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April 23, 2026 – David Peyser Sportswear d/b/a 32 Degrees of New York recalled about 207,806 heated socks sold at Costco stores and online from August 2025 through March 2026 for $30 to $46 after receiving 14 heat-related incidents with 13 involving first or second-degree burns [1].
13 Burn Injuries
Thirteen people suffered first or second-degree burns from wearing these socks. Second-degree burns damage both the outer skin layer and underlying tissue, causing blisters, severe pain, and potential scarring.
High-Intensity Activity Trigger
Burns occur during high-intensity activities like running, hiking, or skiing that generate combined heat, friction, moisture, and pressure. These conditions cause the heated socks to overheat against skin beyond safe temperatures.
Three Sizes Recalled
All recalled socks are black and sold in medium, large, and extra-large sizes. “32° HEAT” appears on the battery pack casing, packaging, user manual, and retail box.
Costco Exclusive
The socks sold only at Costco stores and Costco.com during an eight-month period. Consumers should return them to Costco for full refunds.
Rechargeable Battery Pack
The socks include rechargeable battery packs that power the heating elements. The combination of external activity-generated heat plus battery-powered heating creates dangerous temperatures against feet and lower legs.
Winter Activity Context
People buy heated socks for skiing, snowboarding, winter hiking, and cold-weather work. These exact activities—vigorous, generating body heat and sweat—trigger the burn hazard.
Moisture and Pressure Factors
Sweat creates moisture while tight boots create pressure. Combined with friction from movement and heat from both the batteries and activity, skin burns develop even at temperatures that wouldn’t normally injure.
Made in China
32 Degrees manufactured these socks in China. The design failed to account for combined heat sources during actual use conditions.
First-Degree Burns
First-degree burns affect only the outer skin layer, causing redness and pain. While less severe than second-degree burns, they still indicate the socks reached temperatures hot enough to damage tissue.
Second-Degree Burn Severity
Second-degree burns penetrate through the epidermis into the dermis, creating blisters filled with fluid. These burns often require medical treatment and can leave permanent scars on feet and legs.
The Activity Paradox
People wear heated socks specifically for vigorous cold-weather activities. The very activities the product enables are the activities that cause it to burn users.
No Warning Sensation
During intense exercise, users may not immediately feel dangerous heat building up inside boots and socks. By the time burning sensations register, skin damage has already occurred.
Trapped Heat in Boots
Winter boots trap heat against feet. When heated socks add battery-powered warmth to body heat and friction, temperatures inside boots can exceed safe skin contact levels.
The $30 to $46 Price Range
At this price point, consumers expected quality heated socks safe for their intended use. Instead they received products that burn skin during normal winter activities.
Eight-Month Sales Window
Sales from August 2025 through March 2026 spanned the entire winter season. Thousands of consumers purchased and used these socks during peak cold-weather activity months.
Contact an Attorney
If you suffered first or second-degree burns from 32 Degrees heated socks, contact a product liability attorney immediately. Preserve the socks and battery pack without returning them to Costco yet, photograph all burn injuries on feet and legs, save medical records documenting burn treatment, and keep purchase receipts showing date and price.
References
1. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/32-Degrees-Recalls-Heated-Socks-Due-to-Burn-Hazard