Who’s ready for some snow?! Oh, the northeast has already been pounded? Wait, Colorado has had its fill? It even snowed in Texas this year?! O.K., O.K., I get it — y’all are over the snow; I hate to remind you that winter only officially started December 21 and, um, we’ve got a long way to go. It’s a given that a lot of you are in for more piles of the white fluffy stuff before we start seeing the first hints of spring so you might as well be prepared (if even begrudgingly).
This list is chock-full of snow survival musts, featuring everything from the best ice scrapers for your car’s windshield to gadgets that will keep your head, hands and feet toasty to tools to help you remove the $@!*#/?+ stuff. (Excuse me, lost my head there a second.) And, if you’d rather bury your head in the sand snow and ignore it, we’ve got the cuddliest PJs ever near the bottom of the list. (See? Snow isn’t all bad.) Great ready to fight back against Mother Nature … at least until the days start to get longer.
Just Scrape By
Whatever you do, do not try to rid your windshield of snow and ice using a hard metal. (Don’t ask.) This ice scraper conforms to the shape of your windshield and does double duty by both breaking up ice and pushing it away. And, while one side of this is metal, it’s a brass alloy so it won’t scratch your glass.
Wrapped In A Warm Hug
If you’re always cold (even indoors), you need this adjustable and rechargeable heated scarf that combines the fashion sense of a wrap with the practical help of a built-in heater. This comes with a power bank that tucks away out of sight during use but you won’t even care because you’ll be too toasty warm to notice. Choose from gray or pink.
Connect The Dots
Is this the year you learn to ski? (Not me. I like all of my pieces and parts just the way they are, thank you very much.) These ski tip connectors are a great training tool for teaching speed control, basic turning and making a wedge. Or, if you prefer, you can sit in the lodge and drink hot cocoa and forget about the skiing part.
Snow Much Fun
I can’t afford a snowmobile and wouldn’t want one anyway. What would I do with a snowmobile in Florida? This inflatable snow sled is the perfect low-cost solution (just $43!) when you’re sledding. The manufacturer describes it as “the real excitement of riding a motorcycle on a snowy road.” It offers a luxurious cushioned seat and reinforced handles for safety.
On A Short Leash
You don’t want to turn your little adventure seekers loose on a slope, particularly if it’s their first time or two. This ski and snowboard harness lets you safely teach them the fundamentals of skiing and snowboarding while controlling their speed, offering handles to pick them up when they fall and assisting them with getting on the lift. It’s a worthwhile investment for less than $40.
A Snow’s Throw Away
There’s no question that snow can be a lot of fun but it’s also a lot of work. Work that sometimes means only a snow thrower will do. This one is a step above the rest, as it’s both cordless and electric. One reviewer said, “Here in upstate NY we actually enjoyed shoveling for the exercise. Now that we’re getting older the extra help is nice.”
Shovel Out
If you consider yourself an OG, you’re probably just as happy with a shovel as an electric anything. This folding snow shovel is what you’d call “heavy duty” but it’s also perfectly portable so you can shovel your way out of the office lot, if need be. Sturdy and lightweight, it stores at only 23 inches but unfolds to a handy 38 inches when it’s time to get down to business.
Give Your Feet Some Heat
My feet are always cold. It doesn’t matter if it’s winter or summer, indoors or out, it’s just a given. I’m really coveting these rechargeable heated insoles, which I definitely needed years ago for all the cold football games I sat through. These come in black or red (but does it really matter?) and a remote so you can adjust the temperature as needed. These can be cut to fit any shoe size.
Make It Melt
Are there areas around your house where the snow and ice just won’t melt? Maybe it’s a spot that’s in the shade when the sun is out. This snow and ice melting mat is filled with a melting agent that dissolves snow and ice. Reviewers love the convenience: “This item is great — my son gave me one for our back door and I loved it — no shoveling or salt all over house and car.”
High And Dry
If you or someone you know works outdoors or spends a lot of time outside, this electric shoe and boot dryer is a must-have. Simply leave it plugged in (it uses less electricity than a low-wattage light bulb) and it dries most footwear overnight. Use it on leather, rubber, vinyl, canvas, synthetics, fleece and more. Reviewers call it an “excellent purchase.”
3-in-1 Electric Handheld Scraper: Your All-in-One Solution for Ice, Snow, Frost, and More
The 3-in-1 electric handheld ice scraper is a tool that effectively tackles ice, snow, and frost on windshields and windows. Combining a cleaning brush, polishing machine, and snow scraper, this device offers efficient and thorough surface cleaning, making it essential for vehicle owners during cold weather.
Touch Screen Compatible Winter Gloves
Stay connected and protected with gloves for winter days. These unisex gloves are designed to keep your hands warm and dry during various outdoor activities, from cycling to skiing. Featuring touchscreen compatibility and a comfortable fit, they are a perfect blend of functionality and comfort for any cold weather adventure.
