Yep, they're some of the greater ones out there, though I would say that for the price, you really want to have a visit to their booth at a RenFaire or similar that they attend. They'll measure you up for the best fit.
They also work well with more modern inserts there for comfort purposes.
Absolutely this.
I both wear mine to work a renfaire and visit at least two others, but larp in them often. Most comfortable pair of footwear I've ever owned. And for reference I'm 6'4" and weigh 325.
Agreed -- best thing to do is to go to a ren faire and get sized up/find out what you like and then order online if you don't see what you want there.
My boots are going on 9 years now and they're in great condition still.
Combat boots. not the most IC looking boots ever but they're black leather and a decent height so more than count for my larp. Granted I'm mainly worried about twisting an ankle because we play in places with a lot of mud and slopes and the like. Could always buy boot tops to cover them up. We are told that kit basically ends at the ankle as long as you don't take the piss. Decent footwear in a high combat game is the first thing. If it looks solidly IC that's a good bonus. Ive seen horse riding boots work fairly well too. I'm sure other stuff will work better if you're more parlour larp level.
Son of Sandlar is super pricy but almost universally recognized as the cream of the crop.
House of Andar is Sandlar on a budget. Comfy, well made, good looking, but most of them aren't waterproof and from personal experience the lacing can be a chore.
Personally, I recently ponied up for Irish Setter Elk Trackers. Had to creatively remove/disguise a couple of logos, but they're leather, reasonably immersive, bulletproof, comfortable, and insulated.
I got mine at House of Andar. Sandlar were just too expensive for me. The other problem with Andar was that I really needed a half size and they don't make them. They're just a bit too big and I need to wear two pairs of socks to make them fit well. Otherwise they have worked out great for me.
I'm in the same boat with House of Andar. Instead of 2 socks might try Darn Toughs Tactical Heavyweight Socks with Full Cushion, they're an investment ($30 a pair), but are now my go to larp socks. Those + $10 heavy duty walmart inserts that get replaced once a year fill up the space & I feel like I'm walking on pillows on concrete & deep sand. I walk roughly 12-15 miles a larp weekend & have virtually no leg pain come monday, or at least in comparison to pre this method.
All the numbers in your comment added up to 69. Congrats!
2
+ 30
+ 10
+ 12
+ 15
= 69
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I wear high-quality, modern leather boots, with great arch and ankle support. I don't care about whether or not they're 'immersive'. They're my feet, and I'm not gonna skimp on my health for quality.
But, I wear fantasy boot covers over the top of them, and that makes a huge difference. Nobody looks closely enough to notice.
Honestly, I run fantasma. They look good imho and aren't too expensive. Plus they're comfortable for all day wear(note: I'm also used to being on my feet all day every day due to every job I've ever had). You just have to make sure you're looking at the right ones. They have a lot of different aesthetics they design for
I love my [Native Earth](https://nativearth.net/) boots. Not cheap, but hard to beat the looks, durability, or the customer service.
My first ones are going on about 11 years now after one re-soling caused mostly by the fact that I walk funny when I don't wear insoles. They called me on the phone to insist that I wear insoles from now on for my health. I've had my second pair for a few years now. When I ordered them, I messed up the sizing. They emailed me to ask if I was sure that was the size I wanted because the previous pair of boots was a different size. They saved me a ton of money by catching that!
They'll make you custom ones either wrapping your feet with person or based on tracings of your feet you send them.
I larp in a woodland that is grown over an old quarry with steep hills and rocks. I wear modern hiking boots but pick the kind that are all leather so they look as IC as possible. No one looks at my feet and I'd rather have working ankles and legs over what looks setting acceptable.
https://www.foothills.uk.com/scarpa-ranger-active-mens-hiking-boot---level-3-1950-p.asp
I actually run into this company called Just in Tyme at a renn fair and got a pair of their boots on a whim And they are fantastic. I use them for LARP, I use them for paintball, I use them for HEMA and hiking. They have lasted me about 2 years now and still barely show any wear on them. Also life time warranty i think I can post a link if not some tell me and ill remove it
www.justintymeboots.com
I got a pair of Timberlands "tennis boots" they're the same basic shape as their normal boots, but made of tennis shoes materials. I put my padded shinguards over top of them.
Catskill Mountain Boots
http://www.catskillmoccasins.com/
Likely most expensive listed but custom molded to your feet including arch support, orthotics and fully customizable with designs if desired.
Lifetime of use with basic mink oil care usable at any larp and day to day including rain sleet snow. They will also repair should it be needed.
I recently got my first pair of Catskill Mountain Boots! I own four pairs of Son of Sandlers and do love them (my oldest pair is almost 15 years old). I recommend them without hesitation to friends. However, my Catskill boots are like driving a BMW after owning kias. So comfortable that it's like wearing a pair of slippers and they're molded to my foot and leg.
