Handmade Moccasins

**tsitenha** · 01-16-2009, 10:05 AM

As the point of the question Mission:love is going and walking in Africa, get a well made hiker with a sturdy sole. Lots of things will go through the regular sole of moccassins and regular shoes.
I have a friend who is presently in Kenya and that is exactly what he is wearing along with suitable changes of socks and foot care pack. Hardening up his feet here first, made his feet better able to cover the ground.
By asking this question I surmise that your feet are not ready made tough.
Now is the time to get and wear in your boots, let both the boots adjust to your feet and your feet toughen up for the walking in the same boots.
Medical help for blistered, cramping, aching feet is not always easily accessed.
Bring foot powder, blister pack and know how to use them.
Keep the moccasins for camp, evenings when relaxing or when your feet are toughened up.
Sorry for the highjacking on mocs

**Mission:Love** · 01-16-2009, 01:56 PM

Thank you.
That's very useful information to consider. I know alot of people there walk around barefoot. But that doesn't necessarily mean I should be. hmm.

**tsitenha** · 01-16-2009, 08:21 PM

Most people there walk around shoeless:
1: don't have money to buy shoes
2: never wore shoes to start with
3: feet are tough as shoe leather now
4: would have to have custom made shoes as their feet are very wide with extreme calloused soles from being shoeless
5: sandals suit their needs better
6: they know what to look for in ground puncture hazards

**RBB** · 01-17-2009, 08:27 AM

Went out to eat tonight with my brother, Dan, and his wife, Vicky. They just got back from two years in Tanzania. Dan spent a lot of time in the bush. I asked them what they wore for shoes while they were there. He said it was a lot dirtier in the bush than it is in the woods around here.

Dan said when he was in the bush, he wore tenna-shoes and work boots. Vicky said that everything was very dirty there and she liked having shoes that could be easily washed with soap and water - like Crocs.

They both said mocs would be low on their list of choices for footwear - at least in that part of Africa.

Dan had some very interesting stories concerning natives there - and bandit encounters.

**USMC2010** · 12-20-2009, 10:55 PM

I really want a pair of moccasin boots that i could wear year round. They do not need to be lined for winter or anything but i would like them to be waterproof if possible. I would be using them to hunt and just hike in the summertime

**crashdive123** · 12-20-2009, 11:00 PM

Hey there USMC2010 - how about marching on over to the Introduction section and tell us a bit about yourself. Thanks. http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...splay.php?f=14

**COWBOYSURVIVAL** · 12-20-2009, 11:02 PM

Originally Posted by USMC2010

I really want a pair of moccasin boots that i could wear year round. They do not need to be lined for winter or anything but i would like them to be waterproof if possible. I would be using them to hunt and just hike in the summertime

One word= Chippewah Boots

**Ole WV Coot** · 12-20-2009, 11:37 PM

They look nice, probably comfortable but too much $$. My feet do best with 8" RedWing climbing boots with a 1" heel at about the same price. I don't think I could do much walking without stepping on something pointy. For support, comfort and something I have have worn for years I will stick with mine.

**gryffynklm** · 12-21-2009, 12:30 AM

I have a great pair of Bald Mountain Moccasins that I have used for 12 years. During that time I have had them resoled every 2 to three years. It is made of buffalo with vibrum (sp?) soles. Unfortunately they are no longer made. I keep them conditioned with mink oil without silicone because the silicone can eventually cause the leather to become stiff. I also wash them by hand using Woolite at least twice a year. It depends how dirty they get and if they become stiff. I usually let then air dry with a generous slathering of mink oil. They are not cheep but they have also lasted for a long time with resoling. They are up for retirement.

These are similar to mine however mine are chocolate brown with the black reinforcement at the buttons. no fancy colors.

Windwalker Footwear.
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RBB, very very nice

Your mocs look comfortable. The style would suit my needs better then what I have. Thanks for posting

**hunter63** · 12-21-2009, 12:33 AM

A lot of people we Rendezvous with wear these, Carl Dyer mocs.

He used to custom make them, send him a drawing of your foot, and then they make them to order.
Mine and DW are the Rendezvous style and have double soles. They also will re-sole them and similar moc's.

http://carldyers.com/

Wear them into a river, get soaked good, then wear them dry, they are like a second skin.