Sock It To Me

Now that the leaves are gone, the weather is getting cooler and the snow has started falling, we all think about winter and the cold weather that is here for the next few months. We’ve all got our parkas, mitts, tuques and boots to get us through the days where we would rather stay cuddled up in front of the fire place.

It might sound crazy, but some people actually enjoy being outside in the winter. Either that, or they just grin and bear it because what else can you do? I’m talking about winter activity enthusiasts. Yes, there are some people who have the motivation to get up and go for a run on a -20 degree day instead of lying in bed just hoping that their swim suit will fit on reading week.

How do they do it you ask? How does someone look so warm when they’re only wearing running shoes or hockey skates on their feet? Do you want to know the secret? I just discovered it and my feet have never been happier.

Your feet will stay warm as long as they’re moving and as long as they’re dry. The biggest misconception is people often think you need to add layers of socks as opposed to finding the right kind of socks. So instead of finding the proper socks, some people will put about four pairs of regular socks on to try and keep their feet warm. The problem is, if you layer up a bunch of cotton pairs of socks thinking you’ll be warm, in about half an hour your feet will start sweating, and then your feet will start freezing from being wet. That is probably the last thing you want to happen on a -40 degree day.

 

Here are some examples of winter activities that require different socks:

Downhill Skiing

The only part of your body you can’t really move while skiing is your feet. They’re strapped into your skis making them stationary. It’s very important that you keep them warm, otherwise risk frost bite. Good materials to wear while downhill skiing:

• Merino wool
• Acrylic
• Silk
• Polypropylene

All of these materials will help wick away moisture and keep your feet nice and toasty.

Cross Country Skiing

The same applies to downhill skiing. Your feet are very much stationary during this activity and need something that will keep them warm and dry:

• Base layer (linear sock)Silk or polypropylene
• Insulating layer (wool)
• Wool socks with synthetic wicking liners

Winter Running

Your feet are the primary mobile part of your body in this activity. You only have runners to protect you from the elements, and unless they’re battery powered, they don’t protect you against cold. Here are some socks you should consider for winter running:

• Polypropylene
• Acrylic
• Coolmax

 

Again, all of these will wick away moisture, making sure that your feet stay warm and don’t freeze from your sweat. Sweat can also cause blisters and no one likes that.

Always make sure that you can wiggle your toes, leaving enough room so that air can circulate around them. Proper fit of your footwear gear is the single most important thing to do. Then the socks can do their job. As long as you protect yourself against the elements, winter is no challenge for you. So gear up, get out and enjoy the next few months of winter!

 

 

Remember, dry is warm! Check out our selection of socks here!

Winter In Style

Most of us don’t want to think about it…but winter is just around the corner. We all know it could snow any day now and we’re just thankful every morning when we can wake up and still see grass on our front lawn. Cold weather is no stranger to Winnipeg. Even though it’s a guest that’s typically unwanted, we have to grin and bear it for the four to six months that it decides to live in our city.

I love winter, but I would say the worst part is dealing with the cold weather. I’m all for the snow, even though the majority of people forget how to drive every time it falls. The cold weather just makes it so unappealing to get out of my cozy warm bed and venture outside. The struggle is bundling up to go outside, sweating on the bus, then freezing even more when walking back outside, then having to unbundle when you get to school or work. It’s a process, but it’s one we put ourselves through every winter.

Now the reality is, if you bus or drive to work, no one thinks about wearing warm boots because they assume they have a reliable form of transportation. So what happens when your car breaks down in rush hour or your bus stalls a mile from your work? Now you’re forced to walk in -30 degrees while it’s dark outside, and you are wearing heels or fancy dress shoes that aren’t built to stand up against the cold, or slippery sidewalks. That’s super unfortunate but that could easily be fixed.

Last year, I bit the bullet and bought a pair of Sorels. I knew I was going to be bussing to school every day and I figured, I’ll just keep a spare pair of shoes in my locker. Well that was probably the best decision I’ve made in my life to date so far. No, I’m serious. I know you remember the polar vortex we dealt with last year. I remember being so thankful that I was walking around in my comfortable, warm boots, as opposed to risking frost bite in my running shoes.

I know what some of you are thinking. Like me, a frugal shoe shopper, these boots are expensive. They are very good quality boots that stand up to the coldest temperatures of winter so it does make them a little pricy. What’s more important to you though, having a little less money in your wallet or dealing with frost bite? I don’t know about you, but frost bite sounds extremely unappealing. What I notice when I look at the Sorel boots specifically is how different they are. A few years ago, I was one of those people who refused to wear boots to school because that was uncool, but that was because Sorels were all big, clunky, and unattractive. NOW, well just take a look at all of these photos....

 

(PHOTOS FROM PINTEREST)

 

 

 

Just like many other styles of shoes, the Sorels now come in many different colors, styles and sizes. They are all super comfortable and, the best part, super warm. For Winnipeg winters, these boots will be your saving grace I can guarantee that.

If you’ve been in our store lately, you might have noticed our winter boots are lined up wall to wall.

 

(PHOTOS FROM OUR CANADIAN FOOTWEAR, ADELAIDE LOCATION)

 

 

Well that’s because we know the snow is coming and we want to be prepared so that YOU can be prepared. So you could always wait until the first snow fall to buy your winter boots. I mean, how fun is it to fight off the 500 other people who had the same idea, and fight over the last few pairs that are left in stock? Or you could just prepare yourself, and while everyone’s running around from store to store searching for their size, you could just enjoy yourself outside and build snowmen. My suggestion? Be prepared, because if you’ve lived here for more than one winter, it’s always best to just expect the unexpected.