Probably, this day, few people can now remember. Two years ago, in mid-January 2014, or rather, on the 16th, it was announced that Russian troops would no longer use footcloths, completely switching to wearing socks. This is the third major attempt to get rid of footcloths. The first was committed during the time of Peter I, the second during the years of Soviet power, in the 70s of the last century, and the third - today.

From various sources you learn that the universal winding appeared in the time of Peter I, and maybe long before him. There is also a version that the Roman legionnaires wrapped their feet with pieces of cloth. One of the footcloths dates back to 79 BC: it was discovered during the construction of the Roman metro station, and then handed over to the then President of America as a keepsake. Oh, well done, they made a good hint: so that he knows where the Russian spirit comes from.

Remember: there is a Russian spirit, there smells of Russia. By the way, according to V.I. Dahl, “footcloth - f., a piece, a cut off part of it (the port), especially for footcloths f. pl. wrappers, onuchi, shoe covers, 1 1/2 arsh each. on foot".

And yet, some historians say, during the primitive cave age, people thought of wrapping their legs with pieces of skins from dead animals. So you can get to Adam and Eve: at that time, too, someone was wrapped in something. Ancient warriors always had a look different from civilian, and they admired the eyes of the old and small, who saw the fighter. Who was their reliable protector from numerous enemies attacking the country. In order for a warrior to be able to overcome numerous forced marches, his uniform and clothing must correspond to the performance of these combat missions and not interfere with the path.

The concept of "footcloths" today is a Russian ethnocultural phenomenon, since footcloths began to play an important part of the life of the Russian army, to personify a special way of life and, in the end, this is one of its symbols, the origin of which began under Peter I.

Well, we really like to choose Peter as a starting point. Most likely, the wise tsar, having seen such an easy and reliable means of clothing for the military, in an order pointed out the obligatory introduction of footcloths in the Russian army in order to prevent numerous frostbite, abrasions, and reliably protect soldiers in multi-day crossings.

Although there is a completely opposite version: Peter did not want to see his soldiers in peasant footcloths and ordered the opposite - to introduce stockings into the army in the Dutch manner. But this novelty did not take root due to the numerous injuries and inconveniences associated with hosiery wearing. Therefore, already Field Marshal Grigory Potemkin-Tavrichesky in 1786 obtained Catherine the Great's signature on the decree on the return of footcloths to the army.

« Spacious boots in front of narrow boots and footcloths or footcloths in front of stockings have the advantage that in the case when the feet get wet or sweaty, you can immediately throw them off at the first convenient time, wipe your feet with a footcloth and, wrapping them, again with the already dry end, quickly put on shoes and protect them from dampness and chills"(G. Potemkin. Opinion on the uniform of the Russian troops. Russian archive. Volume 3, 1888).

Even then, the illustrious prince understood that when walking in boots, the sock gets off, the leg “walks”, which leads to damage to the leg.

From the little things there was a picture of defeats or victories. Under Paul I, they again tried to put stockings on their legs, but nothing good came of it.

The second time they returned to the idea of ​​completely replacing footcloths with socks in Russia after more than 200 years, in the 70s, officials from several departments - the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Defense - calculated the costs of switching to a new type of uniform and considered it economically inexpedient, since it turned out that that one soldier had to be issued, depending on weather conditions, 20-40 pairs of socks instead of one pair of footcloths.

Thus, footcloths were left alone for several decades. They, footcloths, have become an integral part of the everyday life of a soldier.

Why did you love footcloths? For their versatility and durability. After all, the fabric from which they were made was of the highest quality and was produced at the best Russian textile factories on a special military order. By the way, consumers liked the flannel so much that it became especially popular and in demand, and Russia took the fifth place in the production of this type of fabric around the middle of the 19th century.

Gradually it became clear that it is better to have footcloths of two types: for winter - flannel, for summer - cloth. It is Peter I who is credited with the authorship of the mandatory introduction of flannel footcloths in the army. Initially, the fabric was purchased mainly in England, but then the sovereign demanded to reduce the amount of purchased foreign cloth and establish his own production on an industrial scale. This was done in 1698, when the first manufactory appeared in Moscow, first producing coarse cloth for the army, and then mastering the production of other types of fabric.

Flannel took root in the army for a long time because, in terms of its qualities, it excellently "coped" with the load that a simple soldier could withstand only thanks to many handy tools that greatly facilitate his camp life. Flannel is pleasant to the touch, perfectly absorbs moisture, woolen flannel does not burn, but smolders, retains its thermal qualities for a long time.

