Looking for some boot options

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Ghostsoldier
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Looking for some boot options

Post by Ghostsoldier »

All,

As one of the "new guys" here, I'm trying to do my due diligence in researching options for Ranger footwear. I know there are companies out there that sell finished boots (some of which are pricey options), but I'm honestly trying to build this kit on a semi-reasonable budget, since I have other non-MERS hobby interests that are also vying for my meager coin.

That being said, I ran across these handmade boot pattern options on Etsy, and was wondering what everyone thought about them:

Medieval wrap boots: https://www.etsy.com/listing/98306165/s ... pe=gallery

Sparrowhawk moccasin patterns (the version at the lower left): https://www.etsy.com/listing/513770145/ ... ck=1&sca=1

Men's moccasin pattern (looks like a Plains pattern?): https://www.etsy.com/listing/264993974/ ... ch_click=1

I'm somewhat partial to the simplicity of the wrap boot, as long as it can be made useful in the field, as well as for the Renfaire outing or two I do every year....thoughts on these?

Rob
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Elleth
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Re: Looking for some boot options

Post by Elleth »

Cool!

Honestly, I don't think you're going to be able to make boots significantly cheaper than say the Bohemond high shoe Taurinor has demonstrated. Buying enough leather for a good set of boots is probably going to be at least as much.... though if you're on a serious budget you might be able to save some by finding a leather coat at a goodwill to cut down for the uppers. I don't know if they'd breathe or wear as well, but it'd be a cheap material to experiment with settling on a design you like.

That said, assuming you're interested in making your own, my thoughts on those options -

"Medieval wrap boots:" I'd avoid. That design looks decent for costuming, but from the construction it looks like even if they stay up, they'll be full of debris after an hour off the trail.

"Sparrowhawk moccasins" : not terrible. The foot/toe construction for "Style C" isn't too different from some medieval patterns I think, though I don't think you'd want that much extra cuff hanging down.

"Plains pattern" : I'd avoid. That toebox design is just always going to scream "hippy 70's buckskinner" I think. I assume they work decently enough, they just don't look "ranger" to my eye - though to each their own.

If you *are* making your own boots, I think you'd be best off starting from a historical turnshoe pattern: Greg's work on that front looks great!
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Elleth
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Re: Looking for some boot options

Post by Elleth »

PS: for things like boots, I don't think any pattern you purchase will do have so well as the old "plastic grocery bag and duct tape" trick. Or perhaps better yet, if you've a set of commercial turnshoes or the like you have that fit well, cutting them apart for a pattern. That last has been my route: kinda hurts to tear up something that's still got a bit of life in it, but there's nothing like it for learning how the things go together.
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Greg
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Re: Looking for some boot options

Post by Greg »

I'd definitely avoid those patterns. Not much function put into those designs. Bohemond's footwear is a solid place to look.
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Ghostsoldier
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Re: Looking for some boot options

Post by Ghostsoldier »

Thanks for the advice, everyone.

I'd really like to try to make my own set of boots first, so I think I'll go with Ellerth's suggestion of using an old thrift store coat for materials (and make my own patterns), but use one of the several turnshoe tutorials I have in my collection, instead of purchasing anything from Etsy.

If all else fails miserably, I can always fall back on purchasing something from Bohemond or another vendor.

Rob
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caedmon
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Re: Looking for some boot options

Post by caedmon »

from your images, it seems you are inspired by native american footwear... Might I suggest the classic "Craft Manual of North American Indian Footwear"



Why buy one pattern when you can have 50?

Yes you will have to figure it out, a'la Elleth's suggestion, but patterns won't really save you much time or heartache.

My first decent high boots were from this book. Loved them until they were stolen.
-Jack Horner

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Elleth
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Re: Looking for some boot options

Post by Elleth »

For what it's worth, I just ran across this as well:

Leather and Leatherworking in Anglo-Scandinavian and Medieval York

Can't do better than free. :)

It's *long* and very academic, but there's a *ton* of drawings of period boots, plus some sheaths and pouches. It'd take some work to get usable patterns out of their find drawings, but it's doable and should yield a darn good result if you've the patience.
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caedmon
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Re: Looking for some boot options

Post by caedmon »

Elleth wrote:For what it's worth, I just ran across this as well:

Leather and Leatherworking in Anglo-Scandinavian and Medieval York

Can't do better than free. :)

It's *long* and very academic, but there's a *ton* of drawings of period boots, plus some sheaths and pouches. It'd take some work to get usable patterns out of their find drawings, but it's doable and should yield a darn good result if you've the patience.

