6 Crucial Military Foot Care Tips For Winter

When exercising regularly in challenging conditions it’s crucial to look after your feet. Aside from causing severe discomfort, foot injuries can significantly hamper your performance. When competing with cold weather, there are a few extra winter foot care tips that you may need to consider. Protect your feet this winter with these essential military foot care tips:


Choose A Supportive & Breathable Boot


Military foot care starts with choosing the right boot. It’s essential that your military boots provide ample support, particularly around the ankles and heels, are waterproof yet breathable, and provide reliable grip. These characteristics are essential for taking on wet and icy conditions. LOWA military boots are made using Gore-Tex technology that keeps water out, whilst ensuring the temperature of your feet are regulated. Specialist treads provide exceptional grip, and the newest LOWA boots benefit from anti-slip soles. Durable full grain leather, nubuck, suede or Cordura® is complemented by LOWA’s robust production methods. It’s essential that your boots fit correctly in order to prevent blisters and discomfort. You can use the LOWA fitting guide to help with this, or get in touch with a member of the team for further guidance.

     new LOWA Combat Boot MK2 on a white background                                                                                                                               

Keep Your Feet Clean & Dry  


Washing your feet once a day is an essential part of any military foot care routine. Washing your feet with soap and water will help to remove any bacteria that can quickly lead to uncomfortable infections like athlete’s foot (and cheesy feet!). Once you’ve finished washing your feet, make sure to dry them off thoroughly, paying particular attention to the gaps between your toes. Putting socks on with damp skin can cause the build-up of bacteria, as well as causing the skin to cool down too quickly in cold conditions. It’s a sensible idea to soak your feet in Epsom salt and warm water from time to time to help further with preventing infection.


Wear Moisture-Wicking Socks 


Even when the weather is cold, if you’re exercising hard your feet are still going to sweat. Choosing the right socks to wear with your military boots in the winter is a fine balance between finding a sock that is insulating whilst still allowing feet to breathe. One of the best winter foot care tips when it comes to choosing the best socks is looking out for Merino wool options. Socks made from Merino wool are a practical choice as they draw moisture away from the skin, whilst keeping feet warm in cold conditions. 

     moisture wicking socks made using Merino wool

Keep Your Toenails Trimmed


Trimming your toenails regularly is an important part of military foot care all year round, not just in the winter. Letting your toenails get too long can cause a variety of issues. Aside from being generally uncomfortable when you put your military boots on, long nails can slam against the front of the boot causing the nail to bruise or tear against the sock. Leaving toenails to get too long can also lead to them becoming ingrown which can soon get really sore and inhibit importance. 


Moisturise Your Feet


Another essential military foot care tip for the winter is moisturising your feet once you’ve washed and dried them. Cold weather makes the air less humid which can cause skin to dry out more quickly. A build-up of dry skin can cause cracking, and in more severe cases can contribute to the formation of calluses. You can treat calluses by soaking your feet in water for about 10 minutes and gently rubbing the area with a pumice stone - you’ll need to do this on a few separate occasions, rather than all in one go so as to prevent soreness.


Keep Your Boots Dry 


A large part of military foot care is ensuring you keep the boots you’re wearing in good condition. LOWA military boots feature waterproof properties to keep feet dry, however it’s important that you allow the boots to dry after each use. Store them in a dry, well-ventilated area so that they can dry out naturally. Putting on wet boots can cause bacteria to build up, and leaving your boots to go damp can also damage the leather. Make sure you're allowing boots to dry when not in use, and that you always avoid putting on damp socks.