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Wondering About Winter Boots

As we all descend into the winter months, it is crucial to ensure you have warm winter apparel. One of the most important elements of winter apparel is the winter boot. Footwear manufacturers tend to market winter boots according to the degree of cold rated for warmth.

After factoring in warmth, your next consideration needs to extend to: how are the boots going to fit? It's essential to get the right fitting footwear to ensure that you have the support needed for walking or shovelling or to generally engage in all sorts of fun winter activities.

Boots that fit too small will not only cramp your feet but also disrupt circulation resulting in your feet feeling cold. It would be best if you considered sizing your winter boots a half-size larger than your actual shoe size. The extra room in the boot will encourage the blood to circulate more freely, allowing thick fuzzy socks to be comfortable worn, and to establish a surrounding pocket of insulating air.

Be sure to choose socks that wick moisture away from the foot such as polypropylene, acrylic, or wool materials. Avoid cotton socks as they hold water against the skin, which is an invitation for cold feet and potential frostbite.

Useful tips for getting the right Winter Boots:

• Removable Insoles – allows for the removal of the insoles to dry between uses or to take out of the boot completely to be replaced with a custom-made orthotic.

• Rubber Soles – provide stability and traction on ice to help prevent slips or falls. Choose boots with a lower heel and wider outsole to provide the broadest base of support to offer maximum stability.

• Laces – An athletic, lace-up winter hiker style of boot will generally provide the best support and comfort and give the most adjustability and support in boots for walking and overall comfort. Velcro straps offer medium support, and pull-on styles provide the very least amount of support.

• Waterproof Leather or Membrane – keeping your feet dry wicking away moisture is the single most crucial step to ensuring warmth and comfort. Be sure to choose boots that have been treated to be waterproof or a breathable membrane such as Goretex that allows your feet to breathe.

Preventing Injuries and increasing enjoyment:

Adorning proper footwear makes winter walking and shovelling safer and more enjoyable. The use of custom orthotics in winter boots will help correct your gait as we switch between the types of necessary footwear from season to season. Custom made orthotics help prevent ankle, knee, hip, and low back pain when out walking in the winter conditions whilst enjoying every aspect this winter wonderland has to offer!

If you have any questions about the best choices for winter footwear or if you think you would benefit from a custom made orthotic, book a consultation with Dr Vollrath today.

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