Moccasins on the trail?

BarberFobic1992

BarberFobic1992

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Jan 21, 2008
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Well, obviously the native americans did it. It seems like ( as long as they were water-proofed) they would be preferable to boots for their lightness and preferable to sandals for their entire-foot-coverage. Anyone use them regularly? The only disadvantages I could see would be your feet getting cold in the winter and if you drop somthing on your foot, your are going to feel it alot more thank you would if you were wearing boots. Being in Oklahoma, I think that some authentic, high quality ones would be pretty easy to come by. Any thoughts?
 
When I used to attend End of the Trail, there was a guy who made some super heavy-duty mocs. They felt very good but my concerns were:

(1) No arch support;

(2) No midsole for rock bruise protection;

(3) No tread for extra traction, when needed.

I might still get some for use around camp.

DancesWithKnives
 
Native Americans spent a lot of time repairing their mocassins too. I do not wear them as I would rather go barefoot or do sandals.

If I did wear them, I would probably invest in Catskill Mocs - you can have the soles made out of a conveyor belt which provides greater durability and more traction. Fore warning you - they are expensive.

http://www.catskill-moc.com/home.html

Don't discount the versatility of a good sandal like Chaco. Easier to climb in, stable, orthopedic, can get wet, very durable, can wear with socks or neoprene bootie when it gets cold...
 
Didn't the American Indians refer to white folks as "tender-foot". ;):D

I'd need very, very thick soles on moccasins in Texas... one mesquite thorn, and your wildlife adventure would be over pretty fast. I'll stick to shoes, thanks....:)
 
I used to love my moccasins for running through the woods as a kid. And run I would. However, rocky terrain or ground I wasn't familiar with...today I would not be so quick to take them back up.

I'm not fond of sandals either, I like toe coverage.
 
Dredging old memories...seems that multiple pairs of mocs were made for each native american on a trip, they wore through with great ease, in spite of their experience in making them. They didn't have insulating power, so often dried grass was stuffed in the ala Ozti, when they got wet...they pretty much stayed wet and could/would stretch as they were worn, making them loose. And, of course, arch support was not even on the horizon.

That said, some folks still swear by them, but then, some folks think barefoot is the way mankind is supposed to be shod. I think you have to be younger to think along these lines, but I never asked age.

Here's an interesting site, but deals with auto-tire sandals you can make yourself. Well-done, but perhaps off-topic. http://www.hollowtop.com/sandals.htm

A wilderness site with how-to directions and template.

Probably the best technology today is in the I-don't-wanna-wear-a-made-in-China trail shoe.

Sorry.



Kis
enjoy every sandwich
 
I always wanted some Indian boots but my feet are wide and I dont have an arch anyway so it doesnt matter to me. Im flatfooted as they come. If I could get some I would. I just dont know were to get them. I think they would be very comfortable.
 
Why would anyone willingly go to stone age technology unless they had to?

Considering all the disadvantages listed already, what would you do, should you develop a foot injury? You couldn't move or at least very fast, trying to hike with a foot injury is miserable.

Moccasins would only increase your risks of all the possible foot injuries, twisted ankles, broken bones, slips from lack of traction, blisters, cuts, abrasions, disease, and animal bites.

Why go there?
 
zenheretic said:
Why would anyone willingly go to stone age technology unless they had to?

Considering all the disadvantages listed already, what would you do, should you develop a foot injury? You couldn't move or at least very fast, trying to hike with a foot injury is miserable.

Moccasins would only increase your risks of all the possible foot injuries, twisted ankles, broken bones, slips from lack of traction, blisters, cuts, abrasions, disease, and animal bites.

Why go there?
Click to expand...

Because it is close to how nature intended us to walk and is a healthier way to travel !
 
Feelmax makes some kind of "modern day moccasins"... I've been thinking about getting a pair.

To the question "why", the advantages of modern shoes are not that apparent in all situations. I think that in the woods at summertime some light soft moccasin-type shoes might be a really good idea. On a rocky terrain, or in urban environment modern shoes are probably better.
 
pitdog said:
Because it is close to how nature intended us to walk and is a healthier way to travel !
Click to expand...

Well if you wanna play that way I'm pretty sure using modern medicine and the convenience of the internet are verboten as well. ;)
 
zenheretic said:
Well if you wanna play that way I'm pretty sure using modern medicine and the convenience of the internet are verboten as well. ;)
Click to expand...

Google "barefoot running", and check some of the sites out. I think they might be on to something... maybe trying out moccasins for certain kind of terrains could be a pretty good idea.
 
I carry a pair of heavy soled slippers for around the camp. So moccasins would probably do for the same use. Remember primative people have built up a layer of caluses on their feet to protect them. We have tender feet. I'll stick with my vibram and leather hiking boots.
 
i have been looking at moccasins to race in...

its against the uniform rules in highschool cross country and track to wear anything but closed toe shoes to race in...so i can't run barefoot.

i often run the warm up and cool down barefoot at practice, in the woods. large roots, pointy rocks, sometimes the worst type of gravel for barefoot there is...my feet are soft after running in shoes so much teh past few weeks, but they can still stand up to it all...

but i want minimal support for racing, at this point the least support i have are some cheap flat bottom sneakers. i often run in thin sandals during the main part of practice.

instead of moccasins i have also been looking at these
he sells a kit with 4 mm vibram and straps for $30 but i think i could make my own from some car tire innertube and paracord. this would provide sole protection on rough ground but without impeding my natural cadence.
 
My uncle swears by his Mukluks.com arctics. He wore them last year while we hunted norther Wisconsin. I was considering them but don't have the occasion to wear them as much down here. He ice fishes, and hunts in them all the time.

Badge54
 
I now a girl that hiked the long trail (The entire lenthe of vermont 272 miles ) barefoot she was the first one ive meet that had done it but there has been a bunch ( mostly girls from what ive seen) that have done it. i own i pair of mukluks that are awsome as long as its well bellow freezeing otherwise they tend to get wet and are actualy alittle to warm
 
cjd1980 said:
I now a girl that hiked the long trail (The entire lenthe of vermont 272 miles ) barefoot she was the first one ive meet that had done it but there has been a bunch ( mostly girls from what ive seen) that have done it. i own i pair of mukluks that are awsome as long as its well bellow freezeing otherwise they tend to get wet and are actualy alittle to warm
Click to expand...
I'll bet she had really ugly feet. :thumbdn:
 
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