I didn’t think we needed it, but I’m so glad my wife bought it. It’s my favorite bit of winter running gear, and it never leaves the house. It keeps my hands and feet warm and dry–or at least warmer and dryer–without damaging my gloves and shoes (the latter take enough punishment as it is.) I speak, of course, of our boot and glove dryer.
We have a Pacific Outdoors Deluxe Boot and Glove Dryer. And it makes a difference. No longer are my shoes still damp from the melted snow accumulated during my last run. No longer are the insides of my gloves moist from, well, sweat. Like socks fresh from the dryer–another winter running essential–my shoes and gloves are fresh and ready for nature’s worst… which they often get.
My wife chose carefully. She went for a model with convection drying to circulate heat without blowing, preventing any damage from cracking or what have you (though that’s probably more a concern for leather items.) With four posts I can get the gloves and shoes done at the same time. It’s a luxury, sure, but I love it!
And hopefully I won’t be needing it much anymore until November or December.