The main occupation of the Sami people has been and still is reindeer herding. The hard work of a reindeer herder requires warm, comfortable clothing. The traditional Sami outerwear is the pechok, tork, and yupa. However, over time the Sami people have borrowed a number of items from the Izhma Komi traditional outer garments, including the sovik.

A sovik is an outer fur garment with a hood. It is much longer and wider than the malitsa and is put on over the head.

The sovik was made of reindeer fur just like the malitsa and pechok. The reindeer is a sacred animal for the Sami people. It is a friend, a helper, a means of transportation; it provides food as well as material for clothing and dwelling. There is a saying about reindeer,

The Saami people even call themselves “the reindeer people”.

A sovik, unlike a malitsa, is sewn with the fur facing outward, pile down; winter or fall fur of adult reindeer is used. This coat prevents the Sami from freezing in severe frosts, blizzards, and when staying in the open air for long periods of time.

The cut of the sovik is somewhat different from that of the malitsa. It does not have mittens, but has a hood, often with a long pile of deer fur or two polar fox tails. The hood of the sovik is cut of the same piece of hide that is used for sewing the upper part of the back. The sovik has a sewn-on hem, sometimes made of fur of a different color.

There are white, dark or mottled soviks depending on the color of the reindeer skins. White soviks are considered the most beautiful.

Nowadays, there are more light-weight versions of soviks, which are often made of cloth. This is a summer version that comes in black, gray, blue and green. Thanks to their lighter weight, they are more comfortable to move around in. The downside is that wet snow sticks to them, and this quickly makes them heavier.

The sovik is only worn outside and is never brought inside.