Dayton-based Cornerstone Research Group (CRG) recently tested its groundbreaking Heated Boot Liner technology at Camp Rødsmoen, Norway, during the Arctic Warrior Experiment 2025. With temperatures plunging and daylight limited to less than seven hours each day, the team gathered critical insights from soldiers on the ground.
Arranged by Norwegian Special Operations Command (NORSOCOM) and U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), TE 25-1 Technical Experimentation: Arctic Technical Experimentation represented the first international technical experimentation event for USSOCOM. It provided an invaluable opportunity to test new technology in Norway’s rugged and frigid arena.
The journey to Norway was led by two CRG innovators: research engineer Elaine MacAslan, who has been instrumental in the development of the Heated Boot Liners, and field applications engineer Bryan Adkins, who specializes in transitioning technologies into practical applications. Their goal was to showcase the liners’ ability to autonomously activate and provide frostbite protection in temperatures as low as minus 49 degrees Fahrenheit.
“Participants were genuinely impressed by the Heated Boot Liners’ intuitive activation,” said Adkins. “The liners’ ability to activate autonomously and precisely when needed exceeded expectations. There was overwhelming enthusiasm for expanding this innovative solution beyond its current application, with users expressing strong interest in seeing the technology adapted for a wider range of products and scenarios.”
This reception highlights the vital role such advancements can play for warfighters operating in extreme cold. Traditional flight boots often fall short in providing adequate frostbite protection in subzero temperatures, especially in the cramped quarters of aircraft. Commercial heated products, while readily available, lack the durability and performance required for military missions. CRG’s Heated Boot Liners address these challenges with a slim, flame-resistant design that integrates seamlessly with existing boots and automatically activates only when needed. The liners are not just warm—they are smart, durable, and mission-ready.
“Many commercially available products are not intelligent. They offer short-lived heat that generates sweat and quickly depletes battery power,” said MacAslan. “In contrast, CRG’s liners are designed to provide just enough heat to keep the feet at a comfortable temperature without overheating. They autonomously adjust the amount of heat delivered across a wide range of ambient temperatures and physical exertion levels.”
For Dayton residents enduring a lingering deep freeze, the Heated Boot Liners may feel like a glimpse into the future of cold-weather survival. Developed in the heart of Ohio, these represent not only a technical breakthrough but a testament to local ingenuity and resilience.
These types of exercises underscore the importance of partnerships between the Department of Defense, its allies, and pioneering companies like CRG. As the DoD continues its mission to provide combat-ready forces for U.S. objectives, innovations like the Heated Boot Liners ensure that those forces can operate effectively, no matter how harsh the environment.
CRG remains dedicated to tackling the most pressing challenges for the Department of Defense and beyond. To learn more about the Heated Boot Liners or explore collaboration opportunities, visit crgrp.com/heated-boot-liners-for-extreme-cold or email sales@crgrp.com.
