Specialty Boots

Specialty Boots is a term that can mean "Boot Miscellaneous". These types of boots include: Platform Boots popular in the Disco Era of the 70s; boots worn in the movies like Han Solo's Boots in Star Wars; boots made to keep feet extra warm, like mukluks and Uggs; and even boot moccasins. If it could be made to fit the foot and there was a market for it, it probably has been made and worn somewhere.

PLATFORM BOOTS
	Platform boots are boots with thick wedge soles or a combination of thick soles and high heels that are similar in some respects to the platform shoe. They were seen as the cutting edge of fashion in the United Kingdom during the 1970s and were worn by both men and women. Since the 1970s ended, the platform boot declined in popularity.
BOOTS USED IN MOVIES
	Tall stovepipe boots, often made of patent leather and with a round toe, showed up on the feet of many favorite movie actors over the years. Many were attracted to the good looks of shiny, tall black boots. It is impossible to describe all the different types of boots that have been worn in movies. The style shown here is but one of many -- that worn by Han Solo in the movie Star Wars.

AUSTRALIAN BUSH BOOTS
	In Australia, a very common boot worn by many men is made by the RM Williams Company, Blundstone and Bush Tracker. There are several varieties, called Bushman, Gardener, Stockyard, and Yard Boots. What they have in common is elastic sides which make them fit comfortably from the moment you put them on. They have pull loops on the front and back of the top of the shaft. They are not very tall -- about 5" (or 13cm) with a tread sole.

SNAKEPROOF BOOTS
	They are what their name implies: boots that resist the puncture of a snake's fangs. These boots are worn not only by snake hunters, but also by men who need solid protection of their legs while walking in thorny bush or in areas where limbs, rocks, or other things may cause injury. These boots are about 16" to 18" tall and are usually two-tone. They have a tread sole, leather foot, and cordura nylon shafts.

MUKLUKS
	Mukluks or Kamik (singular: kamak) are a soft boot traditionally made of reindeer skin or sealskin and were originally worn by Arctic natives, including the Inuit and Yupik. The term mukluk is often used to describe any soft boot designed for cold weather. Modern designs are often similar to high-top athletic shoes. The word mukluk is of Yupik origin, from maklak, the Bearded Seal, while kamik is an Inuit word. Mukluks are lightweight and allow hunters to move very quietly. They may be adorned with pompons and beads and may be lined with furs such as rabbit. Modern mukluks based on the traditional design have become a fashion item in the United States and Europe. Another kind of mukluk is knitted with a soft leather sole. These are worn primarily by ballet dancers in place of leg/foot warmers.

BOOT MOCCASINS
	The word moccasin comes from an Algonquian (First Nations or Native American) word. It also has different spellings depending on the original language. Both "moccasin" and "mocassin" are in common usage. What makes a "boot moccasin" is sewing knee-length leggings to moccasins for a one-piece look. Some boot moccasins use hardened rawhide for the sole for added durability. Boot moccasins are made of a variety of natural materials, including leather and suede on the feet and leggings (or shafts), and sometimes animal fur on the lining.

UGG BOOTS
	The Ugg boot is footwear constructed of sheepskin, with the wool as the inner lining and an untanned outer surface. Ugg boots often have a synthetic sole, but not always. They evolved in Australia as a type of slipper for cold weather use and are also known as ugh boots and ug boots. In Australia, sheepskin boots have long been popular with people in rural occupations. Natural properties of the sheepskin leather used in the vast majority of sheepskin boots keep feet comfortable, but allow moisture to evaporate. Thick fleecy fibers on the inner part of the boots allow air to circulate during summer so feet do not become excessively warm. The natural thermal properties of sheepskin ensure warmth in colder climates. Ugg boots saw a huge increase in popularity in 2003 due to better and more aggressive marketing. In the U.S., ugg boots are commonly worn with jeans. One of the more popular ways to wear them is to wear the boot over the bottom of the pant leg, although you can also see people wear the boots with the bottom of the pant leg fitting over the boot.
Content from Wikipedia, various internet sources, and Booted Harleydude. Pictures from Mooselacer and internet sources. Text from Wikipedia articles on Australian Boots, Mukluks, Platform Boots and Ugg Boots, and as edited and contributed to by Booted Harleydude. Text of this article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.

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