It’s never the wrong time to make sure that you have all the winter footwear that you could possibly need. Check your cupboards and see, are you really ready for anything when the winter rolls around? Not everyone experiences winter in the same way here in Australia, but the following list should help to ensure that everyone everywhere in the country has just what they need to suit any situation.
1. Boots
Boots are the biggest category of winter footwear, so let’s start there. First of all, long boots are ideal for winter wear for women. Longer boots means that women can still wear skirts in the cooler months without their legs getting too cold. Most places in Australia are blessed with a fairly mild winter, so this combination works quite well, certainly more so than it does in most of the US and Europe.
Another good choice for both men and women in winter is combat boots. These will offer the most traction and support in more severe wintry weather. If you’re living or visiting somewhere cold and snowy, then combat boots make the perfect standard footwear item. They’re easy to weatherproof, and you can give your feet sturdy support as you trek through fresh or packed snow, or even over ice.
2. Gumboots
Yes, gumboots are another type of boot, but we separated these because we feel they warrant their own section. Gumboots are not everyday footwear for most, but are a must-have if you’re going into rural areas during the winter months. It can get muddy and slippery underfoot in some places, and gumboots — wellington boots as some call them — are an excellent choice for those who need something to wear when walking the dog, exploring farms or vineyards, and going to other places that can get muddy — including music festivals!
3. Waterproofed Outdoors Shoes
Do you like to hike in the winter? You might enjoy seeing certain hill and mountain scenery in those colder months, which is more than understandable, but then it means you have to have the footwear to match. If you don’t yet own a pair of hiking boots, then a good pair of hiking boots is a good place to start. Some might think that combat boots or gumboots are good enough for hiking, but most of the time they’re not.
Hiking boots are typically made more specifically for the activity of hiking as well as other outdoor pursuits. They are sturdier, and most often include protective features such as steel toe-caps. Regular combat boots made for more fashionable wear may not be as robust, even if they look it. What’s more, most gumboots are not made for long-distance walking.
When you have your appropriate outdoor activities footwear, be sure to properly waterproof it using Scotch Guard or a similar product. Keeping your feet dry is harder in winter when you’re contending with mud, snow and the rest.
4. Thick Runners
Next, for those who want to continue their everyday sports activities in the winter months, it can be a great idea to invest in a pair of thick, well-padded runners. Most normal runners are quite thin, and perfect when you’re exercising on a typically hot Australian day. If where you are gets a bite of the colder weather, however, you’ll be glad of the thicker versions. Not only are they warmer, but they’ll better cushion and support your feet in those potentially tricky conditions.
Invest Well, Your Feet Will Thank You
In the end, it’s always better to have all the footwear you might need but not always need it every day. In this way, you’re ready for anything and don’t have to feel constrained by the weather conditions outside.
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