# What was the purpose of puttees? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 24, 2008, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-purpose-of-puttees/474228 "2008-11-24T08:58:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-purpose-of-puttees/474228/1 "2008-11-24T08:58:40Z")
Seeing some of the images of WWI during the Remembrance Day period reminded me of a question: what was the purpose of puttees? They seem to have been strips of cloth wrapped around the lower leg. Wouldn’t a wrapper be sort of impractical and come loose? If the purpose was to protect against mud, wouldn’t something like a gaiter be more practical? From the name, I assume they’re something that the British picked up in India? ---
**Author:** ![Panurge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/fbc32d/32.png) [@Panurge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Panurge)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-purpose-of-puttees/474228/2 "2008-11-24T11:21:45Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Seeing some of the images of WWI during the Remembrance Day period reminded me of a question: what was the purpose of puttees? They seem to have been strips of cloth wrapped around the lower leg. Wouldn’t a wrapper be sort of impractical and come loose? If the purpose was to protect against mud, wouldn’t something like a gaiter be more practical? > > From the name, I assume they’re something that the British picked up in India? _Hobson Jobson_ says about the puttee: “ **PUTTEE, PUTTY** , s. Hind. _paṭṭī_, a: A piece or strip of cloth, bandage ; especially used in the sense of a ligature round the lower part of the leg used in lieu of a gaiter, originally introduced from the Himālaya, and now commonly used by sportsmen and soldiers. […] 1875. - “Any one who may be bound for a long march will be put on leggings of a peculiar sort, a bandage about 6 inches wide and four yards long, wound round from the ankle up to just below the knee, and then fastened by an equally long string, attached to the upper end, which is lightly wound many times round the calf of the leg. This, which is called **patawa** , is a much cherished piece of dress.” - _Drew Jummoo_, 175. 1900. - “The **Puttee** leggings are excellent for peace and war, on foot or on horseback.” - _Times_, Dec. 24” IIRC the Hindi word _paṭṭī_ means “bandage”. Sanskrit: _paṭṭa_ has the same meaning: “bandage, piece of cloth”. I guess they are protective leg wear, used when walking or riding through snow or dense undergrowth. In that sense, they _are_ gaiters - Indian style. Probably a lot cheaper to manufacure than the leather ones (not to mention the cultural bias against leather in India). ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-purpose-of-puttees/474228/3 "2008-11-24T11:24:44Z")
Here’s a [URL=“[http://images.google.com/images?q=PUTTEE&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi](http://images.google.com/images?q=PUTTEE&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi)”]Google Image Search[/URL] for those who (also) had no idea what the OP was talking about. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-purpose-of-puttees/474228/4 "2008-11-24T11:38:43Z")
Leather doesn’t breath and is hot and moist. The cloth would cause much less damage to the legs over time such as chaffing and fungus. Soldiers could wash it out if they wanted to. They could be used as a bandage if needed. They are easier to produce so time and labor are saved. One size truly fits all. A damaged one could be used if you just wound the strip so the hole didn’t matter. The solders could replace these in the field by using a strip of cloth in bad situations. I can see many reasons to go with these. ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-purpose-of-puttees/474228/5 "2008-11-24T12:10:58Z")
“Cement mixer Puttee Puttee!” You never heard that Andrews’ Sisters song? ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-purpose-of-puttees/474228/6 "2008-11-24T12:25:21Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > Here’s a Google Image Search for those who (also) had no idea what the OP was talking about. NSFW if SafeSearch is off. ---
**Author:** ![MarcusF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/67e7ee/32.png) [@MarcusF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarcusF)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-purpose-of-puttees/474228/7 "2008-11-24T12:43:10Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Seeing some of the images of WWI during the Remembrance Day period reminded me of a question: what was the purpose of puttees? They seem to have been strips of cloth wrapped around the lower leg. Wouldn’t a wrapper be sort of impractical and come loose? If the purpose was to protect against mud, wouldn’t something like a gaiter be more practical? > > From the name, I assume they’re something that the British picked up in India? **Harmonious Discord** has really answered the question but just to a add that, no, they don’t become loose if put on properly. They are a pain to put on - winding round and round - and yet another thing for the Sergeant Major to haul you up on at inspection, but once on they are pretty practical. (One time puttee wearer with the Manchester & Salford Universities OTC - in the seventies :dubious: ) ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-purpose-of-puttees/474228/8 "2008-11-24T14:16:39Z")
> [@racer72](#): > > NSFW if SafeSearch is off. This is true of any Google image search. The only question is whether the hardcore stuff will be above the fold on the first page. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-purpose-of-puttees/474228/9 "2008-11-24T14:24:18Z")
If anyone got in trouble for the above, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize that Safe Search on/off was part of the search string, not part of the Google cookie. Nor did it occur to me that Rule 34 would encompass puttees as well! Again, my apologies if someone got an image they shouldn’t have. (oh, and thanks for the heads up for future links) ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-purpose-of-puttees/474228/10 "2008-11-24T19:29:54Z")
