The designers at footwear manufacturer Scarpa think they've come up with the answer to chilly toes this winter, with a new heated footbed that keeps the temperature inside your boots at a cosy 38 degrees C.
The footbed, called the Grizu, may look like an ordinary insole but it's actually fully chargeable, ready to ooze balmy summer air into the region of your toes at the slightest signs of winter.
Once fully fired-up, the batteries last for six to seven hours - not so good if you've got a long route, or a multi-day trek, in mind - or if you get hopelessly lost - but quite long enough for the majority of day walks.
How does it work?
Well, the Grizus are fitted with a sensitive temperature sensor which detects frosty surroundings - or lack of them. As soon as life starts feeling a bit arctic, a microprocessor switches the heat on, so you never need to wiggle your toes again. Tropical inter-toe conditions meanwhile make the microprocessor switch the heat off again.
The idea is that your feet always stay at the same temperature. Erm, simple as that really.
The neat bit is that the footbeds come with a remote control, so you can switch them on or off without unlacing your boots. Thank goodness for that.
Sweaty electrics?
Ah yes, the stumbling block ... or is it? Scarpa says:
"The Heating Support Footbed is extremely safe and even functions in humid conditions. If it is submerged in water the electric circuit automatically protects itself and once dried out will carry on working."
The company hasn't told us exactly how that works yet, but no doubt it's all been carefully tested.
Practicalities
You can fit the Grizus in any boot or walking shoe that has a removable insole, but the downside is that you pay a wallet-draining £140 for the privilege. It's a bit more expensive than an extra pairs of socks - or a drawer-full of socks for that matter - but it does sound rather cosy all the same. Something for Christmas maybe? :-)
Full details of the Scarpa range at www.scarpa.co.uk.
