I am having fits trying to settle on footware to go with my kilt. I have been going back and forth between a pair of brown ghilles and a pair of black mocassin style boots. Both are comfortable enough but I am not sure they give me the right look. I really want something new that I will love. Budget is $200. Please let fly with your recommendations.
Steve bought these at Bristol from the Renboots shop there.
Men's Gilly
Price: $69.00
He says they are the most comfortable shoes he's ever worn at faire. He had a pair of Dreamshoes, but after 11 years, they bit the dust, so he got these to wear with his kilt. They are butter soft black leather. He has very hard to fit feet, and is always grateful when he can find something to fit. And the fact that these fit perfectly and are so comfortable has him sold on these shoes.
On the Renboot website, click on Marcy's shoes on the home page. I had to scroll down to find it, but you can see a picture of them.
Hmmm, my husband is looking for footwear to go with a kilt as well. How are the Renboots' Gillys as far as support goes?
When we go to faire, it's 3 hours each way, so we leave home about 7 a.m. and get back around 11 p.m. Steve has his shoes on the whole time. At faire, we spend a lot of time walking around. We are not ones to sit in 1 pub the whole day and never move. He's never complained about sore or aching feet, so I guess he must feel comfortable in them (he's at work now so I can't ask him!).
My guy has settled on kilted pirate for his character, so the ghillies aren't really the look he's going for, and he's got a tattoo on his his calf that he doesn't really want to cover with high boots, either, so I was wondering if anyone has experience with the lower-to-mid-calf type boot in leather? Specifically something like these (http://www.realmcollections.com/p2923/short-medieval-boots.html)? Anyone bought from this site? These boots look pretty descent, but some of their other stuff looks pretty "commercial", so I wanted opinions before I committed to anything.
I asked Steve today about the support in the ghillies. He says he isn't sure how much support there actually is, but he stated again how comfortable they are and how his feet don't hurt at the end of the day.
Milord bought his faire ghillies at Native Earth, and he says that even with his inoperable bunions, they're comforable enough to be on his feet all day. When he bought them about 2-3 years ago, they were less than $100, and they've held up quite well. If you're looking for dress ghillies for outside faire, several pipers have recommended that he look for ones with crepe or vibram soles. It's tough to find them with sewn sole as opposed to glued on, but it's worth it when it comes time to replace soles vs. the whole shoe. And when weather dictates, be it faire or not, he says to heck with fashion and goes for his hikers.
Quote from: Lady Renee Buchanan on December 21, 2008, 02:01:39 PM
I asked Steve today about the support in the ghillies. He says he isn't sure how much support there actually is, but he stated again how comfortable they are and how his feet don't hurt at the end of the day.
Thank you for checking with him! Kurt has arch support issues (he has for years), so I'm hesitant to purchase footwear unless he can try it on....but those are reasonable enough pricewise and look comfy.
Now that I'm a Pedorthist I would say with the right orthotic you could don any of the aforementioned footwear quite well.
;D
For the Renaissance a "soft" leathered ghillie is most appropriate for the Celt.
Either low or high shanked would be personal preference depending on the persona.
I've got some links to patterns for ghillies and related shoes and the bottom of the page here
http://www.historicgames.com/Scottishstuff/ghillies.html
i has the same problem for the longest time. i kinda wanted to stay traditional with the tall ghillies, but i kinda wanted boots too because of the support in the ankles that they give but i couldn't find a pair that i liked that weren't rediculously expensive. then i found son of sandlars boot and they are great. not that pricey, fit good, look nice and they have a great warranty on the soles. look at my myspace picks of TRF 08 to take a look at them. they also come in other colors too.
Thanks, Mac! I think those might be a little higher than he's looking for, but I'll check and see if they have something more mid-calf! Nice boots, btw!!!