During the First World War, the rank and file of the Russian army was supposed to have three pairs of footcloths in its stock. Even then they were divided into summer and winter. For the summer, “canvas” were issued, which were made from hemp or linen canvas, and from September to February, according to the charter, the soldier was obliged to wear “cloth” footcloths: they were sewn from semi-woolen or woolen fabric. Often, such a footcloth rubbed his legs and therefore, first they wound a summer footcloth around his leg, and then a winter footcloth. But it was inconvenient and many soldiers began to put on flannel footcloths with pleasure.

German soldiers also used footcloths (fußlappen). Also, German, French and English soldiers wore the so-called overhead leather leggings that reached the middle of the lower leg, but these devices did not protect the soldier's leg. And the French had to abandon this military ammunition due to the fact that numerous complaints came from the troops about bruises, injuries, high pollution of leggings that let water and dirt through.

War is not a podium. Therefore, the British, who ended up in Sudan, South Africa and India, were forced to adopt a new way of wrapping their legs from the local population. In particular, the sepoys actively used "patta", from the translation - "ribbon". Indian warriors wrapped their legs from the ankle to the knee with this narrow long fabric. By the beginning of the 20th century, the British dressed almost their entire army in this way, although they changed the word “patta” into the English manner “puttee”. Well, the valiant warriors of the British Majesty could not leave the word of a hated enemy in their vocabulary. British merchants have earned multi-million dollar profits from military supplies: for example, Fox Brothers & Co Ltd alone produced 12 million pairs of windings.

Often, soldiers used a footcloth as a winding when they put on their boots.

The French also used footcloths, calling them "Russian stockings", and the Americans called them "leg clothes".

But some foreign historians prefer to keep silent about this in their current ideological struggle. For example, the Englishwoman Katherine Merridale said that "footcloths are a disgrace to the Russian army" after writing her amazing, simply outrageous book about Ivan. So libelous a little book that I don’t even want to quote it: it is disgusting in its essence, the well-known ideological clichés that Madame the historian simply stole from other anti-Russian historians, who set out to slander and distort the truth about the Great Patriotic War, are so openly and furiously recited. And the madam-historian really wanted to kick again, so she grabbed the footcloths, excluding from her head with the “Delete” button the fact that the British also actively used footcloths. True, during the Second World War they did not go through many kilometers of marches, did not freeze in the field, did not drive the Germans back. It didn’t start from them, that’s why they are angry, so clean in English socks made of one hundred percent wool.

I keep thinking why they hate everything Russian so much, why year after year the hysteria about Russia continues in one format or another? Why? The answer is obvious: maybe because you write a little about yourself. Madame historian would write about Churchill that he was a dictator and destroyed his soldiers in the war: after all, he also gave orders, and the British died on numerous fronts. So no, I didn't write. The book would not have been released for any money, but about Russia - please, write as much as you like. She did not like footcloths! And I like footcloths. I always watched with interest how my uncle got ready for work in the cold Siberian winter and always put on carefully washed and dried footcloths over his socks, wrapping them around his leg like a doll.

Many Russian women have many associations with the word footcloth and the Russian peasant smelled in the house. But socks with an admixture of chemical fibers do not warm the leg, they rub it, and during the war years, when it was impossible to accurately select the right size, footcloths helped to fit the boot on the leg, they did not rub it to bloody calluses.

In fairness, it should be noted that in the Russian army there was no unanimity on this matter.

During the First World War, footcloths became a symbol of social stratification between privates and officers. If during the Great Patriotic War they said that “Before a bath broom and a footcloth, everyone is equal,” then when reading an excerpt from Georgy Dumbadze’s story “Footcloths” from the time of the First World War, the difference between soldiers and officers is acutely felt:

“Footcloths left an indelible impression on my whole life. I first became aware of their existence when I saw the rectangular pieces of cloth with brown spots, with which my father's batman very artistically wrapped his legs. Private Bronislav Yakubovsky, indeed, was a master of his craft. Father even once asked Bronislav to demonstrate his art in front of his father's friend, Colonel Kostevich.

And then the author describes how deeply he was shocked by the process of winding and wearing footcloths: some nobles treated this type of ammunition with disgust, considering it shameful for themselves to wear footcloths, although they were forced to do this in their cadet youth.

However, as soon as the hostilities began, these very squeamish Russian noblemen appreciated the footcloth.

This was recognized by foreigners who worked during the First World War in Russia. One of them, the American surgeon Malcolm Grow, recalled: “ When the feet got wet, the soldiers rewound the footcloths so that the wet part fell on the calf, and the dry part on the foot. And their feet were again dry and warm.».

Thousands of soldiers have avoided the so-called trench foot syndrome, which occurs “with prolonged exposure to cold and dampness; this type of frostbite occurs at temperatures below 0°C. It was first described during the 1st World War of 1914-1918 in soldiers during their long stay in damp trenches. In mild cases, painful numbness, swelling, redness of the skin of the feet appear; in cases of moderate severity - serous-bloody blisters; in severe form - necrosis of deep tissues with the addition of infection.

