Handmade Moccasins

[pgvoutdoors]

A few years ago I purchased a pair of handmade moccasins from Arrow Moccasin Company. I had asked around and many people that participate in Rendezvous said they were a really good company. I've been completely satisfied and the quality is outstanding. My leather craft skills are not at the level to produce such an item.

This pair is called "The French Canadian Boot" and is fleece lined. The lower is cow hide, the upper elk. The current cost is $227 for the fleece lined, ($186 without the fleece) plus shipping. They make many other styles as well.

Their website is: http://www.arrowmoc.com/mocasins.html

[huntermj]

The lining looks warm. can it be removed for the summer? How water proof are they?

[pgvoutdoors]

The lining looks warm. can it be removed for the summer? How water proof are they?

The lining is fixed, can not be removed. You must decide whether you want it lined or not when you order them. The sole is double layered giving them a longer life as well as protecting your feet from stones.

I waterproof mine with snow seal wax and that works well. The elk upper is harder to keep dry than the cow hide lower. Elk is soft and absorbent by nature. They're very comfortable during the three colder seasons of the year.

[pgvoutdoors]

Two problems everyone has with moccasins is the flat leather sole, (it's very slippery), and the waterproofing. In the nastier weather I use a pair of NEOS over-boots. The pair I have is very lightweight; waterproof nylon upper and cleated rubber soles.

Some of their styles are available at Campmor but I didn't see the ones I have.

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/...turer=25011268

[red lake]

Steger Mukluks are a better cold weather boot IMHO. www.mukluks.com

There are made with brain tanned smoked moosehide, which is far superior to factory tanned leather. It can breathe which is what you want in a cold weather boot.

They also have wool felt liners that are removable, also essential feature of a winter mukluk. A mukluk is designed for cold weather travel and as soon as you waterproof it you might as well be wearing rubber boots. The breathability is gone with the waterproofing.

However, if it is waterproof and lightweight you are after you want to get sealskin boots. I know nobody who sells these so it may take alot of research and making them yourself may be your only possibility.

When it comes to modern moccasins and mukluks they have a crepe bottom on them that solves the slickness of a leather soled shoe.

Waterproof moccasins for warm weather travel is something I don't know if it is possible without using chemical waterproofing, they are light and small enough that two pairs may be wise, one dries as you wear the other.

[pgvoutdoors]

Nice Mocs!

[FVR]

I kinda like my pair. They don't have the fleece as it does not get that cccoold down here. I picked up mine when they cost $150.00 a pair, that was awhile ago.

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If you don't like the slip, many will use that stuff "Goop" on them. They make designs on the soles and let dry. I have not tried it yet.

They are slightly waterproof, but it does not matter because I wear wool socks in the winter. I do take them off when fording streams, a little wet, okay, soaked, not good as I have found out. Nothing worse than trying to put on wet, almost frozen mocs.

[Runs With Beer]

FVR, Have you ever herd of Snowseal. This is one of the best water proofing I have ever come across.

[FVR]

No, I have not. But I am going to google it in a minute.

Thanks.

[Runs With Beer]

Snowseal is great stuff, You wont be disappointed.

[tacmedic]

FVR- do you mean the Goop adhesive? I'll have to try that!

[FVR]

It is the Goop that you use to glue shoe soles back on. The only problem that I would see is that if they are thin soled mocs, then you would feel the grip. But, double soled Arrow mocs should do fine.

By the way, those Arrow mocs, have a lifetime gaurantee on the soles.

[RBB]

I've always made my own. Learned from my grandmother when I was just a tyke.

Don't have any photos of the summer mocs, but I always make sure to have about ten pair on hand.

For waterproofing, I use Hubbard's Shoe Grease:

Winter Mocs:

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[crashdive123]

Nice work RBB. They do look comfortable.

[pgvoutdoors]

RBB, I "LIKE"! I would like to get a good pattern and try to make a pair of Muks.

FVR, It looks like we have the same style, except for the fleece lining.

[FVR]

PGV,

They are good quality mocs. I have tried so many times to make a good pair of mocs, have yet to make a comfy pair.

The Arrows are real comfy, double soled, with a lifetime warranty. Can't beat that.

RBB, Awsome.

[pgvoutdoors]

The Rendezvous people like the Arrow brand because they offer authentic reproductions that they are allowed to use. I just like them for there comfort and durability.

[Mission:Love]

I was wondering if there was a "cool" leather I could wear in warmer climates. I am going to in Africa in April & I started thinking about the best type of footwear & I thought of moccasins. I was wondering anyones opinion who knows more about them than I do. There will be ALOT of walking, so is this going to be comfortable? I've never owned a pair. So I wouldn't even know the type of leather would need to be used. Thanks alot~

[Runs With Beer]

Welcome Mission Love, Hows about walking over to the intro sec. and tell us a little about your self?

[RBB]

RE: Leather: I use moose - or elk - if I'm lucky enough to know someone who's gone elk hunting out west. I've made some from thicker deer hide, but deer hide always stretches - a lot. If you are making summer mocs (from any type leather) - be sure they fit so tight you can hardly get in them. They will stretch. It is always good to make the heel in such a way that you can sew it tighter - after you've worn them a while and they stretch out.

The problem many people have - when they first try to make mocs - is too thick of leather. It has to be fairly thin to make a good pair of mocs. the Arrow mocs, and other mocs commercially made of thick cow hide - are most likely made on a last - like regular shoes. You may notice on Arrow mocs, and other thick leather mocs, that the underside does not cap over the toe - where it meets the vamp - unlike mocs made by Indians. They can't. The leather is too thick and it won't make the bend. Nor will it pucker - as it does in an Indian made moggasin.

As to using moggasins in Africa - I'd find out a little bit about the country you'll be in before I brought mocs. If there are a lot of thorns - please remember, wearing moggasins is just a polite way of going barefoot.

You could check out Apapche or SW styles of moggasins - which use a rawhide sole. Raw hide soles tend to be very slippery, however.