Ren Faire footwear

[MacWage]

How about these?

Similar to the ones Woodsheal was referencing when he said:

I'm not sure why some current patterns on the market for "ghillie brogues" have all the carefully shaped tabs that lace up over the top of the foot, leaving long openings between the tabs that extend down to the sole. These openings allow all kinds of small stones and dirt to enter into the "ghillies", making for uncomfortable wear. It's like someone took the pattern for modern dancing "ghillies" and tried to make it look "old fashioned."

Those are the "long version." Look nice, though.

When Brian says:

The highland moccasins (gaelic: "cuarans") are described in period writings as basically throw-away shoes. One would take the raw, uncured hide from a freshly killed deer or cow (never in short supply), trace a rough pattern around the foot, cut it out leaving the hair on, and lace it up around the foot with thongs, with the hair on the outside for "traction." They are described as being quite stenchy, and very short-lived!

He KNOWS what he is talking about, after have read probably HUNDREDS of hours on the subject.
I have a copy of the Smoke and Fire version and the "loobed" boots (like in the picture) from somewhere else. I problem will NOT use them, as NEITHER is HISTORICALLY proven. they are GREAT for ren-faires, probably MORE accurate than what MOST would be wearing (either WAY too late or the standard "medieval shoe" that has no real historical prototype and a RUBBER SOLE (DEFINATELY NOT HISTORIC).

BUT, of course reenacting and ren-faire are rather different and have different purposes in mind, one to educate and recreate and the other to have PERSONAL FUN, accurate or not. So, your PURPOSE means EVERYTHING.

(Brian is a bit of a celebrity authority in the Scottish/Jacobite Reenactment world, something I just recently realized when I saw him cited as a "trump-source" (much like Newsome is here).

[ChromeScholar]

the standard "medieval shoe" that has no real historical prototype and a RUBBER SOLE (DEFINATELY NOT HISTORIC).

Since whatever I end up making is for the ren faire, and not reenactment, It doesn't have to be one hundred percent accurate, just better than what most are wearing, and it will end up with a sole of some sort, since I don't wish to carve up my feet walking on gravel.

[MacWage]

BUT, of course reenacting and ren-faire are rather different and have different purposes in mind, one to educate and recreate and the other to have PERSONAL FUN, accurate or not. So, your PURPOSE means EVERYTHING.

Note: THAT comment immediately followed the above quoted statement. What is "acceptable" for reenacting is different than ren faire, which is different than CASUAL wear.

In a situation where ACCURACY is not really THAT important, I will ADD MODERN SOLES. The sole type will be dependent upon the shoe and reasons created.
One of my "longer term" projects is to make leather "boot-ish" shoes out of a pair of old Converses, using the converse soles as the underpinning. Not accurate, but interesting looking (in my brain) and simply another challenge to create.

[ChromeScholar]

Note: THAT comment immediately followed the above quoted statement. What is "acceptable" for reenacting is different than ren faire, which is different than CASUAL wear.

I understood that. I was pointing out what my purpose was.

[Woodsheal]

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"...!

[MacWage]

The old saying was that moccasins were "just a decent way of going barefoot"...!

Or keeping the bottom of the SOCKS clean!