kamik

Arctic footwear, waterproof

A kamik is a soft boot traditionally made by Inuit and other Arctic peoples, typically constructed from sealskin or caribou hide with the fur facing outward.

Kamiks are designed for extreme cold, often with liners for insulation.

The term comes from Inuktitut and remains in use for both traditional and modern Arctic footwear: She pulled on her kamiks before heading out onto the ice.

Inuit

mukluk

Soft Arctic boot

sealskinMarine mammal hide
sinewTough connective tissue
tundraFrigid treeless biome

arctic · igloo · kayak · parka · Inuktitut · harpoon · ulu · sled · husky · narwhal

construction

sealskin

Marine mammal hide

fur-linedWith soft hide inside
handmadeCreated manually, not mechanically
tanningCuring hides or bronzing

waterproof · insulated · durable · craftsmanship · hide · sole · lacing · beadwork · embroidery · breathable

footwear

mukluk

Soft Arctic boot

moccasinSoft sole, no heel
slipperSoft home footwear
bundlingGrouping items as one

warmth · traction · knee-high

heritage

indigenous

Originating in a region

culturalRelating to shared traditions
ancestralOf one's forebears
traditionalFollowing long-held customs

ceremonial · sacred · craftsmanship · knowledge · elders · preservation · identity · generational · artisan · storytelling

Opposites

climate suitability

Sole with straps

flip-flop · huarache · espadrille · barefoot · desert boot

cultural/traditional vs. modern/mass-produced

Soft-soled athletic shoe

running shoe · athletic shoe · Nike · Adidas · rubber boot

Phrases

kamikaze attacksIntentional self-destructive military assault
kamikaze pilotsSelf-sacrificing wartime aviators
kamikaze dronesSelf-destructing unmanned aerial weapons

Family

kamikaze, kami, kamikazes

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G