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At some point in the boot's history (before John Oldham became GRC's exhibits specialist), a large hole was cut in the boot's sole. While I speculate that this was done because this boot was previously part of a full space suit display and the hole was drilled to allow passage of a rod to hold the suit upright, this also allows the viewer to see the relative thickness of the sole of the boot and the ribs on the tread pattern. Some of the internal layers of the boot are also visible.