Despite the cold temperatures, winter is a fantastic season for athletes at all levels. There are endless sports that you and your friends can play. You can try your hand at hockey, curling, snowboarding, skiing and more.
To guarantee that you enjoy these sports all winter long, you need to make sure that you take every precaution when it comes to keeping your feet safe.
If you don’t know where to start, read this list of helpful foot care tips and tricks for winter sports.
Keep Your Feet Warm
Firstly, if you want to keep your feet in good condition over the winter, you need to keep them as warm as possible. This is going to be a challenge when the temperature dips below freezing.
Thankfully, there are a wide variety of footcare products that can help you stay warm, whether you’re on the ice or the slopes. One of the most effective products that you can use to keep your feet warm is a pair of compression socks.
If you aren’t familiar with compression stockings, they’re a high-quality sock that helps improve your circulation. The stockings gently squeeze the legs, increasing blood flow to the lower limbs. This can help athletes stay warm in colder conditions.
It is also worth noting that some recent studies have shown that compression socks can help athletes deal with pain and shorten recovery time after injuries.
Avoid Ill-Fitting Footwear
Whether you’re getting hockey skates or snowboarding boots, you need to make sure that your footwear fits properly.
If your footwear is too loose, you won’t have suitable ankle support – this could lead to issues like rolled or broken ankles. Additionally, if your footwear is too tight, it could result in painful issues like ingrown toenails and blisters.
When you’re looking for a pair of skates or boots, you should always try them on beforehand. This is because manufacturers will size their products differently. If you don’t try them on, you could be stuck with footwear that doesn’t fit properly. Go shopping in the afternoon — not the morning — because your feet swell as the day goes by. When you shop at a strategic time, you’ll get a more comfortable fit.
Find the Right Insoles
Many people have tried athletic or orthopedic insoles in the past. These products can help reduce impact and minimize the amount of pain you feel when running, skating or jumping.
If you want to find the best insoles for winter sports, you need to purchase a pair of Superfeet insoles. The company makes specialized insoles for hockey, snowboarding, skiing and other snow sports, and we carry them at Feet First Clinic.
If you’re dealing with musculoskeletal conditions like bunions or hammertoes, you should talk to one of our chiropodists about getting custom made orthotic inserts. These will be crafted to perfectly match your foot shape and to provide the support and comfort you need.
Winter is a cold, slick and slippery season. If you want to stay safe and warm while playing sports, be sure to keep all of our safety tips in mind!
