What are you wearing on your feet?

[Muffin]

I am looking for suggestions on what kind of footwear to get before or during the upcoming fest season (MNRF - 8/22 thru 10/5)

If you don't know me, I am a beer wench at our faire, and have to be on my feet serving beer for about 6 hours a day..

Right now I have a pair of gladiator style sandals, which I really like and are very comfortable, but by about 3:00 pm my heels are just killing me from standing behind the pub.. I have considered getting heel pads/inserts but I'm not all together sure this will solve the problem..

I prefer to wear sandals as my feet get so hot out there, but am open to any other suggestions..

I don't want to break the bank on shoes so I really would like to not spend any more than $100 - $150 on new shoes..

Thanks for any suggestions you all might have!!

[Kate XXXXXX]

How about some of these:

http://www.flyflot.co.uk/Index.html

http://www.hottershoes.com/HotterSite/pages/home/default.asp?sNoLoadFlash=true

http://www.footwear4you.co.uk/brand/rohde-shoes/9/1

If you can get away with gladiator style sandals, all these makes will have something you can use, though they may not have a gladiator style as such.

[Chelsy]

I wear these, but with some embroidery:
http://www.pillagedvillage.com/~pillaged/cgi-bin/cart.cgi/CC_700L.html
They're super cheap and sometimes I wear them out in my mundanes. I wear them to every faire I attend and they haven't hurt me yet! They're probably not HA but you can't usually see them under my dress, anyway.

[gem]

Nice clogs, like from Dansko, would be perfect for a beer wench.  They're period, they're in your price range, and they're absolutely designed to be worn for long hours on your feet.  My SIL is a teacher, and she lives in her Dansko clogs.  I have a pair of clogs from LL Bean (about half the price), which I would have recommended... but they've recently redesigned them to be more "stylish," rendering them completely un-fair-like.  Sigh.

Another period option is maryjanes.  I have this pair from Travelsmith, but they have not yet been Fair-tested.  I expected them to be really soft when I got them, and they weren't, which surprised me... but overall, test wearings (all day at home) have proven them comfy enough.  I should be wearing them at Fair this fall.

If you want to stick with sandals, I think most people find Birkenstocks pretty fair-friendly.

[Adriana Rose]

I wear maryjanes that I got from www.renstore.com

they are super comfy and I put the inserts in them and I can stand for 13 hours with out a ouchie

[Lady Rebecca]

I wear these, but with some embroidery:
http://www.pillagedvillage.com/~pillaged/cgi-bin/cart.cgi/CC_700L.html
They're super cheap and sometimes I wear them out in my mundanes. I wear them to every faire I attend and they haven't hurt me yet! They're probably not HA but you can't usually see them under my dress, anyway.

You haven't found the soles too thin? I bought them, but then the size I got was too small, and because the soles seemed so thin, I just returned them instead of exchanging. I feel like if I had worn them to Scarborough, I would have had rocks going into my feet, but maybe the soles are heartier than I thought?

When I went to my first two faires this year, I wore these suede granny boots I've had since forever, but they tore up my feet at Scarborough, and I was unable to wear them to Muskogee the next weekend, so I just wore sneakers. I felt so embarrassed for my feet. I'd really love to find a pair of cheap shoes, preferably boots, so I don't have to worry about mud. (If I hadn't worn the boots at Scarborough, I may have lost a shoe!)r

[DonaCatalina]

I have some 10 year old dream shoes that I keep getting re-soled at our local shoe repair.
The same shoes are available at TRF from a shoe vendor that goes by a different name.
They are slightly tudorized leather maryjanes.
I wish I could remember the name.....?
They are very comfortable with about a 1-1/4" thick neoprene sole.

I also have some Spanish Court shoes with pointier toes that Lady Oren made for me.

[DragonWing]

clogs would be the way to go for long periods on your feet. Chefs wear them because they are sturdy and comfortable.  I'm not sure about period but gem says they are so I would go that route. 

[Chelsy]

You haven't found the soles too thin? I bought them, but then the size I got was too small, and because the soles seemed so thin, I just returned them instead of exchanging. I feel like if I had worn them to Scarborough, I would have had rocks going into my feet, but maybe the soles are heartier than I thought?

Not at all! They're rather sturdy soles-- but one of the downsides is that they smell strongly of rubber for a few wearings. Another downside, not involving the soles, is that they only go up to the ankles, so when I was running through the mud at TNRF this year, I was soaked from shoes to mid-calf. But over all, I love the shoes.

[Carl Heinz]

I've worn Birkenstock London's for years  No stone bruises and great support!!

My wife and sister also wear them.

[I. Stewart]

These:
http://revival.us/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=233

[flidais]

I have a pair of maryjanes from Eastland that I got from JCPenny.  They are super comfy.  And I have a pair of ghilles from Native Soles.  And I have been very happy with them as well.  Although I don't wear them as often.

Happy shoe hunting!!!

[GirlChris]

These:
http://revival.us/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=233

Ooooh, I really like the look of those. How do they hold up?

[Syrilla]

I finally had to give up my favorite pair of mary jane... that I bought at wallyworld.  They were not 100% HA, but with some of the things I do... I must keep my feet and ankles supported.  What I want....

http://www.solesthrutime.com/CatalogSlippers.html

http://www.wulflund.com/costumes-shoes/footwear/renaissance-boots/

[I. Stewart]

These:
http://revival.us/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=233

Ooooh, I really like the look of those. How do they hold up?

Very well.  If you plan on wearing them a lot or on pavement, you'll probably want pattens to go with them, but the shoes by themselves aren't bad.  The soles are very thin, so you feel every pebble you step on, but they are authentic.