Moccasins?

old Lefty · **on:** July 31, 2021, 01:05:55 PM

Who has the knowledge on moccasins here?

I mean real indian/mountain man moccasins that are useful in camp, light forest/meadow but can also be used in town if needed.
I'm thinking possibly some length and real leather sole/bottom.
Tempted as I am to delve into the mighty internet and depart with my monies but still would like to hear the experiences from the mighty hive mind of the MTO first.

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Gareth · **Reply #1 on:** July 31, 2021, 02:11:51 PM

Nothing to add I'm sorry to say, but I'm curious to see what others might have to say as well.

Gareth · **Reply #2 on:** July 31, 2021, 02:41:35 PM

You have just gotten me to dig out my desert boots which have a lot similarity in concept, if not in actual design.

Sos24 · **Reply #3 on:** July 31, 2021, 08:06:52 PM

Check out Footskins. They are well made and have a variety of options and styles. Their Canoe sole or softsole I believe are what you are looking for.

https://footwearbyfootskins.com/default.aspx

Gareth · **Reply #4 on:** July 31, 2021, 08:15:08 PM

Quote from: Sos24 on July 31, 2021, 08:06:52 PM

Check out Footskins. They are well made and have a variety of options and styles. Their Canoe sole or softsole I believe are what you are looking for.

https://footwearbyfootskins.com/default.aspx

old Lefty · **Reply #5 on:** July 31, 2021, 08:40:03 PM

Quote from: Sos24 on July 31, 2021, 08:06:52 PM

Check out Footskins. They are well made and have a variety of options and styles. Their Canoe sole or softsole I believe are what you are looking for.

https://footwearbyfootskins.com/default.aspx

Thanks! They look nice but 'haps too 'civilised'
This is close to what I have in mind:

https://www.mountainmancustoms.com/product-page/moose-hide-leather-moccasins

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Gareth · **Reply #6 on:** July 31, 2021, 08:52:24 PM

Quote from: old Lefty on July 31, 2021, 08:40:03 PM

Thanks! They look nice but 'haps too 'civilised'
This is close to what I have in mind:

https://www.mountainmancustoms.com/product-page/moose-hide-leather-moccasins

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I do suspect that any flexible leather sole isn't going to live long if used around town. $:-\$ They do look good though.

Nix · **Reply #7 on:** July 31, 2021, 08:58:07 PM

There was a guy down in Santa Fe, New Mexico, who made amazing moccasins. Top quality leather. Double soles. Real deal moccasins. I badly wanted a pair, but they were very expensive at a time when my wallet was mostly empty.

I remember he said, " my boots [cowboy boots] are great for dancing, but moccasins are made for wearing."

That was 25 years ago. I haven't seen moccasins of that quality since.

These guys have some that look legit: http://www.arrowmoc.com/mocasins.html

There was a maker not too far from me, but I don't think she's making them right now.

Look for handmade, bison hide moccasins, double soled. Good luck!

Alan K. · **Reply #8 on:** July 31, 2021, 10:21:37 PM

I've made 14th century turn shoes (like in the picture, but that picture is from the internet) for Renaissance reenactment before. It can't be too different from that. I see there are plenty of moccasin kits available on line that come with everything you need and they are pre-sized. I traced my feet on a piece of full hide then cut them out about 1/2 inch larger, cut out the side pieces and center piece. Pre drilled the holes and sewed everything together. Trim close to the stitching without compromising the structural integrity, turn them inside out so the stitching is on the inside, and you're done. They don't last long but I extended the life of them by gluing another piece of full hide to the soles thereby doubling the thickness of the soles and an additional bit of leather at the heel. I later found them slippery even though the soles were rough side out, so I glued additional strips of hide in a chevron pattern to the soles to give them a bit of tread for grip. If you get a moccasin kit I'd still suggest you double the thickness of the sole for durability and the added cushioning it provides, and probably add the extra strips of hide for traction on wet grass and that sort of thing.

Gareth · **Reply #9 on:** July 31, 2021, 10:46:00 PM

Great info everyone, thanks.

old Lefty · **Reply #10 on:** August 01, 2021, 09:34:56 AM

Cool, great info, thanks!

Broke both trekking boots in mornings gentle dog walk, maybe Universum is trying to tell me something, dunno.

In any case, grip is something that is now starting to worry me a bit. Do not want skates, got a pair of modern Karhu Paavo Nurmi running shoes that are about to get binned as soon as I remember due to the fact that they provide _zero_ grip. I originally planned to use them for ipsc, but they became slippery faster than our current government can say 'more taxes'

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styx · **Reply #11 on:** August 01, 2021, 11:18:43 AM

this might help out as well

he also says a few interesting things in this vid

Chako · **Reply #12 on:** August 02, 2021, 11:29:08 AM

It sounds like you might want something with a sole. Take a look at this Indigenous company from Calgary Canada.

[https://www.manitobah.ca/collections/moccasins]