I have a pair of Roman/Greek-esque leather Ren sandals that are mostly great except for the fact that the soles are so thin I can feel every rock when I walk. Reeks havoc on my feet. I bought new shoes this weekend and they are great but this got me thinking. Can I rehash the bottoms of the sandals? Have an additional rubber sole attached? Have the sole replaced with a thicker one even? I bought them at Scarby a number of years ago so I can't remember the name of the vendor.
I know you said you don't remember the name of the vendor, but would you recognize them while walking the lanes? If so, it never hurts to ask if they can upgrade the soles. If that's not a good option, take them to your local shoe repair man, he should be able to handle it if it's possible.
Here in the Dallas area we have Messina Shoe Repair and they sewed new thicker leather soles on His Lordship's medieval shoes and glued new neoprene soles to my 18 year old Dreamshoes. Check around for shoe repair places that would do the same for you. I believe all of them do the glue thing, sewing would be more problematical as only the one here does that.
That would be my suggestion as well. Take your sandals to a reputable Shoe Repair to have additional rubber soles put on.
I bought a pair of Shoes from Willin Soles at the Minnesota Renaissance festival. The soles are 3/4" thick. Anything less in thickness will feel every rock, and have sore feet for days after.
I have a good recall memory so there is a good chance when I go Opening weekend (My Bday!) and they are there it will ring bell.
They are definitley less than 3/4". But I was a greenhorn at garbing back then...
We were all "greenhorns" back then too, dreamwalker, when it came to garb!
I also have a pair of 5 yeaar old leather ankle boots with thick soles and wide 2 1/2" heels I wear with my Noble garb to keep my skirts from dragging on the ground. They are so comfortable, I can go all day at faire and my feet feel great.
I have seen many female patrons wear shoes not suitable for the festival terrain. Boots with 4" Stilleto heels with a sexy Pirate costume just does not cut it!! I think it, but can never bring myself to tell a patron that they are wearing the incorrect footwear. I figure their feet will do the talking eventually.
These are just one example, there are many others out there. My mother used to glue ones like these on her moccasins for more traction and rock proofing.
http://www.dchemet.net/sole-sheets.html (http://www.dchemet.net/sole-sheets.html)
Thanks, you guys are awesome. I cannot imagine wearing spike heels anywhere esp. Faire. Don't need 'em either I'm tall :)
You know, you could cut a piece of tire tread and use contact cement on the bottoms of the soles. The tread is actually quite thin, quite durable, and will prevent you from feeling every stone. Good luck!
Although we take ours to a local cobbler for virbrum re-soling (how can I not patronize a local, old-schooled trained artiste, eh?) I read here on the forum what I thought was a FANTASTIC and inexpensive idea, but I can't find the thread.
At any rate, the suggestion was to buy one of those thick kitchen mats that are used to reduce stress when standing for a long time. Trace your foot and VOILA you have customized inserts. Though those mats aren't cheap, you could get 8-10 pairs of inserts.
*muttering to herself... gotta find that link so I can give credit to the person that posted***
Quote from: mehan on November 19, 2011, 07:34:42 AM
*muttering to herself... gotta find that link so I can give credit to the person that posted***
http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=15004.0 (http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=15004.0)
Quote from: EmbyrretheFae on May 05, 2011, 10:16:12 AM
Heres a trade secret of mine when it comes to insoles...
Dont buy the Dr Scholes, etc (unless you know they work for you).
As Embyrre, I wear close to 80 lbs of garb. After 10 hours in that getup ones feet can hurt pretty bad. I was given a tip from the Owner of the Mythical Monster Museum some years ago.
Buy yourself a chunk of solid anti-fatigue mat (all you need is a 2'x2' section), trace your feet, cut out and put into your footwear. I've been using the same insoles in Embyrres footwear for 4 years now and they are still goling strong. No collapsing, no wearing out and they make you feel like you are walking on air.
Buy a can of spray adhesive to keep them anchored into the bottom without slippage too.
You can buy the mat at any Lowe's or Home Depot and its really cheap!. Remember to buy the solid mat, not the vented.
I dont think you will be disappointed. Oh and if you still have any doubts, I use this stuff in my mocassins as Two Hawks as well. Even the stones on the roads dont hurt my feet through Mocs with these in them.
Your mileage may still vary though.
Hope this helps
Thanks everybody, most probably going to a shoe hospital type place in town. Asked my Lady Mother who she thinks is good. I would rather give my money to a little tradesman and they know what they are doing. So sad these types of professions are ebbing away because of the throw it away-just buy another one culture these days.
Thanks Nobill - yep embryreethefae is da bomb1
Quote from: NoBill Lurker on November 19, 2011, 09:49:16 AM
Quote from: mehan on November 19, 2011, 07:34:42 AM
*muttering to herself... gotta find that link so I can give credit to the person that posted***
http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=15004.0 (http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=15004.0)
Quote from: EmbyrretheFae on May 05, 2011, 10:16:12 AM
Heres a trade secret of mine when it comes to insoles...
Dont buy the Dr Scholes, etc (unless you know they work for you).
As Embyrre, I wear close to 80 lbs of garb. After 10 hours in that getup ones feet can hurt pretty bad. I was given a tip from the Owner of the Mythical Monster Museum some years ago.
Buy yourself a chunk of solid anti-fatigue mat (all you need is a 2'x2' section), trace your feet, cut out and put into your footwear. I've been using the same insoles in Embyrres footwear for 4 years now and they are still goling strong. No collapsing, no wearing out and they make you feel like you are walking on air.
Buy a can of spray adhesive to keep them anchored into the bottom without slippage too.
You can buy the mat at any Lowe's or Home Depot and its really cheap!. Remember to buy the solid mat, not the vented.
I dont think you will be disappointed. Oh and if you still have any doubts, I use this stuff in my mocassins as Two Hawks as well. Even the stones on the roads dont hurt my feet through Mocs with these in them.
Your mileage may still vary though.
Hope this helps
I wish I had read this earlier! I had the same problem as dreamwalker with a pair of moccasin boots I bought online that have very thin rubber soles. I could feel every single bump, rock, and root underfoot, so I got the Dr. Scholes. The boots feel so much better to walk in now, but those insoles were like $50. I've got another pair of boots that have become uncomfortable, so I think I'll try this anti-fatigue mat idea....thanks!!!