Nordic Walking Winter Wear
Nordic walking in cold weather certainly presents some special considerations. Here are some things to keep you safe and warm as you venture out:Shoes or boots should be waterproof AND have a flexible sole that allows you to roll from heel to toe. Make sure your toes have enough room to wiggle around even with a heavy sock on, so you don’t compromise your circulation. Treads should be deep and grippy for traction. Hiking boots with rigid ankles can abrade your skin, so you might want to look for more of a snowboot style or stick to shoes. Here’s one example of a boot from Lands End I recently saw in stores that seemed like it fit the bill, though some may want a little more foot support. For added traction, especially on ice, YakTrax are a great product.
They stretch over your footwear so you can use them on whatever shoes or boots you feel like wearing. They’re available in stores that sell outdoor gear for about $30.
For your hands, you’ll want gloves that are grippy on your palms and fingers, allowing you to perform the grip and release motion. I’ve seen several types like this at REI recently. My favorite gloves are the Pearl Izumi Shine Wind Mitt 
which are light, warm, and have a little hoodie that folds out to cover your fingers and protect them from the wind. The mitt is loose enough so you can still spread your fingers enough inside of them to release the poles. I bought my pair for $29 at Tri-Fitness in White Bear Lake. You can also find a lot of clothing there suitable for winter walking/running.
For clothing, there is a whole new generation of fabrics that can help you stay even warmer than before. Look for underlayers that wick away moisture (NOT cotton), and pants that are wind-resistant. (One note of caution, most of these fabrics cannot handle going in the dryer, so you’ll need to pay special attention when laundering.) Since you’ll warm up as you walk, try to dress in light layers that can be opened or shed. I typically wear a base layer, a turtleneck or hooded shirt, and a thermal shirt under a windbreaker which has detachable sleeves that are easily stowed in its pockets. If you get too sweaty, you’ll get cold, and if you be chillin’, you be illin’!
Since there’s so little daylight these days, 
it’s important to stay visible to cars, bikes and anyone else you don’t want to take by surprize. Reflective outerwear is ideal. I wear a reflective vest which fits over clothes and jackets in any season.
Another good thing to have is a light that attaches to your head so you can see where you’re going. There are small LED lights that clip on to a visor, like this 
and also lights that you wear on a headband (such as this one). Both kinds keep your hands totally free and increase your visibility to others.
Chances are once we get snow and ice, you will want to leave your rubber tips at home. Even with leaves and dirt on paved trails, they will not grip as well, and poles that slip can be dangerous. If you don’t like the noise, try singing over it :)
Winter is a great time for Nordic walking, and after all, they don’t call it NORDIC walking for nothing!
3 years ago • Notes