I’ve been a big fan and user of Gerbing heated gear since shortly after buying my first reentry bike. I have one of nearly everything that they make, so it was a no-brainer to buy a set of their new heated insoles, particularly because i kind of loathe their socks.
Why do I loathe the socks? Basically they’re standard socks into which a wire has been woven. Getting things just right rates as a royal PITA, particularly after you’ve washed the socks. The wire gets all bunched in the wrong places, which means they get round your toes, jammed into your toe box, and generally uncomfortable in close fitting boots.
So you can appreciate why I was keen to try the insoles . . .
We’ve all had cold feet sometime in our lives. We’re talking REAL cold. Not just wedding-day jitters. Cold, stiff, tender feet can turn any ride into a miserable one. But Gerbing’s Hybrid Heated Insoles are designed to deliver powerful, warming heat. And unlike the other heated insoles, ours provide heat over their entire surface area.
We’ll keep your feet toasty warm, on or off the bike. Because Gerbing’s Hybrid Heated Insoles are designed to connect to your other Gerbing’s Heated Gear, run them straight off your bike’s battery, or you can power them off one of our rechargeable lithium battery packs (optional).
Off I went on Friday the 13th no less for 300 or so miles of riding round the countryside, Gerbing gear head-to-toe, braced against temperatures that ranged in the early morning in the 27 to 32 degree range, and then blessedly into the 50’s later on.
What I Like
- The insoles trim easily and slide into my boots easy as you please.
- The coax wires are in the right place: They protrude into your arch and easily connect to the plug on my Gerbing pants. Routing the wires so as not to chafe is easy.
- No more of that hated wire-around-the-toe thing. Yes!
What I Don’t Like
- If they work, I couldn’t tell. There are warnings galore on the packaging about how hot they’ll get and how I need to turn them off immediately if they get too hot. Well that didn’t happen. I cooked my legs trying to get my feet to unfreeze, but never got to the point where I felt like me feet were warm, yet alone too hot.
Hmm. So now I guess I’ll have to go do a science experiment and plug them in outside my boots and see if they heat up, try with the splitter vs. the pants as the connector, etc. etc. Doesn’t sound like fun, but in the name of science I’ll give it a try.
But round one does not go to Gerbing. This should be bone simple. Plug them in, turn them on, feel the heat. What else is there to know?
Stay tuned, but right now, these are not on my recommend list.
Tags: Gebing12V Hybrid Heated Insoles, Heated Clothing, Midliferider
You could ride around with one boot heated and the other not.
Gerbing’s offers a lifetime warranty on the electrical components in our clothing. If your insoles are not warm to hot then there must be a problem. When you cut to trim them to your size did you cut below the caution line? Please call Gerbing’s to discuss these issues. We would love to have a chance to improve this review with a properly working insole.
Thanks Dotty. Looks like those listening devices are working. I’ll give you a ring. I did trim, but just to the the caution line, not below. I will get them out this weekend and test outside my boot.
Hey Kevin, I have a related question. If your budget allowed for (1) piece of Gerbing heated gear, which would you choose? I was up on the Peninsula and Hood Canal a couple of sunny Fridays ago and got so cold it took two days to warm up.
Hey Sean. I would look after my core fist. I have the jacket and the vest. My two riding pals have the vest. So that would be where I would start. If you don’t have heated grips, gloves next.
Thanks Kevin. Vest it is. I really underestimated the wind chill effect of 60 mph that cool, sunny Friday.
I just got off the phone with Dotty. Lovely lady. The sad news here is that they’re out of stock on my size, the XXL, until late May, or early June. Yikes!
I did my first tour last week with a Gerbing heated jacket and i can’t believe how great it was. I did 900km + days and around Klamath Falls OR it was -4c but i was toasty warm. I’d also recommend the long sleeve variant if you’re riding in a real chill.
Sorry to hear the insoles are a bit more problematic.
Well, I definitely need to buy some of those. I’ll start searching for them now. I live in the French Alps and my hubby and I love to motorbike, but boy, is it cold!! I have a blog with videos including a couple about motorbiking in snow so you can see what I mean. I’m always looking for ways to stay warm on the bike, especially since I’m from Southern Florida and LA – I’m just not used to this cold winter stuff! Thanks for the tip. Enjoyed browsing your blog. See you again. Cynthia in France
I just found your review. Eight months later and it looks like Gerbing still has the same problem.
I’m a big fan of Gerbing gear. I have a full set of liners including the socks. The socks are warm, but like you, I don’t like how the wires feel in my boots. For me, the socks are also a PIA to wash on the road. I tried the insoles for the first time yesterday in 40F weather. Froze my feet. After the ride, I tried hooking them directly to the battery to check them. They were producing heat, buy you could barely feel it. I didn’t do any trimming to the insoles. They fit my boot without trimming, so I couldn’t have cut any wires in the insole.
I like the part in the instructions where Gerbing cautions you to be careful because the insoles get so hot. Hahaha. PNW guys really have a great sense of humor.
They’re a brilliant idea. Sadly the execution is crap. I sent mine back, they tested them, and sent them back saying they were just fine. Obviously heating feet is a hard ask. The wired up socks are appalling. It feels like you’ve wrapped your feet in a cheap extension cord, which you have. Unless you wear liner socks, you’ll wind up with the wires round your toes in no time. The insoles show promise but little discernible heat. I would recommend you DON’T BUY.
Heated apparel is a great way to beat the cold. New, safe technologies have made these garments reliable for all types of outdoor winter activities. Hunting, football games, even a cold weather bike or motorcycle ride. Multiple connection options and adjustable thermostats make heated clothing extremely versatile…