An item of wearing apparel, such as a shoe or boot, particularly for downhill or cross-country skiing, having a foot support zone, a sole, and an upper which may be tightened, in which the shoe or boot has a heating assembly located proximate the sole. The heating assembly includes a heating device such as a burner for producing heat, a plate for diffusion of the heat, the plate being located proximate the foot support zone, a source of fuel, a supply circuit for feeding fuel to the heating device, and a valve for regulating the feeding of fuel to the heating device. The energy supply is automatically turned off when the upper of the shoe or boot is loosened.