Being an infantryman is dangerous not only because you run with death, but also because of the different challenges soldiers face in the field. Medieval soldiers especially went through a lot to save their families, their communities and their nations. There was no advanced technology available to us today, which made deployment even more difficult. Soldiers who fought in the Continental Army when General George Washington was in command suffered a lot because they didn’t have the right dress. Their grueling fight demonstrated the importance of fundamental military equipment such as boots to the outcome of any military confrontation before modern military combat boots came to save the day.
Foot protection began long before civilization, although shoes back then were unattractive. Shoemakers used whatever they could work with, and in this case, it was cattle hide. The elements were sewn by hand and the sole was mounted with nails to provide friction. Although the shoes weren’t the most comfortable, they served their purpose and protected the feet from injury. The only thing they weren’t good for was moisture protection because they weren’t waterproof like today’s combat boots.
Straw Grass Layered Shoes
When army commanders realized that spiked shoes were unhygienic, they asked shoemakers to design better and more advanced ones. Around 3300 BC. They invented somewhat waterproof shoes covered with straw grass. It was crucial not to have foot rot on the battlefield. These shoes were made from deerskin and the soles were covered with bearskin for comfort. They had a thick layer of straw grass on the inside, which historians say prevented outside moisture from getting inside the shoes. Such features ensured that the soldier’s feet were protected from injury and moisture, while ensuring comfort and hygiene.
Cracks
They were pointy-toed, unlaced shoes. At first they were created for ordinary people and adopted for the military over time. This was the biggest change in the history of the shoe as it allowed other models to come to fruition. While the shoes were fashionable, they did not meet military standards as they were difficult to walk on due to their pointed shape. They were also very loud and could sell the position of marching soldiers to the enemy. The cracks don’t last long among the infantry; therefore, they were left to civilians. Today, pointed toe shoes are popular but with better standards.
High turn shoes
New shoes were discovered when the Crackoves were no longer useful to the infantryman. High turn shoes featured a fairly pointed toe but were more practical. The inner part was lined with wool for comfort and sometimes straw grass. A funny thing about medieval soldier’s shoes is that they were mostly free size and had no left or right. Maybe it was because there was no time to tell the right shoe from the left shoe when war was calling. Or rather, it was because it was not necessary to distinguish them. High turn shoes were common among the Vikings.
Ankle Buckle Shoes
Ankle boots were mainly worn by soldiers who fought in areas subject to extreme weather conditions. They were perfect for the cold and at the same time hygienic. Instead of including laces, they featured three to four loops, which made them aesthetically pleasing. Additionally, the shoes were more practical on the battlefield because soldiers did not waste valuable time tying or tightening buckles, unlike lace-up shoes. The only challenge of wearing them was that they wore out easily. The soldiers wore an extra shoe that they often exchanged once the old one was worn out.