Oh, that's a good one.
-Jack Horner

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Impression: Cædmon Reedmace | bronze founder living in Archet, Breeland. c. 3017
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Ghostsoldier
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Re: Looking for some boot options

Post by Ghostsoldier »

Wow...these are awesome resources! Thanks for the input, everyone!

Rob
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Ruinar Hrafnakveðja
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Re: Looking for some boot options

Post by Ruinar Hrafnakveðja »

Hail Ghostrider!

An alternative to Bohemund, Viking Leathercrafts has great shoes an boots in a variety of styles and for a fraction of the cost.

http://www.vikingleathercrafts.com/period-footwear.html

I have a pair of their 13th Century Men's SHoes and they have held up to two years of hard use trekking through the mountains as well as events held on modern surfaces such as gravel and asphalt.
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Ghostsoldier
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Re: Looking for some boot options

Post by Ghostsoldier »

Thanks for the link, Ruinar... those are excellent prices!

Rob
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Re: Looking for some boot options

Post by Kortoso »

caedmon wrote:from your images, it seems you are inspired by native american footwear... Might I suggest the classic "Craft Manual of North American Indian Footwear"



Why buy one pattern when you can have 50?

Yes you will have to figure it out, a'la Elleth's suggestion, but patterns won't really save you much time or heartache.

My first decent high boots were from this book. Loved them until they were stolen.
It looks like Sylvia Grainger's bookis sort of an amplification of these patterns, maybe more useful detail.
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Ghostsoldier
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Re: Looking for some boot options

Post by Ghostsoldier »

I guess I'll finally get around to posting the boot toppers I made for my kit; I drafted a custom pattern and used an old wool-blend army blanket, adding some canvas edge trim and hand-stitching detail down the rear seam (yes, these are machine-sewn, as I was pressed for time). I don't plan on using these forever, but they slip right over the tops of my 511 tactical boots, which are uber-confortable in the woods, non-slip and somewhat water-resistant.

Image

In use:

Image

I plan on buying a pair of these leather Tilly jackboots in future, which look a bit more Middle-Earthy and Rangerish (although I'm not sure they will be as comfortable or utilitarian)...sore feet are not fun.

Image

Rob
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kleenur
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Re: Looking for some boot options

Post by kleenur »

I've put WAY too much thought into impression boots in general. The only guidance I've come up with came from a couple of different threads here, where ranger boots are described in the books as soft sided. I think it makes sense that they are soft soled as well. I even picked up the Plains boot pattern from Tandy (not great), but have never gotten around to actually making them. As others have said, you'll definitely get out of it cheaper if you buy some turnshoes or similar from one of the links they've provided above. The turnshoe (or a boot variation) seems to be the most universally accepted footwear for medieval reenacting. LARP you can really do just about anything that "looks" cool, and is leather. Most of my LARP friends actually just use some version of the classic combat boot.

All of that said, I like to make things. As such, I have been looking for good instruction on how to go about making a turnshoe, and modifying it into a turnboot. The best bit of instruction I have found is Jason Hovattar's DvD https://amzn.to/2O56QTX on the matter which I picked up on Amazon for just under $50. He goes into exactly what tools you'll need, what materials you'll need, and even goes into how to make your individualized pattern. I am deviating from his design in that he uses a sort of rubber bead kind of sole, and I opted for a rubber sole that I again found on Amazon.

I am in the process of making my first pair, will post them here when complete, and after that will work on how to "bootify" the shoe.
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Ghostsoldier
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Re: Looking for some boot options

Post by Ghostsoldier »

I'm fond of the 'boot' style of footwear myself, even though the turnshoe is probably more historically accurate (and practical) in the long run...I blame it on my "Hollywoodification", having been exposed to various costumed iterations of Robin Hoods and Aragorns in my formative years, lol.

I look forward to seeing what you come up with. :P

Rob
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