Individual Review Lenz 6.0 Heat Sock

[David Chaus]

Just received these today. I will post more information after I actually try them out. I have two pair of the Lenz 1.0 slim heat socks, which used to be the thinnest pair they had. While I’ve been very happy with the 1.0’s I’ve been intrigued by the new model. The 6.0 has more wool (40%), is thinner, is a compression sock, and has toe cap heating, which was introduced earlier in the version 5.0. This is where I find I need the heat the most, so I’m eager to try them. Also, the channel where the heating is directed from the battery pack to the foot is wrapped around the side to the top of the foot, rather than running down the back of the calf to the bottom of the foot, which is how the older version are engineered. This resulted in some people not liking the feeling of a little extra bulk underneath the foot, which didn’t bother me afte the first 5 minutes of trying them, but for many it was a non-starter. So that issue is now alleviated, and this sock will be better for people who have a tight shell fit and want the thinnest socks possible, while still enjoying heat.

Some pics:
Here’s the packaging, a nice substantial box. The socks come with a laundry/storage mesh bag.
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Laid out front and back. BTW these socks are marked L and R.

Here’s how they look. I ordered size L for my 9 1/2 US feet, sizing seems pretty accurate as it has been for my previous pairs.

Here’s a better views of the panel that houses the heating cables wrapping down from where the battery snaps in, over the top of the foot to the heating elements around the toe.

Care and feeding instructions.

These use the existing batteries that came with my first pair. I have to say, the batteries are more robust than the ones that came with my OR heated gloves, I’m considering buying a pair of their heated gloves or mittens. The batteries last longer, charge much faster and are Bluetooth connected to my smartphone.

Lenz has an app where you can control the heat from 0 to 10, control the left and right socks separately, and use intermittent heat settings, for example, 10 minutes on and 5 minutes off, or any increment of time on and off you want, at whatever heat level you select. It can also work with several differernt heated items, such as heated gloves or a heated vest. The display also lets you know how much battery charge you have left. The charging cable for the batteries is compact and will find in any pocket, so on a really cold day I can crank up the heat and recharge a bit when I go in for lunch, as long as I can find an outlet. I have only done this once so far and I probably could have made it through the day without it.

 

[ARL67]

Thanks for the excellent info and pics ! These are certainly on my radar.

 

[sullywhacker]

Just to add one more small piece: I also have 9.5 size feet but very flat and pretty narrow > I found the L to bunch up a bit behind the heel while the M (US 6-8) stayed smooth and fit well.

 

[SBrown]

I just for the first time last week skied in my 5.0 version plus my boot heaters, and voilà. I had comfortable feet for basically the first time in 30 years. So I was looking at the 6.0s, since I too found that the "correct" size for me in the 5.0 is a little bit bunchy.

 

[SBrown]

Just to add one more small piece: I also have 9.5 size feet but very flat and pretty narrow > I found the L to bunch up a bit behind the heel while the M (US 6-8) stayed smooth and fit well.

In the 5.0 or 6.0?

 

[sullywhacker]

6.0

 

[Chef23]

I skied in my 5.0s today for the first time and they are much warmer than the Thermic with the LV socks which didn’t provide any heat to my feet at all. The Lenz socks are thicker so if you are in a super tight fit they likely wouldn’t work for you..

I have circulation issues and I today which wasn’t super cold I was able to ski from 8:15-12 and while my feet were cold I was able to ski without a break. At lunch I took my boots off and warmed up then skied from 1-4.

I would be interested to try the 6.0s but fear they may be similar to the Sidas LV socks. I am thinking a combo of the heated socks with the boot gloves might do the trick.

 

[David Chaus]

OK, I had the chance to use my 6.0 heated socks on Friday. I really like them, they definitely focus the heat on the toe area. With my 1.0 socks I find my toes can get cold even if the rest of the foot is warm. I think this is due to the cold air hitting the front of the boots as I ski. Even using my Boot Gloves (which I have used in combination with my 1.0 socks on the rare super cold day) the toe area is not as well covered as the rest of the boot.

These 6.0 socks were very effective at keeping my toes warm, and honestly I didn’t even notice anything with the rest of my feet, which means nothing was getting cold. They are thinner and I may adjust my boot buckling slightly (I haven’t so far). They are comfortable and I’m able to wear them all day. I didn’t have any bunching up at the heel, but I could also see getting a size smaller. They are a compression sock, though maybe not as compression-y as unheated compression socks.

I am pleased with how they worked for me, and I’ll be able to A/B them with my 1.0 socks more on the upcoming Jackson Gathering trip.

@Chef23 I have no experience with the Sidas socks, but these work really well. FWIW I’m a Type 1 diabetic and have circulation issues myself. The nice thing is, you can get the socks alone without the battery packs, since you already have them with your 5.0 socks.

