Pimas - what kind of shoes are they?

The original Pima shoes are not known to everyone, because they are a national attribute of the clothing of reindeer breeders from the Far North. Due to the unique structure, high quality of tailoring, as well as wear-resistant materials, pimas are worn for more than one year. In this article, we will tell you more about pims.

What are pimas

Pims are warm boots that resemble high fur boots. They are sewn from reindeer skins, which are famous for their high heat exchange and air permeability. Pimas can be up to the knee in height, but they are usually sewn up to the thigh in order to completely retain the warmth of the legs during a long time outside in the cold, or to protect the hunter.

The skin of a deer is taken from the hoof to the knee, because it is in this part that it is the strongest and most reliable. It has a different name - kamus, due to its interesting and unique structure.

The pimas themselves are equipped with a stable and always flat sole, about 1 cm thick. It is flexible and elastic, and does not allow the cold to pass through. Usually, pimas do not have zippers, ties or velcro, but sometimes they can be decorated with them.

Features of the manufacture of pim

Pimas are very rare and expensive shoes, so that they create a clear technique and can last for many years. Peculiarities:

• Pims are sewn only by hand;
• First, the deer skin is stretched, then frozen, soaked in a special solution, then dried, crumpled and kept for some time in a sawdust mixture;
• To make one pair of shoes, 8 to 13 pieces of kamus are required;
• The type of cut may vary depending on the female and male models;
• Non-original pimas are made from natural calf leather, sheep wool, or felt;
• Pimas can be decorated with an additional pattern, in the form of edging, painting, traditional winter patterns and others.

How much frost the pimas can withstand

Pims can withstand minus up to -50 degrees, and they also let water through. It is very convenient to move along them on wet snow, on hard crust and even ice.

How many seasons will a pim last

Pimas are very resilient, durable, durable and reliable. They will be able to withstand more than 10 seasons of harsh winters in the northern region of Russia.

What colors exist

Pimas are mainly offered in classic black and white colors, solid black, white and gray tones. Thanks to skilled craftsmen, pimas paint with beautiful patterns, create embroidery using rhinestones, beads, durable silk threads and others.

The dyeing of shoes should be at a high level, because low-quality paint can reduce the service life of the pim by almost half. To do this, carefully check saturation, color depth, color structure, and colorization.

How to care for

Pimas are very expensive shoes, so it is important to consider these care criteria:

1. If the pimas are wet, you can dry them only by stuffing them with newspapers and placing them upside down. Only in this way will they retain their shape and original appearance;
2. To prevent the fur from crumpling, you need to take off your shoes with your hands;
3. Pimas should not be worn in warm weather;
4. You cannot comb the fur and fit it with your hand, because otherwise it may crumble;
5. Pimas need to be kept in a canvas bag so that moths don't get caught up in them. Be sure to soak the pimas with moth repellent;
6. Shoes should be stored at a humidity of no more than 65% and no more than 23 degrees.