Winter Boot Shopping

I posted a short video from a podiatrist in Michigan on my Facebook page today about winter boot shopping, and it made me think that a post might be in order. Now that it is cold (and the holiday season), many people are wondering what boots they should wear. Basically, we can think of boots as winter boots and fashion boots. When it is cold or wet, you should consider a winter boot that will keep your feet warm, has a good tread on the bottom to avoid slipping, and has stability around the heel and ankle. You should not be able to compress the heel or twist the boot excessively. Waterproof materials are best to keep the feet dry, along with socks that wick moisture away from the skin. It is important to keep feet dry for comfort but also to prevent infection, blisters, frostbite, warts, and other conditions. A large toe box that does not compress your toes will help to prevent too much friction on the toes. Your toes should be able to move in the boots to have adequate room. Generally, a good fitting boot is one thumb length longer than your longest toe. Fashionable boots are often not ideal for many winter activities. The tread may not be adequate for wet or icy surfaces. The material that the boots are made of may not keep the feet dry and warm. Finally, fashionable boots that have a heel or wedge may not stabilize the foot and ankle in the snow, rain, or ice and lead to sprains, tendon injuries, and fractures due to falls or twisting of the ankles. Happy Holidays, and Stay WARM! oakparkpodiatry.com