Battery Powered Heat: Columbia Bugathermo and Snow Hottie

Are your feet cold-blooded, susceptible to even the slightest chill? A walking ice cube of screaming toe pain when the mercury really drops? Then you might be interested in some of the battery-powered heat found in these two new footwear products from Columbia.

Columbia Bugathermo
This winter, Columbia has introduced its first battery-heated boot: the Bugathermo. These winter boots feature a rechargeable lithium battery that supplies between three and eight hours of heat, delivered through two separate heating elements, one in the toebox, the other underfoot.

You can select between three temperature settings through a rubberized button on the outside ankle. An illuminated 3-LED indicator lets you know which setting you've selected. A small jack on the back of the boot accommodates the plug-in cord for recharging your boots from the wall (Columbia doesn't mention a charge time on their site).

With the heating element on high, the Bugathermo is rated down to minus-25 degrees Fahrenheit, though keep in mind that these rating are extremely subjective depending on the wearer. They also feature Columbia's Omni-Tech Waterproof-Breathable membrane, a reliable choice for keeping water out.

Evidently they're going fast. Columbia is out of virtually every size and is redirecting folks to their commercial partners ($250).

Columbia Snow Hottie
Columbia's battery-heated option for women looking for "the toughness of a motorcycle boot, mixed with equestrian style and the warmth of a furnace." Same basic concept and price ($250) of the Bugathermo, with quite a bit more zazz.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

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