Attending a football match during the fall season is awesome. The cool weather, drinking hot chocolate, and all the fans bundled up, and there is something about it that evokes a seasonal feel, even for the youngster football players. Upon the arrival of October, temperatures begin to drop, and the enthusiasm for the games picks up even more.
Nevertheless, the chilly conditions can easily drop to uncomfortable and unhealthy levels based on your locality or country. As the fall progresses, nighttime matches can be incredibly cold, but even those played during the day can be cold as well, depending on the prevailing conditions. What’s more, it may even be snowy in some northern climates.
Keeping yourself warm during cold-weather football is a huge feat for the majority of players and parents as well. Sometimes a coach can issue a reminder to his team to bundle up. However, most families undertake trial-and-error measures, especially during their chilly maiden game of the season.
The majority of the football leagues do not extend past thanksgiving, so sub-zero temperatures are not a problem. However, when temperatures are in the range of between 30 to 40, even the most enthusiastic players can lose their tempo. The following are some strategies you can undertake to keep yourself warm during the winter football matches.
Outer Layers
These are the most commonly used clothing items, and people use them without much forethought. Most of them are relatively simple, versatile, and work considerably well. Beanies, gloves, and scarves are the essentials you have within your closet.
Using a neck gaiter can prove helpful in most cases. One major discomfort about the bitter cold is usually how it makes the breathing process painful. A neck warmer provides you with an opportunity to cover up your mouth and keep the air entering your nose warm, and hence it is an absolute lifesaver.
When it comes to outer layers, it is prudent to invest in good boots. Get yourself a good pair that is also waterproof, and keep your game enjoyable rather than miserable.
Heated Seat Cushion
This option is rarely used. Most people are yet to try it out. However, once you get a taste of comfort, you will never feel like turning back.
For a heated seat cushion, you essentially take the inner piece, put it into a microwave for a short time, then place it back within its cover, and after that, get a portable and warmed-up seat cushion for a period of up to six hours. If you have this item in an outdoor spot, then that becomes a game-changer. You won’t have to sit on cold and uncomfortable bleacher seats.
Under Layers
It can be the most crucial factor for keeping warm in whichever situation. But it can also be extremely frustrating to wear tons of under layers, especially if you are not going to stay outside for long. Nevertheless, it is better to sweat on the inside than to freeze on the outside.
As seen on GiftWits, getting yourself a good pair of thermal top and thermal socks is a brilliant idea for MLS matches during the cold season. These garments are highly effective in keeping you warm and are also thin enough to fit under any clothing item you intend to wear comfortably.
For your feet, you can also go for woolen trail/hiking socks. Wool is a great insulator and keeps the insulating properties while wet.
Hiking socks are usually thick and will protect you from the harshest weather. But it is important to choose the right height. In a colder season, it is better to go for a high sock rather than a low ankle sock. Based on the kind of shoes you are wearing, they offer more protection to your lower leg and ankle. Personally, I’ve also purchased a pair of socks from NoColdFeet, and simply loved it. Check them out here.
Warm Drinks
It is an almost accepted fact that football and beer go hand in hand. Many sports fans like sipping beer during the game.
However, not all people like alcohol. Luckily, during this season, you will usually find many stores selling hot chocolate.
Such an option is so enjoyable, especially during the cold when you will be heating yourself with something hot and sweet. As seen on The Guardian, a hot drink helps warm the body during cold weather.
Though you might not find hot chocolate near some stadiums, you can expect to come across a few stores that offer it. If it is an amateur game, you can carry your own drinks, as well.
You can get a thermal bottle to keep your hot chocolate or coffee warm for as long as possible. Warm drinks will help you enjoy all your games during the cold season and feel comfortable.
Hand and Toe Warmers
During cold temperatures, blood vessels in feet and hands constrict, which minimizes heat loss, but you get cold feet and hands symptoms. You can use toe warmers that will help to keep the cold away if you stick them into your boots or shoes.
Most of the disposable toe and hand warmers available on the market are completely environmentally safe, and they can keep you going in the cold for a while. But if you are concerned about the environmental issues, it would be prudent to find a rechargeable option. Then you can plug in the unit into a power source and utilize it during the entire season.
What’s more, they can serve as power banks. You can use them to keep warm as well as recharge your phone. With this gadget, do you really need any other thing?
The Bottom Line
When you have to stay out in cold weather, the most obvious method to keep warm is to dress properly and keep your body covered. However, some parts, such as feet and hands, are more vital than others.
So, next time you go to a football match when it is cold outside, remember to put on under layers, outer layers and to protect your feet and hands. The proper mindset is what makes a great player, and it is the mindset that helps you to enjoy the game in the cold weather to the fullest.
2018 ·
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