The purpose of the mukluk boot is to keep your feet warm and toes intact during even the coldest days of an arctic winter, Native Americans long ago invented mukluks, soft-soled insulated boots that are like moccasins with risers. In the Yupik Eskimo communities of the north, mukluks were traditionally soled with sealskin, and that is where they got their name, from the Yupik word for a seal. The earliest record of the word in English is from mountaineer Frederick Whymper’s 1868 Travel and Adventure in the Territory of Alaska: “Their fur boots vary in length, and in the material used for the sides, but all have soles of ‘maclock,’ or sealskin, with the hair removed.”

There are about 20,000 Yupik in Alaska today, more than any other Native American people, and most of them speak fluent Yupik as well as English. The Yupik language, which belongs to the Eskimo-Aleut family, has several varieties, the most widely spoken being Central Yupik. The variety known as Central Siberian Yupik, spoken by about eight hundred in Alaska and three hundred in Siberia, is the only language in the world whose original native speakers lived on two different continents.

Aside from mukluk, no other words from Yupik have immigrated to English, perhaps because of the complexity of the language. Yupik is known for attaching extremely long and complicated suffixes to words, so that a single word can be a whole sentence. Here is an example that means “Also, he can probably make big boats”: Angyarpaliyugngayugnarquqllu.

If you want more about mukluks, drive to Mukluk Land in Tok, population 935, at mile 1317 on the Alaskan Highway. There, in addition to the Alaska Highway’s largest mosquito, you can see the world’s largest mukluk.

Oh, baby, it is cold outside! Have you ever wondered how soldiers in foxholes or sailors at sea cope with frigid temperatures? They stay warm by trapping air in pockets around them and insulating their bodies from the outside air.

Many winter clothes are now made with new materials such as Thinsulate, but even they need some help in keeping us toasty warm. Standing next to your 8” telescope for 2-3 hours at night in the dead of winter can be like standing artillery duty in Korea at Christmas. Astronomers viewing the universe and military personnel standing watch tend not to move around very much. When we are inactive, our bodies do not generate enough warmth to replace the heat that is lost; we need to cover our bodies in layers, including head, trunk, hands and feet, in order to minimize our heat loss.

Dressing in Layers.

1. 1st layer — long underwear (both top and bottom).
2. 2nd layer — sweatshirt, thermal shirt or sweater.
3. 3rd layer — heavy pants such as jeans (not polyesters).
4. Final layer — a pair of one-piece insulated coveralls, hunting or snowmobile suit.

The major portions of your body are now covered with at least three layers of insulated clothing, you will not be getting admiring glances from the opposite sex, except maybe your spouse or significant other. So now that the major areas are protected let us progress to the extremities, starting at the top.

Your Head. Enormous amount of heat is lost from our heads. Your metabolism is designed to keep your two most important organs, your heart and brain, warm and functional. When you are cold, your circulatory system pumps warm blood to your head to keep your brain working. An uncovered head functions as a radiator, giving up heat to the cold air!

Your Toes. The hardest part of the body to keep warm in wintertime is your feet. They are the farthest extremities from your heart and your footwear is in direct contact with the cold ground. Wet feet get cold quickly. So a good pair of insulated fur boots is important when walking around in dew-laden grass or snow.

First, remember that wet feet are cold feet and apply powder liberally to your feet to help keep them dry. Put on a pair of thin socks and then a pair of the thickest wool hunting socks. This is the minimum you should wear to keep your feet warm and dry.

Remember, the best way to insulate your body from the cold lies in trapping air in layers. Try to dress with thin layers at the skin and gradually build thicker layers outward. My suggestion is be flexible and you can add or change anything you wish, such as more shirts, hooded overalls, neck warmers, thinsulate socks, etc. But do not depend on anything by itself to keep you warm: build layers. A loose fit is important. You will want to be able to bend over and move easily and be able to maneuver in the restroom, too! Just do not forget your mukluk boots to keep your feet toasty warm.

These fur boots are inspired and handmade by the Native Americans of Canada and Alaska. All they may Mukluks are unique and individually crafted to the highest quality. Traditionally made using the finest reindeer or sealskin and lined with fur, mukluks provide the ultimate in comfort and style.

These truly are some stylish and comfortable boots to wear during the cold season. Want to be original? Get yourself a pair of these authentic mukluk boots and be one of the few to have such a wonderful boot.

But those of us who want mukluks will usually ask how do I care for my mukluk boots? Mainly because we want them to look nice all the time.

1. Get one of the many products that protect fabric and leather against water damage and other stains. If you have had your mukluks for a while just make sure they are clean before you spray them. As with any fabric, test a small, unseen patch first.

2. Now, because they are made from a form of leather they need to be able to breath. Do not use plastic bags. They prevent air circulation. Instead use a pillowcase or a flannel bag to protect your mukluks from dust. Use the same bag when you are traveling.

3. Store your mukluks away from light because it may cause the color to fade. Avoid damp conditions, which can encourage growth of damaging mold and mildew.

4. If your mukluks are not made of sealskin they may get too wet. You can soak up the excess moisture with a clean towel. Then allow the mukluk to dry naturally. Do not use a heat source to speed up the process as this may damage them. After the item dries, restore the nap with a suede brush. If you do not ha he is in a news is that it is you and you and you are in a and if you are in a long in a now and and and and ve a suede brush, use a soft toothbrush.

5. Use a nail file to remove dry mud and scuff marks on mukluk boots. Gently file away the stain with delicate strokes. A suede brush also works to remove dirt on shoes.

6. Remove oil stains on mukluks by rubbing talcum powder or cornmeal directly on the spot. After several hours, brush off the powder. Repeat the process if necessary.

7. If you need to recondition your mukluks there are many products that are designed for that purpose. But make sure that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions completely. Make sure your mukluks are clean first!

8. Some major stains will probably require professional care. Take your mukluks boots to someone who specializes in leather and suede. Just remember and inexperienced dry cleaner or cobbler can cause more harm than good.

There are about 20,000 Yupik in Alaska today, more than any other Native American people, and most of them speak fluent Yupik as well as English. The Yupik language, which belongs to the Eskimo-Aleut family, has several varieties, the most widely spoken being Central Yupik. The variety known as Central Siberian Yupik, spoken by about 800 in Alaska and 300 and in Siberia, is the only language in the world whose original native speakers lived on two different continents.

Mukluks or kamiks boots were originally essential, serviceable clothing, a common necessity rather than creative artwork to be treasured. Individual communities gradually developed their own particular patterns and styles. Regional designs spread through gifts or trade exchanges, or by people moving to other communities. There are now hundreds of different shapes, sizes and techniques, all a source of pride at community gatherings or special events.

Sealskin was often used to waterproof summer and winter boots. The hair would have been carefully scraped off with an Ulu, the traditional round-bladed women’s knife, and then the blubber from the underside of the skin. The leather would become very hard and needed chewing to soften it. Sewing was once done with bone needles and sinew, which had the advantage of swelling when wet, thereby becoming watertight. Eventually, steal needles and waxed/polyester thread were introduced.

There is still no fabric today that is as effective as fur boots at keeping one’s feet warm; the thick fur of the caribou is an ideal insulation. Indeed, traditional boots are still favored when traveling long distances.

For the sake of Inuit culture, let us hope that the exquisite art of skin sewing will continue to be passed on from generation to generation.