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7 | O akville B eaver | T hursday,January 17,2019 insidehalton.com Pud bySteveNease Foot & Health Clinic .com Farewell foot pain Our foot care starts with education. We treat all foot issues so you can live without pain & improve mobility. • Best Chiropodist / Clinic / Orthotics provider since 2004 • We put care & service first!  905 632 1414  728 Burloak (South of the QEW)905 632 1414 728 Burloak (South of the QEW) Title sponsor: Presented by: Media sponsors: 2019 NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN Visit canadianimmigrant.ca/rbctop25 NOMINATE SOMEONE TODAY! Do you know an inspiring immigrant who has made a positive impact in Canada? Recognize and celebrate their achievements by nominating them for this coveted national award by Feb 27, 2019. ANIMAL TALES This coyote was looking for squirrels that were raiding the bird feeder in an Oakville back yard along Sixteen Mile Creek south of the QEW. Geoff Thomson/photo It's time to put on snow tires. Right? What if I told you it was also the time to switch to your winter hik- ing boots? Winter hiking boots? What are winter hiking boots and why would I need them? You may wonder. BOOTS I spoke with Gerry Johnson, the hiking boot guy at Hiker's Haven on the QEW in Oakville. He said there are three main differ- ences between summer and winter hiking boots: 1. Winter boots are insu- lated. They are rated from -20 to -40 C. 2. They are usually higher cut to keep snow out of your boots. 3. Most importantly, they have a sole made of rubber that, like snow tires, stays soft and pliable when cold. This means that winter hiking boots keep your feet warm and dry, and give you great traction in snowy conditions and superior traction on ice. ICERS If the trails are icy, you can add icers, whether they are winter or summer boots. Slipping icers onto your boots is akin to put- ting chains on your snow tires. They come in various degrees of "aggressive- ness," with Yaktrax ($34.99 and up) being about a four on a scale of one to 10. Gerry likes ICEtrekkers with a diamond pattern ($54.99) because they are more aggressive than Yak- trax (about a six on the scale) and don't slip side- ways. One feature he likes is that you can leave them on for sections of the trail that are clear of snow or ice. Kahtoola MICROspikes ($77.99) are more aggres- sive yet (eight on the scale), but won't stand up to walk- ing across hard roads or along clear sections of trails. POLES They aren't footwear, but using hiking poles is a great idea, especially if the trails are icy. If you do so, make sure the metal tips are exposed. Happy winter hiking. From Loops & Lattes Hiking Guides' author and avid hiker Nicola Ross. Visit nicolaross.ca to pur- chase one of her four hik- ing guides, sign up for her newsletter and receive info about hiking trails, books, contests and more. Reach her at nross@woodris- ing.com. WINTER HIKING: IT'S ALL ABOUT FOOTWEAR OPINION IT'S TIME TO MAKE THE SWITCH TO WINTER HIKING BOOTS, SAYS NICOLA ROSS NICOLA ROSS Column