While I'm all for authenticity, I'm not at all against invisible "cheating!" Our modern feet are just not as tough as those of the highlanders, frontiersmen, Indians, and rangers of old. When I wear any sort of moccasin or curran, I don't put a visible modern sole on the outside, but I sure as hell utilize some sort of unseen insole on the inside! Your old sneakers are a great source for these.

I've tried the totally authentic approach with moccasins. Ouch! The least little pebble hurts like hell. The old saying was that moccasins were "just a decent way of going barefoot"...!