The best ... cold-weather hardware

Heated Stair Treads

These thin treads from Calorique Ltd. screw into place over existing stairs and can be temperature-controlled to “melt snow and ice” without salt or chemicals. Price: $283 for a tread 9 inches deep by 2 feet wide Contact: Morelectric.com

Source: The New York Times

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Water Trapper doormat

This polypropylene wonder comes in gray, brown, and red and “can absorb over a gallon of water without letting moisture seep through to the floor.” Price: $35 Contact: Gardenerssupply.com

Source: The New York Times

Rolling Flip Shovel

Designed to relieve strain on your back and shoulders, this mini-plow includes an “adjustable handle, plastic wheels, and a flip blade that allows the snow to be moved in any direction.” Price: $35 Contact: Vandykes.com

Source: The New York Times

Towel Spa warmer

This portable, bucket-size device may be designed to keep towels and sheets toasty, but “it warms mittens and hats, socks and slippers” just

as well. Price: $80 Contact: Brookstone.com

Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer

Wovel

This odd contraption resembles “some sort of antique iron snow shovel attached to a wheel” but lets you clear walks and driveways with less strain.

Price: $120 Contact: Wovel.com

Source: Connecticut Post