Okay, so, I’ve been digging into this whole World War I thing, specifically the boots they wore back then. It’s wild how much gear can tell you about history, right? Anyway, I started this little project to see if I could get a better feel for what those soldiers went through, and let me tell you, it’s been quite the journey.
First off, I had to figure out what I was even looking for. Turns out, there are these “B series” style boots that were a big deal during the war. They started showing up around 1915. I found some replicas online that were made using the original patterns from back in the day. Pretty cool, huh? So, I ordered a pair of these B5 boot replicas, just to see what they were like.
While I was waiting for those to arrive, I started reading up on how to actually wear them. It’s not like slipping on your everyday sneakers, that’s for sure. I learned that you’re supposed to wear them for short bits at first, just around the house. The idea is to break them in slowly so you don’t end up with a bunch of blisters. Then you just up the time a bit each day.
Then I got into the history of it all. Apparently, when the US jumped into the war in 1917, they had these boots named after General Pershing. I guess he was a big shot back then. It’s crazy to think that something as simple as a boot could be so tied to a specific person and time in history.
When the boots finally arrived, I started wearing them as I read in those instructions. Man, they felt stiff at first! But I stuck with it, wearing them a little longer each day. I even found some tips online about pairing them with wide jeans, letting the jeans fall over the boots. It actually looked pretty good, not gonna lie. I threw on a turtleneck and a jacket, and it was like I was stepping out of a history book, or at least that’s how I felt.
The more I wore them, the more I started to get a feel for what those soldiers might have experienced. Of course, I wasn’t in a trench or anything, but just walking around in those boots, I could almost imagine the weight of history on my feet, every step was a story of its own. It was a small way to connect with the past, and I found it really moving.
So, that’s where I’m at with my little boot project. It’s been a wild ride, and I’m not even done yet. There’s so much more to learn and explore. I even found that you can search for original World War I boots online, but I haven’t gotten there yet. But who knows, maybe I’ll end up with a real piece of history someday.
- Researched “B series” boots and their history.
- Ordered replica B5 boots online.
- Learned how to break in new combat boots.
- Read about General Pershing and his boots.
- Wore the boots around, gradually increasing the time.
- Experimented with styling the boots with modern clothes.
- Reflected on the experience of soldiers in WWI.
I have tried to record my experience of restoring World War I boots. Hope it helps.
