Stay Mission Ready in Extreme Cold
Autonomous heated wool socks that help reduce frostbite risk, improve comfort, and keep personnel focused on the mission.
The Smart Heated Wool Sock (SHWS) is an intelligent heating system developed by CRG Defense for military operations in extreme cold. Instead of providing constant heat like commercial products, SHWS automatically adjusts its output to keep feet warm while helping prevent sweat and extend battery life.
Designed for:
- Arctic operations
- Flight line personnel
- Special Operations Forces
- Cold-weather training
- Search & Rescue
- Industrial workers in extreme cold
Cold Hurts Performance
Cold affects performance long before frostbite occurs. As feet get cold:
- Dexterity decreases
- Mobility slows
- Fatigue increases
- Distraction grows
- Frostbite risk rises
Recent military data continues to identify frostbite as the most common cold-weather injury across multiple services, highlighting the need for better cold-weather protection. Smart Heated Wool Socks help keep personnel warm, focused, and mission ready.
Contact UsSmart Heating. No Adjustments Required.
Unlike traditional heated socks, Smart Heated Wool Socks automatically adjust heat throughout the mission. The result:
- Warmer feet
- Less sweat
- Longer battery life
- No buttons to manage
As activity increases, the controller reduces heat. When feet begin getting cold again, heating automatically increases. The wearer doesn’t have to think about it.
Built for Military Operations
Typical commercial heated socks are designed for recreation. SHWS was designed for military use.
Additional features:
- Works with existing military boots
- Compatible with vapor barriers
- Rugged flexible heating elements
Comfortable U.S.-made wool construction
For aircrew, the same technology is also available as a flame-resistant heated boot liner compatible with flight boots and G-suits.
Tested Where it Matters
SHWS has been evaluated from the laboratory to real military Arctic exercises.
Laboratory Testing
- Environmental chamber testing down to –49°F (-45°C)
Military Field Testing
- Arctic Spark
- Vermont Air National Guard
- Air Force evaluations
- SOCOM Arctic Technical Experiment
- Operation Musk Ox II
- Arctic Edge
- SOF Arctic Medic
Across these events, SHWS demonstrated reliable autonomous heating, robust battery performance after extended cold soak, and 13+ hours of operation in Arctic conditions.
Independently Validated
Independent testing by the Naval Health Research Center (NHRC) demonstrated that autonomous heated footwear can significantly improve toe temperature during military cold-weather training. Key results:
- Up to 18°C (32°F) warmer toes
- Maintained foot temperatures for hours
- Tested in temperatures down to –37°C
- Statistically significant improvement over unheated controls
Researchers concluded that autonomous heated footwear is a promising technology for reducing cold-weather injury risk.
Key Capabilities
- Adaptive Heating
Automatically adjusts to changing conditions. - Full-Foot Heating
Warmth where it’s needed most. - Cold-Tolerant Battery
Reliable performance in Arctic environments. - Military Compatible
Works with existing boots and vapor barriers. - Rugged Construction
Flexible heating elements built for demanding use. - Minimal User Interaction
No constant adjustments. Just put them on and go.
Applications
Military Applications
- Arctic Operations
- Special Operations Forces
- Flight Line Personnel
- Vehicle Crews
- Ground Crews
- Maritime Operations
- Mountain Warfare
- Cold-Weather Training
- Search & Rescue
Commercial Applications
The same technology can help professionals working in extreme cold. Potential applications include:
- Utilities
- Oil & Gas
- Construction
- Forestry
- Mining
- Emergency Response
- Scientific Research
- Outdoor Recreation
Powered by our Autonomous Heating Platform
At the heart of SHWS is an intelligent heating controller designed by CRG Defense. This compact controller continuously monitors temperature and automatically adjusts power to provide just the right amount of heat—keeping feet warm without unnecessary battery drain or overheating.
But the controller is more than the brain behind SHWS. It is a scalable thermal management platform that can power a wide range of intelligent heating systems. Today, the same technology is being adapted for additional military applications, including equipment warming solutions under development with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).
By separating the controller from the heating product, CRG Defense has created a flexible technology platform that can support future wearable systems, mission equipment, and other cold-weather solutions.
