Historical Footwear Question

[HixwithanX]

Rabble,

I do not wish to flog yet another dead horse on this list so would someone please point me to a previous discussion or external site that discusses historical, highland footwear and how to make/obtain some?

I would be eternally grateful and remain your obedient servant,

Hix

[David Host]

I used to have some nice ghillie patterns on hand but a quick Google search revealed this.

Easily made with some deer hide and an awl. Hope this helps!

[Highlander31]

You could try Original Medieval Moccasins, a family run business, based in San Marcos, Texas. They've been making their style of shoe for three decades, now.

According to their website, "Variations of this shoe can be traced back to Celtic times and have been found in archeological sites all over Southern Europe. This style was commonly known as a "bog shoe" or "ghillie", a traditional Scottish folk dancing shoe."

http://www.medievalmoccasins.com/

My wife purchased a pair of their low top moccasins more than ten years ago. They wear like iron, and are quite comfortable (the shoe has a rosette of leather at the toe to allow for minor adjustments of the fit.) She also has a pair of their boots. She originally bought the moccasins to wear with her costume, but found them so comfortable, that she wears them with her jeans, as well.



*Photos from Original Medieval Moccasins website.*

[Jack Daw]

Here is a site that sells what were worn in the day (close to historical accuracy, IMHO):

http://www.arrowmoc.com/pt.html

And, here is a site for the description:

http://www.appins.org/pampooties.htm

And, here is a pattern at Jas Townsend:

http://jas-townsend.com/moccasin-p-246.html

[jason10mm]

FWIW I made my own pair of "ghillie moccasins" that look very similar to the ones posted above (minus the calf hugging part!) using a pattern obtained off the interwebz. I put a shoe insert in the bottom for comfort, the leather I used (tanned cow) is holding up well without any added sole material, but I've only worn them to dirt surfaced ren fair type places. It is an easy home project provided you can get the leather, very rustic and surprisingly cool and comfortable I think the laces were the most expensive part.

[HixwithanX]

FWIW I made my own pair of "ghillie moccasins" that look very similar to the ones posted above ...

Got pic's?!

Thanks,