Where to buy medieval combat footwear?

Steve S. · Post by **Steve S.** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 6:05 pm

Hi all,

I'm looking to chuck my East German Officer boots for some more period looking footwear.

Can you tell me some places, hopefully with URLs, where I can buy some? I am looking for something that provides good ankle support and has treaded soles.

Thanks!

Steve

Odo · Post by **Odo** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 6:42 pm

I'll verify but I believe these guys have a great boot, although a little expensive for my taste.

Turtle Island Moccasins
Box 2290
Snowflake, AZ 85937 USA
turtleislandmoccs@yahoo.com

I can't justify spending $600 for a pair of boots for this game.

Odo

Skutai · Post by **Skutai** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 6:48 pm

I wear Udutai boots.

http://udutaisboots.smugmug.com/

Gwydion Caithnes · Post by **Gwydion Caithnes** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 6:49 pm

Very little ankle support, but I use the Revival low boots with the vibram sole, and I've had no problems. And I have very wimpy ankles - I routinely twist them at the drop of a hat, and I've never had any problems with the Revivals. They're not terribly expensive, and fit my period perfectly. (See my photo in the "Post a picture of your kit" thread.)

Kevin · Post by **Kevin** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 7:07 pm

Gwydion Caithnes wrote:I've never had any problems with the Revivals.

Sure, if they come in your size.

Blaine de Navarre · Post by **Blaine de Navarre** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 7:15 pm

There's no such thing as truly period footwear with ankle support and tread (at least not until very late in period).

Udutai's (noted above) and Bohemund's (http://www.nmia.com/~bohemond/) are good looking and, imho, better than blatantly modern boots, but are not truly authentic, and don't have much more ankle support than, say, a modern pair of western boots.

I've been sketching an idea for chausses with vibram soles and hidden ankle support, but it will be a while before I can afford the materials to actually try it. I'll let you know how it works out.

Galfrid atte grene · Post by **Galfrid atte grene** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 8:53 pm

Revival Clothing, as mentioned earlier, sells some very affordable and fairly authentic 14th century low boots. I recently purchased a pair, but they have yet to arrive so I cannot comment on how well they work; though I have heard from others that they are excellent.

Brandr · Post by **Brandr** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 9:34 pm

All hail the Revival boots with the Vibram sole. They are great! I have been fighting in them for 3-4 months and they work wonderful. I was worried about ankle support and traction but I have had no ankle problems and traction is only even a question if the grass is wet. But if I move on my toes its no problem.

Vebrand · Post by **Vebrand** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 6:49 am

Brandr wrote:All hail the Revival boots with the Vibram sole. They are great! I have been fighting in them for 3-4 months and they work wonderful. I was worried about ankle support and traction but I have had no ankle problems and traction is only even a question if the grass is wet. But if I move on my toes its no problem.

When you are well and I do mean well weighted to the ground then you should not have any slippage.....

I have heard nothing but praise about revival boots.

Vebrand

James B. · Post by **James B.** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 7:18 am

On ankle support, combat boots or Steve your German officer boots offer no real ankle support. I did some research on ankle support and to have true ankle support you need padding in the ankle area and arch/in step and heel support in the foot so the only real ankle supporting footwear out there is hiking boots.

Baron Alejandro · Post by **Baron Alejandro** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 7:48 am

The revival people are great but watch out, they've been having some factory problems. I went through 2 pair of size 11s at the war - they finally had to resole them with the vibram themselves. They held up fine after that. The proprietress was put out at the poor soles and muttered something under her breath about having a 'word' with the factory. :shock:

James B. · Post by **James B.** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 8:15 am

I have a pair of revival low boots without the rubber sole, I added some in soles and they work great for me, I am thinking of having the rubber sole added. They give a good look and are super durable. Real turn shoes split on me all the time, waxed linen is authentic but just does not stand up to the abuse modern shoes do.

Edwin · Post by **Edwin** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 9:42 am

Anyone have recommendations for someone with an extremely narrow foot and now has to wear arch-supports?

AA foot is approximately 1.5 inches narrower than average, and my arch supports are cut to that width. Most "narrow" shoes are B or C width, and my arch supports won't work in those.

I'm thinking I'll have to make them myself, but hoping against hope, there's an artisan that makes something in my price range.

Thaddeus · Post by **Thaddeus** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 2:10 pm

I have been wearing a pair from brian price at revival.us. They have the vibram soles and I added a pair of superfeet insoles. So far they have been fantastic. Although fighting without any heels has taken some getting used to and has given some of the local guys a few good chuckles.

Halvgrimr · Post by **Halvgrimr** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 2:18 pm

I know or have dealt with everyone mentioned above and none of them compare (in price/quality/or periodness) to a fellow I know in Meridies/Glen Albhean, Olaf Lutherson (Michael Erlund)

I know he does LH quality Viking age shoes/boots that hold up to years of combat time and am willing to bet he would take on other periods as well

Go here http://www.olafschainmail.com/misc.html and scroll down a bit to his shoes. I have owned a pair of his Hedeby style for over a year and have never had a problem with them. I am currently saving to get a pair of his Coppergate's as well.

I HIGHLY recommend him and I know others that will do the same.

Halv

Brandr · Post by **Brandr** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 2:36 pm

Vebrand wrote:[
When you are well and I do mean well weighted to the ground then you should not have any slippage.....

