Touchscreen Multisport Power Stretch gloves ($29.95) — they allow you to command your virtual keyboard while keeping your fingers protected from frostbite.
A version of this article appeared in the Monday, Dec. 3 print edition. Kimberly Schu is a staff writer. Email her at [email protected].