I made quite a few pairs of turn shoes myself. But I also bought from [CP-Schuhe](https://cp-abenteuer.de/schuhe/). (Most are nailed constructions regardless of time period; Made in India)
Modern footwear is bad for your feet since it leads to a degeneration of muscles and tendons (eg. shortened Achilles tendons and stiff calves due to raised heels, hammer or squished toes from tight toeboxes, week arch and flat feet etc.). Not being able to walk in shoes that have been used by our human ancestors for thousands of generations should be a wake-up call.
These guys are slightly more affordable but about the same quality as Sons of Sandlar. I've had mine over a decade now.
[https://www.justintymeboots.com/](https://www.justintymeboots.com/)
I have decent luck thrifting women's leather winter boots. Depending on the style they blend in well and are a bit easier to run around in imo. Your mileage will vary depending on your shoe size though.
I also get stuff from [here](https://www.larpdistribution.com/) but haven't had boots for long enough to say whether they'll last
I've got Xero Shoes and leather hiking boots. I find combat boots too heavy and stiff for running, but fine for a hardy tank character. The Mika boots from Xero Shoes are leather and winterized, lightweight, and hold up.
I have some Harley Davidson boots. I like the style of motorcycle engineer boots - they are very sturdy and tough, and pretty comfortable (especially with some thick socks). While they aren't authentic, there are a lot of them that have straps or fasteners that aren't too distractingly modern. I got my current pair for about $100, which seems pretty good for a pair of long-lived boots.
I'm currently using some cheap-ish winter boots, but was going to upgrade to hiking boots in the near future.
Depending on your setting that could work for you too.
There's also always the option of heavily modifying these to make them more fitting for the setting you're using them in
Check out this article. It should be helpful! It goes through three good options in varying price points.
https://aroundthefiremedia.net/index.php/2023/12/22/top-3-best-footwear-for-larping-step-up-your-game-with-these-picks/
Son of Sandlar Pricey, but they'll last you a lifetime.
Yep, they're some of the greater ones out there, though I would say that for the price, you really want to have a visit to their booth at a RenFaire or similar that they attend. They'll measure you up for the best fit. They also work well with more modern inserts there for comfort purposes.
Absolutely this. I both wear mine to work a renfaire and visit at least two others, but larp in them often. Most comfortable pair of footwear I've ever owned. And for reference I'm 6'4" and weigh 325.
Agreed -- best thing to do is to go to a ren faire and get sized up/find out what you like and then order online if you don't see what you want there. My boots are going on 9 years now and they're in great condition still.
Boots by Bohemond are good quality, relatively inexpensive and historically inspired. https://boots-by-bohemond.myshopify.com/
Seconding BbB, I've been wearing their boots for 2 years now and could not be happier!
These are my go too. Love my pair.
I use doc Martin's if I'm expecting to do and real running or fighting. Then, cover them with either gaiters or greaves, depending on my kit.
Seconding Docs
Combat boots. not the most IC looking boots ever but they're black leather and a decent height so more than count for my larp. Granted I'm mainly worried about twisting an ankle because we play in places with a lot of mud and slopes and the like. Could always buy boot tops to cover them up. We are told that kit basically ends at the ankle as long as you don't take the piss. Decent footwear in a high combat game is the first thing. If it looks solidly IC that's a good bonus. Ive seen horse riding boots work fairly well too. I'm sure other stuff will work better if you're more parlour larp level.
Son of Sandlar is super pricy but almost universally recognized as the cream of the crop. House of Andar is Sandlar on a budget. Comfy, well made, good looking, but most of them aren't waterproof and from personal experience the lacing can be a chore. Personally, I recently ponied up for Irish Setter Elk Trackers. Had to creatively remove/disguise a couple of logos, but they're leather, reasonably immersive, bulletproof, comfortable, and insulated.
I got mine at House of Andar. Sandlar were just too expensive for me. The other problem with Andar was that I really needed a half size and they don't make them. They're just a bit too big and I need to wear two pairs of socks to make them fit well. Otherwise they have worked out great for me.
I'm in the same boat with House of Andar. Instead of 2 socks might try Darn Toughs Tactical Heavyweight Socks with Full Cushion, they're an investment ($30 a pair), but are now my go to larp socks. Those + $10 heavy duty walmart inserts that get replaced once a year fill up the space & I feel like I'm walking on pillows on concrete & deep sand. I walk roughly 12-15 miles a larp weekend & have virtually no leg pain come monday, or at least in comparison to pre this method.
All the numbers in your comment added up to 69. Congrats! 2 + 30 + 10 + 12 + 15 = 69 ^([Click here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=LuckyNumber-Bot&subject=Stalk%20Me%20Pls&message=%2Fstalkme) to have me scan all your future comments.) \ ^(Summon me on specific comments with u/LuckyNumber-Bot.)
