Honestly, I think given the price/usage comparison I may end up going for something bespoke. I don't know if many on here are familiar with Robert Land's work, but he seems to be top on my list of possible makers. I have a booth near his at the Living History fair I attend annually and he seems to be a right nice guy. He mostly does historical work of course, but he's been known to take on completely custom jobs for friends. I think with enough talking, I could convince him to do a variation on these http://www.robertlandhistoricshoes.c...t/Detail?no=73
With a little work they could be modernized enough to fit the bill, and every customer of his that I have talked to says all good things. I have even seen other vendors that sell like items making orders for his shoes for themselves.