footwear Improvments

[Ozark Tracker]

Having grown up in the 50's,  I can remember in the winter time having hunting boots made of leather, they were no doubt good boots, but I can remember how cold they were when you got them wet and no matter what,  I would get them wet.  When I got home my feet would be froze off. I heard a lot of old timers talk about having frost bite on their feet.

I just got in from varmit hunting, it's 21 degrees with about 3 inches of snow today and a stout north wind,  When I started out, I slipped on my insulted boots, my insulated coveralls and my insulated coat, all heavy thinsulate. and thinsulate gloves, stayed outside for about 4 hours came in was just as warm as when I started, none the worse for the wear.  It's amazing how much the overclothes have changed in the last 40 years.

I just wonder how the mountain men and cowboys made it up in the mountains or far north country,  pure determination I suppose. and putting on a lot of layers.

[Silver Creek Slim]

I would say wool and fur helped quite a bit.

Slim

[Ozark Tracker]

I'm sure they did,  I read an article in a local paper about the University of Arkansas making a study of the local caves in Northwest Arkansas in the 1940's.  they found hides of all kinds and least bits and pieces. they had Buffalo, Elk, Deer etc.  They figured that most of these had been used as blankets and also blocking the cave entrances.

I know it had to have been a cold life in past.