One of the earliest and revolutionary developments during the medieval period was that of ‘turnshoes’. Because of our focus on the middle ages, we’ll concentrate on this period of time in a bit more detail. In medieval times, the shoemaking process actually enjoyed a great deal of advancement. However, cooler climates demanded more protective footwear. These were great in hot climates and were also popular in Roman times. The Ancient Greeks commonly wore sandals, which consisted of a simple sole and straps that wrapped around the foot. They were more like bags that you stuck your foot in than shoes that were shaped for the purpose. The earliest leather shoes were constructed from a single piece of cowhide, which was fastened to the foot with a leather cord. Other shoes were made with wood, but these weren’t as popular as good old leather. So, like the very early bark and twine shoes, the vast majority of ancient and medieval leather shoes haven’t survived to this day. With the proper care, leather can easily last several lifetimes. Leather can be both soft and comfortable or very stiff and tough, depending on the manufacturing process. It is easy to obtain and somewhat renewable, malleable enough to work with, and very hard wearing. As a material, leather is fantastic for this purpose. Leather was introduced as a shoemaking material over 5000 years ago and has proven to be so effective that we still wear leather shoes today. As far as we know, the earliest shoes were made using bark and twine, meaning that there are few surviving examples. This means that we have little concrete evidence of what they were like, outside of artwork and written descriptions. Unfortunately, many of the popular materials for shoemaking in ancient and medieval times are perishable. The Development of Footwear Through History: Shapeless Bags to Welted Shoesįootwear was invented far before the middle ages, as people have always seen the importance of covering and protecting their feet. While these shoes are geared towards the common peasant folk, they are stylish and simple enough to go with a huge variety of outfits and to give them a nice, authentic finishing touch. They also match many different characters. These shoes are unisex, available in sizes appropriate for both male and female wearers. This will keep them looking nice and ready for yet another LARP event, no matter the weather. Treat them as you would any other leather shoes, brushing them clean when they need it and regularly polishing or oiling the leather to prevent cracks. With the proper care, these medieval peasant shoes should last for a good while. To finish off the look, the top edges of the peasant shoes are detailed with natural coloured stitching, which matches the lacing nicely. The laces are either black or brown, depending on the colour of your chosen pair of shoes. The leather top consists mainly of one sheet of leather, with a seam at the back to close it into the shoe shape.Īs well as the main leather top, the shoes have a simple tongue and are fastened with attractive chunky leather laces. The leather top of each shoe is firmly attached to the sole with metal nails. The style of the shoes clearly follows that of historical shoes, with a simple and streamlined design. You have the option of either black or brown leather peasant shoes, both of which should match almost any outfit or character that you have lined up. First of all, they are handmade from leather, which matches their historical counterparts perfectly. So, you’ll be pleased to hear that these medieval peasant shoes tick all of those boxes. So, you’re going to want something that is comfortable and hard-wearing as well as fitting with the rest of your historic or fantasy outfit. This is especially true if you’ve spent all day on your feet, such as at a LARP or cosplay event. Ī poor pair of shoes can be uncomfortable, flimsy, and can result in sore feet that last for days. Aesthetics aside, what shoes you wear can hugely impact your whole day. Shoes are one of those things that many people don’t think twice about, but they are arguably one of the most important parts of an outfit. Remove dirt with a hard brush, then gently clean with leather soap and a soft, damp cloth.The Medieval Commoner’s Choice: Peasant Shoes.This item is handmade, therefore, it may vary slightly from what is shown above. These medieval boots are wonderful for reenacting, roleplaying, and cosplay use. On the bottom, the boots have nailed leather soles. They lace up to the inside with two pairs of holes. The brown boots end at the ankle with a visible tongue sticking up in front. Made from leather, this pair of boots comes in a range of sizes. The Laced Medieval Ankle Boots step across the cobblestones while you purchase your gear from the stalls. Women’s Medieval & Renaissance Footwear.

Medieval ankle boots