Tracking Shoes " Sneaky Boots "

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TeeDee

Full Member
Nov 6, 2008
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So just had a wonderful close contact meeting with Mr Fox - and a very handsome chap he was !! Strong eye to eye contact on par with a 1st time Tinder date...

Anyway , after the 15 secs of loveliness that we held our gaze I continued my traipse around the wood and was more than aware just how loud my Foot steps were even when trying to be quiet.

I've done some bare foot tracking with Max and the Guys at ShadowHawk but I don't think I'm quite there yet in terms of committing to going full native.

So I need another option - what do people wear if they are intentionally trying to track and get close to animals? Have you made anything or customized anything for this purpose.
Currently I'm thinking along the lines of Thick Socks with some Chamois leather sewn on..

IDEAS?
 

swotty

Full Member
Apr 25, 2009
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How about something along the lines of moccasins?
I also did some tracking courses with Max...is Shadowhawk still going?

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Tapatalk
 
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TeeDee

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Nov 6, 2008
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How about something along the lines of moccasins?
I also did some tracking courses with Max...is Shadowhawk still going?

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Tapatalk

Wish he was - But that all seems very quiet. Wish his Crew would pick up the mantle and teach themselves.
 
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Toddy

Mod
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Jan 21, 2005
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If you're up for sewing them then there are loads of patterns available for traditional no hard heel shoes.
From currans to turnshoes.
Best ones I've made and worn were based on a boot pattern from York.
Incredibly soft and comfortable, and silent too :)

Bit like these

If you google for Re-enactors shoes, viking or medieval, turnshoes, there's no shortage of images.
 
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TeeDee

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Nov 6, 2008
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If you're up for sewing them then there are loads of patterns available for traditional no hard heel shoes.
From currans to turnshoes.
Best ones I've made and worn were based on a boot pattern from York.
Incredibly soft and comfortable, and silent too :)

Bit like these

If you google for Re-enactors shoes, viking or medieval, turnshoes, there's no shortage of images.

When you say " up for sewing " - I shall see. My hand / eye coordination is not renowned.
 

Toddy

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Jan 21, 2005
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It's basically just the seam to join the sole to the upper, and you turn it inside out, so no one will see your stitches anyway :)
There's a wee short seam to join the edges of the upper together, but you can always just make that an overlap and tie it there instead.

What size of shoe do you take ? I know I draughted patterns for Viking turnshoes/boots and Mark made up his so I know it works for size 4, 5 and an 8.

I just used split pigskin the first time I sewed mine. Lasted me for three years :)
I can't get modern boots to last me three years !

M
 
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TeeDee

Full Member
Nov 6, 2008
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Exeter
It's basically just the seam to join the sole to the upper, and you turn it inside out, so no one will see your stitches anyway :)
There's a wee short seam to join the edges of the upper together, but you can always just make that an overlap and tie it there instead.

What size of shoe do you take ? I know I draughted patterns for Viking turnshoes/boots and Mark made up his so I know it works for size 4, 5 and an 8.

I just used split pigskin the first time I sewed mine. Lasted me for three years :)
I can't get modern boots to last me three years !

M


I'm 11.5 wide. I will look into this further.
 

Toddy

Mod
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Jan 21, 2005
38,937
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S. Lanarkshire
Wayland might be the fellow to ask.
It's not rocket science to draught the pattern, but it does take a bit of tweaking. Worth it I think though.

M
 

Herman30

Native
Aug 30, 2015
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Finland
Palladium canvas boots are quite quiet. I have a pair myself.

710VWsnn7IL._AC_UX500_.jpg
 

Toddy

Mod
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Jan 21, 2005
38,937
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S. Lanarkshire
Think I'm going to go for something custom made out of Wool Blanket.

Felt's warm, but it's not waterproof, not underfoot in our damp anyway.

How about just plimsoles, they're soft enough to walk pretty silently, and they'll not bust the budget either. Under £7 a pair for mens size 11 or12.

 
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I use moccasins. I made my own "two piece" moccasins out of inexpensive suede. These are "mountain man" style and does not require much sewing. They are silent. I wear them over heavy hiking socks to cushion my feet, which are not toughened from walking barefoot. I also use them as camp shoes for overnight trips because they are lightweight and packable (they are not rigid).

I *DO NOT* recommend minimalist hiking boots. I used a pair for about a year. But they have a potentially fatal drawback. The thin rubber sole is slippery. I lived with this until I finally slipped and broke several bones.

Recently, I purchased "Earthing" moccasins. These were made to be used outdoors and have a thick moose hide leather sole. They look like ankle boots. I have not tried them yet.

- Woodsorrel
 
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