Reenactors Shoes

**BoldHighlander** · 8th September 09, 01:19 PM

Here are some more historically researched shoe sources (varying time periods) for those interested:

Historical Footwear

Re-enactment Shoes

Sarah Juniper

**Woodsheal** · 8th September 09, 01:55 PM

One of the best is Robert Land in Canada. He makes 18th C. shoes for the Colonial Williamsburg staff and interpreters....

**sirdaniel1975** · 10th September 09, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by Dixiecat

I was posting the information for people who needed the 'look' as well as the modern support.

I've been involved with people who do reenactments and not all can wear the period shoe without discomfort. Take the posting in that light, I have no need of the history lesson, but thanks.

I totally got what you were doing. I'm sorry the others did not. I have consistent achy feet, knees, and, and back pain from working on my feet and welcomed seeing something with great arch support.

**Woodsheal** · 10th September 09, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by sirdaniel1975

I totally got what you were doing. I'm sorry the others did not. I have consistent achy feet, knees, and, and back pain from working on my feet and welcomed seeing something with great arch support.

I'm sure we all "got it", but this is the "Historic Highland Attire" forum, not the "What's Good Enough for Reenactment" forum....

**BoldHighlander** · 10th September 09, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by sirdaniel1975

I totally got what you were doing. I'm sorry the others did not. I have consistent achy feet, knees, and, and back pain from working on my feet and welcomed seeing something with great arch support.

Originally Posted by Woodsheal

I'm sure we all "got it", but this is the "Historic Highland Attire" forum, not the "What's Good Enough for Reenactment" forum....

I also "got it", which is why I thought I'd be helpful in posting links to historical shoe vendors

**fortcollinsjerry** · 16th September 09, 10:59 AM

...just a thought, as Sarah Juniper points out on her web site, pre-industrial revolution foot wear was built on a straight last - which means both shoes fit either foot and the only way you might tell the difference while breaking them in was which way the buckle crossed over the instep if there was a buckle flap. Straight lasted shoes are horribly uncomfortable to break in. I had to soak my shoes in a stream and wear them dry a couple of times before the leather stretched and conformed to my foot so they were reasonably useful.

I mention this only because at some Juried Invitational Reenactments each participant must undergo an expert inspection before being allowed in to the grounds. If your foot wear is 18th-21st century machine made with vibram soles you are not going to be admitted no matter how good your attire looks. It's almost like being invited to Docent at Colonial Williamsburg. The wrong kind of fabric in your shirt will send you home - and I could go on - but you get the idea. It's all about historical correctness and research. You are representing the host of the activity - some park in Richmond, for example and they insist that the performance be as correct as possible.

**Alan H** · 19th January 10, 10:40 PM

I looked into the Groundhog shoes, and it appears that they're only made for women. They don't manufacture the ghillie shoe in sizes big enough for lads like me, US size 13.

My Guild is not, shall we say, *extremely* worried about spot-on, precise historical accuracy.

**Jack Daw** · 20th January 10, 04:49 AM

Originally Posted by Woodsheal

Those look like modern dancing "ghillies" with thick soles! For affordable period shoes, here's a good source:

http://www.fugawee.com/

If your heart is set on the highland moccasins known as "cuarans" these are just about perfect (with a thin sole added for comfort):

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

I can vouch for both styles as I have them as well. With th Fugawee buckle shoes you have the choice of straight or right and left lasts.

**Slag101** · 20th January 10, 03:54 PM

Foot pain from poorly made/designed footwear is authentic to the time period. Some of us believe in "Play hard or go home". I also agree, you posted in a forum (designed for discussion) about historical highland attire. Just from my limited knowledge in this area of re-enacting, these shoes seem to fall far from the mark as far as authenticity. That being said, if it is what you are looking for, great. If you want the more accurate reproduction, you can't go wrong with Robert Land.