Trying to create ways to keep your feet warm during the winter can be overwhelming.
After trying every idea you have, you still struggle with the cold air creeping in. But experts offer tips on what or what not to wear when it comes to preventing cold injuries south of the ankles.
Buying the most expensive boot might not be a good idea, said James Barger, a buyer for Playmakers Athletic Footwear & Apparel, 2299 W. Grand River Ave. In many cases, he said customers are paying for the fashion name. Insulated boots he recommends are North Face, Keen, Merrell and Hi-Tec. Barger said they are inexpensive and can provide the heat needed to keep feet warm. But the brand isn't necessarily important — it's the characteristics of the boots.
Wool is better than cotton because it tends to insulate better, he said.
But the keys to remember when shopping for boots are managing the interior climate and finding a boot that keeps you fairly dry. Barger prefers waterproof shoes or boots.
Although different shoes offer different characteristics, Jarrod Shapiro, DPM, for Throckmorton John K, says to don footwear that can protect you from catching a cold injury, such as frostbite. If you notice numbness and tingling, it's best to go inside to get warm — those are usually frostbite's early signs. The cold injury happens when a part of the body thaws down and freezes up again, he said. He recommends wearing wool when trying to keep yourself warm.
"You want something to support you so you don't slip on the ice," he said. "If you have boots that are slippery, you can scuff the bottom of the boots, so they won't slide. Wool tends to be the best."
Shapiro said keeping your feet warm is straightforward, but people often will wear too many socks, making their feet too warm.
The most common cold injuries in women come from constriction of the blood vessels in cold weather, he said. This can be treated by massaging the foot or soaking it in lukewarm water. If the pain continues, he said, seek medical treatment.
Overall, wearing proper clothing and shoes is essential, but people should also be aware of the weather to avoid cold-related injuries.
"Wear good socks and good shoes and try not to stay out when the weather is dangerously cold," Shapiro said. "Be aware of what the weather is going to be that day."