During the Great Patriotic War, footcloths became an integral part of the uniforms of Soviet soldiers.. And although today there are often statements on the forums that the footcloth is a purely Russian invention, and the Germans walked in woolen socks, this is not true. The Germans wore footcloths, woolen or flannel. Moreover, if you look at the list of uniforms of German soldiers, it turns out that along with suspenders (hosenträger), sports T-shirts with stripes (Wehrmacht eagle or police eagle, sporthemd), black satin shorts (unterhose), statutory socks (strumpfen) and other uniforms, footcloths (fußlappen) are in 13th place.

The main distinguishing feature of German footcloths was that they had the shape of a square (40 x 40 cm), in contrast to the rectangular Russian footcloth.

The Germans even issued a special form-instruction: "How to wear footcloths", which stated that the footcloth should not have any seams, they should be made of woolen or cotton flannel.

Footcloths were, by the way, very popular among the German infantrymen, who called the footcloths "rag foot", "Indian foot".

This form was used to instruct recruits in the ability to make the correct wrapping of the foot. If done incorrectly, it can lead to "general discomfort or pinching of the foot," the instructions say. Many say that windings were most often used by old soldiers who went through the first world war. But the young soldiers used them the same way. Although some of them lacked patience.

When asked to describe the wrapping process itself, Karl Wegner (a former prisoner of war, a soldier of the 352nd division) said that he did not like to waste time wrapping his feet with a footcloth, although many old people wore them, especially when they had kilometer marches. But not every German thought like Wegner. Hans Melker, a grenadier in the 68th Rifle Division, recalled:

« Footcloths! (laughs) Oh yes, I forgot about them. You wrap your foot in them like this (shows). I didn't wear socks for long because they wore out quickly and I didn't have the patience to darn them all the time. Although my mother sent me a sewing kit from home, I decided to give it to my friend. I have always traded my nice homemade socks for tobacco, food, magazines, and other things I needed. I still feel bad thinking about it. After all, my mother knitted socks for me and even embroidered my name on all the things that she sent me to the front. Seeing such care, many of my comrades envied me and said that they would also like to receive such care from their mothers.

I remember one case when I gave another pair of homemade socks to my friend, and his head was torn off and wounded in the chest. When they found him, his legs turned out to be intact, shod in mother's donated socks with my name on them. The commander decided that I was killed and came to us to find out. But I was alive. Instead of socks, I wore footcloths in the summer. They didn't wear out for long. There is one secret. It was necessary for each winding to place the heel not in the same place, but in different parts of the footcloth. We called the wraps cabbage because they smelled bad when they were not washed for a long time.».

Footcloths especially helped the Germans in the summer, when socks wore out. And some Luftwaffe pilots also wore footcloths.

Another soldier of defeated Germany, Alfred Becker from the 326th Infantry Division, when asked what he wore windings or socks, replied that during the Russian winter he wrapped footcloths over his socks for extra warmth.

By the way, you can still find ads on some German sites for the sale of footcloths in 1944.

The Germans brutally cracked down on Soviet prisoners of war who tried to make themselves like footcloths from the remnants of paper bags - they were mercilessly beaten for such attempts.

Gradually, the size of a soldier's footcloth was also determined. And again I will say that the size of footcloths was different, although some people still believe that their size is 45 x 90. This is far from being the case. In different years, there were state norms for the manufacture of footcloths.

In 1978, summer footcloths made of harsh bleaching twill, article 4820, 4821.4827, were made according to TU 17-65-9010-78. The density of the fabric under such technical conditions was not less than 254-6/210-6, the tensile strength was not less than 39-4/88-8. The size of one half-pair is 35 x 90 cm.

In 1983, changes took place: for example, factories made summer footcloths according to TU 17 of the RSFSR 6.7739-83, according to which the size of the finished pair was 50 x 75 centimeters.

In 1990 (note - perestroika, market), the width of footcloths decreased by 15 centimeters: from 50 to 35 centimeters, and the quality of the fabric deteriorated. For example, if you read TU 17-19-76-96-90 for winter cloth footcloths from cloth cloth art. 6947, 6940, 6902,6903, it turns out that their composition will be different: 87% wool, 13% capron. The density of the fabric is not less than 94-3/93-5, the tear strength is not less than 35-4/31-3, and the size of one half-pair is 35 x 75 centimeters.

