How to choose boots?
Warm and reliable footwear is required for the cold season. Among the many models for the winter, boots stand out - a shorter, more comfortable alternative to boots that can be easily paired with skirts, shorts and dresses, as well as office style.
General selection rules
It is very important to choose the right shoes so that they meet all the requirements and can last a long time. To do this, you need to pay attention to the material from which the shoes are made.
There is a certain list of rules by which we choose shoes.
- First of all, you need to decide on the type of boots: with heels (low or high), with fur, with spikes on the sole, for sports events, on a flat sole. The choice of a model depends on the style of clothing and on the occasion - where she will wear shoes.
- Winter is famous for its icy conditions, so winter shoes should have a stable sole or heel - the ribbed surface of the sole will help you stay on your feet even on the most slippery road.
- The sole should be thick enough so that the foot in the boot does not freeze.
- The material from which the shoe is made is a very important factor for the durability and thermal performance of the shoe. Preference is given to natural materials - leather, suede, fur, but the leader, of course, is genuine leather.
- To distinguish natural from artificial material, find an unstitched part of the boot: a leather substitute has a fabric base, while a natural one does not. In addition, a piece of leather material is attached to shoes made of genuine leather in the form of a trademark of a particular brand.
- Another way to distinguish natural from artificial material is to press a little on the toe of the boot.If the material quickly straightens, then it is genuine leather, but if there is a dent, then it is an artificial material. In addition, genuine leather gives off a pleasant scent and stays warm for a long time. Faux leather tends to emit coldness.
- Suede shoes are very warm, but they need careful and regular care. If the choice has settled on suede boots, then it must be remembered that this material is extremely disliked by reagents and dirt on the road. From this, the material loses its color and is erased. The best option for wearing suede boots is to use shoes to be in the car most of the time.
- The inner part of the boots should be made of natural fur - then the foot in such shoes will not freeze. Faux fur does not create complete comfort for the foot - it either freezes it, or, conversely, creates an environment that is too hot, because of which the foot heats up and sweats. It is not difficult to determine where the artificial fur is and where it is not - you need to move the villi apart and see: if the fabric is visible, then the fur is artificial, if the skin is visible, then the fur is natural.
- It is also worth checking that the fur is located all over the inside of the shoe - a special check should be done on the toe area.
- For outdoor activities, you should purchase shoes in specialized stores. These shoes are also suitable for winter fishing, long outdoor activities and long walks. The boots are endowed with special insulating membranes that do not allow the foot to freeze even in the most severe frost, but it will be hot in the room in such shoes.
- Choosing warm winter boots, it is important not to be mistaken with the size. You should not buy shoes back to back - it is better to choose a free option so that you can put on a thick sock. Moreover, to keep warm, there must be a certain amount of air in the shoes.
- Be sure to pay attention to the details: on the seams, how to fasten the lock, on the laces, on the insoles, how all the details are sewn, and so on. It depends on all the details how long the boots will be able to maintain their basic functions and appearance.
- Women's boots are often made with heels of varying heights. For convenience, it is better to choose models with a rounded nose - such shoes will not squeeze the toes and the foot will feel free and will not freeze.
- The choice of boots should depend on the comfort and convenience of the foot, so it is necessary to try on two shoes, because the foot may be slightly larger than the other. In this case, you need to be equal to the size of the leg that is larger. Also, make sure that the shoe does not pinch or chafe the shaft area. Do not hesitate and try on shoes with woolen socks to eliminate the possibility of squeezing your feet (and this, by the way, leads to the appearance of calluses and corns).
- When trying on shoes, walk a little in them and feel how the shoes fit on your foot. Natural leather tends to stretch slightly when worn and take the shape of the foot.
- You need to pay attention to the sole of the shoe - it must be made of rubber, rubber, TEP or polyurethane. It is best not to choose boots with plastic soles - such soles will not keep warm during the winter months.
- You also need to pay attention to the shoe manufacturer - it must be reliable and proven. Read reviews on the Internet, find out more about a particular brand, and also try to purchase boots for the winter in specialized stores with a large assortment and rich experience.
Choosing skating boots
Sports equipment for skiing has a huge assortment and a lot of thin walls when choosing.
The best skating boots should have the following features:
- be high, at least cover the ankle, to avoid injury during movement;
- have admissible rigidity in order to also protect the leg from all kinds of damage;
- must be matched strictly to the size of the legs;
- the pads should fit perfectly to all the features of the leg (width, size, possible deviations from the norm, and so on);
- fasteners and fasteners of boots should be as suitable as possible for the equipment, as well as not jam and be as functional as possible.
When choosing skating boots for children, you should not select a model for growth in order to avoid injury. Children's shoes are less rigid, which will not damage the child's fragile bones and prevent deformation.
As for the female models, they tend to be slightly wider in the calf area. Some shoes have a special volume adjuster for the upper part so that the athlete herself can adjust the size.
Also, experts advise not to save on boots when choosing equipment for winter outdoor activities and sports - poor-quality shoes can lead to injuries and damage and, accordingly, deteriorate the health of the legs and the whole body.
Choosing winter boots for children
Children quickly grow out of shoes, so every season they need a new pair. The best boots for children in winter should be:
- comfortable (ideally suited to the individual characteristics of the leg - size, width);
- light so that you can move around without difficulty;
- breathable to prevent the baby's leg from sweating;
- non-slip to avoid injury and damage in ice;
- water resistant so that the foot does not get wet in wet weather and allows for greater wearing comfort;
- warm - many boots are equipped with special membranes that help keep warm, but, of course, the presence of natural fur is never superfluous;
- easy to care for, because children rarely take care not to get dirty. It is best to choose a material that can be easily cleaned with soap and a damp soft cloth or sponge.
When choosing children's shoes for the winter, you need to pay attention to the following:
- so that the foot does not freeze, you cannot buy shoes, as they say, end-to-end - it is better to buy shoes on the floor, one size larger. Also pay attention to the toe of the shoe - the best option is a rounded, wide toe: it will definitely not squeeze the child's toes;
- boots should be well fixed on the leg and not dangle - for this, all kinds of straps, fasteners, rivets and others are used;
- it is necessary to take into account the opinion of the child - he should like the shoes and be comfortable for his feet, otherwise he will simply refuse to wear them;
- high-quality shoes are the key to healthy legs, so when buying, be sure to pay attention to all the details: seams, lining, locks, and so on;
- it is better to choose a model with removable insoles, especially if the child's feet tend to sweat - in this case it will be easier to wash and replace them.
When choosing boots for the winter, pay attention to everything - quality, price, appearance, comfort. Remember that choosing the right footwear affects both the health of your feet and your well-being and mood.
Good article! This is not the first year I have been taking ugg boots for the winter. Comfortable and high quality footwear.