My boots are very similar to Macintyre's. I need to put on my kilt and boots and get in front of a full length mirror to see how it all looks. I could stand to invest the money in vest I have been wanting and a new shirt from Renshirts. Maybe Santa will be especially nice and I can just get it all. ;D
Santa will be slow getting to my house this year, but he has promised to make up for it in a really big way later on, so maybe there will be a couple of pairs of boots (a pair for me, too!) to be unwrapped a little later in the New Year... oh, and something fun in leather, too!
Quote from: groomporter on December 21, 2008, 06:41:10 PM
I've got some links to patterns for ghillies and related shoes and the bottom of the page here
http://www.historicgames.com/Scottishstuff/ghillies.html
Hmmm I hadn't considered making footwear, but it sounds like a fun winter project.
You should check out Loyalistarms.com they have some real nice hand cobbled leather buckel shoes for $135, and I have a pair being made right now. The type I is the right style shoe for mid 17 centry thats what I went with, they have boots also.
I wear a pair of rough made 5 button Catskill boots. This would take you over budget, however you could get closer to budget by going thorough Sodhoppers.
Hmmm, aside from hunting and skinning a deer to make your own rustic hide moc-boots, a pair of comfortable ghillies is all you'll ever need!
Cheers!!
I'm a huge fan of the Cuarans when doing anything that pre dates the 17th cent then I go with with ECW shoes then I move up to Straight latched buckle shoes ....boots with a Kilt to be just look plain ole dopey... And i have never seen in documentation written , picture or otherwise that and highlander wore boots with a feilidh-mor...(the great Kilt)
Now that with being said the style of gillie i have seen sold at most ren fairs if memory serves me correctly is a much earlyer Stly of show that is kinda sorta based on a roman shoe but like most thing sold at the fairs that are toted as being historically(hell even culturally accurate one really has to live by the ole adage "Caveat emptor" (Latin for buyer beware).....
Collin
Best thing I did with a pair of hand made ghillies? I had a pair of loafers that blew out the sides. The soles of my ghillies were wearing out and I took apart the loafers and glued the soles on the inside of the ghillies to get some more years out of them.
I got my ghillies from Medieval Moccasins http://www.medievalmoccasins.com . I was really happy with how my feet felt wearing them.
Quote from: Rani Zemirah on December 21, 2008, 11:29:31 AM
My guy has settled on kilted pirate for his character
just curious, is there a such thing as a kilted pirate? not being snippy, just wondering. if i go to pirate weekend this year i could still wear my kilt. ;D
Quote from: duffy on January 13, 2009, 04:28:04 PM
Quote from: Rani Zemirah on December 21, 2008, 11:29:31 AM
My guy has settled on kilted pirate for his character
just curious, is there a such thing as a kilted pirate? not being snippy, just wondering. if i go to pirate weekend this year i could still wear my kilt. ;D
heeeheee heee ;D
Not laughing at you lad....just at your question.
Of course their are kilted pirates.
Perhaps you need to discuss your garb and persona interests with such folks as Capt. Barcardi or Dead Bishop and the list could go on and on.
And on that note...I'm thinking I should perhaps revive this entire Celtic Corner Forum with a thread.....
"Celtic Pirates...
...what say you all? have something to share? Stories and Legends? Interested?
Well, there is an instance of at least one that was dug up by someone here, in a thread in Port of Call, I think, (Redlegs someone or other in the thread Kilted Pirates) but not many in history, I'm sure...
Aye.... Kilted Pirates.. The very best of both worlds!!! :-*
Even Blue has a kilt now... hee hee!!!
those ghilles boots are kind of expensive. so i was thinking a set of minnetonka moccasin boots with the fringe cut off and the tongue removed would look very similar, or just leave the tongue.
I've been wearing ghillie-style sandal/mocassins with my kilts. It's been bad enough getting rocks and stuff in my shoes, but they've started to come apart.
So this past weekend at the Florida Renaissance Festival, I put down a hefty deposit on a pair of Catskill Mocassins 10-button boots. Somebody please tell me that this was a good investment. Please.
