Boots

Because Sandals Aren’t Always the Answer

Roman soldiers are famous for their open military sandals, or caligae, but they also wore closed leather boots. Sometimes keeping your whole foot inside the shoe was just the better idea.

Closed boots gave more protection from cold, mud, rocks, thorns, and the other things a marching soldier discovered by stepping on them. Leather could be cut and stitched into several styles, and sturdy soles took hobnails for durability and grip.

They earned their keep when the weather turned. The Roman Empire included mountains, rainy frontiers, and places where winter actually happened. Even Judaea could get surprisingly cold.

The Romans may have been tough, but that doesn’t mean they enjoyed cold mud squishing between their toes.