In the late 19th Century, cavalry generally wore short breeches and tall boots. Infantry and artillery wore long trousers and shoes or short boots. With puttees, you could put the entire army in breeches and short boots. The quartermaster still had to stock leather puttees for horse soldiers and cloth puttees for foot soldiers, but one style of breeches and one style of boots would do for everyone. ---
**Author:** ![drhess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/94ad74/32.png) [@drhess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drhess)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-purpose-of-puttees/474228/11 "2008-11-24T19:35:21Z")
Nowadays you just use use a legwarmer design. : ) ---
**Author:** ![drhess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/94ad74/32.png) [@drhess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drhess)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-purpose-of-puttees/474228/12 "2008-11-24T19:36:23Z")
Related question (I hope a slight hi-jack is ok), what was the point of spats (on shoes)? ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-purpose-of-puttees/474228/13 "2008-11-24T21:21:13Z")
> [@drhess](#): > > Related question (I hope a slight hi-jack is ok), what was the point of spats (on shoes)? Note to self: If anyone asks about beaver hats, _do not_ try and be helpful. ---
**Author:** ![Spiny\_Norman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@Spiny\_Norman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiny_Norman)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-purpose-of-puttees/474228/14 "2008-11-24T23:30:21Z")
> [@Harmonious\_Discord](#): > > Leather doesn’t breath and is hot and moist. The cloth would cause much less damage to the legs over time such as chaffing and fungus. I am not sure I agree with that assessment. In dry-climate warfare, perhaps - but in in cold/wet climates, a higher leather boot with a tongue is by far the better choice. You can’t waterproof the low-boot/puttee combo, and they’re impossible to put on in a hurry. How often do you take your boots off in the field, you ask? In wet weather, pretty much every chance you get, until your dry socks run out. You _can_ make higher leather boots practically waterproof - or at least mud-and-slush-proof. Broke-in boots of either design do not chafe, and fungus comes with humidity. Perspiration can be wicked away from the foot with a suitable inner/outer sock combo, and talc can help as well. Water coming in from the outside is a different story - it simply drenches your socks. If you’re on the move, at least the water heats up. If not - change those socks right now. One of the last armies in the world to go to a higher boot was the British Army, and they did so after the Falklands War - partly because trench foot (!) was becoming a problem again, and that was partly due to poor boot design. > [@](#): > > They are easier to produce so time and labor are saved. That is probably closer to the core reason. Ankle boots are cheaper, puttees are practically free. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-purpose-of-puttees/474228/15 "2008-11-25T02:48:27Z")
> [@MarcusF](#): > > They are a pain to put on - winding round and round Which is why the cowboys used leather chaps for a similar purpose. But these were designed as a single piece garment, and easy to put on or take off. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-purpose-of-puttees/474228/16 "2008-11-25T10:17:42Z")
It should be noted that this wasn’t just a tropical/Indian item. [Viking-age](http://www.geocities.com/baldurstrand/winingas/winingas.html) Europeans had them too. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-purpose-of-puttees/474228/17 "2008-11-25T12:15:54Z")
Reading about India during English occupation, it was remarked that all leather items molded and rotted during monsoon. The wives were sent to higher elevations to save them from the heat, rain, and rot. Any moisture in a leather garment increases the occurrence of rubbing sores on the skin ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-purpose-of-puttees/474228/18 "2008-11-25T15:35:50Z")
I know that an English complexion and the Indian sun do not go well together, but the wives actually turned to leather in it? :eek: 😉 ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-purpose-of-puttees/474228/19 "2008-11-25T16:50:35Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > I know that an English complexion and the Indian sun do not go well together,… [Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdEnxNog56E) In tropical climes there are certain times of day When all the citizens retire to tear their clothes off and perspire. It’s one of the rules that the greatest fools obey, Because the sun is far too sultry And one must avoid its ultra-violet ray. The natives grieve when the white men leave their huts, Because they’re obviously, definitely nuts! Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun, The Japanese don´t care to, the Chinese wouldn´t dare to, Hindus and Argentines sleep firmly from twelve to one But Englishmen detest-a siesta. In the Philippines they have lovely screens to protect you from the glare. In the Malay States, there are hats like plates which the Britishers won’t wear. At twelve noon the natives swoon and no further work is done, But mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun. It’s such a surprise for the Eastern eyes to see, that though the English are effete, they’re quite impervious to heat, ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-purpose-of-puttees/474228/20 "2008-11-25T17:28:28Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > I know that an English complexion and the Indian sun do not go well together, but the wives actually turned to leather in it? :eek: > > 😉 No, because they left. Occasionally they didn’t leave in time. Those are not Egyptian mummies in the British Museum.😛