Category Archives: Heated Clothing

5 Amazing Motorcycle Rides and Destinations in America

While motorcycles can serve as a fun and economical form of daily transportation, that’s not why most people buy them. The real reason we buy them is so we can spend hours (or days or weeks) cruising along scenic highways featuring plenty of twists, turns, and natural beauty. Fortunately, the US is filled with amazing motorcycle rides and destinations, including the following five favorites:

Pacific Coast Highway: Immortalized in countless films and TV shows, the PCH begins in Monterey and extends 123 miles to Morro Bay. Along the way, you’ll be treated to unbeatable views of looming cliffs and the Pacific Ocean, with the opportunity to stop at Big Sur, Hearst Castle, and other notable places.

Beartooth Pass: This 68-mile stretch of highway spanning from Montana to Wyoming is situated atop the Northern Rockies at an altitude of 10,947 feet, allowing you to see alpine plateaus, glaciers, waterfalls, lakes, and dense forests as you maneuver around the numerous switchbacks that ultimately lead to Yellowstone. At this height, it would be smart to wear a heated motorcycle jacket and heated gloves to keep warm on the ride. CozyWinters now carries several styles of Gerbing Gyde lightweight jackets with multiple heat settings, as well as leather, cowhide, or premium twill gloves that offer supplemental heating without sacrificing dexterity. And if you choose the optional Thermogauge Bluetooth adapter, you can control the heat settings of all your Gerbing Gyde apparel through a single Smartphone app for unbeatable ease and convenience.

Coastal Highway 1: Those with a hankering to explore quaint towns and shops, sample fresh-from-the-water seafood, and photograph lighthouses that date back to the 1790s must head all the way east to travel along the 170-mile expanse of Coastal Highway 1 from Kittery to Bucksport, ME.

Blue Ridge Parkway: One of the slowest (45 mph speed limit), smoothest, and most relaxing rides on this list, the Blue Ridge Parkway winds through historic Civil War battlefields in Virginia on up to the dazzling heights of the Smokey Mountains in North Carolina. Those riders feeling more adventurous can easily continue on to Deal’s Gap and the infamous Tail of the Dragon, with its heart-pumping 318 curves in just 11 miles of road.

Route 66: Arguably the most iconic ride on this list, Route 66, which begins in Chicago, IL, and goes across eight states to Santa Monica, CA, is a dream for anyone interested in all things Americana. From kitschy museums and attractions such as the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, AZ, or the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, TX, to ‘50s style diners and modern steakhouses, you’ll experience a road trip like no other as you make your way to the “end of the trail” at Santa Monica Pier.

Great Father’s Day Gift Ideas

What makes a great Father’s Day gift? Opinions are sure to vary on that one; however, it’s probably safe to say that neckties, cologne or aftershave, and kitschy products emblazoned with slogans like “World’s Greatest Dad” are out of the running. Instead, the best gifts tend to be the ones that Dad not only needs, but will actually use. So based on these criteria, here is the CozyWinters Father’s Day gift guide for 2015:

For the sporty dad

Battery heated stadium cushions and apparel, including vests, foot warmers, and mittens, will help protect your dad from the cold while watching his favorite sports teams in fall and winter. Sporty dads who aren’t content to spectate from the sidelines would also enjoy products like our heated golf cart seat, heated camo hunting vest, and heated ski jacket.

For the outdoorsy dad

Does your father like to spend most of his summer camping, fishing, hiking, biking, boating, or simply doing yard work? If so, then he’ll appreciate something from our line of cooling products. We carry neckbands, vests, and evaporative hats designed to provide hours of portable cooling power in the face of intense heat and sun.

For the motorcyclist

If your dad is the type of guy who loves riding so much that he can’t bear to put his bike in storage even when winter hits, then take a look at our range of heated motorcycle gear. We have everything from battery heated jackets and pants to heated glove liners and insoles to keep him cozy from head to toe. Be sure to also check out our heated motorcycle seat kit for instant warmth anytime.

For the organized dad

Some dads have adopted the old phrase “A place for everything and everything in its place” as a personal motto. These are the men who can’t rest until all the gear is unloaded, cleaned, and put away after an outing or who never let the slightest hint of disorder creep into the garage or workspace. For a dad like this, nothing would be better than receiving wall-mounted ski and snowboard racks, boot dryers, coat and accessory racks, and similar gear storage solutions.

For the active dad

Dads that work a lot and play a lot can expect to experience sore or tight muscles from time to time—especially as they age. So this Father’s Day, your active dad will appreciate getting one of our safe and effective heat therapy wraps to soothe his stiff back, creaky knees, or gimpy ankles. We offer a variety of wraps, massagers, and pads that provide all-over or targeted relief for the most common sore spots.