Today, on some sites you can find ads for the sale of footcloths, which indicate other sizes. As a rule, the authors propose to make their own footcloths in the size you need, cutting them into two parts. Here is one of those ads: The canvas is 180 cm x 57 cm. The canvas is cut into two parts measuring 90 cm x 57 cm independently. Such large sizes of the canvas were made to create more air pockets to keep warm in the soldier's shoes. Biker (flannel), 100% cotton. Very soft, well absorb moisture. New. Made in USSR».

Footcloths made in the USSR are in particular demand, since the fabric from which they are made differs in quality - the method of weaving the threads was then different, allowing the production of denser material. " Real summer army footcloths. The canvas is 90 cm x 70 cm. The canvas is cut into two parts measuring 90 cm x 35 cm independently. 100% cotton. Very dense fabric, well absorbs moisture. They differ from Russian ones in the way the thread is weaved and, the main difference, is the density of the fabric. New. Made in USSR».

After the army demobilization, many generations of Russian peasants firmly and forever introduced the wearing of footcloths into their life cycle.

Footcloths have become a hot commodity for many other groups of the population that are not directly related to military service. Hunters who overcome kilometer stretches of the way appreciate footcloths for their unpretentiousness, tourists who do not lie on their side, but make their way through the forests, understand that boots and footcloths are an excellent combination for overcoming obstacles.

On one of the trading sites, footcloths in 2014 cost from 49 to 170 rubles per pair, in 2015 the price for footcloths was the lowest - about 50 rubles. The highest price - 147 rubles for one pair of footcloths - was offered by textile companies' dealers in August 2013.

One of the chairmen of the council of veterans in the Lipetsk region proposed to erect a monument to the Russian footcloth. And in the Tula region, during the reconstruction of hostilities, veterans taught schoolchildren the ability to wind footcloths.

Will we forget about the footcloth? Unlikely. So they abandoned footcloths in 2008 in the Ukrainian army, and what happened?

Whether this is right or not, time will tell, but there is still no unequivocal positive reaction to this fait accompli. And many will support me by saying that the footcloth is a kind of symbol of military life, preserved throughout the centuries-old history of the development of military affairs. And it’s impossible to get rid of it so easily: all the same, experienced fighters, hunters, tourists and other people who understand all the intricacies of their business will put on footcloths and teach this seemingly simple matter to their sons.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu expressed the opinion that in the Russian army by the end of 2013 they should forget what footcloths are ().

Will the order of the new Minister of Defense cure or, on the contrary, will it cripple the Russian army? What is actually more important: a new version of the army uniform (the service life of which is designed for 3-5 years and looks beautiful in photographs) or the health of soldiers, on which the combat readiness of our country completely depends? If the army command considers footcloths to be a “relic of the past,” why then a simple private on conscription to the question: “Which is better, socks or footcloths?” Without hesitation, will choose footcloths?

Komsomolskaya Pravda decided to find out from those who are targeted by the rescue measures. It was not difficult to find conscripts, contract soldiers, and just those who had ever worn footcloths in Pskov. As it turned out, the majority of the military (former or not) 100% share the opinion of the military commissar, who on Thursday, January 17, spoke in defense of the “footcloth” at the Komsomolskaya Pravda press center. ().

OPINIONS OF THE MILITARY SERVICES OF THE PSKOV REGION ABOUT THE CANCEL OF FOOTWEARS

Stanislav ZAGILDEEV, 20 years old:

“In general, footcloths are a brilliant thing, but not everyone can appreciate them. Some of my friends who are experienced hikers and hunters believe that footcloths are better than socks (they get wet more slowly, dry faster, they are easy to replace and they fit any large shoe size). It is a fact!".

Anton SPIRIDONOV, 34 years old:

“Footcloths, boots and felt boots are classics. She is eternal! Pity the feet of the soldiers who have to wear socks instead of footcloths!

Mikhail VOROBYEV, 27 years old:

He wore "Porthos" even before the army, when he and his father went fishing. Great invention - easy to learn, impossible to unlearn, like riding a bicycle. My hands themselves remember what to do! Feet are warm, comfortable and dry. If your leg gets wet, you just turn the footcloth over to the other side and that's it. If they are washed and serviced on time, they do not smell at all!

BORIS MALICH, 36 years old:

“Footcloths are the most convenient option. In the war, I had boots and threw away all my socks a month later, changed my shoes into boots and footcloths. My comrades suffered for a long time in boots with socks.

PAVEL KOVALENKO, 23 years old:

“I think it will be difficult to find a worthy replacement for footcloths in the form of socks, primarily in terms of strength and durability. A footcloth is a more or less reliable thing, it doesn’t tear (if you don’t pull with your teeth), it doesn’t rub, and in the summer season in footcloths your feet don’t “steam” at all! Footcloths have only one significant drawback in my opinion - do not quickly wash by hand. It is difficult to make socks of the same strength as the old soldier's footcloths, and in the same large quantity. My opinion is that if you replace it with socks, then only after control tests in the field: daily use, forced marches, drill training and other things.

