Hmm, good points re footwear, and they deserve a good response.
As for moccasins, I've worn them in all sorts of terrains, and I've never had a problem. The trick is to care for them after an event. My minnetonkas have treated me well only because I treat them well. If you don't take care of them, they pretty much need to be considered 'disposable'. And they're relatively cheap, ~$25-$50, which means if you can get a season or two out of them, you're still doing okay.
Getting Army boots and covering them with burlap or buckskin is also an excellent idea--in fact, some of the guys I LARP with do this. Don't know how I managed not to mention it in the first place.
As for the cost issue, well, that's why I suggested the moccasins, as they're within most LARPers' budgets. Note also that I'm not necessarily advocating that everybody run out to their local custom shoemaker and drop half a grand on cavalier boots. For a Fantasy LARP your shoes don't need to be period correct, but should be fantasy-friendly. I've seen workable footwear priced anywhere from $25 (moccasins) to $75 (knee-high boots, ghillie brogues) to $200 (cavalier-style boots) to $1000 (custom fitted, buffalo hide, fancy buttoned, lifetime guarranteed, hand-sewn-by-monks boots). It's all about what you want and what you're willing to pay to get it.
Of course, if someone's going to spend a thousand dollars on a pair of shoes, they probably need to sort out their priorities. :-)
Hmm, good points re footwear, and they deserve a good response.
As for moccasins, I've worn them in all sorts of terrains, and I've never had a problem. The trick is to care for them after an event. My minnetonkas have treated me well only because I treat them well. If you don't take care of them, they pretty much need to be considered 'disposable'. And they're relatively cheap, ~$25-$50, which means if you can get a season or two out of them, you're still doing okay.
Getting Army boots and covering them with burlap or buckskin is also an excellent idea--in fact, some of the guys I LARP with do this. Don't know how I managed not to mention it in the first place.
As for the cost issue, well, that's why I suggested the moccasins, as they're within most LARPers' budgets. Note also that I'm not necessarily advocating that everybody run out to their local custom shoemaker and drop half a grand on cavalier boots. For a Fantasy LARP your shoes don't need to be period correct, but should be fantasy-friendly. I've seen workable footwear priced anywhere from $25 (moccasins) to $75 (knee-high boots, ghillie brogues) to $200 (cavalier-style boots) to $1000 (custom fitted, buffalo hide, fancy buttoned, lifetime guarranteed, hand-sewn-by-monks boots). It's all about what you want and what you're willing to pay to get it.
Of course, if someone's going to spend a thousand dollars on a pair of shoes, they probably need to sort out their priorities. :-)
Cheers,
JKB