ANSWERS: 1
  • More practical than trendy, the hobnail boot represents some of the footwear industry's highest standards of durability. Strongly associated with military wear, the hobnail boot has a rich history.

    Description

    Traditionally, hobnail boots are made of black leather and are ankle-high. Five rows of short, wide-headed nails called hobnails cover the upper sole, or the front of the shoe's bottom, while a U-shaped iron plate reinforces the heel.

    Origin

    The predecessor of the modern hobnail boot was used by early Roman soldiers in combat. Called caliga, these hobnailed sandals gave soldiers extra traction and doubled as a kicking weapon.

    Benefits

    The hobnails on hobnail boots protect the sole, making the boot last for long periods. They also provide excellent traction in mud and other types of uneven outdoor terrain.

    Examples

    Both the 1917 trench boot of World War I and the Pershing Boot are good examples of the hobnail boot. Offshoots of plain-soled field shoes, they represent the addition of hobnails to modern military footwear.

    Associations

    The jackboot, the German version of the hobnail boot, is often associated with military oppression. During World War II, citizens heard the distinctive sound of hobnails on their cobblestone streets and could see the nail marks they left behind.

    Source:

    Live Science: Roman Soldier's Footprint Reveals Clues to Ancient City

    Little Tanks: The Development of the American Field Shoe During the World War

    Dictionary.com: Jackboots

Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC

Answerbag | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy