Ghillies for Steve

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

Lord Stephen has finally worn out his Dreamshoes, after 12 years.  Well worth the money we paid for them, as he wears them just about every time we go to faire.  Unfortunately, the company is no longer in business, and we are now looking for a new company.

I went on LadyOren's website, but there are no ghillies shown.  So I found some at Medieval Moccasins and Renboots.

Could I please have feedback about these companies, how well the shoes hold up, how responsive the company is, if the shoes are comfortable, etc.?  Also if you could recommend any other companies, I would appreciate it.  Right up front, I will state that our pocketbooks do not include custom, as I wouldn't want to offend anyone who might post about that.

I appreciate your input and thank you in advance for your help.

Hugs (it's what I do!)

[wildthingjew]

renee, i called the number and they said they sold their shoe stock to renboots so if you can get a pair of shoes from them, they may turn out to be the original ones made by dreamshoes, don't hurt to ask and good luck in you quest,

1 week
3 days
23 hours
21 minutes to go

[DonaCatalina]

Don Juan and I have some very old Ghillies from Medieval Moccasins that we love.

Unfortunately the newer ones seem to be cut lower on the sides and let more rocks in. My daughter gave up on hers after a couple of wearings.

I'd recommend trying renboots first to see if you can get any.

[Mairghread]

Lady Oren does make Ghillies, they are listed under the sandals.  I have a pair of the ghillie sandals and they are wonderful.

[raevyncait]

I LOVE my Medieval Mocassins.  I own a pair in every style they offer except the closed-toe slides (slides are not available online).  while my open toed sandals do wind up fairly rocky if I wear them some areas of Scarby, all of my closed-toed ones are fine unless I shuffle through the playground areas that have the peagravel on them.  I've found them to be responsive to my needs, if you are at a faire at which they vend, I encourage you to get tied up. 

a couple of notes:

1. they carry whole sizes only
2. the shoes should fit more like a sock than a shoe, the rosette at the toe should be snug, but not tight against your toes, most people that I know wear about a size to a size 1/2 smaller in MM than in street shoes. (all of my other shoes are 7-7.5, my MM are all 6)
3. they are completely machine washable, with the exception of the suedes and the leathers that still have hair on them.  Last year, after the great mudfest of Memorial Day weekend at Scarby, because I'd gone through both my tall boots and my original mocs in the mud, I just stuck them in lingerie bags (to corral the laces better), threw them all in the washer on cold with no detergent, and boom, a couple of hours later, nice clean shoes.
4. They can be re-soled if/when the sole wears out (this usually can't be done at the show)
5. They can be 'schnipped' if they get too stretched out (this can be done, at least at Scarby) on the sides or in the rosette
6. They can be worn with just about any orthotic you may find... I know that this season, when I knew I would be on my feet more often, I had a Birkenstock footbed, plus a gel cushion, and the adjustability of the design kept me from having to go up a size. Now, if I am not working, if I am simply running amok at a faire that is not paved or cobbled, I am fine in them without the extra support or cushioning.  On concrete, paved, or cobbled places, be it faire or the mundane world, if I am going to be walking a lot, I find some extra cushioning is very necessary.
7. Renaissance Mocassins look the same, but are not.  I don't know the details of the differences, but suffice it to say that I find I get a better fit with Medieval Mocassins.

[Celtic Lady]

I'm really glad to hear these good reviews about Medieval Moccasin since i just ordered a pair last week.

[groomporter]

I've got some links to period shoe patterns at the bottom of this page about ghillies
http://historicgames.com/Scottishstuff/ghillies.html

[theChuck]

dreamshoes may be gone, but their sister company bald mountain moccasins is still in business..

[serenamoonsilver]

Lady Oren does make Ghillies, they are listed under the sandals.  I have a pair of the ghillie sandals and they are wonderful.

I have a pair too and love them and would highly recomend Lady Oren as well.

[PurpleDragon]

I have a pair of Renboots that work well for me.  I have had them for 6 years now, and wear them every weekend at Faire (work at TRF, play at Scarborough), I also have a pair of "Sandlars" that I wear ONLY with my kilt.  I am quite satisfied with both pairs, but there is a caveat.  My Renboots are pirate style, as are a good amount of their stock, while they offer multiple styles, it would be best to see them and see what they have in person. 

(I just cannot/could not justify the cost for any other makers boots).

[DonaCatalina]

Both his Excellency and I have shoes from Lady Oren's Medieval shoes.

We also have ghillies from Medieval Moccasins
both are good sources.

[Silverbee]

I just took the plunge and ordered a pair of ghillies from Medieval Moccasins.  Can't wait to get them!

[verymerryseamstress]

Lady Oren makes PHENOMENALLY well-made Ghillies.  My hubby got some about 6 or 7 years ago, and they are still in perfect condition.

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

My husband has very weird feet, and he decided he wanted to try something on before buying.  So he got ghillies from Renboots at the Bristol faire, as they have a booth. 

My shoes are 12 years old and starting to show some wear, but I have "normal" feet and have no problem buying online, so when I need some, this thread is where I will go first.

Thanks for everyone's input, and please keep it coming.  Not only for me, but so often, there are questions from new members on where to find footwear. 

Honestly, I have bought from different vendors that have been recommended on the forum for other items, not just shoes, because I trust my friends here to give me good advice.  And I know these comments are much appreciated by myself and others.

[Killian]

I haven't owned either yet, but on the original R/F forum there was a LONG thread similar to this. In it, I read countless tales of the Renboots falling apart in not much time while the Medieval Moccasins were raved about constantly. I to like the bold look of the Renboots Ghillie Boot http://renboots.com/GhillieBoot.html and the Vibram sole option, but I just heard too many horror stories to want to risk spending $250 on a pair.