Despite the fact that people wearing real felt boots can only be found in remote villages, city residents are also familiar with them. They are often mentioned in folk songs and fairy tales. And in many cities there are even themed museums of felt boots.
The history of felt boots
The exact date of appearance of this type of shoe has not been recorded. However, it is known that they were worn even before our era. At that time, the most common products were items made from sheep wool: carpets and ladles. The prototype of the product were pimas - traditional boots of the nomadic tribes of Eurasia. They entered the territory of Rus' during the invasion of the Golden Horde.
Interesting to know! The production technology was manual and took a lot of time, so wealthy people could afford this type of shoe.
With the development of industry in the 19th century, products began to spread everywhere. A new profession appears. So, the people who make these shoes are called pimokats. They roll out felt into special shapes. In modern enterprises, the following materials are used for their production:
- Wool, from which felt is then obtained in the felting process. It can be the wool of a goat, sheep, rabbit or even camel.
- Mohair.
What are felt boots
The product is warm winter boots with a high top. The product is made in a special way. They are felted from wool, that is, they are rolled and kneaded, and at the same time exposed to steam. Most often they are hard. For comfortable wearing and protection from getting wet, they have a felt or leather sole sewn onto them. This also makes them practical and durable.
IMPORTANT! Soft felt boots are worn together with galoshes.
What are felt boots used for?
Felt boots are very warm, soft and comfortable shoes. People wearing such shoes are not afraid of severe frosts and winds. They are very comfortable to walk on dry snow. A few decades ago, they were worn by both village and city residents. Now you can see residents of remote villages wearing them. In cities, this type of shoe can be seen on young children. They can be quickly and easily put on small feet.
Reference! A new pair of shoes is not divided into left and right.
Sheep wool has unique healing properties and has a beneficial effect on human health. The shoes do not bend the foot and warm the joints well. They are also comfortable in any weather.
Valenki in modern fashion
These shoes do not lose their relevance in the fashion industry. The traditional colors of the product are brown, black, gray and white. Modern designers paint them in different colors and decorate them in all sorts of ways. Thus, fur, applique, embroidery and other elements are used in decoration.
Felt boots are in fashion. You need to know their main differences:
- They are made from individual parts and ready-made felt is used in production. Felt boots are made entirely, using a special last. That's why they don't have seams.
- Felt boots are made by felting wool, and boots are made from ready-made felt.
- Boots are very diverse. Modern technologies make it possible to combine felt with textiles, fur and soles. They make beautiful appliqués and bead patterns.
When choosing felt boots, carefully study the composition of the shoes, since many Chinese counterfeits made from low-quality artificial materials appear on sale.
This type of shoe has been in demand and unique for many centuries. Only in recent decades have they been replaced by more economical, lightweight and water-resistant shoes, and felt boots have become more associated with the rural way of life.
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