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Valenki (p=ˈvalʲɪnkʲɪ; sg valenok (p=ˈvalʲɪnək)) are traditional Russian winter boots without outer soles. They are essentially felt : the name valenok literally means "made by " in Russian. They are not water-resistant, and are often worn with galoshes to protect the soles from wear and moisture. They are regarded as the Russian national footwear and they still remain popular in parts of the country, especially Siberia, as well as in Belarus and Ukraine.
The use of felted footwear has been known for millennia, felt shoes have been found in Iron Age burials. The origin of valenki has been speculated to trace back to the traditional felt boots worn by nomads of the Great steppe. The first modern valenki appeared in the early eighteenth century and became more widespread as Russian industrialization progressed, becoming cheaper and more accessible.
Before the Russian Revolution, the production of valenki on industrial scale was concentrated in the Semenov district of Nizhny Novgorod province, in the Kineshma District of Kostroma Oblast, and in the Kukmor in Kazan province. In 1900, contemporary jackboot fulling factories of Russia produced 1.4 million pairs of valenki for the value of 2.1 million .Statistical Yearbook for 1912, ed. V. Sharago, St. Petersburg, 1912. In 1900, a pair of valenki cost 1.5 rubles, in 1912, 2 rubles, and at the end of 1916 the speculative price reached up to 12–18 rubles per pair.
Valenki have become less popular in urban life since the middle of the twentieth century, as human activity has softened the winters in cities, requiring lighter and more waterproof footwear. In modern media, valenki are seen as a rustic, old-fashioned style of clothing; in cities they are usually worn by small children, or during especially severe Russian winter. Valenki are included in the standard equipment of parts of the internal military service of the Russian army.Russian Federation Government Resolution of 17 July 1995 N 720 "On Approval of the glove providing law for enforcement officers of the Russian Federation and norms of supply of glove property for commanding and enlisted personnel of the Interior of the Russian Federation, with the special title of the internal service" Although they have fallen out of use in some parts of the country, they are especially popular in Siberia.
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