Sealskin is the hide or fur of a seal, used to make clothing and other items. For thousands of years, Arctic peoples like the Inuit have made waterproof boots, mittens, and coats from sealskin because it keeps you warm even when wet. The dense fur and natural oils in seal hide repel water better than almost any other material.

Traditional sealskin clothing wasn't just warm: it was survival gear in one of Earth's harshest environments. A well-made sealskin parka could mean the difference between life and death during an Arctic winter. Skilled seamstresses would carefully prepare the hide, scraping away fat and stretching it to make it soft and flexible.

Today, sealskin remains important in Arctic communities, both for practical use and as part of cultural heritage. Modern sealskin products might include boots, bags, or traditional drums. This practice connects current generations to centuries of Arctic knowledge about living in extreme cold.