My Comfortable Cottagecore Shoe Collection~ History Bounding Shoes

[@OdessaDenby]

A few notes my dears, before I get scolded: For historical reconstruction, there are often strict rules, so please don't buy the shoes from The Drifter Leather without checking that they meet your society's standards first. But in a less strict setting with no specific dress code or for a general costumed event, I think they will do well in terms of comfort and blending in appropriately for a medieval look.

[@armedvsokord]

If anyone is looking for other barefoot shoes options I've had good luck with my xero shoes. They don't always have the best stock options, and they are decidedly not historical, but they do have the wider toe box and hold up for a long time.

[@OdessaDenby]

I've heard good things about them too, but their styles are mainly sneakers and athletic sandals, so they may not fit an office dress code, for example. The Drifter Leather shoes have a nice wide toe box and they are re-soleable.

[@armedvsokord]

@@OdessaDenby yep, they have a couple of dressy styles but so far not in my size in a color I am willing to purchase. I could go for the leather ballet flats but I'm intimidated by the investment. I'd rather the hemp version first, but have been unable.

[@OdessaDenby]

​​@@armedvsokordyes, the price and style both have to be comfortable haha I had shoes from DL years ago when I lived in a big city and walked miles every day, so when I wanted a new barefoot pair, I felt confident in pulling the trigger on these. But there are a ton more brands to explore now too.

[@rainbowconnected]

Lems are another good option. Again, not historical and lots of athletic shoes. They do have some office appropriate shoes though. The boulder boots are excellent. I have a pair and they're still going strong after seven years of wearing them most of the year except summer and working outdoors in them.

[@MrsBrit1]

I like the look of some of these shoes, but there's not enough arch support to even consider most of them. Lack of arch support through the years has caused a couple metatarsal stress fractures and I also have arthritis in my big toe joints. 😒 I do miss my wooden shoes. I'd love to get a pair like the one you've shown here. I agree with you that clog style shoes are incredibly comfortable and supportive. I had a pair of wooden soled heels years ago and I've been thinking about them a lot lately. I wouldn't want heels, but the wooden soles would be beneficial to my foot issues.

[@OdessaDenby]

For me, it's more ankle issues, so I've been working on strengthening that through exercises and I've found the barefoot flats to be surprisingly comfortable and helpful for building that strength in my feet and ankles. If you already have a chronic toe injury, of course, you have a different set of needs. I would say the boots are pretty supportive as well and have the room for extra insoles to be added, as I did to reduce the stress on the ball of the foot. And I've been eyeing some Dansko clogs that are almost completely flat, but still supportive. So that might be a clog worth considering for you!

[@MrsBrit1]

Thanks, I'll check into that shoe and see if it's available here and an option for me.

[@jw8223]

I love that you included a “barefoot” shoe. Thank you!!!

[@OdessaDenby]

They can be really good for some people, especially having zero drop and that wider, more naturally shaped toe box! It has definitely been beneficial for me in the work environment. I used to have a lot of heel pain and pinkie toe pain at the end of a long day on my feet before. Barefoot shoes are usually ugly and look more like athletic shoes, honestly. That's why I love this pair so much, they are so cute for a variety of circumstances and outfits.

[@feeshcapades]

Looooove the brown leather boots! They looked wicked comfortable. How long did it take for you to break them in?

[@OdessaDenby]

Breaking them in wasn't too intense, I took them on a few shorter outings over the course of maybe two weeks before I started using them for all-day wear.