The Sámi people are the indigenous people from the geographic region of Sápmi; as of 2026, this region includes the northern parts of the countries of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Kola Peninsula in Russia. It is estimated that there are approximately 80,000 Sámi people in the Sápmi region as of 2017. The Sámi were first mentioned in the writings of the Roman historian Tacitus around 98 AD, where he referred to them as the Fenni people; they have been continuously documented since that time. Traditionally, the Sámi are known for being semi-nomadic reindeer herders and fishermen.

Nutukas (also called finnesko or Sámi boots) are traditional Sámi winter footwear made of reindeer hide. The hide comes from the reindeer's leg or head, and has the fur left on the outside of the boot for better traction in dry snow. Nutukas are traditionally secured by a woven decorative strap, which is wound around pant cuffs and the boots to protect the wearer from the cold. They also are often secured by brightly colored braided yarn laces with tassels. Nutukas have an upturned or "beaked" toe that helps hold a binding strap for skis. Traditional nutukas were padded with dried grass for warmth; the oldest surviving example of a nutuka is approximately 3400 years old. Starting in the 1890s, polar explorers such as Ernest Shackelton and Robert F. Scott were known to have used nutukas on polar expeditions.