More than 200,000 pairs of battery-powered heated socks sold exclusively at Costco are being pulled from the market after a string of burn injuries left customers with wounds serious enough to require medical attention. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall on April 23, naming 32 Degrees as the brand responsible for the socks that have now been tied to 14 reported incidents.
Thirteen of those fourteen people sustained first- or second-degree burns. The socks were manufactured in China and imported by David Peyser Sportswear, a New York-based company.
What went wrong with the socks
The CPSC identified a specific combination of factors that turns these socks from a winter comfort purchase into a burn risk. When worn during high-intensity physical activities, the heat generated by the battery system combines with friction, moisture, and pressure to create temperatures the foot simply cannot tolerate. The heat sensors embedded in the socks are concentrated in the forefoot area, which is also the region that bears the most stress during movement.
The socks come in medium, large, and extra-large sizes, all in black, and were sold between August 2025 and March 2026. They retail between $30 and $46 and are made from a blend of cotton, polyester, and spandex. The rechargeable battery lasts up to eight hours per charge, which may have given wearers a false sense of security about extended use during physical activity.
Who sold them and where they went
32 Degrees confirmed that the socks were sold exclusively through Costco, both in stores and on Costco.com. A total of 207,806 pairs were sold before the recall was initiated. The brand does not sell the product directly through its own website or retail channels.
The recall is voluntary, initiated by the company. 32 Degrees and Costco had not responded to media requests for comment as of Friday.
What to do if you own a pair
Anyone who purchased these socks should stop wearing them immediately. Costco is offering full refunds to all customers who return the recalled pairs. No receipt appears to be required based on the recall notice, and the return can be made at any Costco location.
The CPSC notice directs consumers to the 32 Degrees recall page for further guidance. The company’s website also confirms the refund process and advises against any continued use of the product in any activity level.
A broader pattern worth watching
Heated wearables have grown in popularity over the past few winters, particularly among outdoor workers, hikers, and winter sports participants. The 32 Degrees recall adds to a growing conversation about safety standards for battery-integrated clothing. Unlike traditional garments, products with embedded heating elements introduce electrical and thermal risks that standard fabric testing does not always catch before items reach shelves.
The 14 injury reports tied to this recall may represent a fraction of affected consumers. Many burn injuries from everyday products go unreported, particularly when they are minor or when consumers do not immediately connect the product to their discomfort.
Costco has not pulled all 32 Degrees products from its shelves, and the brand continues to sell other items through the retailer. The recall is limited to the specific heated sock model described in the CPSC notice.
Shoppers who are unsure whether their socks fall under the recall can verify by checking the product label for the 32 Degrees branding and confirming the size and purchase window listed in the notice.