What winter boots for the mountains should I choose?
Mountains encourage leisure 365 days a year. In spring, they delight with a fever of colors and slopes full of blooming crocuses. In the summer, they seduce with clean air and greenery, and provide relief from the heat, which can be felt in the lowlands. In autumn, the mountains appear picturesque and resemble an impressionistic landscape. In turn, in winter they create favorable conditions for certain sports, including skiing and snowboarding. When going to the Tatras, Bieszczady or Karkonosze Mountains, it is necessary to prepare properly. We suggest what shoes to take with you to the mountains to avoid discomfort, painful injuries and colds.
Table of Contents:
- Why choosing winter boots for the mountains is so important?
- 5 things to look out for when choosing winter boots for the mountains
- Which boots for the mountains in winter will be the best?
- What else to keep in mind when buying winter boots for the mountains
Why choosing winter boots for the mountains is so important?
Are you planning a trip to the Tatras, the Giant Mountains or the Alps? Think about what kind of boots to take with you in the mountains in winter. Don't make rash decisions, because your health and safety depend on them.
Snowy trails are extremely difficult to traverse, so prioritize your safety. Boots for winter mountains should have a thicker sole to prevent frostbite in the feet and toes. Besides, check whether it exhibits anti-slip properties. Otherwise, you can easily lose your balance and break bones, and you don't want to spend the rest of your vacation in a cast, after all.
Waterproof winter boots for the mountains are a worthy option. Traversing high snow drifts exposes your footwear to moisture. If equipped with a special layer, you avoid leaking and your feet stay dry. This reduces the risk of catching a cold and getting sick during the holidays.
Navigating flat mountain areas poses a lot of difficulties when snow cover appears. Entering higher ground without proper protection is a huge risk. If you don't have trekking boots with crampons available, don't do it. Taking with you ladies' glans and snow boots, you can move on flat terrains and small hills. Leave steep slopes to properly equipped professionals, you will reduce the risk of serious injury from falling into an abyss.
5 things to look out for when choosing winter boots for the mountains
When deciding on winter boots for the mountains, it is worth paying attention to the following points. By following these rules, you will negate the risk of injury, cold and frostbite to your toes. You can also prevent painful corns and abrasions. Footwear should always be comfortable, but winter boots in the mountains must additionally demonstrate functionality and reliability.
- Convenience - winter boots for the mountains should not squeeze the foot anywhere or bruise it. Too small will prove uncomfortable, while too large will not provide proper support for her anatomical curves. It is recommended to measure the shoes repeatedly, which will confirm the rightness of the decision made.
- Thermal insulation - temperatures in the mountains are much lower than in the lowlands. As a result, we can easily get cold when going for a short walk. A key role is played by the protection against the cold provided by boots in the mountains.
- Slip-resistant sole - proper grip can save our lives and health. Winter boots for the mountains are made of slightly different materials, which increases friction during contact with the ground.
- Flat sole - the slightly thicker one will work, which provides better thermal insulation. Forget heels, which are admittedly glamorous, but you can easily have an accident in them, including twisting your ankle.
- Waterproof - boots for winter in the mountains should not let moisture through. There is always snow in high areas at this time of year. If your footwear gets wet, you'll not only get cold, but also frostbite your feet.
Which boots for the mountains in winter will be the best?
Women's glans are perfect for hiking on flat terrain. When you tie them properly, you can adjust them to your individual ankle and calf width. Flat, thicker sole provides frost protection. Wear them when you plan to visit the city.
A good solution seems to be ladies' snow boots, that do not get wet and withstand harsh weather conditions well. We will overcome snow drifts in them.
Let's remember that when we intend to climb a peak, we must have professional winter boots for the mountains. Glans or snow boots, which we use in the city, will not work well in this role. Conditions in the higher elevations are extremely challenging. Enforce boots with crampons and special thermal clothing to protect against frostbite. Temperature drops 0.6 degrees Celsius per 100 meters of altitude. In other words, it can be -1 in the valley and as high as -13 degrees Celsius in the mountains. Let's not go to the high mountains in winter without having the necessary experience. Let's listen to meteorological announcements and follow them without fail, so as not to fall victim to avalanches.
What else to keep in mind when buying winter boots for the mountains
When buying boots for the mountains in winter, there are a number of important criteria to consider. The basic ones were approximated in an earlier part of the article. In this one we will address the other factors that affect our comfort and safety. Remember that winter in the mountains is much more demanding than in the city. More snow cover, higher frosts are being observed, and the terrain is also not conducive to moving around in classic boots or boots. Leave the aforementioned winter boots in the city, and take women's snow boots and/or glans with you to the mountains. Consider the following when doing so.