ALEXANDER SHUMILIN, 42 years old:

« When they arrived at the training ground, the first thing they always did was run to the captain and take good footcloths. They are much better than any socks» .

VLADIMIR PANOV, 27 years old:

“There are simply no better footcloths for marches and field exercises.”

MAXIM NAGAROV, 33 years old:

“There is nothing to do in the army in socks! If only to sleep on the bed... Footcloth - The Best!!!».

PLUSES AND MINUSES OF FOOTWEAR.

Advantages ( + ):

The footcloth is easy to wash and dries quickly

Footcloth "standard" size fits the foot of any adult

The footcloth does not have an elastic band that deteriorates from strong heat

Thanks to the above two properties, footcloths can be washed centrally, in a common laundry, and, unlike socks, do not need to be disassembled into pairs of the same size.

A footcloth can be made from any available piece of fabric.

A footcloth is stronger than a sock

It wears out less than a sock and lasts much longer (since you can swap more worn areas with less worn ones)

Allows for a snug fit on larger shoes

And these are just the main benefits. It's no secret that in the war footcloths rewound wounds, but you can't do this with a sock ...

Flaws ( - ):

A footcloth is harder to put on than a sock

It's bigger than socks

An improperly wound footcloth will lead to skin irritation, and if worn for a long time, to chafing and calluses

HELP "KP"

What are footcloths made of? For footcloths, cotton fabric was usually used in summer and cloth or flannelette fabric in winter. The size of one footcloth is approximately 40 by 90 cm. The canvas should only be solid. In addition, the fabric for footcloths must be new, if they are made from old fabric, they will not last long.

QUESTION EDGE

Is the state ready to give out enough pairs of socks for military personnel? If they are changed once a week, then in conditions of intensive training and forced marches in military berets, they simply will not survive. And I know firsthand how the military units still provide the soldiers with their property, the question arises, what will the soldiers wear ...

I imagine a picture when a soldier turns to the foreman for the first time with a request. Not a single foreman and kopter will once again provide a soldier with socks. In the army everyone is equal, here everyone gets equal pay, here everything is "according to the inventory, by numbers and in completeness." There will definitely be those who have those same socks that will tear and wear out faster. Can you imagine in the daily routine (along with hemming a clean collar) sewing up torn socks? But everything is going to that... How can one kill a 300-century-old tradition so easily? Our fighting old men, fathers and brothers never saw any advantage in socks.

INSTEAD OF AFTERWORD

A complete transition to socks can be carried out only after the Russian army completely changes shoes, replacing tarpaulin boots with modern comfortable boots or lace-up boots. And again the questions: Will the Ministry of Defense regret the reform in the future? Is it possible for the state to change the shoes of its Army? Or maybe it’s time to do everything in its entirety - change the shoes and change clothes of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation so that it is “recorded” from all sides, and not just in the picture ...

A footcloth is most often a rectangular piece of fabric for wrapping a leg, an outdated analogue of socks for boots, bast shoes, and onuche.
For different seasons, it is possible to use different footcloths: in winter - flannelette or woolen, and in summer - cotton or cloth.

Sizes of footcloths

Some people believe that the size of footcloths is 35x90 centimeters. But it's not. In different years, there were different state standards for the manufacture of footcloths.

In 1978, summer footcloths made of harsh bleaching twill, article 4820, 4821.4827, were made according to TU 17-65-9010-78. The density of the fabric under such technical conditions was not less than 254-6/210-6, the tensile strength was not less than 39-4/88-8. The size of one half-pair is 35x90 cm.

In 1983, changes took place: for example, factories made summer footcloths according to TU 17 of the RSFSR 6.7739-83, according to which the size of the finished pair was 50x75 centimeters.

In 1990, the width of footcloths decreased by 15 centimeters: from 50 to 35 centimeters, and the quality of the fabric deteriorated. For example, if you read TU 17-19-76-96-90 for winter cloth footcloths from cloth cloth art. 6947, 6940, 6902,6903, it turns out that their composition will be different: 87% wool, 13% capron. The density of the fabric is not less than 94-3 / 93-5, the tensile strength is not less than 35-4 / 31-3, and the size of one half-pair is 35x75 centimeters.

Today, on some sites you can find ads for the sale of footcloths, which indicate other sizes. As a rule, the authors propose to make their own footcloths in the size you need, cutting them into two parts.
Footcloths made in the USSR are in particular demand, since the fabric from which they are made differs in quality - the method of weaving the threads was then different, allowing the production of denser material.