Save On This Beanie
This beanie is a unisex winter hat designed to keep you warm and visible during the colder months. Featuring a built-in LED light and a soft fleece lining, this beanie is perfect for days when it’s chilly out.
Protect Your Neck
Pain in your neck? This rechargeable neck warmer is like a hanging heating pad for your neck with four different heat settings that warm up in just seconds. If you’re the only one in your office who is always cold, this is the buy for you. Adjust the size and keep your eye on the temperature thanks to the useful digital display.
You Can Take The Heat
Most space heaters have that boxy, industrial, black box look — which is fine, right? You just want the dang thing to work. This space heater has an adorable retro design and just does its job (cutely, I might add). These have three heating modes and built-in safety features perfect for an office, RV, bedroom and more. Choose from green, blue, white or pink.
Hold The Phone
If you protect yourself from the cold, you probably should extend the same courtesy to your phone (seeing as how they’re the price of a mortgage these days). This thermal phone pouch is insulated to protect from freezing but it’s also drop-proof and helps extend the life of your battery. The antimicrobial lining keeps your phone clean and a keyring connector adds convenience.
A Warming Heater
O.K., fine, you want a traditional-looking space heater? Here it is. There’s not a thing wrong with the traditional deal, either. It heats up 200 square feet of living space in a compact, safe and quiet design. The good news is that is also has a cooling fan so you can use it year-round without having to switch devices.
A Winter Classic: Heated Blanket
Experience luxurious comfort with the heated blanket designed to keep you cozy and warm. With 10 heat levels and an auto-off timer, you can customize your heating experience to suit your preferences. The ETL-certified blanket also features overheat protection for added safety. Made with soft flannel sherpa material, this high-quality heated blanket is the perfect addition to your home for those chilly nights.
Save On This Jump Starter
Never worry about a dead battery again with the Boost Plus GB40, a 1000A ultra-safe jump starter that can revive your car’s battery in no time. This portable charger and battery booster pack is perfect for jump-starting 6.0L gasoline and 3.0L diesel engines, thanks to its powerful jumper cables.
A 3-Temp Setting Mug Warmer
This mug warmer features 3 temperature settings to keep your drinks at the perfect temperature. Say goodbye to lukewarm beverages and enjoy a cozy sip anytime with this easy-to-use desk warmer. Simply touch the “Temp Button” to choose between the different temps, each one ensuring your coffee, tea, or milk stays hot throughout the day.
Heat Your Seat
This is the stadium seat to end all stadium seats with armrests and pockets and — OMG — a heated seat. Enjoy the thick cushioning, waterproofing and six reclining positions as well as a push-button on/off feature. It’s also wider than typical seats, which we can blame on our wider-than-typical backsides in this country. (Thank you, fast food restaurants.)
Hot To Trot
Speaking of old-school snow gadgets, these HotHands warmers got me through many outdoor activities. I primarily used the ones meant for your hands so these body warmers are a step up. This pack has eight different warmers with adhesive so you can use one or more and stick them anywhere (well, not anywhere, don’t make it weird). Grab the foot and hand warmers in the “Frequently Bought Together” section while you’re shopping.
Packing Heat In The Car
Heated seats are the one feature my car doesn’t have that I think I would enjoy. Oh, I live in Florida, you say, why would I need heated seats? Um, because I have back pain. Isn’t that what heated seats are for? These heated seat cushions incorporate both the back and the seat itself, delivering warmth when and where you want it (and for whatever reason you may want it).
You Won’t Be Blue In The Face
Sometimes, the only answer for cold weather is just to cover everything up. This insulated face mask comes from the cold weather clothing expert, Carhartt. Made of 100 percent acrylic, stretchable, rib-knit fabric, it’s packed with Thinsulate insulation for warmth. The extra-long neck enhances your cold-weather protection by ensuring that everything stays covered. Choose from five different colors including safety orange.
A Hairy Situation
It’s cold, O.K.? But, it’s not cold cold or maybe you just like to keep a sense of humor while you’re freezing your giblets off. This beard beanie offers cold weather protection both for your head and your face while giving you a glimpse of what you’d look like with facial hair (women, too, no judgment). The beard is removable, just in case.
PJs All Day
Listen, I’m already a homebody and I feel like this plush loungewear would vault me right into full hermit status. Equipped with drop shoulders, a puffy collar and a high-low hem, you’ll enjoy loose-fit pants with an elastic waistband and pockets (pockets!) and a pullover top that’s as soft as it looks. This feels more like loungewear to me than something you’d sleep in but you do you, boo.
Take Your Temperature
Sure you could ask someone what it feels like outside or you could look at your phone but this weather station is a lot more fun. Check out the temperature and humidity indoors and out with up to three connected wireless sensors on the large, bright LCD screen. Now if you just had a device that told you what to wear, you’d be set.