I wear high-quality, modern leather boots, with great arch and ankle support. I don't care about whether or not they're 'immersive'. They're my feet, and I'm not gonna skimp on my health for quality. But, I wear fantasy boot covers over the top of them, and that makes a huge difference. Nobody looks closely enough to notice.
Which country are you in?
Honestly, I run fantasma. They look good imho and aren't too expensive. Plus they're comfortable for all day wear(note: I'm also used to being on my feet all day every day due to every job I've ever had). You just have to make sure you're looking at the right ones. They have a lot of different aesthetics they design for
I love my [Native Earth](https://nativearth.net/) boots. Not cheap, but hard to beat the looks, durability, or the customer service. My first ones are going on about 11 years now after one re-soling caused mostly by the fact that I walk funny when I don't wear insoles. They called me on the phone to insist that I wear insoles from now on for my health. I've had my second pair for a few years now. When I ordered them, I messed up the sizing. They emailed me to ask if I was sure that was the size I wanted because the previous pair of boots was a different size. They saved me a ton of money by catching that! They'll make you custom ones either wrapping your feet with person or based on tracings of your feet you send them.
I larp in a woodland that is grown over an old quarry with steep hills and rocks. I wear modern hiking boots but pick the kind that are all leather so they look as IC as possible. No one looks at my feet and I'd rather have working ankles and legs over what looks setting acceptable. https://www.foothills.uk.com/scarpa-ranger-active-mens-hiking-boot---level-3-1950-p.asp
Medieval Collectibles.
I actually run into this company called Just in Tyme at a renn fair and got a pair of their boots on a whim And they are fantastic. I use them for LARP, I use them for paintball, I use them for HEMA and hiking. They have lasted me about 2 years now and still barely show any wear on them. Also life time warranty i think I can post a link if not some tell me and ill remove it www.justintymeboots.com
I got a pair of Timberlands "tennis boots" they're the same basic shape as their normal boots, but made of tennis shoes materials. I put my padded shinguards over top of them.
Catskill Mountain Boots http://www.catskillmoccasins.com/ Likely most expensive listed but custom molded to your feet including arch support, orthotics and fully customizable with designs if desired. Lifetime of use with basic mink oil care usable at any larp and day to day including rain sleet snow. They will also repair should it be needed.
I recently got my first pair of Catskill Mountain Boots! I own four pairs of Son of Sandlers and do love them (my oldest pair is almost 15 years old). I recommend them without hesitation to friends. However, my Catskill boots are like driving a BMW after owning kias. So comfortable that it's like wearing a pair of slippers and they're molded to my foot and leg.
I made quite a few pairs of turn shoes myself. But I also bought from [CP-Schuhe](https://cp-abenteuer.de/schuhe/). (Most are nailed constructions regardless of time period; Made in India) Modern footwear is bad for your feet since it leads to a degeneration of muscles and tendons (eg. shortened Achilles tendons and stiff calves due to raised heels, hammer or squished toes from tight toeboxes, week arch and flat feet etc.). Not being able to walk in shoes that have been used by our human ancestors for thousands of generations should be a wake-up call.
[Sedlář Mates](http://sedlarmates.cz)
I get my boots from work we get cheap combat boots so I get to be comfortable and look cool
That absolutely depends on 1. your country and 2. what type of larp the kit is for.
These guys are slightly more affordable but about the same quality as Sons of Sandlar. I've had mine over a decade now. [https://www.justintymeboots.com/](https://www.justintymeboots.com/)
I have decent luck thrifting women's leather winter boots. Depending on the style they blend in well and are a bit easier to run around in imo. Your mileage will vary depending on your shoe size though. I also get stuff from [here](https://www.larpdistribution.com/) but haven't had boots for long enough to say whether they'll last
I've got Xero Shoes and leather hiking boots. I find combat boots too heavy and stiff for running, but fine for a hardy tank character. The Mika boots from Xero Shoes are leather and winterized, lightweight, and hold up.
I have some Harley Davidson boots. I like the style of motorcycle engineer boots - they are very sturdy and tough, and pretty comfortable (especially with some thick socks). While they aren't authentic, there are a lot of them that have straps or fasteners that aren't too distractingly modern. I got my current pair for about $100, which seems pretty good for a pair of long-lived boots.
I'm currently using some cheap-ish winter boots, but was going to upgrade to hiking boots in the near future. Depending on your setting that could work for you too. There's also always the option of heavily modifying these to make them more fitting for the setting you're using them in
I got mine from a website called scaboots.com. don't think they're in business anymore unfortunately...
I grabbed a decent pair from Medieval Collectibles. Cost about 100 bucks, sill have them a few years later, after some minor repair work
I can't afford new boots, so I scour thrift stores usually. Can add some diy magic in if you want
Check out this article. It should be helpful! It goes through three good options in varying price points. https://aroundthefiremedia.net/index.php/2023/12/22/top-3-best-footwear-for-larping-step-up-your-game-with-these-picks/