Of all the shoe categories, ” boots ” are the ones that can make your outfits look the most rugged. They are often worn in the fall and winter because of their high thermal protection. In this issue, we will start with a brief history of boots and introduce the main types and examples of actual outfits!
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What are boots?
Boots are a general term for footwear that covers the entire foot and ankle, with different names depending on the length, use, and design. The origin of the boot can be traced back to B.C., and it is believed that boots were already in existence around 1000 B.C., since a Spanish cave painting believed to date from 1200 to 1500 B.C. depicts a man wearing a boot. The original form of the boot originally consisted of separate leggings, sole, and upper worn together to form its body, but it is widely believed that these components were integrated to form a single unit as the boot around 1000 BC. Leather boots in the ancient world were a symbol of dominance and military power, and emperors and kings wore glamorous and colorful boots. Roman emperors of the time are said to have worn boots with gold decorations on the soles and colorful jewelry and embroidery on the uppers.
Leather ankle boots, generally similar to today’s style, were worn by nomads in East Asia and introduced from China to India and Russia around 1200 to 1500 AD by Mongol invaders. On the other hand, the Inuit and Aleut Indians of Alaska already wore traditional winter boots made of reindeer and seal leather, suggesting that different boot cultures existed in different cold regions of the world.
Main Types of Boots
Types of Boots (1) “Work Boots/Logger Boots
Work boots is a general term for sturdy boots worn by laborers for work. They are generally ankle-high, pigeon-toed, laced leather boots. There are various types of work boots depending on their shape, such as engineer boots and outdoor boots (mountaineering boots).
Kind of Boots (2) “Engineer Boots
Engineer Boots are a type of work boots or safety shoes developed in the U.S. for engineers, and are equipped with a buckled belt from the instep to the ankles instead of shoelaces to prevent the laces from catching on things underfoot. Generally, a steel or plastic cup is built in to protect the toes. For motorcycle and mechanical operation, many models are reinforced with leather patches on the inside of the toe.
Kind of Boots (3) “Side Gore Boots/Chelsea Boots
As the name implies, these boots are equipped with elastic gores on both sides of the boot shaft. The original side gore boots were made by Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, and are considered formal boots that can be worn with a suit.
Kind of Boots ④ “Mountain Boots/Trekking Boots
Mountain boots are for mountain climbing, and trekking boots are for hiking in the mountains to enjoy the scenery. Trekking boots have a lighter and softer sole than mountain boots, and recently, fashionable models that combine sneakers and trekking boots for town use have been gaining popularity. However, trekking boots tend to have lighter and softer soles than mountain boots.
Boot Type⑤”Chukka Boot/George Boot
Chukka boots are ankle-length boots with multiple lacing holes similar to desert boots and George boots. The chukker or chukka is a unit of time used in polo, with one chukka lasting 7 minutes and 30 seconds, and “chukkar” is originally a Hindi word for a circle or revolution. There are various theories as to why this type of boot is called a chukka boot, since polo matches are usually played in riding boots such as jodhpurs, but since it was Lord Windsor, a polo expert and a fashion icon of the time, who made the chukka boot famous, the term “chukka boot” has been used ever since. It is thought that the name “Chukka boot” may have been derived from the association between Lord Windsor, who loved to wear Chukka boots, and the game of polo.
