Summer’s got a lot of perks. Relaxation, for one. Lobster rolls, for another. But besides its more obvious benefits, summer also gives us the opportunity to free our feet from their year-long captivity without repercussion—by forgoing socks, donning flip-flops, or simply going barefoot. If you’ve been especially lucky, you’ve only had to sheath your soles a handful of times since May.
Soon enough, though, with Labor Day already come and gone and fall's official start right around the corner, you’ll have to hide away those well-worn appendages at the end of your legs. And when that time comes, the last thing you want to do is just shove them into a pair of shoes and call it a day. No, instead, you want to pay them a little extra attention, such that the next time you find yourself free-footed—during an unplanned-for late-night encounter, say—no one will gasp in horror. Here, a few post-summer tips on how to prepare your paws for their upcoming hibernation.
Rub 'Em Down Those hard skin patches might seem useful now, shielding your feet from the harsh, hot summer conditions you’ve put them through during the warmer months. But trust us: in a few weeks, they’ll only be scaly reminders that cold weather’s on the way and you’ve got to put on shoes. Take a stand before it comes to that. All you need is five minutes, a pumice stone and a bit of elbow grease to have your feet feeling more man than reptile.
Keep 'Em Supple The thing about walking without protection on grass, sand and scorching hot roofing tar (we won’t tell your landlord) is that doing so takes a hefty toll on your soles—peeling, cracked heels, and the like. So before you put your feet away for good, ensure that they’re baby-soft with a heavy-duty moisturizer, like this one by Buckler’s. Simply rub your feet down with it real quick when you get out of the shower and you’re golden—just take care not to slip on your way out of the bathroom.
Take Care of Your Nails You know what’s worse than nails on a chalkboard? Gross, unkempt nails scratching your partner’s legs right when things are starting to get heavy. Cut that off at the pass by investing in a set of clippers, grabbing a file, and making sure that things are up-to-code at the top of your toes. While you’re at it, this is also probably a good time to take care of that new, disconcerting color your big toe nail’s taken. (Solid rule to live by: if it’s not natural, go see a doctor. Or, at least grab an anti-fungal.)
Leave It To The Professionals Not in the mood to go through all that hassle? Then get over whatever hang-ups you might have and go get a pedicure. They’ll treat your feet to all the above, plus an arch rub.
Now you're ready to sock up.
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