Hi Audrey. The best way I can describe the material (I said like sack material) thinking back, was probably cotton, with a mix of something else in it.

Putting them on was a faff, but after time, you got quicker, and better, at it.

I think the first time took probably 4 or 5 attempts.

It wasn't just a matter of wrapping it around, and tying it off.

It had to be the correct position, and dimension, top to bottom, and the tapes correctly tucked in, on the outside of the ankle.

I'm sure there were instructions/diagrams in one of the dress manuals, as you can imagine, with the military.

As I said, the DMS (ankle length) boots were replaced in the 1980's, with a calf length Para style boot, which came half-way up the calf, so the putees were no longer required.

The lacing on the new boots were a nightmare, but better than applying the puttees. We then sourced an American water-proof Zip, with lace-holes that matched the boot lace holes. So using the laces to hold the zip in place, the task that could take 20 minutes (old boots & putees) turned into about 10 seconds......... Military efficiency !!! LOL