Converting Tennis shoes into Turn shoes

Swete · Post by **Swete** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 1:15 pm

I want to make some turn shoes for my Anglo-Saxon persona but I want them to have a good grip on he ground as well as some of the comfort of modern shoes. Then I thought: Is is possible to get some really slim, low profile shoes and stitch leather on and around them, sans the bottom? Has anyone done this and if so, how did it turn out for you?

Also, I could swear that Armstreet does this on one of their shoe styles...

-Swete

Derian le Breton · Post by **Derian le Breton** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 1:36 pm

You might consider getting a pair of turnshoes, having a cobbler add a vibram sole, and using a gel insert. I know a few people with arch issues who are very happy with this solution.

IMO modern shoes covered in leather look like... modern shoes covered in leather. YMMV.

-Derian.

Swete · Post by **Swete** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 1:42 pm

Are turn shoes terribly hard to make? If they aren't, I could make some then tack some soles as you say on the bottom myself, eh?

Halfdan · Post by **Halfdan** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 1:46 pm

Amanda M · Post by **Amanda M** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 1:46 pm

The tennis shoe thing sounds like it could only end in disaster. Frankenshoe!

Halfdan · Post by **Halfdan** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 1:47 pm

http://www.nmia.com/~bohemond/Bootshop/ ... /shoe.html

All of these shoes have the option of a vibram sole, check under the shopping cart menu of each.

Engenulf · Post by **Engenulf** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 3:07 pm

Swete wrote:Are turn shoes terribly hard to make? If they aren't, I could make some then tack some soles as you say on the bottom myself, eh?

Not that hard at all. http://members.ozemail.com.au/~chrisand ... ction.html

Just practice with the different stitch styles before you tackle the main project.

Maeryk · Post by **Maeryk** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 3:10 pm

Swete wrote:Are turn shoes terribly hard to make? If they aren't, I could make some then tack some soles as you say on the bottom myself, eh?

Depends. How good are you with leather, do you have the requisite leather, tools (awls and needles, and a stitching horse _really_ helps) patience, and ability to interpret a web-page into a 3-D reality?

For some they are cake, for others, they are hell.

Did not read the whole thread yet, so if someone beat me to it sorry, but Marc Carlson has a really good series on it:

http://www.personal.utulsa.edu/~Marc-Ca ... OEHOME.HTM

I have used it with some success.

Swete · Post by **Swete** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 3:39 pm

Thanks everyone for the info and advice!
I just remembered that Lord Motan of my shire teaches workshops on how to make shoes :lol:

I think I'll give him a call and see if he can instruct me personal like.

-Swete

Blackoak · Post by **Blackoak** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:12 pm

Take a look at this thread as far as covering shoes goes.

http://forums.armourarchive.org/phpBB2/ ... ting+boots

Uric

Swete · Post by **Swete** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 1:31 pm

Blackoak wrote:Take a look at this thread as far as covering shoes goes.

http://forums.armourarchive.org/phpBB2/ ... ting+boots

Uric

Awesome! That is exacally what I was looking for. I will get some leather and experiment post-haste!

Mikael d'Armstreet · Post by **Mikael d'Armstreet** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 7:58 am

Swete wrote:I want to make some turn shoes for my Anglo-Saxon persona but I want them to have a good grip on he ground as well as some of the comfort of modern shoes. Then I thought: Is is possible to get some really slim, low profile shoes and stitch leather on and around them, sans the bottom? Has anyone done this and if so, how did it turn out for you?

Also, I could swear that Armstreet does this on one of their shoe styles...

-Swete

Hallo! Few words about
We are using modern last with internal heel for these shoes
http://armstreet.com/store/footwear/1/22.html
and actually they are enough cosy
I'm not sure about stitching leather around ready shoes as anyway they will be bulky. May be it's better to remove top from them and make modified medieval style leather top.
One more thing I need to mark is the fact that long turnd toe is a problem
for fast moving whatever you're using authentic flat or modern last, this is why for most reenactors who are using our shoes as part of combat set we are recommending this model with straight toe
http://armstreet.com/store/footwear/1/67.html
and with shortened one (I'll place new model on site in several days)
So if these set will be practically used not for appearance only turned shoes should have just a bit turned and not to long toe.
Hope this may help

Converting Tennis shoes into Turn shoes

Converting Tennis shoes into Turn shoes

Re: Converting Tennis shoes into Turn shoes