For many years, men and boys in northern New England depended on pants made by the Johnson Woolen Company in Vermont.  The pants, made of heavy wool, were available in the usual long style, long style with knitted cuffs, or in flared breeches, much favored by hunters and woodsmen.  The favorite color was spruce green.

Breeches with rubber boots were worn by many boys both at school and in outdoor play.  With that combination, you stayed warm and dry.

The boots most often worn were called "gum rubbers".  It was a grayish green rubber boot with a laced top.

Here is my outfit purchased by me over fifty years ago.  I wear it every winter, on the bikes or in the snow.