These are just a few of the great Father’s Day gifts we have available now and ready to ship before June 21, so visit CozyWinters today!

Battery Storage & Care

In our last post, we talked about how you should wash your battery heated jacket, gloves, and liners before storing them for the summer to help ensure they’re ready for action as soon as you need them again. This time around, we’re going to focus on battery care for those same products.

Most of the battery heated clothing we sell at CozyWinters is powered by lithium ion (Li-ion) battery packs. These battery packs are consumable, meaning they have a limited shelf life, and are designed to last anywhere from 300 to 500 discharge cycles. With proper storage and care, lithium ion battery packs will consistently hit the upper end of their lifespan, so we suggest that you follow these tips:

• Never store a lithium ion battery pack in a completely discharged state. Instead, a 25% to 60% charge is recommended prior to storage.
• Disconnect the battery pack from its connectors and remove it from the device before placing it into long-term storage.
• Store lithium ion battery packs in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme changes in temperature.
• Recharge the battery pack at least once every three to six months regardless of whether or not you intend to use the garment it powers. This will help improve performance and extend battery life in the long run.

The batteries in your CozyWinters heated apparel require special care to keep them operating at peak performance levels and promote overall longevity, so make it a point to follow these guidelines for summer and offseason storage.

Please keep in mind that different manufacturers may have different storage protocols for their batteries, so the above tips are simply intended to be general guidelines rather than specific instructions.

Can I Wash Heated Apparel?

With spring taking hold across most of the country, it’s just about time to store your CozyWinters heated apparel and electric blankets until next year. Before you do so, however, it would be a good idea to wash the items to rid them of a season’s worth of sweat, dirt, and funk. That way everything will be clean and ready to use at the first sign of winter’s return.

Of course, the obvious question here is, “Can I safely wash heated apparel?” For a majority of products sold at the CozyWinters online store, the answer is yes—but we recommend that you check the manufacturer’s care instructions first. These can typically be found on the inside label of the garment or at the manufacturer’s website, and should always supersede any other advice for washing that particular item. If the garment or blanket doesn’t have care instructions, you can follow these general guidelines:

Disconnect battery pack and store connectors in battery compartment
Ensure garment pockets are empty prior to washing
Apply stain remover or spot treatment products to heavily soiled areas to improve chances of getting the garment clean on the first try
Set washing machine to the gentlest cycle and use only cold or warm water
Whenever possible use a mesh washing bag to wash your heated apparel in, especially if it’s provided with the garment
When the wash cycle is done, immediately remove items from machine
Hang dry on hangers or a clothesline only
Do not twist or wring out the garments, as this can damage the heating elements and connection points
Battery-heated gloves and 12V heated insoles should be spot-cleaned only
Always store heated apparel with batteries removed and cables disconnected

The heated apparel and electric warming products you’ve purchased from CozyWinters are designed to withstand occasional, gentle wash cycles and line drying. As long as you avoid dry cleaning, twisting, and wringing the items, they should emerge from your washing machine in good working order.

Gearing Up for Ski Season

Now that winter is in full swing across the country, it’s finally time to welcome back the skiing season. If you’re brand new to the sport, here are the minimum gear and training requirements you’ll need before getting started:

Apparel

The purpose of skiing apparel is to keep you warm and dry in all kinds of weather without inhibiting your range of motion. To accomplish this, we suggest:

A base layer made of moisture-wicking “performance” fabric
A mid-weight layer made of fleece or a similar material
Long skiing socks to help provide ankle and arch support while eliminating chafing from boots
Waterproof and windproof ski jacket and pants for warmth and protection against the snow
Waterproof gloves
Knit cap or beanie

If you’re going out on a particularly cold day, you might also consider using a battery-heated vest or battery-heated gloves for an extra level of comfort in the extreme conditions.

Equipment

Newcomers to skiing are encouraged to rent equipment the first few times out to ensure that they enjoy the sport sufficiently enough to warrant investing in their own gear. However, if you want to buy your own equipment now, be prepared to purchase:

A pair of Skis with bindings
Ski boots
Ski helmet
Goggles

In addition, a boot and glove dryer like the DryGuy DG1 Widebody model we carry at CozyWinters is ideal for quickly drying your apparel and equipment during full-day or multi-day excursions.

