Why Your Feet Need Different Care in Every Season
Australians make it hard on their feet. In summer, we spend months in thongs or bare feet at the beach. Come winter, we swap straight into tight boots without a second thought. Both extremes put real stress on feet, and the problems that follow are more common and more preventable than most people realise.
At Foot Balance Technology, our certified pedorthists see the consequences of seasonal footwear choices every day. Dr Sayed Ahmed, Australia's first PhD in Pedorthics and FBT's founder, has built the organisation's approach around one principle: the right footwear at the right time makes a genuine difference to your foot health all year round.
Summer Foot Care in Australia
The Australian summer - December through February - brings heat, humidity and a shift in how most of us use our feet. Long days outdoors, trips to the pool and beach and the abandonment of structured footwear all create conditions where foot problems flare up.
Xerosis Cutis: Dry, Cracking Skin in Winter
Xerosis cutis is abnormally dry skin, and the feet are particularly susceptible in winter. Cold air holds less moisture, and hot showers strip the skin's natural oils, leaving it drier than before.
Wash feet in lukewarm water, pat dry and apply a urea-based emollient immediately while the skin is slightly damp to lock in moisture. Bamboo diabetic socks are worth considering for sensitive or dry skin - they are naturally moisture-regulating and free from the seams and elastic that can irritate compromised skin.
Chilblains and How to Prevent Them
Chilblains are a painful inflammatory reaction to cold, causing itchy, red or purple swelling most commonly on the toes and sides of the feet. They occur when small blood vessels near the skin's surface constrict in cold conditions and then expand rapidly when rewarmed.
They are more common in people with poor peripheral circulation. Prevention centres on keeping feet consistently warm, avoiding rapid temperature changes and wearing well-insulated footwear. If chilblains are recurring, a pedorthic assessment is worthwhile to check whether circulation issues are a contributing factor.
Seasonal Footwear Transitions and Orthotic Fit
Here's something most people don't think about when they switch to winter shoes: their orthotics may no longer fit the way they should. Thicker socks take up space, and different boots have different interiors. An orthotic that was working perfectly in your summer shoes may be sitting slightly off in your winter boots - enough to change how it performs.
We recommend a pedorthic review at each seasonal transition, particularly for people with existing foot conditions. Our 3D foot scanning and gait analysis allows us to check whether your orthotics are still performing as prescribed or whether adjustment is needed.
Plantar Fasciitis Flares in Cold Weather
If you already have plantar fasciitis, winter tends to make it harder to manage. Cold tightens connective tissue, which means the first few steps out of bed can be genuinely painful. The plantar fascia and Achilles tendon need time to warm up before they're loaded, and in cold weather that window is longer.
The abrupt seasonal footwear transition compounds this. Moving from summer sandals into tight winter boots without adequate arch support creates a sudden change in how load is distributed through the foot. Custom orthotics maintain consistent support across seasonal changes, reducing stress on the plantar fascia regardless of what shoes you're wearing.
Special Considerations for Diabetes, Ageing and NDIS Participants
For people with diabetic neuropathy or poor circulation, everything covered in this guide applies with greater urgency. A heat blister in summer or a pressure point from tight winter boots might go completely unnoticed until real damage is done. The foot simply isn't sending the warning signals it should be, which is why specialist footwear and regular professional checks matter so much more in this group.
Older adults face similar challenges, with reduced skin resilience and slower healing. NDIS and DVA participants may be eligible for funding towards medical-grade seasonal footwear. If you or someone you care for is in a higher-risk category, a specialist assessment before each season is a worthwhile investment. You can read more in our Diabetes with Neuropathy guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
In summer the focus is on managing moisture, fungal risk and the biomechanical effects of open footwear. In winter it shifts to skin hydration, circulation in the cold and ensuring orthotics still fit with heavier socks and boots. The common thread in both seasons is wearing appropriate, supportive footwear.
Open-back footwear removes the support that keeps the heel fat pad contained, allowing it to spread and crack under load. UV exposure and dehydration thin the skin barrier further. A urea-based moisturiser applied daily and footwear with an enclosed heel are the most effective responses.
For occasional wear, thongs are unlikely to cause lasting harm. As everyday summer footwear, they are problematic - no arch support, no heel grip and a gripping gait pattern that increases the risk of metatarsalgia and bunions. Orthotic thongs or supportive sandals are a much better option for regular warm-weather use.
Wear footwear in shared wet areas, keep feet dry and choose breathable footwear with moisture-wicking socks. Rotate shoes to allow drying between wears. See a health professional if symptoms persist beyond two weeks.
Extra-depth footwear with adjustable closures that can be loosened as swelling changes works best. Avoid tight or narrow styles. If swelling is significant or persistent, a pedorthic assessment is worthwhile.
Cold reduces the elasticity of connective tissue, worsening conditions like plantar fasciitis. Moving abruptly from summer to winter footwear without adapting orthotic support also places sudden new loads on the foot. A seasonal pedorthic review can make a real difference.
Orthotics don't necessarily need replacing each season, but they do need reviewing. Thicker socks and different boot profiles change how an orthotic performs. FBT recommends a check at each seasonal transition, particularly for people with diabetes or plantar fasciitis.
Most definitely. Loss of protective sensation means injuries can develop without pain as a warning. Daily inspection is essential, barefoot time should be avoided and any wound or skin change reported to your GP, podiatrist or FBT within 24 hours.
Book a Seasonal Foot Assessment at Foot Balance Technology
Foot health doesn't take a season off. Whether you're heading into summer with cracked heels, or into winter wondering why your feet hurt more in the cold, our certified pedorthists can give you a clear picture of what's going on and what to do about it.
No referral needed. We see patients at our Westmead, Castle Hill and Campbelltown clinics. NDIS, DVA and major health funds are accepted.
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Sayed Ahmed (PhD, Pedorthics) on 8 August 202
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