Costco pulls heated socks from shelves after customers report burn injuries

Costco is pulling a popular line of heated socks from its shelves after customers reported burn injuries. The 32 Degrees Heated Socks, designed to keep feet warm during cold-weather activities, are now under recall due to a safety risk that can lead to first- and second-degree burns. The issue appears during physical activity, when heat, moisture, friction, and pressure combine in a way that causes the socks to overheat.

The recall affects about 208,000 pairs sold at Costco stores and on Costco's website between October 2024 and December 2025. Each pair originally sold for around $40. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says the problem isn't with the heating element alone, but how it interacts with movement and sweat during exercise like hiking, skiing, or snowshoeing-exactly the conditions the socks were meant for.

According to the CPSC, there have been multiple reports of users experiencing burns, though no hospitalizations have been confirmed. The manufacturer, 32 Degrees, is conducting the recall voluntarily in cooperation with federal regulators. The socks were marketed as a cozy solution for winter sports enthusiasts, but the warmth they promised may have crossed into dangerous territory under certain conditions.

Customers who bought the socks are urged to stop using them immediately. They can return the product to any Costco warehouse for a full refund, no receipt required. Costco is also contacting known online buyers directly. The company has not issued a separate statement beyond supporting the recall, but store employees have been instructed to remove remaining stock from shelves and assist with returns.

This isn't the first product linked to Costco to face a safety recall this year. Just a day earlier, Generac announced a recall of portable generators sold through the retailer due to fire risks from fuel leaks. While unrelated, the back-to-back recalls may raise questions about quality control for branded items sold under the Costco umbrella, even when manufactured by third parties.

For now, the focus remains on consumer safety. The CPSC advises checking the product's label: the recalled socks are black, one-size-fits-most, and have a USB-rechargeable battery pack. If you've been using heated socks for winter workouts and noticed discomfort or redness, the agency recommends discontinuing use and checking whether your pair is part of the recall.

As wearable tech becomes more common-from heated jackets to smart insoles-this recall serves as a reminder that convenience and safety don't always go hand in hand. For winter gear shoppers, it's worth paying attention not just to warmth, but to how that warmth is delivered.