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Reviewed / GliderGloves
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I hate the cold. I’m still not entirely sure why I moved to Boston because now, my poor circulation and I have to deal with near-Arctic conditions during the winter. To keep warm, not only do I need things that will keep my frigid body warm, but I also need products that will keep me safe from injuring myself in the snow, ice, and subzero temperatures.
This winter, you'll need great gloves and hats to stay warm, and reliable snow boots to help you traverse icy, slick sidewalks. But you'll also want the practical home items like pet-friendly ice salt and a good shovel to take care of the snow and ice before you get hurt. These are the top 10 things you need to stay safe during freezing temperatures:
1. Touchscreen gloves to use your smartphone without risking frostbite
Respond to that text without freezing your hands off.
Gloves that still allow you to text are honestly a necessity in freezing temperatures. Currently, I have cute knit gloves, but every time I want to respond to a text or change my music, I have to expose at least one hand to the frigid weather. It physically hurts my hands, which is why touchscreen gloves are such a game changer. But not all gloves are created equal.
These GliderGloves are infused with copper, meaning the entire glove can be used with a smartphone rather than just two pads on your thumb and pointer finger—and they actually work. Although salt can affect their performance, reviewers still love them as long as you clean them properly.
Get the GliderGloves Copper Infused Touch Screen Gloves on Amazon for $15.99
2. A weighted blanket to retain extra heat at night
See if your sleep improves with an affordable weighted blanket.
Not only can weighted blankets make us feel extra snuggled on extra cold nights, but for some, it can help relieve some anxiety and sleep better. After comparing an expensive weighted blanket and a $70 one from Target, our tester found that she liked the weighted blanket from Target better. For her, the cheaper Tranquility blanket was more comfortable because it weighed less and helped her fall asleep better. It may be the cure for winter sleeping woes—but fair warning, it also might make you not want to leave your bed!
Get the Tranquility Weighted Throw Blanket at Target for $69.99
3. A thick thermal neck warmer to keep in heat
Bundle up with a fleece neck warmer before you go outside.
Scarfs are great and all, but when the temperatures start dropping below zero, you’re going to want to put on a thermal neck warmer. These thick pieces of fabric keep your neck warm and dry and are much better at protecting you from hypothermia than most scarves because of their full coverage design. Reviewers like this one from Arctic Extreme for its great fit and complete protection from harsh, cold winds. You can pull it up to cover your neck, mouth, and ears. It may look a bit silly, but it’s completely worth it for the sake of staying warm.
Get the Arctic Extreme Thermal Neck Warmers, 2-Pack on Amazon for $6.29
4. A great winter coat that actually keeps you warm
This coat has a cult following and we can see why.
Canada Goose may be trending as the ultimate winter coat, but this coat from Amazon has garnered a cult-following—and it only costs $130, as opposed to the thousands you'll spend on Canada Goose. The Orolay coat has earned more than 6,000 reviews and a 4.2-star rating, meaning people really like this thing. It’s stylish, waterproof, and it has six (yes, six) pockets to hold your winter gear, wallet, and maybe even a puppy. Reviewers are obsessing over this jacket because it’s so warm, so affordable, and looks pretty dang good. You probably won't regret adding this coat to your rotation this year.
Get the Orolay Women's Thickened Down Jacket on Amazon for $129.99
5. The best space heater to keep your home warm if your pipes freeze
Warm up any room with our favorite space heater.
If there are some areas in your home that feel like they never really warm up, you need a space heater. This one from DeLonghi is the best space heater we’ve ever tested. It quickly raised the temperature of a 1350-cubic-foot room six degrees in an hour, is easily transported, and has safety features like automatic shut-off when it's tipped over. It’s perfect for warming up your office corner or any room in your house.
Get the DeLonghi Mica Panel Heater on Amazon for $74.08
6. A hat that traps in fast-escaping body heat
Protect your head, ears, mouth, and more with this cozy gear.
Even if you have a coat with a good hood, you’re still going to want to double up with a hat for ultimate warmth. This unisex hat from Mysuntown will look good on anyone and is padded with cozy faux fur as well as a removable face mask. It’s the ultimate way to protect your face from every inch of cold, but reviewers warn that it isn’t breathable, so heat and moisture may get trapped. If you’re looking for something less intense to go under your hood, a fleece headband will add an extra layer of protection and reviewers agree that it’s perfect for running in cold weather.
- Get the Mysuntown Unisex Winter Trooper Hat on Amazon for $14.99
- Get the Tough Headwear Fleece Ear Warmers for $8.95
7. A shovel that will stand up to wet, heavy snow
Shovel the driveway with a little less effort this winter.
When you’re faced with hours of digging out your car after a snowstorm, you’re going to want a reliable shovel to make quick work of that snow. After testing some of the best snow shovels on the market, we found that the Forest Hill Homeowner Aluminum Scoop Shovel was the clear winner. Not only is it sleek and strong, but it was also the most versatile, meaning you can use it to dig out your garden in the spring instead of packing it away when winter’s over. Its functionality makes it worth the price.
Get the Forest Hill Homeowner Aluminum Scoop Shovel on Amazon for $61.99
8. Ice-melting salt that won't hurt your dog's feet
This ice salt is non-toxic for pets.
Salting your driveway and walkways is essential to ensuring you won’t slip on the ice, but you want to make sure that the salt you use isn't harmful to your pet. Most ice salt can irritate your dog's paws or be harmful if ingested, [according to Accuweather. That’s why it’s better to use salt free of sodium and calcium chloride, like this one from Safe Paw. Reviewers say that a little goes a long way, so don't overdo it!
Get the Safe Paw Non-Toxic Ice Melter on Amazon for $23.61
9. A sturdy ice scraper that won't break on thick layers of ice
Bust through the ice and get on the road ASAP with this scraper.
My coworker once broke an ice scraper by, well, scraping ice. Don't end up like her: invest in a super sturdy ice scraper. These scrapers from Desired Tools claim to be “premium” and will remove the toughest of ice without scratching your car and windows—and reviewers agree. They say the foam handle makes it comfortable to use, and that the ergonomic shape helped them scrape through the ice in just a few minutes.
Get the Design Tools Premium Ice Scraper Set, 2-Pack on Amazon for $16.97
10. Snow boots that actually keep your feet warm and dry
Keep your toes toasty while still looking stylish.
The only thing worse than shoveling snow is walking through it for days on end. Without proper footwear, you end up with frozen toes and even worse, slipping and falling from a misstep on ice. It’s painful and dangerous. For your safety, you really should upgrade to a cozy and sturdy pair of snow boots. We love these ones by Ugg because not only are they stylish enough to wear to work, but they’re also waterproof, have great tread to grip slippery ground, and are lined with classic Ugg wool. They are pricey up front, but they will last you for years and are seriously worth the investment.
- Get the Ugg Adirondack III Waterproof Bootie at Nordstrom for $249.95
- Get the Ugg Hannen Plain Toe Waterproof Boot at Nordstrom for $229.95
Prices are accurate at the time this article was published, but may change over time.