How to Keep Warm When Working on Outdoor Winter Projects

Continue working outdoors this winter with gear like heated gloves, durable work boots, and more.
Man shoveling snow in front of house
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Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you can avoid all those outdoor projects around your property. Whether you are painting, repairing a fence, clearing snow, or tackling essential maintenance chores, you’ll want to cover up and stay warm while working in freezing temperatures and strong winds. The right gear will keep you comfortable and protected from frostbite and cold stress. We’ve researched the best cold-weather products to ensure warmth without sacrificing mobility or precision so you can handle outdoor projects with ease—no matter how chilly it gets.

Layering is key to staying warm, so you’ll want to start with a base layer. Weerti Thermal Underwear are designed to lock in body heat for lasting warmth, keeping you comfortable on cold days. This top and bottom set is made with premium fleece lining, providing a soft feel on the skin. the fabric has a breathable, four-way stretch design for a flexible fit, so you can have full mobility while working outdoors and no bunching under your outer layers.

Moving freely is essential for many outdoor activities, which is why a top-rated heated vest is a good option. Designed to fit easily over a shirt or under a jacket, these typically lightweight garments feature battery-heated panels that help keep your core warm. The Ororo men’s lightweight heated vest aims to keep wearers warm in all the right places thanks to three carbon-fiber heating zones located along the back of the collar, in the midback, and on the lower front of the vest. This vest features three temperature settings so you can choose which one best suits your desired warmth and the outdoor environment. The heating zones are powered by a rechargeable 7.4-volt battery (included).

What our tester says: “This vest was well made: there were no snags, the seams were well sewn, and the material was very durable. When I tried on the Ororo vest, the first thing that struck me was how supple and comfortable it was. Our favorite feature was the heating panel in the back of the collar. This heating panel, along with long winter scarves, kept us toasty warm. The soft nylon outer shell blocked most of the cutting wind.” —Glenda Taylor, Staff Writer & Product Tester

Heated Gloves

Venustas Heated Gloves

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Heated gloves provide an added layer of warmth to keep one of the more exposed and easily chilled parts of your body cozy in freezing temps. The interior palm and fingers on the Savior heated electric gloves are reinforced with soft lambskin, so they are flexible for securely grabbing objects without snagging the durable fabric. Their soft cotton lining is comfortable against the skin. The small lithium-ion batteries fit inside a zippered pouch located on the inside of the wrist cuff, and the power button makes it easy to turn the gloves on and scroll through the three heat settings.

What our tester says: “The Savior gloves are soft and supple, making them a comfortable choice…Within minutes of turning the gloves to the highest heat setting, our fingers were quite warm. We checked the gloves every 30 minutes to see if they were still warm, and they continued to generate heat for nearly 7 hours.” —Glenda Taylor, Staff Writer & Product Tester

Work Boots

Keen Pittsburgh Energy 6-Inch Waterproof Boot

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The right pair of work boots will protect your feet from moisture and provide support while working outdoors. These Keen Pittsburgh work boots are fully waterproof; the tongue is sewn all the way to the top of the boots to keep your feet dry if you are wading through water. The hard rubber soles are oil- and slip-resistant with textured grooves and tracks to provide stability and a good grip when walking on slippery surfaces. In addition, they are protective yet lightweight thanks to the carbon-fiber toe box.

What our tester says: “We wore this pair of Keen Pittsburgh boots for 2 days straight during a range of weekend adventures and were very impressed with how comfortable they were right away. They slipped on easily, and the overall fit was as secure as it was comfortable.” —Glenda Taylor, Staff Writer & Product Tester

Heated Socks

Pekwzix Rechargeable Heated Socks

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Keep your feet even toastier with these rechargeable heated socks by Pekwziz. Equipped with two 5-volt (V) 6,000 milliamp hours (mAh) rechargeable batteries, these electric heated socks provide up to 9 hours of continuous warmth on low heat and around 4 hours on high. The heating elements are integrated throughout the sole areas, closely fitting the socks for a natural and comfortable wearing experience. Simply press the button on the battery pocket to choose from four heat settings.

Warm Hat

Carhartt Men’s Knit Cuffed Beanie

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Keep your head and ears warm in winter weather with this soft acrylic stretchy rib-knit hat. The Carhartt cuffed beanie is a top seller, with more than 183,000 reviews on Amazon. It comes in a variety of colors and offers both comfort and protection from frigid temperatures. It’s available in nearly 30 colors as well.

Heated Jacket

Ptahdus Men’s 5-Zone Heated Softshell Jacket

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The Ptahdus heated softshell jacket is a reasonably priced jacket that doesn’t skimp on features. It includes five different heating zones: both sides of the chest, a back panel, and two hand-warmer pockets. There are also three adjustable heating levels, ensuring you stay cozy and comfortable. It is made from a blend of polyester and spandex, providing comfort and stretch with a bit of wind and water resistance. It comes with a 7.4V battery pack that provides up to 8 hours of warmth when fully charged. This jacket is also available for women.

Hand Warmers

Ocoopa Magnetic Hand Warmers

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Keep your hands warm with these lightweight rechargeable hand warmers by Ocoopa. Available in several colors, they are compact, reliable, and designed for all-day comfort that fits right in your pocket. The hand warmers heat up in just 5 seconds and have three temperature settings that reach up to 126 degrees Fahrenheit. The magnetic 2-in-1 design allows two hand warmers to connect for double-sided heat or to use separately for each hand.

Heated Scarf

Genovega Heated Scarf

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Keep your neck warm and safe while working outdoors with this heated scarf by Genovega. Crafted from premium soft-touch materials, this neck warmer is designed for dependable, long-lasting use. It has three different temperature setting levels including one to protect against extreme cold outdoors. The 6,000 mAh ultra-light battery is hidden in a dedicated pocket, with a maximum battery life of up to 8 hours. This scarf is available in a variety of colors.

 
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Sandi Schwartz Avatar

Sandi Schwartz

Contributing Writer

Sandi Schwartz is an environmental author and freelance journalist with over 20 years of extensive experience communicating science-based information to diverse audiences in the areas of sustainability, home/garden, green living, nature, and wellness. Sandi began writing for BobVila.com in June 2022.


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