“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Benjamin Franklin’s words feel especially true when winter hits early and hard as it will this year. The Farmers’ Almanac 2025-2026 Winter Forecast predicts a season of “dramatic swings and widespread wintry weather” and we should “get ready to chill, snow, repeat.”
Perhaps most importantly, the forecast calls for an early arrival of winter weather. That means those first frosty mornings could show up weeks before most people are ready. According to the Almanac, “the cold and snow might make an appearance as early as September in some areas of the country.”
If you’ve ever stood in freezing wind during a delivery route, managed a cold-weather outdoor event, or watched kids freeze through a game, you know how much difference a little preparation makes. But too often, people don’t plan ahead, even with the benefit of a forecast like we get from the Farmers’ Almanac.
The biggest mistake people make is waiting for the first hard freeze before stocking up. By then, store shelves are depleted, and you’re forced into overpriced or inconvenient options. Skip the planning and you’ll pay the dreaded “scramble tax” making extra trips to multiple stores just to find empty shelves and inflated prices during that first arctic blast.
The good news is avoiding all that hassle is easy. Smart preparation looks simple: stash HotHands in your glove box, gym bag, job trailer, or entry hall closet. When the weather turns overnight, you’ll be ready.
When you stock up, think big. Bulk hand warmers in cases of 240 pairs packs offer the best value and make sure you’re covered for sudden waves of frigid conditions. Think of Hot Hands as proactive insurance: a small cost now, with massive dividends in comfort, safety, and readiness.
The Almanac doesn’t just promise an early winter, it also forecasts two particularly harsh periods: a significant cold snap in mid-January and another pronounced cold spell in mid-February. These are the kinds of spells that can slow you down and drain you just when you need to be most alert. The solution is what you might call a Cold-Snap Kit, tailored to how you work or play outside.
For outdoor workers such as delivery drivers, construction crews, or event staff, that kit might include HotHands hand warmers in gloves to keep dexterity strong, foot warmers in boots to stave off fatigue and blisters, body warmers at the chest or lower back for core heat during long static shifts, and lap warmers for wide coverage during long periods of standing or sitting.
Athletes and sideline parents need a slightly different setup: hand and toe warmers for quick, essential warmth, and body warmers layered under outerwear for sustained heat so they can stay focused throughout every play without distractions from numb hands or frozen feet. A pair of Hot Hands hand warmers and foot warmers makes cheering possible, and a body warmer under a coat keeps core temperature steady, so everyone enjoys the game instead of counting down the minutes. Coaches, referees, and sports photographers can rely on the same kit, staying alert and functional through long events.
Everyday commuters and errand-runners might rely more on hand warmers sized for coat pockets or gloves to prevent frozen fingers while icing off the windshield in the morning. Lap warmers can keep passengers warm while the car heats up.
So play it smart and use the Almanac’s warning to your advantage. This week, stock up on hand warmers in bulk as well as packs of foot, body, and lap warmers, and put them where you’ll need them, in your home, car, job site, or gym bag. At the first cold shot, start a daily carry: one pair each of hand and foot warmers, plus a body warmer for long shifts or a lap warmer if you’ll be stationary for hours. When the cold snaps arrive, scale up. Use hand warmers for extended overtime. Keep extra foot warmers ready for multi-shift days. Use body and lap warmers to keep pushing when others are packing it in. Prepared in phases, you’re never caught off guard.
If the Farmers’ Almanac is correct, and their winter forecasts usually are, this winter will be one to remember with colder temperatures and heavier snow in many parts of the country. For outdoor workers, athletes, and parents alike, being ready isn’t just convenient, it’s the difference between powering through your day and being sidelined by the cold. HotHands warmers are the essential gear that turn “chill, snow, repeat” into just another day at work or play.