History

In July of 1942, Waffen-SS troops were issued lace-up ankle boots instead of marching boots out of economic necessity.

The ankle boots were worn with canvas gaiters during the colder winter months and puttees during the summer. The gaiters, which were produced in olive green and field-grey, covered the top of the boots like spats and laced up on the outside.

The gaiter’s fittings and binding were manufactured out of either brown or black leather.

The new boot and gaiter proved unpopular and many soldiers wore their marching boots for as long as possible.