I have a pair of heated socks by a different brand. I wanted a 2nd pair for ski season and decided to try these since I love this brand. I have skied in them one day so far and it was a rather warm day. So here's the skinny: the socks are very cozy and soft; they're rather thick, not designed for everyday shoes; I can feel the heating element but it disappears after a bit. I wore them on the lowest setting and could definitely feel the heat running the length of my foot. The battery is big, bigger than the battery in my other pair. I would like it a bit smaller but it seems to work ok with my snowboard boots. My only gripe is that battery pocket doesn't have a button or velcro to keep it closed, preventing the battery from popping out. I'll remedy it myself, it seems like an easy fix. Overall I like the socks, I'm looking forward to trying them out on a really cold day.