Winter has large parts of Germany firmly in its grip. In many places the temperatures have crept towards freezing point. A hat, gloves and a thick jacket are always ready. Because long walks have become a popular hobby for many Germans (also due to a lack of alternatives). This also includes those with the offspring. Because even the littlest ones are stuck at home for a long time – and the fresh air strengthens their immune system. So everyone who is still a little wobbly on their legs, can’t walk at all or is just a little lazy is put in a stroller or sports buggy. Because they only sit or lie there, they should be wrapped up as warmly as possible. A winter footmuff that has proven itself useful for winter walks in the bitter cold is the winter footmuff. The best thing about it: Contrary to its name, it not only protects the feet, but also the arms, upper body and optionally even the head.
In this article you will find out what you should pay attention to when buying cozy footmuffs, which material warms best, why belt slots are important and how to care for a winter footmuff.
When it comes to footmuffs for autumn and winter, what matters most is the inner values. The outer cover is usually made of washable artificial fibers, usually polyester, which should also be windproof. The different models hardly differ here. When it comes to the interior, parents have three options: lambskin, fleece or down.
In order to be able to use the winter footmuff as flexibly as possible, it should have generous and sensibly integrated belt slots for 5- and 3-point belt systems. This means that the footmuff can be easily moved from the baby seat, stroller or sports buggy to the bicycle trailer – and the child not only rides warm in it, but also safely. The rule of thumb applies: the more generous the belt slots are, the less fiddly the conversion is. And speaking of fiddly:
Well-thought-out zippers are also a must for a winter footmuff. You are literally completely carefree with a winter footmuff that is equipped with an all-round zipper and, in the best case, two zippers. Not only can you quickly get your lost and sorely missed pacifier, but you can also transform the winter footmuff into a cuddly soft blanket within seconds. In some models – like this winter footmuff from Kaiser – the lambskin can be unbuttoned and used, for example, for car seats, as a warm pad for buggies or spontaneously as a swaddle blanket.
In the ranking of the easiest winter footmuffs, the models made of synthetic fibers such as fleece are undisputedly number 1. They can be safely machine washed at 40 degrees (preferably turned inside out), dry quickly and are ready for use again in no time. Tip: Use mild detergent and avoid fabric softener!
Things get a little trickier and, above all, more time-consuming with winter footmuffs that are lined with down or (Merino) lambskin. The good news: Furs have a self-cleaning effect and don’t have to be washed at the first small stain. When the time comes, they should be cleaned at a maximum of 30 degrees in the wool cycle and then gently dried in the tumble dryer. The natural material must then be kneaded while it is still slightly damp and pulled into shape. Attention: Under no circumstances should you place lambskins on the heater or in the sun to dry.
Down footmuffs should also be cleaned at 30 degrees, but on a gentle cycle. Here too, fabric softener has no place in the drum. If you don’t have a dryer, you can then hang the footmuff up to dry – but you should shake it up several times so that the down is evenly distributed again. Tip: Put two or three tennis balls in the dryer. This prevents the down from clumping together in the footmuff.
Finally, a tip about the size of the winter footmuff. Models that are intended to fit in a stroller carrycot or baby seat should not be longer than 85 centimeters. The footmuffs for buggies or sports seats are usually between 90 and 100 centimeters long.
Sources: “lammfellhaus.de”; “wunschkind.at”
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