Equipment notes (7): "the most comfortable puttees are Indian"

Alpine outfitting advice from the mid-1930s.

Hat – A battered felt hat is one of the best forms of headgear, and a woollen passe-montagne or Balaclava helmet may be worn under it during great cold; but it will then be necessary to bind the hat on with a handkerchief, as it is unlikely to fit comfortably over the passe-montagne otherwise.

Felt hat without passe-montagne
Illustration from the Badminton Library: Mountaineering

Gloves – The question of gloves is important. The best kind are woollen, without fingers, and for high mountains such as Mont Blanc or Monte Rosa, waterproof over-gloves of the mitt pattern may be carried. The only form of glove that is at all possible for rock-climbing is a woollen glove with the tips of all fingers cut off.

Puttees or gaiters – For gaiters, all those who are accustomed to them swear by puttees. A hook sewn on to the lower corner of each puttee is needed, as it can be hooked on to the bootlace and will prevent the puttee riding up in crusted snow. For the lesser snow-climbs, half the usual length of puttee is sufficient. The most comfortable puttees are Indian and can be obtained from Arthur Beale of 194 Shaftesbury Avenue.

References

Chapter Three “Equipment” by C F Meade in The Lonsdale Library of Sports, Games and Pastimes, Volume XVIII, Mountaineering, London: Seeley Service & Co, 1934.