Boots

[Bernarr]

So, I'm not a huge fan of laces.. I was looking at these boots and wanted some other views/opinions on them-
http://revival.us/latemedievalridingboot-1.aspx

Has anyone purchased a pair of these? I'm curious because my calves are a bit large. Those seem taller than my normal everyday boots, hence the worry over the fit-
http://www.thefryecompany.com/mens-boots/view-all/87400/harness-8r

Has anyone dealt with these people before? Thoughts/opinions? Their return/refund policy is a bit short, so I'm also wondering if anyone else has had to return something to them?

[Sir Ulrich]

http://www.vikingleathercrafts.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=42
Thats where I got my boots and they're rather good quality and very comfortable. I highly recommend them.

[Joshua Santana]

Bernarr:  I don't have that type of boot, but I will tell that looks more modern than period. 

Don't get anything by Revival.us (I have heard many bad things about that vendor, it would be best that you look at the following)

http://www.revivalclothing.com/medievalbootsandshoes.aspx
http://www.westlandcrafts.com/products.php?id=115

[Sir Brian]

http://www.vikingleathercrafts.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=42
Thats where I got my boots and they're rather good quality and very comfortable. I highly recommend them.

I concur with Ulrich and they are reasonably priced to *boot*! 

[Ian]

Bernarr:  I don't have that type of boot, but I will tell that looks more modern than period. 

Don't get anything by Revival.us (I have heard many bad things about that vendor, it would be best that you look at the following)

http://www.revivalclothing.com/medievalbootsandshoes.aspx
http://www.westlandcrafts.com/products.php?id=115

Brian Price sold the retail portion of Revival.us to a reputable guy, so people need not avoid Revival.us anymore

http://modernchivalry.org/forum/index.php/topic,1816.msg23595.html#msg23595

[Thorsteinn]

Also checkout Amlann's & Sir Bohemonds boots.

I wear Bohemonds to fight in.

[Bernarr]

I found Bohemonds after a bit more searching, I still need to go through the Viking Leathercraft site as well, but it's down to those as choices. Thanks for all the input!

[Sir James A]

I'll echo another good word for Viking Leather. I have two pairs of boots by him (14th Century laced & 14th Century buckled) and they are great.

[Sir Brian]

Word of advice about the soles on the boots...If you have any intention of doing any type of fighting with them then get the Lugged soles (sort of like hiking boot soles). I have the vibram soles on mine and discovered to my great discomfort yesterday while dueling Sir Edward that my footing was treacherous at best!

[Sir Edward]

Yeah, I think the vibram works well enough for walking around the faire site, but for fighting it's not quite as good.

[Sir William]

I have a pair of Viking Leathercrafts 14th laced boots w/the leather heel...get the lugged sole if you plan on doing anything but walking around looking formidable.  The damned things are treacherous, as Sir Brian has said.

I'm probably going to pick up a pair of Bohemund's medieval high buckle boot as they're supposedly always in stock.  http://www.bootsbybohemond.net/index.php?option=com_ayelshop&Itemid=66&route=product/product&path=4&product_id=6

By the way, I have heard that Revival.us' garment/footwear portion was sold off to a Scott Adkins?  Ian can correct me if I got that wrong but word on the Armour Archive is that he's turning it around and making sure that he doesn't make the same mistakes Brian Price did.  I still won't buy from him for a while to see whether or not he stays on path- but it is good to know that he's done well thus far.  That price is freaking awesome for boots of that style and size...w/color options too.  Hmm...oh wait, 15th C, nevermind.  A 100 years or so later than where I'm at.  Well...300 if you count my Crusader persona.  lol

[Joshua Santana]

By the way, I have heard that Revival.us' garment/footwear portion was sold off to a Scott Adkins?  Ian can correct me if I got that wrong but word on the Armour Archive is that he's turning it around and making sure that he doesn't make the same mistakes Brian Price did.  I still won't buy from him for a while to see whether or not he stays on path- but it is good to know that he's done well thus far.  That price is freaking awesome for boots of that style and size...w/color options too.  Hmm...oh wait, 15th C, nevermind.  A 100 years or so later than where I'm at.  Well...300 if you count my Crusader persona.  lol

That is good news, I am relieved and I hope the new management can clean up the mess with Chivalry Bookshelf.

[Sir William]

Sir Joshua, I do not know if he has that portion of the business...my understanding is that it still belongs to Brian Price?

[Sir Edward]

From what I understand, Revival.us is completely under new ownership now and has severed ties with Brian Price.

[Thorsteinn]

Fighting in period boots requires a change in footwork, that change produces better technique and a more grounded stance. The vibram soles allow you to cheat the history a bit as there is much argument as to what went on the bottoms of the soles of many boot's, shoe's, and sandals.

I fight exclusively in my vibram-soled Bohemond boots and found that for the first few months my form sucked and my feet hurt but I could tell within the first day that it would be better once I got used to the changes, and it did. This weekend I will be fighting a minimum of two days of three and I will be using my period boots the whole time.

Overall I'm much happier with these boots than with my USAF-issue combat boots.

-Ivan

(In this pic you can see me laying the smack down wearing those boots)


EDIT: Yes Revival has new owners, I was PM'ed the news due to my involvement, though Chiv Bookshelf is still Brian's (and he has yet to return the publishing rights like promised). Strange to think I had something to do with that just by asking the right question at the right time.

Currently Brian Price is in Afghanistan working for the US Gov.