How to choose winter boots?

The cold breath of winter is already felt all the way: the first snow falls out on the street, the night temperatures are already creeping up the mark "zero" and rush all the lower and lower, the cold wind tears the last leaves off the trees ... It's time to take care of purchasing quality, warm and reliable footwear for the upcoming winter season! But how and by what criteria do you choose your winter shoes so that it does not fall apart in a couple of months? Let's find out. Somewhere at the genetic level, there is a belief in us that felt boots were and are the most convenient variant of winter footwear. They are always warm, and therefore completely eliminated the possibility of catching cold vital organs. But is it possible to appear in felt boots in society? Of course not. So go ahead, choose elegant and warm boots. With the first criterion for selecting problems, practical does not arise - the choice of elegant shoes is wide and varied, only here the quality and "frost-resistant" properties of some models cause, to put it mildly, apprehensions. To your legs do not freeze, and boots have a marketable appearance for at least a couple of seasons, you need to carefully approach the choice of winter shoes.

Leather boots - it's better not to happen
What material to give preference, you yourself know very well - this, of course, is genuine leather. It, on the one hand, perfectly retains the shape of the boot and the sock, and on the other hand it can gradually adjust to the pedicle. In this case, the natural skin, in contrast to synthetics, also "breathes", so the feet do not sweat. You, of course, will not be able to determine, for example, the method of tanning the skin, although this is an important characteristic of quality, but pay attention even to its thickness. The thinner the upper boot, the colder the foot, no matter how warmed the shoes from the inside.

How to distinguish natural skin from imitation
The problem is also that the skin is different. Today the material for boots has become possible to make from the smallest waste of leather production. And while the manufacturer can safely, without a twisting heart, to say that he offers shoes made of genuine leather. The product made of pressed leather at first glance looks excellent, you can not tell from the high-class leather, but its characteristics leave much to be desired. Low-quality skin bowl "sheds," as well as artificial, does not let air in, wrinkles appear on it, which quickly turn into cracks, even smear it with cream, though not smear. And in the cold below minus 10 ° this "naturalka" is so dense that it is impossible to bend the foot.

And it is completely insulting to believe the assurances of the "honest" seller and to pay money for shoes from "kozhzama." For winter footwear this material simply does not suit. How to distinguish the skin from leatherette? It is very difficult to do this. Manufacturers have learned to imitate the skin surface pattern, glue the inside out with the thinnest layer of natural split. And even the smell of real leather is falsifiable. And yet there is a little trick. Attach the palm to the surface of the boot. The natural skin will not only "absorb" heat, but also give away, warming your fingers. However, there is an even simpler way to determine the quality of the product. Compare the prices. Boots made from natural material of European production are cheaper than for 7000-8000 rubles to buy is simply impossible because of the complexity of production technologies and the level of world prices.

The leather sole is an indispensable sign of the classic model footwear, put on the "Italian" winter boots, gives the Chinese and Turkish "manufacturer" with a head. Even if it is duplicated with a thick layer of rubber, it will absorb moisture, swell, and then break down. But any cold can withstand the outsole of thermoplastic elastomer.

You can learn this material by its density and elasticity. Less frost-resistant, but also strong, light and elastic sole made of special rubber and rubber. True, for these materials sometimes try to give a cheap fake. In order not to miss, demand from the seller a certificate of conformity, in which all materials must be accurately indicated.

Before buying winter boots
Due to difficult weather conditions, the soles of winter boots often get unstuck, so you should carefully study the method of attaching it to the main part. The most reliable combination of several bonding methods: for example, glue and thread string.

Also suitable are casting or knitting options for soles. Before you part with the money, wipe the sole. If it proves to be stubborn, then the stop will feel uncomfortable.

Just in case, carefully inspect the butt joint on the entire perimeter, try to slightly separate the parts. After seeing the gaps with traces of glue between the top and the sole, go to another store.

Some firms produce the same models for the autumn-spring and winter seasons, warming the latter with only fine fur inserts. Gives out "werewolves", again, the sole. For high-quality boots, it is thick and profiled, so as not to slip, while for cheap boots it is thin, as light as possible.

When choosing a winter shoe, you should definitely look inside the boot. Lining, of course, natural. It is better if it is a sheepskin, and not a rabbit fur that will swing and wipe in one season. Synthetics inserted inside the shoes made of genuine leather can lead to excessive sweating of feet, and walking in winter with wet feet is not very pleasant. In the fur coat there should be no "bald patches" or tears.

A thick insole is a necessary attribute of winter footwear. Bad, if it is glued. In this case, you can not replace it with textile, wool or thermal, and most importantly - you can not dry it properly. Removable insole, too, should be carefully checked. In order to adequately retain heat, it must be a single piece of cloth dubbed with leather or fur, and be sewn around the perimeter.

Look at the "bottom" of the boot: the edges of the toe and back should not protrude into the interior. No rough creases, nails or dents. In the heel area should be a leather insert, and not fur. Remember: the presence of a supineer is an essential advantage of shoes, and a cardboard lining under the insole is an obvious drawback.

You still want to go to the store? Then take one more tip in the end. Shoes, like many other products, have a shelf life. Even if it just lies in a box in the warehouse, the skin dries, the adhesive loses its strength. It is hardly worth buying boots made three years ago, even if they are not out of fashion.