Fitness and conditioning

Skiing is a physically demanding sport, even if you stick to the beginner’s slopes. While you don’t have to be in Olympic shape to begin skiing, it would be very beneficial to take a few weeks to work on your fitness and conditioning to reduce your chances of injury. Specifically, we recommend exercises that:

Strengthen your core
Improve your balance
Strain your cardiovascular system
Increase your agility
Tax your endurance

Lessons

First-timers should make it a point to take lessons before tackling the slopes for solo runs. Beginner’s sessions cover basic yet important techniques such as how to balance on the skis, shift your weight, turn, stop, fall safely, and stand up after falling.

Having a fantastic first experience with skiing naturally increases your chances of digging the sport and making many return trips to the mountains. To give yourself the best shot of producing these results, be sure to gear up according to the above recommendations before you go.

Top Holiday Gift Ideas for 2014

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday looming, it’s time for the annual CozyWinters Holiday Gift Guide. Here are some of our top-selling heated products of 2014 for you to consider as you jump into the holiday shopping season.

For the home

Heated chair cover: With four heat settings, automatic shut-off, non-slip back, and a generous 72” cord length, this oversized heated chair cover is great for instantly warming a favorite recliner, rocking chair, or armchair.
Rug heat pad: Banish chilly floors and cold feet with this portable heat pad. It fits under area rugs or carpets to provide warmth and coziness to living rooms, playrooms, TV rooms, and bedrooms. Pets love it too!
Foot of the bed warmer: For some folks a full-sized heated mattress pad or electric blanket isn’t necessary for getting a good night’s sleep. Instead, they can take comfort in something as simple as an electric foot of the bed warmer to keep toes toasty without heating the entire sleeping surface.

For the animal lover

Heated dog pad: Even the hardiest dog breeds face health risks when kept outdoors in winter, which is why a heated dog pad from Lectro-Soft would make a welcome gift for the pet lover on your list. This pad uses very low wattage to produce life-saving warmth for pets staying in doghouses, basements, barns, and garages.
Heated cat bed: A soft orthopedic base, removable heater, and washable cover make this heated cat bed an attractive retreat for even the most finicky feline.
Heated pet bowl: If your dog’s water bowl consistently freezes over in winter, then this needs to be at the top of your wish list. The bowl comes with a chew-resistant cord and plugs into any standard outlet to keep water drinkable even when temperatures drop below zero.

For the sports fan

Heated stadium seat cushion: Football games, hunting blinds, camping, and other outdoor pursuits will be a lot more comfortable with our heated stadium seat cushion. These lightweight, battery-operated pads heat to around 120 degrees and provide up to five hours of warmth per charge.
All-purpose heated gloves: Three heat settings, adjustable neoprene wrist cuffs, and no-slip palms make these gloves ideal for a variety of light outdoor activities such as walking or shoveling snow.
Boot & glove dryer: The skiers and snowboarders on your list will appreciate the convenience of this quick-working, four-pronged boot & glove dryer from DryGuy. It heats up enough to kill odors and dry garments in about an hour without getting so hot as to damage boot or glove liners.

We also offer CozyWinters gift certificates in denominations ranging from $25 to $500, so head on over to our site right now to begin shopping for everyone on your holiday list.

Keeping Warm in a Chilly Office

To a majority of people, an air conditioned office is viewed as a welcome refuge from the hot, muggy midsummer temperatures that are currently afflicting most of the country. But, as the old adage says, you can have too much of a good thing, and this applies as much to artificially cooled workspaces as to anything else. So if the thermostat in your building is set to a point where it’s causing you more discomfort than relief, here are a few strategies for keeping warm in that chilly office:

Dress for your work environment

Even if the weather forecast calls for temperatures in the high-90s, you should still pack a jacket, sweater, cardigan, wrap, or shawl to combat the cold that you know is awaiting you at work. When you get in the habit of dressing for the office temperature instead of the outdoor temperature, you’ll naturally want to avoid bare legs (think pantsuits instead of skirts), short-sleeved tops, and other fashion choices that might leave you feeling frosty.

Get up and move around

Sitting quietly at your desk for long periods of time is the best way to ensure that the air conditioned chill goes straight to your bones. Counteract this effect by getting up at least once an hour to take a quick lap around the office, walk up and down a couple flights of stairs, or do some stretches to get your heart pumping and blood circulating. You can even go outside for a few minutes to let the summer sunshine warm you up.

Break out the winter gear

If sweaters and stretching aren’t enough to stop the shivering, don’t be afraid to break out some winter gear. For example, our CozyWinters electric throws and electric travel blankets are not only toasty warm, but also compact enough to store in a desk drawer when not in use, making them ideal for the office. And we’ve seen plenty of folks using space heaters, fingerless gloves, and wearable blankets throughout July and August to help fight the office chill.

Don’t let an overly air conditioned office have a negative impact on your comfort and productivity this summer. Use these strategies and your favorite CozyWinters products to stay warm all year round.

