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Boot types used by Finns in the Winter War

Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 6:27 pm
by Rodian
I'm busy getting all the kit I need to start doing a Finnish Winter war impression and was wondering what type of boot was most used?

I've also been wondering what kind of sole did the Finnish jackboots have?

Leather soles with hobnails like German ones or rubber soled ?

And where would be a good place to buy a pair of repro's or close enough substitutes?

Thanks in advance :)

Re: Boot types used by Finns in the Winter War

Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 6:54 pm
by André
Hi!

The most common boots were black leatherboots with leather soles. Without hobnails. Finnish Defence Forces used these kind of boots to 70-80's and they are not hard to get from militaryshops in Finland.
For example Milform is selling SA-marked boots.

Second there were Lapland boots. Those were very common footwear in Finnish countryside because they were suitable to use with skis. Finnish factory "Töysän Kenkätehdas" produces still original 30's model, with 300e price (price is high, because all these boots are handmade).
Laplander boots by Töysän Kenkätehdas: http://www.toysankenkatehdas.fi/en/node/12

Third, the "rubbertip" boots, which are actually hybrid of leatherboot and rubberboot. Foot -part is made by rubber and calf -part is made by leather. These boots were very popular with sissi-units and LRRP's. Boots kept the feet dry even in thaw thanks to rubber.
Töysän Kenkätehdas sells also these kind of boots: http://www.toysankenkatehdas.fi/en/node/53

Re: Boot types used by Finns in the Winter War

Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 7:32 pm
by Rodian
André wrote:Hi!

The most common boots were black leatherboots with leather soles. Without hobnails. Finnish Defence Forces used these kind of boots to 70-80's and they are not hard to get from militaryshops in Finland.
For example Milform is selling SA-marked boots.

Second there were Lapland boots. Those were very common footwear in Finnish countryside because they were suitable to use with skis. Finnish factory "Töysän Kenkätehdas" produces still original 30's model, with 300e price (price is high, because all these boots are handmade).
Laplander boots by Töysän Kenkätehdas: http://www.toysankenkatehdas.fi/en/node/12

Third, the "rubbertip" boots, which are actually hybrid of leatherboot and rubberboot. Foot -part is made by rubber and calf -part is made by leather. These boots were very popular with sissi-units and LRRP's. Boots kept the feet dry even in thaw thanks to rubber.
Töysän Kenkätehdas sells also these kind of boots: http://www.toysankenkatehdas.fi/en/node/53
Hi André

Thanks for the info, a really big help. I think I'd probably buy a pair of leather soled boots. Lapland boots would be nice , though that can wait for later. :)

BTW , has Milform moved to a new site ? The only boots they seem to sell is rubber soled ones http://www.milform.fi/default2.asp?active_page_id=163

Regards
Edouard

Re: Boot types used by Finns in the Winter War

Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 11:23 pm
by André
Milform (former Milpro) is now a 'new' company. Their websites are very poor and doesn't give at all information about the gear they're actually selling. I assume you're not Finn and you're not able to buy a visit in Milform, so it would be the best to call them personally.

They have LOTS of Finnish equipment, all over from Finnish independence history. They have these wartime leather boots as well, though they're original used by Finnish Defence Forces and for some reason FDF has changed the leather soles to rubber ones (maybe because of detrition?). Otherwise those boots are 100% correct.

The prices are about 40-70 euros depending the condition/size.