Part 6/10:
The high-top sapogi boots, made of black leather and reaching the knees, were highly prized—so much so that German soldiers sometimes replaced their own footwear with Russian boots. As resources became scarce, especially later in the war, these boots were replaced with ankle boots and gaiters (puttees). Interestingly, Russian soldiers typically did not wear socks; instead, they wrapped strips of cloth around their feet for insulation and comfort.