American Cities with the Harshest Winters

You don’t have to be a meteorologist to know that not all winter weather is created equal. Even if you eliminate places like Florida, Arizona, and Hawaii from consideration, there are still significant differences in average temperatures, wind chill, and snowfall from region to region, state to state, and city to city. Of course, in our statistics obsessed society, organizations such as The Weather Channel track and record every aspect of winter weather so we can see exactly how these locations stack up against each other.

Which American cities can lay claim to having the harshest winters? Well, that depends on the sources you consult and the criteria that were used to arrive at the rankings. But in general, the following 10 urban centers appear again and again on plenty of lists because of persistently low temperatures combined with heavy precipitation and snowfall rates:

Minneapolis, MN
Portland, ME
Philadelphia, PA
Detroit, MI
Chicago, IL
Boston, MA
Buffalo, NY
Columbus, OH
Des Moines, IA
Hartford, CT

Did your city make the list? If so, then we recommend using some of the heated clothing and household products we carry at CozyWinters. Our battery-heated gloves, jackets, vests, and other apparel will keep you warm when you have to venture out into the elements, while our indoor electric throws, blankets, and heated chair covers can help you save money on home heating bills. We also sell a variety of heated dog beds and water bowls to make the cold season easier on your beloved pets.

There’s a lot to love about winters that allow for outdoor activities like skiing, snowboarding, and hiking. But it’s a completely different story when winters are so harsh that comfort and safety are compromised, so take extra precautions against the cold if you live in one of the cities listed above!

Post-Snow Outdoor Activity Ideas for Families with Kids

Many parents find it difficult to keep kids active and entertained in mid-March. For many, the snow and ice are most likely melted by now, which takes sledding, skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating off the menu. And yet the weather is not quite spring-like, either, so kids might need some extra coaxing to go outside and do something.

Luckily, there are still plenty of fun activities that the whole family can enjoy despite the cold weather. As long as everyone dresses appropriately (for example, swapping out bulky winter jackets and mittens in favor of heated vests and heated gloves for more mobility without sacrificing warmth) the weather shouldn’t be much of a factor as you try one or more of these ideas:

Build a bonfire or campfire (in an approved location, of course) and toast marshmallows, roast hot dogs, or make S’mores
Go on a nature hike to glimpse local wildlife, observe birds returning from winter migrations, and see flora in first bloom
Pack up a warm lunch and thermoses full of hot chocolate for a pre-spring picnic in your favorite park
Visit the nearest big city to walk bustling neighborhoods, window shop, admire the skyscrapers and architecture, and sample treats from food carts
Set off on a geocaching adventure to explore new places and find hidden treasures
Take in an exhibition baseball game at reduced ticket prices before the regular season starts

Don’t let the lack of snow prevent your family from enjoying some cold-weather fun before spring arrives. There’s still plenty of time to get more use out of your heated apparel, so go out and try one of the above activities this weekend!

Layering Basics for Outdoor Winter Activities

The key to being able to enjoy outdoor activities in winter is dressing appropriately for the weather conditions. The longer you’re able to stay warm and dry, the more fun you’ll have while snowmobiling, ice skating, hiking, or doing whatever else is on the agenda. Once you become cold and wet, misery quickly follows and you’ll just want to pack everything in and call it a day.

So what’s the best way to dress for the elements? Well, since winter weather can be unpredictable, layering is the approach most people prefer. Dressing in layers allows you to be flexible and add or remove clothing as external temperatures and conditions dictate.

But layering involves a little more thought than simply piling on as many shirts, sweaters, and jackets as possible. Here’s how to do it the right way:

Base layer
The purpose of the base layer is to keep you dry, which means you should wear something made from moisture-wicking fabric that will carry sweat away from your skin. The base layer can be snug or loose, depending on personal preference, and can consist of anything from lightweight thermal underwear to long-sleeved tees or turtlenecks.

Middle layer
While the base layer should keep you dry, the middle layer should retain body heat to keep you warm. Merino wool, fleece, and synthetic materials like Thinsulate are ideal for this layer, as is any battery-heated apparel you may have. The middle layer should be loose to allow for unrestricted movement.

Outer layer
The outer layer or shell is your first line of defense against the cold, wind, and rain, and should therefore consist of the best quality product you can afford. Depending on your intended activity, you should choose a shell that is windproof, waterproof, and temperature rated for expected conditions.

Extremities
It’s also important to keep your head, hands, and feet warm and dry during your outdoor activities. Fleece hats and toques can help retain heat and repel wind, while battery-heated glove liners, water-resistant gloves or mittens, and insulated boots will ensure your fingers and toes stay toasty warm.

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