Advantages of footcloths

• They are easy to wash as you don't have to match pairs and sizes as you would with socks.
• They dry quickly
• Boiling and other types of washing can be applied to them.
• Footcloths are less prone to wear
• If the footcloth gets wet, you can use its dry edge.
• Footcloths, if necessary, are easy to make yourself. Any piece of fabric of the appropriate size will work for her.
• Footcloths retain heat well.

The disadvantages of footcloths

• Compared to a sock, putting on a footcloth is much more difficult.
• The dressing process is much longer. According to the rules established in the Soviet Army, soldiers were required to learn how to wind footcloths in twenty seconds.
• Careless winding can lead to abrasions and serious irritation of the skin of the legs. To avoid this, you need to know how to wind footcloths correctly.
• It is impossible to wear outside the shoes as a sock, the footcloths are unwound and the foot remains bare;

Before winding footcloths, it is necessary to spread the matter on a clean and even surface. This condition is for those who have no experience in winding footcloths. Who knows how to perform this procedure on weight, must straighten and stretch the matter in his hands.

There are several ways to wind footcloths. Below is the one used by the Soviet and later Russian army.

wrapping left foot it is made similarly to the right one with a corresponding change of hands and the ends of a footcloth.

Here, just in case, both ways in one picture.

What nuances should be considered when winding footcloths

• Footcloths should be wound tightly. Otherwise, the appearance of painful blisters is guaranteed. Often in the army, in order to avoid heavy physical exercises, footcloths were deliberately wound loose by some soldiers.
• If the winding is done inside, it is possible to knock down the footcloth when walking. Therefore, the winding procedure must be performed starting from the toe out.
• If the footcloth on the leg is fixed correctly, then it will better retain heat and will not let moisture through. If the feet are very wet, it is recommended to use the dry end of the footcloth, which is wrapped around the foot. After a while, the wet side of the fabric will dry and it can also be used. Thus, when the feet get wet, it is not necessary to change the footcloths.
• Footcloths are not recommended to be sewn or overcast. The presence of unnecessary details on the fabric can lead to rubbing and irritation of the skin of the legs.
• If the footcloth on the foot is worn out, it can be used by wrapping the foot with the other side.
• During winding, it is recommended to ensure that rough folds, creases and scars do not form, since when walking they can rub the legs strongly.
• If footcloths are used in the summer, it is necessary that there is an insole for each pair. If the shoes are too big, footcloths can slip. They will stay in place if the fabric fits snugly against the tarpaulin boot. This can be achieved by choosing a larger piece of matter under the footcloth.

Footcloths in the German army of the 40s (Finnish-German version of winding footcloths in a boot)

During the Great Patriotic War, footcloths became an integral part of the uniforms of Soviet soldiers. And although today there are often statements on the forums that the footcloth is a purely Russian invention, and the Germans walked in woolen socks, this is not true. The Germans wore footcloths, woolen or flannel. Moreover, if you look at the list of uniforms of German soldiers, it turns out that along with suspenders (hosenträger), sports T-shirts with stripes (Wehrmacht eagle or police eagle, sporthemd), black satin shorts (unterhose), statutory socks (strumpfen) and other uniforms, footcloths (fußlappen) are in 13th place.

The main distinguishing feature of German footcloths was that they had the shape of a square (40 x 40 cm), in contrast to the rectangular Russian footcloth.

The Germans even issued a special form-instruction: "How to wear footcloths", which stated that the footcloth should not have any seams, they should be made of woolen or cotton flannel.

Footcloths were, by the way, very popular among the German infantrymen, who called the footcloths "rag foot", "Indian foot".

This form was used to instruct recruits in the ability to make the correct wrapping of the foot. If done incorrectly, it can lead to “general discomfort or pinching of the foot,” the instructions say. Many say that windings were most often used by old soldiers who went through the first world war. But the young soldiers used them the same way. Although some of them lacked patience.

Wearing socks in boots made of chrome or tarpaulin is very problematic. After a few days, due to the very rough composition, the socks are washed out and become unusable. Another thing is footcloths. Few think about what they should be, what their advantages and disadvantages are. What should be the size of footcloths? This will be discussed.

History of footcloths
Since ancient times, footcloths have been associated exclusively with the army. They take their history from ancient Rome, where they were used by Roman soldiers. For many footcloths are associated exclusively with Russia. Brought them, judging by many sources, Peter the Great. Indeed, footcloths are an ancient element of Slavic clothing. They used them both when wearing boots, and when the shoes were bast shoes.

After the end of the Great Patriotic War, footcloths were adopted for everyday use in all countries of the USSR and the Warsaw Pact. To date, they have begun to give way to socks, primarily due to the replacement of personnel footwear.

