Why, Beauty?

We are never really prepared for heavy snow in the UK, are we? Not in terms of transport or even on a personal level by having heavy duty outdoor clothing, as I found to my cost in our recent wintry weather.

I live out in the sticks and the heavy snow made getting to work virtually impossible. Unfortunately, my children’s school didn’t close, so I found myself venturing out to take them to school. I got them there okay but on the way home, semi-disaster struck! My car got stuck in some heavy snow on one of the little roads leading onto the main A road. I got out and scraped as much as I could away from the tyres. I pretty quickly discovered that my pretty woolly gloves were as helpful as a chocolate teapot for all practical purposes in the snow! My hands soon became wet and frozen and I realised that only heavy duty, warm lined leather or thinsulate gloves are any good in those sorts of conditions - oh the glory of hindsight!

Even worse though, as I made my way round all four tyres, was the gradual and extremely uncomfortable realisation that most fashionable boots may look appropriate to wear in the snow but actually aren’t. My feet were soaked and pretty soon I couldn’t feel them. I’ve always resisted, since we moved to the country, getting a decent pair of wellies (you know, all the ‘green wellie brigade’ comments). Really wished I’d invested in some then though. I’ve since found that wellies come in all manner of designs - I’m now the proud owner of a smart black pair, covered in fluorescent paw prints - which probably have the added advantage of being visible for miles around, should you get buried from the knees up in a snow drift any time! The other big advantage to wellies is the grip, something else which most ordinary winter boots are significantly lacking in. I was very relieved to be wearing my woolly hat and puffa jacket though - at least my top and middle bits were warm.

I think I’ve learnt my lesson finally and have now invested in decent outdoor clothing for the whole family. It seems an unnecessary expense most of the time but the discomfort and misery, not to mention wrecked footwear, we incurred in this cold snap has convinced me that it’s well worth the investment, even it if truly comes into its own only once every couple of years.

Hiking and outdoor gear has become stylish and fashionable, particularly designs from manufacturers such as the North Face and Berghaus.  The range of brightly coloured, Berghaus fleeces and hiking gear is not only being worn by intrepid hikers and fell-walkers, but also in the high street.

To ensure maximum warmth while hiking it’s best to wear clothes with thermal or fleecy linings.  This type of fabric enables the skin to breath and traps heat within the layers.  Fleecy woollen hats, gloves, trousers and boots also help to keep you warm on the fells, and the range of designs is becoming increasingly stylish.

When deciding on a hiking trip in the winter months it’s necessary to be dressed suitably for whatever the weather brings.  Thermal underwear is a must, topped with North Face Polartec Salathe pullover, priced at £50.  This design comes in dark colours, such as black, grey/black and deepwater blue.  Complete with the North Face logo prominently displayed on top pocket, this top not only looks great but feels comfortable to wear.

Berghaus, Regatta and Sprayway also do great ranges of fleece hiking gear, it’s hard to go wrong with any of their styles, they vary in price from £36 for a Berghaus women’s Spectrum jacket in a fabulous range of colours.  Craghoppers, Kiwi, along with other manufacturers offer large ranges of hiking trousers.  All are hardwearing, practical and weatherproof.  Most ranges aren’t considered stylish but jeans or cords which are always fashionable, would be suitable for hiking anywhere.

A hat is necessary for colder winter walking and there are many stylish designs on the High Street.  Fleecy berets bobble hats, or even a snood would keep out the icy cold, and look great wherever you are walking.  The colours are great, from burnt orange, red, icy blue or cool greens.  Pulled well down over your ears, they look stylish, while keeping you warm and comfortable.

For hiking over rough terrain a strong, sturdy pair of boots is essential.  Timberland leads the way with some stunning designs.  Men’s Shackleton range boots are stylish wear anywhere, but are extremely expensive with designs starting at £130 upwards.  Timberland Earthkeepers boots look fantastic with a tartan inset in the leather. They are very hard-wearing, and with the correct care, will last many years.  They’re definitely a good investment.

Hiking and walking are becoming increasingly popular past-times, and designers such as Sprayway, North Face and others are designing up-market, stylish clothing and equipment suitable for wear.

In the damp, grey, snowy English winter, practicality is of great importance when it comes to children´s footwear. Kids love to play outdoors, especially if there´s enough snow to build a snowman or throw snowballs, and in this kind of weather you can´t go wrong with a pair of wellies. These have to be an essential item of footwear for children in the English winter, especially as we look to be heading for winter earlier than normal this year (snow in October? Who can remember that?) So it will be wise to make sure that your children are prepared for outdoor fun.

These days, wellies don’t need to be boring; there are a wide variety of colours and patterns available, and you´re bound to find some displaying your child´s favourite cartoon character. Wellies are ideal for rainy days, and for the slush that so quickly follows snow; they won´t let the rain or snow in. They don´t need to be expensive, so can be easily replaced when the child´s feet grow too big for them. They are easily cleaned, and simple to remove upon entering the house; even the smallest child can pull a pair of wellies on and off. They are also practical for changing out of when the child arrives at school.

Boys may not be as keen on wellies, especially as they get older, but they can go out and play in a good sturdy pair of boots. There are plenty of rugged lace-up short boots that will keep the feet warm and dry providing the snow is not too deep, but it is important to ensure that they protect the feet from damp. Leather is more resistant to damp, and the thicker the soles, the better. Shoes can also be treated with sprays to keep them waterproof; there is nothing more unpleasant and uncomfortable than damp feet!

Considering how quickly children´s feet grow, it may be worth buying winter shoes a size bigger. Normally this would not be recommended, but in a season where girls are wearing thick woolly tights it may be practical to allow a bit of extra space. Any extra space can be padded out with two pairs of socks, which may be necessary anyway as temperatures drop! This may even allow boots to be used for a second winter, although there are no guarantees, of course. If so, it would ease pressure on the parental purse!