German Low Boots
This section is meant to familiarize new reenactors with WW2 German low boots. Many new reenactors don't have any idea of what the typical German soldier was wearing for footwear after 1943, and steer themselves toward high boots.
Early on in WW2, the Germans realized the High shank marching boots, more popularly called "Jack Boots", were eating away at leather supplies. About 1940, the army started issuing a low quarter boot in place of the jack boots to new conscripts. At right is a photo of an original German military low boot. For some reason, finding proper footwear is one of the most challenging aspects for reenactors, especially if you are new to the hobby.
The reproduction market on low boots is hardly consistent. There are other alternatives, but most guys don't know what originals looked like, so they can't compare what they are buying to the real thing. There are West German low boots, Swiss low boots, Swedish low boots, Swiss Gibirgsjeager boots, and reproduction boots. Your best bet is the reproduction market, but the next alternative is post war production. The photo's here should help you pick out a nice pair, without wondering if they look right. One key is that they should have leather soles, not rubber. If they do in fact have a rubber sole, a competent cobbler should be able to convert them to leather soles. Don't forget to add hobnails and heel irons! Some German boots had hobnails on heel and sole, but it was more common to see the horseshoe shaped heel irons. Low boots would be proper for any stage of the war, but after 1943, almost all new recruits were issued low quarter boots instead of jack boots.
The low boots were worn with all uniforms, including the wool service uniform. When worn, gaiters, or gamaschen, were wrapped around the ankle to blouse the pants. Gaiters came in field gray, with brown or black leather tabs. Reproductions are very close, and should be worn when wearing the low boots. Don't fall into the "jack boot" trap- German Sodaten wore more low boots later in the war than jack boots!