The size and composition of army footcloths
The size of a footcloth in the army, according to the charter, is 45x90 cm. The material from which it should be made can be different. It depends on the time of year. Summer footcloths in most cases consist of cotton, but in winter, cotton and wool fabrics are used in an equal percentage. Also in the latter, a bike can be used. This fabric is not overcast at the edges, it is solid so that there are no seams and scars that rub the legs. What size footcloths should be, we already know. Now let's look at their advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of footcloths
The advantages of footcloths include their durability and ease of use. In the manufacture, you can use any material that comes to hand. The main thing is that the size of the soldier's footcloths meets the standards. The wear of footcloths is an order of magnitude less than that of socks, because more worn places can be changed to less worn ones.
Their most obvious advantage is fast drying. Footcloths tend to dry out very quickly. And their most important advantage, which will come in handy with long and prolonged wearing of shoes in hot weather, is versatility. The footcloth can be easily turned with the wet side out, and the dry side in. As a result, the skin on the feet is almost always dry. When the shoe gets into the water, only the top layer gets wet, while the inner one is still warm, which is especially important in cold climates to keep the soldier healthy. Another useful property of footcloths can be attributed to the fact that it fills more space in the shoe, which is exclusively for the benefit of the feet. Let's highlight the main advantages of footcloths: durability; convenience; fast drying; do not harm the legs (when used correctly).

The disadvantages of footcloths
The disadvantages include the size of footcloths, because they are much larger than socks. They are also much more difficult to put on than a sock, which can be pulled over the foot very quickly. A carelessly worn footcloth can lead to abrasions on the skin. And if you use it for a long time, then to more serious consequences. The footcloth is inconvenient to wear outside the shoes, which makes it advisable to use it exclusively in shoes.
So, the main disadvantages include: size; leaves abrasions on the legs (with improper winding); inconvenience of use out of footwear.

Rules for winding footcloths
A properly wound footcloth is a guarantee of convenience. If this is not done as it should be, then you can get a lot of inconvenience and problems. With improper winding, the footcloth will constantly slide, which greatly interferes with fast and convenient movement. Therefore, it is so important to do it correctly, observing the norms. It is believed that winding footcloths is a whole art that you learn only with time. First of all, it is the size of footcloths. It must comply with the regulations. First of all, you need to pay attention to the size of footcloths. He must comply with the rules. The leg should be examined for wounds and injuries. Also, it should not be wet, be sure to be clean and dry in order to prevent the penetration of dirt. In summer, use an undersole. The footcloth is placed on a flat place or evenly stretched by hand (if the winding is done on weight). The foot is placed closer to the right edge, after which the front utop is used to wrap the foot on top, while smoothing out the resulting folds. The corner itself is pushed under the sole and remains in this position with the help of the free end, which is pulled with the other hand. After that, all the folds that have appeared are carefully straightened and the foot and sole are wrapped in a full turn. The most important thing when wrapping footcloths is not to leave any wrinkles. After all, they are the cause of the appearance of scuffs and calluses on the legs. The footcloth, of course, has a large number of advantages over socks, which have recently forced it out of the lives of soldiers. We can say that her era is coming to an end. In this article, we found out what size of footcloths meets the requirements, how to wear them correctly.

At the end of the first millennium, Slavic and Finnish tribes began to use footcloths - special rectangular panels for wrapping legs. This element of clothing at that time was very effective, as a result of which it began to be used in the armies of many countries. In the Armed Forces of Russia, footcloths were specially attached to high and heavy tarpaulin boots.

These shoes were very uncomfortable, and at the beginning of the service, every Russian recruit was interested in how to wind footcloths and how to get used to new shoes. This will be discussed in the article.

What is a footcloth?

A strip of fabric wound under a bast shoe, boot or onuch (traditional footwear of the Slavic tribes) was at that time an ideal analogue of a sock.

For different seasons, a person used different footcloths: flannelette or woolen ones were worn in winter, and cotton or cloth ones in summer. The size for all options was the same: 350 x 900 mm. Today footcloths are long and short.

Where are footcloths wound?

In the Old Russian language, the words "port" and "portyanitsa" denote a piece of fabric, part of a canvas for wrapping a leg. In this regard, in many countries the word "footcloth" is associated with Russia.

A feature of traditional army footwear is the problem of wearing it with a sock: interacting with rough shoe material, it quickly breaks. In addition, socks can stray, crumple, rubbing the foot. With footcloths, army boots are much more comfortable to wear: if the boot is larger than the leg, this piece of fabric can fill the free space. This result can be achieved provided that there is theoretical knowledge on how to wind footcloths. Those for whom they are a common thing do not see anything complicated in this process.