 

[Chef23]

OK, I had the chance to use my 6.0 heated socks on Friday. I really like them, they definitely focus the heat on the toe area. With my 1.0 socks I find my toes can get cold even if the rest of the foot is warm. I think this is due to the cold air hitting the front of the boots as I ski. Even using my Boot Gloves (which I have used in combination with my 1.0 socks on the rare super cold day) the toe area is not as well covered as the rest of the boot.

These 6.0 socks were very effective at keeping my toes warm, and honestly I didn’t even notice anything with the rest of my feet, which means nothing was getting cold. They are thinner and I may adjust my boot buckling slightly (I haven’t so far). They are comfortable and I’m able to wear them all day. I didn’t have any bunching up at the heel, but I could also see getting a size smaller. They are a compression sock, though maybe not as compression-y as unheated compression socks.

I am pleased with how they worked for me, and I’ll be able to A/B them with my 1.0 socks more on the upcoming Jackson Gathering trip.

@Chef23 I have no experience with the Sidas socks, but these work really well. FWIW I’m a Type 1 diabetic and have circulation issues myself. The nice thing is, you can get the socks alone without the battery packs, since you already have them with your 5.0 socks.

I am going to order a second pair of socks for a trip. I am considering whether to buy another pair of the 5.0s or try the 6.0s. Given I can fit the 5.0s in my boots I may go with a second pair of those. I may try the mediums instead of the larges though. I think those would still fit and remove a few wrinkles.

 

[Fuller]

I have recently come to the realization that at least part of my boot fit / sore toes issues is due to "chilblains" not the size of the toe box. My feet don't feel cold at all when I ski but after a shower they look and feel like red Vienna sausages despite the Sidas footbed warmers. I might have add these to my list of essential stuff.

 

[locknload]

I tried the 5.0 for the first time a few weeks ago in UT. I found they worked quite well, but I'd love them to be a bit slimmer and less thick so the 6.0 sound great. These are really quite ingenious and I thought they worked very well with the app. I'm impressed. They aren't cheap BUT my Lange boots are amazing (XT Free 130) but as soon as temps got down into the teens my toes were COLD. This was the right solution and, to me, so much easier and less clunky then a boot heater which I've used in days gone by. Having cold feet can just ruin a ski day.

 

[TheArchitect]

I've been using the 5.0 socks for 2 seasons now and they have solved all of my cold toes issues. I never need to go above level 3 and the batteries last all day (barely). I have a second pair for longer trips. Whenever I need to replace them I'll look at the 6.0.

 

[Viking9]

I just received my 5.0 and I like the feel a lot more than my 1.0’s
They feel smoother and less bulky.
Steve mentioned earlier about his “ correct “ size and they do run large, I’m a 10.5 and I could/ should have gone with the medium.

 

[Tomkat1962]

I really like the lenz socks. I could never enjoy skiing in really cold temperatures before I got them. Maybe the best ski gear investment I’ve made.

 

[anders_nor]

Really considering lenz 6.0, I always thought it was a bit of a cowardly thing, but I usually have to go inside for heating toes after 2-3-4 hours of skiiing, and with restrictions on going inside this year, lenz might be what I need to stay outside. Also, getting older, comfort kinda matters suddenly

should I get rcb1200 or 1800 batteries though? they seem to be only 10 gram diff? but like 20-30USD? 14 vs 20 hours runtimeis still much more than I would need for regular skiiing, but not enough to not pack a charger on longer skiiing trips.

but.. some report as little as 4-5? hours on the 1200?

 

[Tomkat1962]

I have the 1200 batteries and get a full day out of them but I find I only need them set to 3 or 4 on the phone app. One thing I notice is 1 of the batteries discharges faster than the other. I found if I turned them up too high my feet would get damp and then they don’t work as well. I was in Whistler last winter and we had record setting cold for the week it was minus twenty something everyday. The socks saved that trip for me.

 

[jack545]

What's the verdict on sizing these? Some say they run true to size but I've also heard they run big. I use a 25.5 Dalbello Krypton with a 98mm last and Zipfit liners. The boot is snug but not overly so. I usually wear an 8.5 shoe. Any thoughts on whether I should go with the small or medium in these 6.0 socks?

 

[SBrown]

I would definitely go small. I am about a half size smaller than you, mediums were way too big.

 

[Steve]

The 5.0 medium fits my men’s size 8. I ordered 6.0 medium. Are they bigger than the 5.0?

 

[SBrown]

Maybe they changed something, or there was a glitch, but my 5.0 mediums were verrry large. They advertise it as 39-41, I believe, and I am a solid 40. i got the 6.0 in a small, 35-38, and they fit perfectly.