Quote from: groomporter on December 21, 2008, 06:41:10 PM
I've got some links to patterns for ghillies and related shoes and the bottom of the page here
http://www.historicgames.com/Scottishstuff/ghillies.html
Period accurate! The only way to go.
I have the Loyalist shoes mentioned above. You wait MONTHS for them. THey are 97 % period correect in construction for 1710 or so. Well made. Comfort? well thats relative. It takes a while to break them in,
with the wooden soles and all, but a great deal at $135. You could spend a lot more and not get something this period.
We got a Burns Dinner on Apl 3, and I am wearing mine! Kilted pirates take over!
I used to wear Medieval Moccasin boots, but recently replaced them with some bog shoes, which I wore for the first time last Fall.
I'm a big fan of ghillies. I've got a pair made by Lady Oren and they are very comfortable. Of course if you want true highlands period accuracy it would be rabbit skins in the winter and nothing in the summer.
House of Andar - Leather Renaissance Pirate Boots. Button boots like Catskill or Sodhoppers, but a fraction of the price. Not as nice though...of course.
www.houseofandar.com
Quote from: iain robb on February 17, 2009, 06:51:10 AM
I've been wearing ghillie-style sandal/mocassins with my kilts. It's been bad enough getting rocks and stuff in my shoes, but they've started to come apart.
So this past weekend at the Florida Renaissance Festival, I put down a hefty deposit on a pair of Catskill Mocassins 10-button boots. Somebody please tell me that this was a good investment. Please.
Somewhat late but my husband has a pair of 10-button boots from Catskill and just loves them - so you get our vote on a good investment! :)
Quote from: Lady Kett on June 11, 2009, 09:34:53 PM
Quote from: iain robb on February 17, 2009, 06:51:10 AM
I've been wearing ghillie-style sandal/mocassins with my kilts. It's been bad enough getting rocks and stuff in my shoes, but they've started to come apart.
So this past weekend at the Florida Renaissance Festival, I put down a hefty deposit on a pair of Catskill Mocassins 10-button boots. Somebody please tell me that this was a good investment. Please.
Somewhat late but my husband has a pair of 10-button boots from Catskill and just loves them - so you get our vote on a good investment! :)
Oh, good. Thank you! I just about have mine paid off.
I second that...good investment. I bought 12 button Sodhoppers for my wife and the initial shock of the cost wears off eventually. They is what they is...all the boot makers are charging about the same for the custom boots. If you want a pair, you have to $$$.
But is you don't want the full custom thing you save $$$ by buying from Sandler or really save and buy from house of Andar = $200 for 7 button boots.
I wear 5 button ruff boots from Catskill Mountain Moccasins. They add to the rustic Scott look.
(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/Hatter50/P8230032.jpg)
Quote from: iain robb on February 17, 2009, 06:51:10 AM
I've been wearing ghillie-style sandal/mocassins with my kilts. It's been bad enough getting rocks and stuff in my shoes, but they've started to come apart.
So this past weekend at the Florida Renaissance Festival, I put down a hefty deposit on a pair of Catskill Mocassins 10-button boots. Somebody please tell me that this was a good investment. Please.
Where did you order the 10 buttons?
Quote from: Merlin on June 14, 2009, 08:15:57 AM
Quote from: iain robb on February 17, 2009, 06:51:10 AM
I've been wearing ghillie-style sandal/mocassins with my kilts. It's been bad enough getting rocks and stuff in my shoes, but they've started to come apart.
So this past weekend at the Florida Renaissance Festival, I put down a hefty deposit on a pair of Catskill Mocassins 10-button boots. Somebody please tell me that this was a good investment. Please.
Where did you order the 10 buttons?
I believe the only place to get Catskill Mountain Moccasins is at one of their actual booths or their website.
Merlin - oi laddy, you could of ordered at Scarby...we we're standing right across from the Catskill booth during the afternoon m&g sunday closing weekend.
Not trying to rub it in...just thought I would mention that 8)