The benefits of footcloths

Compared to socks, footcloths have the following advantages:

• They are easy to wash as you don't have to match pairs and sizes as you would with socks. They dry quickly. Boiling and other types of washing can be applied to them.
• Footcloths are less prone to wear.
• If the footcloth gets wet, you can use its dry edge. According to reviews, even wet it is much better than a wet sock.
• Footcloths, if necessary, are easy to make yourself. Any piece of fabric of the appropriate size will work for her.
• Footcloths retain heat well.

What are the disadvantages?

• Compared to a sock, putting on a footcloth is much more difficult.
• The dressing process is much longer. According to the rules established in the Soviet Army, soldiers were required to learn how to wind footcloths in twenty seconds.
• Careless winding can lead to abrasions and serious irritation of the skin of the legs. To avoid this, you need to know how to wind footcloths correctly.

About the relevance of the issue

A set of shoes, consisting of boots and footcloths, was previously used in the armies of many countries, but in the 20th century, almost all of them switched to a set of high-top boots and socks.

They abandoned footcloths in the armies: the GDR (in 1968), Finland (in 1990), Ukraine (in 2004). In the Russian Armed Forces, footcloths were used for several centuries until the 2010s, when tarpaulin boots were replaced by berets as the main soldier's shoes.

Nowadays, footcloths are already something outdated, and are almost never used. But those who have had to dry their wet socks on a campfire on a camping trip know that in some cases footcloths are a very necessary thing. Often, during drying over a fire, wet socks become unusable. A T-shirt or T-shirt torn into two pieces can help out of such a situation.

Tourists who have not served in the army often have to face the question: how to wrap footcloths?

The instructions drawn up by experts will allow you to cope with this easily and quickly.

Preparatory stage

• Perform a leg examination. This will reveal the places where the appearance of scuffs is possible.
• Wash your feet. It is advisable to use cold water for this.
• Wipe them dry.
• Trim toenails. In order to prevent the appearance of severe pain when walking, it is undesirable to cut them very short, as this may entail their rotation into the flesh of the fingers.

Performance

The procedure is carried out in several stages:

• Before winding footcloths, it is necessary to spread the matter on a clean and even surface. This condition is for those who have no experience in winding footcloths. Who knows how to perform this procedure on weight, must straighten and stretch the matter in his hands.
• Place the foot with the foot on the fabric so that it is located at the right edge at a distance of 200 mm. In this case, it is not recommended to touch the edges of the footcloth with your toes.

• Cover the leg with the resulting small corner of matter. It is desirable that this does not form wrinkles.
• Press the corner with the sole. In order for the footcloth not to crumple there, you need to straighten it, pulling it a little with your left hand.
• After the toes are covered, the edge of the footcloth should be smoothed out.
• To wind the second layer, the remaining large piece of matter is used. They need to cover the first layer without changing hands. The second layer should be wrapped around the foot, sole and heel.
• The free edge of the footcloth wraps around the lower leg. This can be done by pulling it up the leg.
• You can adjust the tightness by pulling the footcloth over the edge.
• The remaining end of the footcloth after wrapping the leg with the second layer should cover the lower leg in its lower part. As a result, the front edge of the footcloth is covered and the heel is wrapped.
• Tie a footcloth so that it does not slip off.

• Lower the trouser leg over the footcloths.
• Put on boots.

What nuances should be taken into account?

• Footcloths should be wound tightly. Otherwise, the appearance of painful blisters is guaranteed. Often in the army, in order to avoid heavy physical exercises, footcloths were deliberately wound loose by some soldiers.
• If the winding is done inside, it is possible to knock down the footcloth when walking. Therefore, the winding procedure must be performed starting from the toe out.
• If the footcloth on the leg is fixed correctly, then it will better retain heat and will not let moisture through. If the feet are very wet, it is recommended to use the dry end of the footcloth, which is wrapped around the foot. After a while, the wet side of the fabric will dry and it can also be used. Thus, when the feet get wet, it is not necessary to change the footcloths.
• Footcloths are not recommended to be sewn or overcast. The presence of unnecessary details on the fabric can lead to rubbing and irritation of the skin of the legs.
• If the footcloth on the foot is worn out, it can be used by wrapping the foot with the other side.
• During winding, it is recommended to ensure that rough folds, creases and scars do not form, since when walking they can rub the legs strongly.
• If footcloths are used in the summer, it is necessary that there is an insole for each pair.
• If the shoes are too big, footcloths can slip. They will stay in place if the fabric fits snugly against the tarpaulin boot. This can be achieved by choosing a larger piece of matter under the footcloth.

Conclusion

Knowledge of how to properly wind footcloths on your feet, and practical experience will help you avoid rubbing your feet during long walks or runs. This once applied to both military personnel and civilians. Today, the ability to properly wind footcloths is relevant for hunters, fishermen and some workers.