Shoe makers?

[M'Bogo]

Hello all.

I'm here to try and find someone to make me some shoes. I do a lot of stalking (anywhere up to 6 days a week) and for the past two years have been wearing a set of moccasin-esq things for the past two summers. Despite being the laughing stock of most people they are by far the best thing for moving silently in the warmer months. However they have disintegrated and are now useless! I was given them by an american friend so have no way of getting another pair from the same source (he can't remember where he bought them).

So I'm looking into the possibility, and cost, of getting a similar set made.

The most important thing is sole and form, the sole muse be hard wearing yet flexible and thin enough to "feel" what is underfoot. They must be foot shaped, not shoe shaped, if you get me.

After that they must be able to take a wetting but there is no need for waterproofing.

And they must last, the stitching and materials have to be up to wearing in all weathers and on some rough terrain.

It is really more like walking barefoot with more protection.

Has anyone made something like this before? If anyone thinks they can or knows someone that can, can you let me know please

Also, if you have any similar boots that you could send a picture of it would be much appreciated.


Kindest regards,


S

 

[Exploriment]

Why don’t you just make your own?

Making moccasins is not that hard, and there are plans a plenty available on the web. Get some leather, and away you go.

Mocassins aren’t really expected to last forever. Read any of the accounts of the early explorers of North America, and a frequent task was mending and making their moccasins.

And I'm not sure I get the part about you not being able to get any other ones because they originally came from the states. A google search will undoubtedly turn up any number of sources you can order them from.

 

[treadlightly]

Soft Star shoes in Oregon do some good mocs, worth checking out, www.softstarshoes.com

 

[Gagnrad]

The most important thing is sole and form, the sole muse be hard wearing yet flexible and thin enough to "feel" what is underfoot. They must be foot shaped, not shoe shaped, if you get me.

You could try some Vivo Barefoot shoes. The soles are only a few millimeters thick, but since they're made of kevlar they're surprisingly hardwearing. They're heelless, like moccasins. They're also suitably foot-shaped, and, like moccasins, light in weight.

I've had three pairs now. You can certainly feel the ground properly, and if you want to get even closer, you can take the detachable shoe-liner out.

http://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/

Their sizing is a bit off, though, so you might need to order one size larger than you usually wear.

Otherwise, you could try Onitsuka Tiger Tai Chi shoes:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Onitsuka-Tiger-Tai-chi-White-Leather/dp/B0085NIROK/

Or Viking re-enactment boots:

http://www.jelldragon.com/viking_shoes.htm

Or there's the Finnish company Feelmax:

http://feelmax.fi/en/shoes/panka/

... although getting those in the UK may not be easy.

 

[treadlightly]

So Feelmax have finally got their new range out. Also it seems that the Kuuvva boots are now made from real rather than synthetic leather. Availability here might be a problem though.

 

[mereside]

i found these as i am interested but they are not cheap but you do get what you pay for let me know if you get a pair,atb wayne
http://www.russellmoccasin.com/boots_stalkingtracking/tracker.html

 

[Gagnrad]

So Feelmax have finally got their new range out. Also it seems that the Kuuvva boots are now made from real rather than synthetic leather. Availability here might be a problem though.

Exactly.

Ten Point do carry their stuff sometimes:

http://www.ten-point.co.uk

Also, this German site sells several models, including the Panka and the new Osama:

http://www.voycontigo.de/barefoot-shoes/?force_sid=97eed7f9e62a01ac56245aaa80a0a917



Over here, Vivos are probably an easier option, though.

 

[treadlightly]

Exactly.

Ten Point do carry their stuff sometimes:

http://www.ten-point.co.uk

Also, this German site sells several models, including the Panka and the new Osama:

http://www.voycontigo.de/barefoot-shoes/?force_sid=97eed7f9e62a01ac56245aaa80a0a917



Over here, Vivos are probably an easier option, though.

Yeah, I got my only pair of Feelmax from Ten Point, Forget what they're called but they are a couple of years old so the older range and made of cool spacer material. Very light and comfortable but tend to pong as they are synthetic and hopeless in the wet.

I did covet the high boot for a while but it disappeared while Feelmax went through their difficulties with suppliers.

Looking through the new site I could find no section giving prices or stockists. Maybe I didn't look hard enough?