- Winter boots for the mountains should accommodate a thicker sock
When you measure shoes in a store or at home, it often seems like you've hit on the perfect size. You have some space in them, and the footwear does not compress you anywhere. Meanwhile, winter mountain boots must accommodate an even thicker sock. Some people get so cold in the feet that they even wear two pairs. If you are going to a stationary store, take them with you. Keep in mind that winter boots for the mountains can not be on contact. - Winter boots for the mountains and their waterproofing
Even the best quality winter boots for the mountains will leak if you don't properly protect them. Familiarize yourself with the type of material they are made of, and then choose the right waterproofing agent for it. For suede shoes you also need a special brush. In addition, the waterproofing product is worth taking with you when you travel, as it may come in handy during your vacation. Never apply it to damp or wet shoes, as it will not work and will even damage the shoe material. Always use the specs according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
- Winter mountain boots and how to unlace them
The women's glans and/or snow boots you purchased seem comfortable? Unfortunately, even the best shoes, when new and unworn, can bruise your feet. A trip to the mountains is a long-awaited moment during which you want to focus on rest and recovery. Therefore, it is better to avoid painful corns that take away freedom of movement. We recommend that you unlace your winter boots in the mountains before you leave. Wear them along with a thick sock and carry them around the house. Alternatively, you can use the wooden righties that you put in your shoes overnight. - Take a change of shoes
No matter how well you waterproof winter footwear, shoes can soak up water. Sometimes this happens for a very mundane reason. When walking on a thick layer of snow, pour a little white powder into your snow boots or clogs. It flies up through the upper and the lacing. Wet winter mountain boots should be left to dry naturally. We do not speed up the process by putting them on the radiator. We do not wear damp ones, because it is uncomfortable, in addition, it increases the risk of cold and ringworm. Besides, it may end up irreparably damaging the shoes. Always carry at least 2 pairs of winter boots to the mountains to alternate wearing them. - The height of the upper matters
Winter mountain boots with a high upper are considered the most functional. Pay attention to whether they have the ability to adjust. Binding allows the upper to fit tightly to your calf. As a result, not only is the risk of injury reduced, but also the risk of getting your feet wet when traversing high snow drifts. - Winter boots for the mountains - design matters
Although boots for winter in the mountains should be characterized by comfort, functionality and safety, but their design also matters. Think about how to harmonize the different elements of your closet. The warming suit you buy with a winter holiday trip in mind should remain color-consistent with the footwear. White, black, gray, brown and navy blue are universal colors that work well with many other. Nothing prevents you from betting on more vivid colors. Jumpsuit in fuchsia or cobalt goes well with black snow boots and glans. On the other hand, a pastel down jacket goes well with beige boots for winter in the mountains. Faded red likes the company of brown glans and snow boots. - Winter boots for the mountains vs. your style
We have repeatedly stressed that in the mountains your safety is what matters most, but this does not mean that you have to immediately give up on the visual aspect. Each of us has our own unique style, which can be expressed through details. E.g. if you prefer the classics, choose a black jumpsuit and black snow boots. When you resemble a colorful bird, a lime green down jacket and purple glans will make an interesting combination. Some winter mountain boots include decorative buckles, quilting or two-tone laces. Remember that detail matters and affects the final perception of your mountain styling. - Winter mountain boots tied or with adjustment straps?
Women's snow boots can be either laced or include special adjusting straps. Both solutions have their advantages and disadvantages. They are united by the ability to adjust the upper to the individual calf width. The laces like to untie, which is quite a problem in winter. First, it's easy to twist an ankle in them. Secondly, you may have trouble tying them back together because of fingers ossified from frost. Adjusting straps seem to be a better solution, but when these break down, the shoes become useless. - Take your crawlers with you
When you go to the mountains in winter, you need to be prepared for harsh conditions. Icy surfaces make it difficult to take steps. In such situations, crawlers will work great. They take up relatively little space in your backpack, and you can easily wear them over your regular winter boots in the mountains. Experts recommend slightly smaller crampons than shoe size. This prevents them from slipping off the foot. - You're a frostbite? Replace insoles with insulated ones
Ordinary shoe insoles do not provide everyone with the desired thermal comfort. They should combine anti-slip properties with protection against cold weather. At the same time, care should be taken to ensure that they breathe and do not aggravate the secretion of sweat. No matter what shoes you decide on, you can always replace the insole with one made of warm merino wool. - Opt for winter boots for the mountains from trusted brands
When buying women's snow boots or glans from a store you don't know, you don't know what quality to expect. Will the footwear survive the entire expedition and even subsequent seasons, or will it fall apart after the first outing?? Harsh weather conditions are not conducive to fashion experiments. It's better to bet on women's winter footwear from trusted brands. We offer fashionable, functional and sturdy footwear at an affordable price. You can order home several pairs that vary in cut and size, taking advantage of deferred payment. You will try them on with different socks, jackets and overalls, and then choose the best solution for you. This will make your winter holidays in the mountains a source of only pleasant memories.