Was that a fat joke V? :roll:

Like I don't see that in the mirror everyday. :lol:

Brandr · Post by **Brandr** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 2:38 pm

Halvgrim wrote:I know or have dealt with everyone mentioned above and none of them compare (in price/quality/or periodness) to a fellow I know in Meridies/Glen Albhean, Olaf Lutherson (Michael Erlund)

I know he does LH quality Viking age shoes/boots that hold up to years of combat time and am willing to bet he would take on other periods as well

Go here http://www.olafschainmail.com/misc.html and scroll down a bit to his shoes. I have owned a pair of his Hedeby style for over a year and have never had a problem with them. I am currently saving to get a pair of his Coppergate's as well.

I HIGHLY recommend him and I know others that will do the same.

Halv

Olaf does good work. Don't know anything about his prices but I have taken his class on boot making and he sure knows his stuff.

Halvgrimr · Post by **Halvgrimr** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 2:45 pm

His starting price is generally about $120 I think.

Halv

Arland · Post by **Arland** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 2:58 pm

If you really need/want ankle support they do sell those lace up ankle supports at just about any sports store. They fit over the socks and under the boot.

Lorccan · Post by **Lorccan** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 5:11 pm

I recently got a pair of two-toggle Jorvik boots from Jason Craban at Laughing Crowe Leatherworks. I had him reinforce the heels and add a Vibram lug sole, and I put in Dr. Scholl's insoles with arch support. So far, fighting in them only has one drawback: my toes are not as well protected as in my heavy hiking boots!

Here are some of his historic examples:

http://www.laughingcrowe.com/period.html

Jason sized me at a war and shipped the finished shoes to me. They did not fit, but he promptly took them back and made me a new pair after I explained the issues on the phone. I'm very happy with the new ones.

carlyle · Post by **carlyle** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 5:38 pm

Lorccan -- I like the gallery of Jason's work. Can you tell us what he is likely to charge for some of these shoes? Thanks in advance... AoC

Lorccan · Post by **Lorccan** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 6:24 pm

My custom boots ran about $475. The same shoe without the heel reinforce & lug sole would be more like $350, I believe. If he has 'stock' at a war or fair, I have no idea - we only discussed made-to-order.

Asbjorn Johansen · Post by **Asbjorn Johansen** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 3:31 pm

I wear the Revival shoes, but I haven't seen any need for the modern sole, although I do put a pair of insoles in for when I have to walk on gravel or asphalt.

I'd suggest trying them without the modern sole first.

Murdock · Post by **Murdock** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 2:50 am

For the revival boots They work fine. Between Kate and i, we have a set of everything they make except the new slippers.

If your fighting in the boots get the bottoms slightly wet and the grip great.
The vibran soles are redundant.

I fight in a set of old Alistair boots for the moment, as soon as break in my revivals a bit more i'm going to them.

Cletes will wreck you kness if you keep twinging and turning fighting in em. Modern combat boots aren't real good for your knees either for what we do.

Turtle island shoes look like no medieval boots i've seen and are really expensive.

Arland · Post by **Arland** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 10:49 am

Murdock wrote:...Modern combat boots aren't real good for your knees either for what we do....

Might I ask what you're basing that statment off of? Good ankle support and traction is never a bad thing.

Winterborne · Post by **Winterborne** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 11:16 am

I have a new pair of the Revival low boots. I will echo everyone else: they are great. I have vibram soles. I wore them all week at Pennsic both on and off the field. Except the woods - I wore hiking boots and they messed with my greaves - should have stuck with the Revivals.

The look is great.

They did take a little over a month to fill my order, not 10 days like the website said. Great product, though.

Anyone have their high boots? Like 'em?

morristh · Post by **morristh** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 2:25 pm

I ran around all weekend in my brand new revival boots and they are really nice. Pot holes and all. The dont give ankle support in the tradition of a heavy hiking boot which is what I was used to, but suprisingly they have some sort of support cause i hit the pot holes several times and I dont have a sprained ankle. I put 2 pieces of duck tape on the soles, one on the heel on one the balls of the feet area. No problem even new with grip after that, except where I stepped in an area where someone had dumped a lot of ice water :lol:

. As a kid we used masking tape on the bottoms of our new leathers. Once it was gone, they were supper for traction.

Tim

Orazio · Post by **Orazio** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 2:46 pm

Arland wrote:
Murdock wrote:...Modern combat boots aren't real good for your knees either for what we do....

Might I ask what you're basing that statment off of? Good ankle support and traction is never a bad thing.

Most modern combat boots don't have ankle support (the boot going above the ankle Ã¢â€°Â ankle support), and too much traction can be bad, if your foot doesn't twist when the rest of your leg does.

Arland · Post by **Arland** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 4:04 pm

Exactly what "combat boots" are you referring to? Surely must be different than the ones I'm thinking of. But you're correct in saying that just because a boot goes above the ankle that it give support. A boot that fits, laces up, has ankle reinforcement, solid sole, heel support, etc does give ankle support. So I'm not sure which boot you're referring to, unless you're thinking of jungle boots.
http://www.special-operations-technolog ... ?DocID=875

Too much traction CAN be just as bad as too little traction. Too much traction can cause other joints to stress. Too little can cause slippage. Combat boots provide more traction than leather soles and less than cleats.