What should be paid attention to when buying winter shoes?

Winter shoes, which are among the must-have items of the winter months, are preferred both to protect against the cold and to look stylish. However, if the winter shoes are not chosen correctly, they cannot protect your feet from the cold and may even cause an uncomfortable experience. In this content we have put together what you should pay attention to when buying winter shoes.

1. Foot number

It is very important to choose a suitable pair of winter shoes to keep our feet warm and dry in cold weather in winter. However, choosing the right size shoes is also important for foot health. Shoes chosen without properly measuring foot size can become tight or loose on your feet and cause discomfort when walking.

To correctly measure the number of feet, you need to choose the most convenient time, i.e. later in the day and when you are standing. Since your feet swell when you stand, the number of feet measured at this time will be more accurate. You can use a tape measure or a foot gauge to measure the foot size.

When measuring your foot size, it should be measured that there is a gap between the tip of your toes and the tip of the shoe. If the toe area of ​​the shoe is narrow all the way to the toes, the risk of pain and injury from pinching the toes while walking may increase. If the toe area of ​​the shoe is too wide for the toes, your feet may slip inside the shoe and cause discomfort when walking.

To choose the right foot size, remember that each shoe brand has different measurement standards. That’s why you should definitely try on a shoe before buying it. When you try on the shoes, your feet should be comfortable, your toes should not be pinched, and the heel should fit snugly. Winter shoes of the right size chosen in this way both protect your foot health and increase your walking comfort.

2. Shoe material

Material selection is very important when choosing winter shoes. By choosing the right material, you protect the health of your feet while keeping your feet warm and dry.

Waterproof material

Getting wet feet in winter can be both uncomfortable and harmful to your health. Therefore, when choosing winter shoes, choose waterproof materials. Materials that are waterproof include materials such as Gore-Tex, Sympatex and eVent.

Material that provides thermal insulation

To keep your feet warm in cold weather, it is important that winter shoes are made of materials that are heat-insulating. These materials include materials such as wool, fleece, Thinsulate and Primaloft. These materials both keep your feet warm and prevent your feet from sweating thanks to their breathability.

Basic material

The sole material of winter shoes should prevent your feet from slipping and ensure a good grip on the ground. Non-slip sole materials such as rubber or Vibram ensure safe walking, both in winter and on slippery floors.

Breathable material

When choosing winter shoes, you should choose materials that allow your feet to breathe. Breathable materials protect the health of your feet by preventing your feet from sweating and helping to ventilate your feet.

3. Base

The sole is one of the most important parts of a shoe and is also very important for winter shoes. The sole of the shoe is the bottom part of the shoe that touches the ground, and the support, balance and comfort it provides while walking plays a very important role in shoe selection. When choosing winter shoes, it is also important to pay attention to the sole of the shoes. Here’s what you need to know about shoe soles:

Anti slip

The soles of winter shoes must be non-slip. You don’t want to slip, fall and get injured on snowy and icy surfaces. Therefore, the sole of the shoe must be designed to provide anti-slip.

Flexibility

The sole of the shoe should adapt to your foot movements while walking. A flexible sole allows your feet to move naturally as you walk and provides a more comfortable gait.

Support

The sole of the shoe should support your feet. Especially with winter boots, it’s more important to have a supportive structure around your ankle. This way your ankle is better protected and you feel more comfortable while wearing the shoe.

Damping

The sole of the shoe must have a cushioning system that absorbs shocks during walking. In winter boots, this property is even more important because the ground can be hard and slippery. Cushioning reduces the strain on your feet and knees and makes for a more comfortable walk.

Material

The sole material of the shoe is also important. Winter boots are usually made of materials such as rubber, rubber or polyurethane. These materials are ideal for providing properties such as anti-slip, flexibility and durability.

4. Shoe care and cleaning

Regular maintenance and cleaning is very important to extend the life of winter boots and maintain their performance. Therefore, another important factor that you should pay attention to when buying winter shoes is shoe care and cleaning. Good maintenance and cleaning make shoes last longer and perform better in bad weather conditions.

The first step in shoe care and cleaning is to use products that are suitable for the material of your shoes. For leather shoes you can use leather oil or leather protector spray. You can use waterproof sprays or waxes specially formulated for waterproof shoes. For shoes made of synthetic material, you can use detergent and a damp cloth.

To clean your shoes, first remove dust and dirt. Then clean your shoes with the right product. Pay attention to the soles of the shoes and the upper surfaces. Mud and dirt on the soles can affect the grip of the shoes and cause accidents such as slipping feet.

Let your shoes dry in a natural environment after cleaning. Do not expose your shoes to heat or the sun, as this can damage and deform the materials.

What features should I pay attention to when buying winter shoes?

When choosing winter shoes, you can start by measuring your foot size correctly. The material of the shoe, the waterproof and thermal insulation properties, the sole of the shoe and the design are also factors that you should pay attention to.

Which materials are preferred in winter shoes?

Waterproof and breathable materials are preferred for winter boots. These can be nubuck, suede, leather, waterproof synthetic materials and technological materials such as Gore-Tex.

Is thermal insulation and waterproofing important?

Yes, both thermal insulation and waterproofing are very important for winter boots. In cold weather, you should pay attention to these properties so that your feet stay warm and do not get wet.

How should the sole of the shoes be?

The soles of winter shoes should be non-slip, sticky and durable. High traction soles are preferred to prevent slipping on icy and snowy surfaces.