Why and How to Buy Hats and Boots from a Winter Wear Store

Peak winters can get pretty harsh on your body. If you want to enjoy the season to the fullest, wear the right gear. And remember that your entire body needs warmth. Your head and feet need it too. So keep that in mind when you shop at a winter wear store.

In this post, I'll take you through the headgear and footwear you should look at while shopping. They'll provide the warmth and comfort you need when it's cold outside.

Loss of Body Heat

If you're moving around during peak winters, beware of one crucial aspect. Your body heat has a huge role in staying warm and safe during winter.

Your ideal winter gear should provide sufficient warmth and insulation. But many a time, you might neglect your head and feet.

But beware, you will lose a significant amount of heat through your head. And as a result, the body's core temperature could drop more rapidly than you'd expect:

There's constant blood flow through your body, and your brain needs the blood to function correctly.

Your scalp contains a lot of blood vessels. So if your head is uncovered, the environment cools the blood passing through your scalp. This blood then goes to the body's core, cooling it.

You also shiver when you feel cold. It's an involuntary reaction of your body. Shivering boosts your body's surface heat production. It continues until your muscles run out of glucose.

At that point, your muscles don't have the strength to contract and the shivering stops. The main reasons are

• The temperature of the environment
• Presence or absence of wind and water
• Age
• Body fat
• Health condition

So you must ensure that you wear the correct winter wear wherever you go. Now you know what could cause the loss of body heat, so be alert and aware.

Hats in a Winter Wear Store: Features

If you experience peak winters, the more the warmth, the better it is for you. As you've read, winter hats are available in many styles and designs. The best headgear is warm, comfortable and functional too.

Let's look at the aspects you should consider while buying winter hats. It will be helpful when you shop at a winter wear store.

1. Material

Winter hats should be soft and comfortable. Also, the fabric should retain your body heat without causing you to sweat. They're often made from thick yarns. It's because of the stretchability and the layer of insulation and warmth you get.

2. Type

You won't achieve the same warmth with all types of winter hats. During the colder days, wear a woollen hat and gloves insulated for maximum warmth.

3. Features

You should also look for features that can contribute to the hat's fashion or functionality. For example, if you want to buy a fur hat, you should ensure the features meet your needs. Along with the warmth, you might like it because it looks fashionable.

4. Comfortability

A hat's comfort should be a priority like any other winter wear. You're probably going to wear it throughout the day. So it's best to ensure you feel comfortable at all times.

Does the fabric feel itchy around your ears when you wear it? Or is it too heavy for your head? In both cases, you might feel uncomfortable after a while.

5. Face Shape

Here's an excellent way to check if a winter hat is right for you. One size won't fit all in the case of winter hats. If you're unaware, check out and assess your face's shape.

• Oval — Long face and curved jawline
• Heart-shaped — Well-defined cheekbones and long pointed jawline
• Round — Wide and long face
• Oblong — Narrow and long face
• Rectangular — Wide and long face with a well-defined jawline

Types of Winter Hats in a Winter Wear Store

If you go to a winter wear store, you'll find all kinds of headwear. Yes, you might be spoilt for choice. So it's good to know the different types available in the market. Here's a list of a few winter hats you might find at a winter wear store:

1. Beanie Hats

Beanies would be the most popular among all the others on this list. It's a knitted hat style and a winter staple for ages.

Beanie hats are often made from polyester or acrylic. But you will find some in wool or fleece as well.

Fleece linings, turn-ups and bobbles are some common features of beanie hats. You'll find them in plain colours and simple designs.

But there will be those that have bold patterns or textured designs. These styles are the order of the day in today's times.

If you have an oval-shaped face, fitted beanies would be a great choice. It won't lengthen your face. If you have a heart-shaped face, r a slouchy beanie will soften the angles.

The casual style of the beanie makes it ideal for regular wear and less appropriate for formal attire.

2. Bobble Hats

This one is usually a popular hat choice among kids. But don't rule out the possibility of wearing it as an adult.

It can create some cute looks along with your outfit. A bobble hat is usually a knitted beanie with a 'ball' on top.

For the balls, furry pom poms are quite a popular choice. These kinds of winter hats add some excitement to winter wear in general.

For oval or oblong-shaped faces, the bobble hat will look good. This winter hat suits most faces.

3. Aviator Hats

This headwear is essentially a hat with ears. There's an interesting feature to it as well. You can flip the ears. Also, they're among the warmest winter hats in a winter wear store.

The aviator hat is usually made of leather, with fur on the forehead and ear flaps.

When it's extremely cold, this hat gives you as much coverage as a balaclava. The ear flaps are designed for added protection from the elements.

Like bobble hats, this piece also fits well on most face shapes. So don't hesitate to try out the traditional furry aviators or some outrageous styles. They can work wonders for your outfit while keeping your head warm.

4. Fur Hats

Fur hats are another headgear you'll find at a winter wear store. These ones might often associate with glamour and a formal winter look. If you're looking out for something similar, try this out. Unlike aviator hats, they don't come with ear flaps.

This winter headgear would work well for you if you have a round-shaped face.

5. Fedora

A fedora is a structured winter hat with brims commonly made from wool and felt. A traditional fedora has a crease down the centre. It's also pinched at the front of the crown.

