With the arrival of winter, the question of choosing shoes becomes acute, especially in conditions of constant weather changes, sometimes with sudden temperature changes. It is the shoes that bear the main burden of overcoming snowdrifts, passing through slush, and maneuvering on ice. The comfort and health of its owner depends on the right choice.
What to look for when choosing winter shoes?
The market offers a wide assortment that can both confuse and help you choose an option, even for the most demanding taste. The choice of a specific model depends on:
- the intended purpose of its further use: before buying shoes, you need to decide what you are buying them for: for everyday wear, sports (long walks, active games in nature), special events, hiking, etc. It is advisable to have several pairs available for different occasions.. Professionals also advise the same thing - since one pair does not have time to dry out and quickly loses its appearance and fails;
- the one for whom it is purchased: for a child, woman, man;
- weather conditions and wearing temperature;
- price-quality ratio. It is important that the shoes are of high quality - have a declaration or certificate of conformity. Your health and well-being directly depend on this! The purchase price is also important;
- individual structural features of the foot:
- We note that the size and shape of the shoes must match the foot;
- comfort of the shoes you try on: they should be comfortable.
By the way! To help – available online resources with reviews, opinions of friends. It’s even better if there is a person in your circle who is intimately familiar with this topic - his advice will be invaluable.
On the quality and wear resistance of the material
Pay attention to shoes and boots made of genuine leather - a universal wear-resistant material suitable for any weather. Genuine leather adapts to the individual size and shape of the foot, retains heat perfectly and does not allow moisture to pass through.
Suede is also heat-resistant, but more sensitive to external chemical and physical influences, and is moisture permeable. Sprays with water-repellent impregnation can improve the situation.
Leatherette has a number of significant disadvantages:
- does not allow air to pass through - which means your feet sweat and get cold in them;
- not durable - in severe frost they can crack.
Sports shoes designed for active movement are made from synthetic material. A significant disadvantage is that at rest, feet in such boots quickly freeze.
Insulation according to the season
An important aspect of the choice is insulation: it determines how your legs will feel all winter: whether they will be hot or cold. It is better to give preference to insulation made from natural materials: wool, felt. The warmest option is sheepskin fur.
When purchasing, make sure that the interior decoration is natural and intact:
- parting the fur with your fingers and examining the base of the lining. The fleecy base indicates its naturalness;
- having fully studied the internal component: careless manufacturers often “sin” by replacing the material in remote and hard-to-reach places.
Frost-resistant comfortable sole
The sole of the chosen pair is also significant. Preferred material: rubber, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane. A prerequisite is the presence of a deep tread - this is a guarantee of anti-slip. Moreover, the relief pattern should be on all parts of the sole, including the toe and heel.
Additionally, measure the height of the sole: if it is less than 1 cm, your feet will be cold. It is important to choose the right insole: it must be removable and made from natural materials.
Right size
Winter shoes should be choose a size and a half larger. There must be space between the foot and the sock - an air layer that ensures heat retention. To correctly determine the size, it is recommended to try on shoes with high-density socks that you plan to wear in cold weather.
Convenient fasteners
The requirements did not spare the fittings either. Zippers, buttons, lacing, fasteners must be of high quality and comfortable. Pay attention to how the lock is sewn in: to prevent fur from getting in, there should be a strip on the inside. The complete absence of lightning is ideal, since these are vulnerable places that can break at the most inopportune moment, allowing snow and moisture to penetrate.
A heel that will be comfortable
Heel on winter shoes must be wide, stable and small. The material of the heel is also important: it is made of the same materials as the sole. Plastic is fragile and slips.
Recommendations for choosing winter shoes
The choice of winter shoes must be approached responsibly and carefully: