5 Mobility Must Haves for Winter Weather
Navigating Winter with mobility aids is often daunting, all too often the default can be 'if in doubt, don't' but there are a few helpful things I've found over the last 20 years that really help give confidence with every step, whatever the weather!
1. Orthotics
If like me you have limited feeling and/or movement in your feet, you'll know wearing an orthotic is non negotiable. But finding one that doesn't make you feel like you have a bus attached to your leg is rarely straightforward! I started using the Neurodyn Foot Lift Orthosis about 5 years after my accident and it changed my life. Designed to support foot drop but without impacting your shoes. In laymen's terms? Unlike other foot orthoses this means I can wear with normal shoes, don't have to size up and it also doesn't cause any skin sores, blisters or pain over time! What's even better is it is made of soft fabric so can be washed in the washing machine.
2. Footwear
Following on from the theme of feet, footwear is KEY to maintaining stability and comfort when walking in Winter with mobility aids. I won't lie shoes were for a long time my nemesis, it has taken YEARS to find ones I not only can walk in but want to and don't feel like they look like they've been specially made. I have tried countless shoes and boots but can confidently say my winter go to shoes are:
Sorel Boots - best for snow, ice and wet leaves - with phenomenal grip on the soles and insulation on the inside they are the only boots I've found that grip in any weather but also keep my feet warm and dry!
Uggs - not the best for foot position or support BUT easy to get on and off, my default for the school run and like wearing slippers! Great for when it's cold but not icy and you just need something to get on quickly.
Blue Velvet Boots - for evenings or any time I need to look smart, these have a full zip down the side but very little heel (I can't walk with any kind of heel as my feet slope inwards) they are comfy, easy to walk in, don't give me back ache and look great with jeans, dresses and in fact any outfit!
3. Ferrules
AKA the rubber tips on the bottom of walking sticks and/or crutches. This was something I really struggled with when I used hospital issue crutches, the harder the rubber tip the faster you slip! This meant I fell a lot in Winter on NHS crutches and the fear of going out escalated. It's what led us to change the focus on our ferrules when designing Cool Crutches. Our Standard Ferrules have built in shock absorption, as well as cushioning (so they don't jar your upper body joints) but also added grip. We then last year launched a range of High Performance (standard and ultra lite) ferrules for Winter weather.
After realising I was likely to be standing in mud watching my sons playing football for years (!) and living in the middle of the most remote part of the Yorkshire Dales, it was not a bad idea to see if I could find an all weather ferrule to make sure I remained upright and not face down on the pitch! Our High Performance range revolutionised my Saturday mornings, they have a flexible pivot system with four wings to allow your stick to flex as it hits the ground. Which means? In ANY weather be it snow, ice, mud and even on sand / beaches, I don't sink, slip or out of sheer fear spend my steps staring down at my feet anymore! A total game changer from the second I started using them, so much so they were stocked on the website in a matter of weeks after I'd tested them. Here's to many more years on football pitches watching football not my feet!
4. Long and Warm Coats
Another mission that's taken a few years, with limited movement and neurological function from my waist down I feel the cold in every element of my body. The only way I can seemingly stave off the cramps, pain and freezing bones feeling is to ensure I have warm boots but also a warm and long coat. My favourite? Uniqlo 'duvet coats' which go down to well below my knees, have a hood for added warmth, big pockets and keep me so cosy.
5. Crutches Accessories for Coats
The only downside to big puffy coats is trying to wedge my arm into my crutches in a rush is lethal - either catching or scrunching up round my shoulder, neither was comfy. Which is what led us to create Extra Wide Cuffs for Crutches which simply slot onto the top of our crutches to give an extra 4cm space - perfect for housing ALL coats!
Coupled with our cosy Cuff Covers to give padding to your crutches and stop any catching, we now offer a Cuff Bundle (saving 20%) of the two for anyone looking for comfortable cuffs on their crutches in Winter (or any other time of year)
With any luck this will help save some time, stress and shivers over the Winter - I really hope it's helpful and you all stay warm and cosy whatever the weather! I will continue to share anything I find that helps support walking with aid and/or a disability over on our Instagram - please do pop me a message with any queries, I'd love to help!
Amelia xx