A fedora is perfect for shorter face shapes. Choose a hat with a smaller brim to avoid making your face look smaller. If you have a rectangular face, look out for a wider brim.

Cold Feet

Like shivering, cold feet are one of your body's natural reactions to a colder environment. When you're in a cold place, the blood vessels in your extremities constrict.

Along with this, your body's blood flow is also affected. It also has an impact on the amount of heat your body loses.

If blood flow continues to dip, it'll lead to lower oxygen levels in the tissues. As a result, the colour of your tissues might turn bluish.

Boots at a Winter Wear Store: Features

You should pick up your boots from a winter wear store after checking a few things. These features will play a role in protecting you from the winter elements.

So let's see what features your winter boots should include.

1. Waterproof Ability

You do need a waterproof winter boot as a priority. A water-resistant boot won't be enough. If you plan to enjoy the snow, your boots will get damp at some point. This feature will take care of your boot throughout your winter activities.

2. Warmth

The best winter boots come with a temperature rating. So look out for that rating when you shop at a winter wear store. A temperature rating signifies the lowest air temperature at which the boot insulation will keep your feet comfortable.

The ideal temperature rating will depend on the particular area you're in. Along with this, the activities also play a role.

Different conditions will demand different temperature ratings. But remember, temperature ratings act as a guide. The ratings can be affected by many conditions. This list includes the weather, metabolism, exposure time, and sensitivity to the cold, among others.

3. Traction

Traction is another crucial aspect of your boots in a winter wear store. Winter climates can result in damp conditions around. If you love being out and about, you need appropriate boots. Or else you will fall and injure yourself.

Choose a boot with superior traction but isn't too heavy and clunky. After all, the level of traction won't matter if you can't easily move around. You shouldn't trip because of your footwear! When you check the traction, you should get an idea of the grip as well.

4. Lightweight

It's essential for your feet to stay warm, but you should be able to move around and have fun! The advancements in boot manufacturing have created lightweight options., The bulky, stiff boots are a thing of the past.

A lighter and more flexible boot shouldn't lose out on insulation and waterproof properties.

5. Breathability

Keeping moisture out of your boot is super important. But it's essential to let moisture escape. If you've been at it throughout the day, you will sweat. If your boots don't do away with the moisture, your feet will turn cold in a while.

Damp enter clothing is never a good sign. It can lead to a build-up of the bacteria that cause odours in your boot.

It might give out a stink within a few uses itself. Consider a boot that's breathable and anti-bacterial in the lining. It provides comfort, and the boots smell fresh.

6. Versatility

Your intent to use the boots will play a role here. Different occasions would like different kinds of boots. So you should consider that while you're inside a winter wear store.

You should also pick something that you can regularly wear on special occasions. A boot with extra traction and a lower temperature rating is essential for outdoor activities.

By selecting a boot based on these key features, you'll set yourself up for winter outings that involve less stress and more comfort and fun, whether your kiddos are hiking the snowy trails or running errands with the family.

Types of Winter Boots in a Winter Wear Store

Like your head, your feet also need the right gear. So moving on from winter hats, let's check out winter boots. You have quite a few options to search for boots in a winter wear store. So let's see what each of the following types has to offer.

1. Pac Boots

These boots are generally defined as winter boots with a thick, rubber lower shell. The upper portion of most Pacs come with leather, heavy-duty nylon or another durable material.

The rubber shell is always waterproof. But the upper half may be waterproof or water-resistant.

It depends entirely on the construction. Most Pac boots have a thick, insulating liner on them. It may or may not be removable.

Pac boots are designed to comfort your feet in the harshest winters. These boots are great while shovelling the driveway and ice fishing. Boots with removable liners are usually convenient because the liners can dry up faster.

2. Snow Boots

Snow boots are insulated winter boots that protect from the snow and cold. Unlike Pac boots, these boots don't have a full rubber lower shell. The way they're manufactured makes them less bulky. But snow boots aren't as durable as Pac boots.

They might not offer as much weather protection. Some snow boots have fashionable features, too, though. Some of these features include faux fur cuffs and shearling linings.

3. Winter Work Boots

Your winter work boots are similar to the other cold-weather boots. But they're made with thick, durable leather.

These boots should have built-in insulation for additional warmth. Some may have extra insulation in the footbed to protect the feet from cold coming from the ground. A few models might include a composite safety toe or steel toe.

During winter, choose steel-toed boots only if necessary. This feature often tends to attract the cold. Composite safety toes are better suited when you're in cold weather conditions.

4. Winter Hunting Boots

These boots are lighter and less bulky than Pac boots and snow boots. The less-bulky construction is ideal for hiking on rugged terrains. But, these boots typically have less insulation compared to Pac boots. Hence they aren't quite as warm.

If you stand for long periods in the cold, consider a pair of heavy-duty Pac boots for warmth.

Conclusion

So think about your headgear and footwear when you enter a winter wear store. You might have many options for your sweaters and jackets. But that should apply to your winter hats and boots too.

I hope this post has enhanced your knowledge to some extent. Pick some exciting pieces and enjoy your winter outings this season!

This post was written by Kosha team member - Shawn Mathias