Celtic shoes
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Celtic shoes combine millennia-old craftsmanship with the practical needs of modern re-enactors, market visitors and history enthusiasts. Whether it’s a simple lace-up shoe with a rubber sole for your first medieval market or a closed-toe shoe with a leather sole for historical re-enactment – the range covers the common shoe styles archaeologically attested for Celtic and early medieval Europe.
What shoes did the Celts wear? A historical overview
The most important archaeological sources for Celtic footwear come from the salt mines of Hallstatt and Dürrnberg in Austria. The dry, salt-rich environment has preserved organic materials that would otherwise rarely survive – including leather remnants that allow clear conclusions to be drawn about cutting techniques and workmanship.
The best-known Celtic shoe type is the carbatina (also carbatine): a one-piece leather shoe in which the upper and sole were cut from a single piece of vegetable-tanned cowhide. The leather was pulled up through slits in the edges and tied together with a strap or cord – a principle also known as the ‘bundschuh’. In addition, there is evidence of simple sandals with strap lacing and more closed designs. These were predominantly made using pitch thread or leather straps; metal fittings remained the exception.
By way of comparison: Roman footwear differs fundamentally. The caliga (military sandal with a nailed sole construction) and the calceus (closed street shoe) are characteristic of Roman craftsmanship and can be clearly distinguished from Celtic forms. Germanic shoes too – such as the Oberflacht-type finds – display regional characteristics, although the basic construction of the lace-up shoe was widespread across cultures. Celtic footwear was designed for varying terrains and seasons: light, flexible and made from local materials available at the nearest market or in the craftsman’s own workshop.
Shoe types in the range: lace-up shoes, low-cut shoes and more
Ankle boots with rubber soles
The most robust everyday option: leather upper, rubber outsole for meadows and cobblestones. Available in brown, dark brown and black, sizes EU 24 to 50 – so the whole family can be kitted out. Models based on the Jorvik type are inspired by Viking-era finds, whilst Oberflacht variants are based on the Germanic early medieval model from the 6th century.
Ankle boots with leather soles
For re-enactors who value historical accuracy: made entirely of leather, breathable and offering the typical comfort of unlined natural leather shoes. Recommended for dry ground, open-air museums and re-enactment events. Requires a little more care, but impresses with its appearance and material quality.
Closed low shoes with toggle fastening
Closed design with characteristic toggle fastening – sturdier than open-top shoes, but lighter than a boot. Suitable for Celtic clothing as well as Germanic attire and early medieval outfits. Also suitable for LARP events in a fitting setting.
The right outfit for Celtic footwear
Celtic shoes only look convincing when paired with the right attire. The classic combination consists of a simple tunic, loose-fitting trousers made of wool or linen, and a cloak or woollen coat – a combination that is well-documented archaeologically and looks authentic at any medieval market. In the shop, Celtic outfits and Celtic clothing complement the footwear to create a complete look.
As the lace-up shoe was widespread across cultures, the styles also go well with Germanic attire and early medieval outfits – the boundaries between Celtic, Germanic and early medieval styles are fluid when it comes to footwear. Those seeking historical depth can add calf wraps: strips of wool or linen that are wrapped around the calf and tied with a narrow strap. They improve the fit of the lace-up shoe and correspond to archaeological findings. You’ll also find calf wraps in our range. Celtic lace-up shoes are also a good choice for LARP events in historically inspired settings – provided the setting doesn’t require specific shoe styles.
Leather sole or rubber sole: which is best for which use?
- Historically authentic, for open-air museums and reenactment camps
- Breathable, moulds to the shape of the foot over time
- Recommended for dry ground and firm surfaces
- More demanding to maintain: regular greasing required
- Prices from approx. 50 euros upwards
- More durable on grass, cobblestones and wet surfaces
- Suitable for everyday use at medieval markets and multi-day events
- Less maintenance required, more robust in changing conditions
- More affordable entry-level price from approx. 33 euros
- Also the most common choice for children’s boots
Regardless of the sole type, the following applies: natural leather should be cared for regularly. Leather grease or beeswax paste keeps the material supple and protects it from moisture. It is particularly worth greasing the shoes thoroughly beforehand, especially before a longer event. You can also find leather care products and leather dye in the shop.
Price overview: Celtic shoes for every budget
Children’s ankle boots and simple ankle boots with rubber soles for beginners. Upper and lining made of leather, no synthetics. Ideal for families and beginners visiting their first medieval market.
Boots with toggle fastenings, Jorvik styles and early medieval models with rubber soles. Sturdy everyday shoes for regular market visits and LARP events. Wide range of sizes up to EU 50.
Models with leather soles and more intricate craftsmanship. For re-enactors who value authentic materials. Exclusively leather for the upper, lining and sole – no compromises on materials.
Caring for Celtic shoes: How to make them last longer
Unlined natural leather reacts to moisture and dryness – regular care is therefore not an option, but a prerequisite for a long lifespan. Colourless leather grease or a beeswax paste, which penetrates deep into the leather and protects it from drying out and cracking, are suitable for basic care. For shoes with a dark colour, a coloured leather care product is worth using to refresh the shade.
Before a market or event, it is advisable to grease the shoes well the day before and leave them to dry – this allows the grease to penetrate deep into the leather before the shoes are put under strain. After wearing them in wet conditions, let them dry slowly at room temperature. Direct heat sources such as radiators can make the leather brittle and may damage the seams. If you wish to refresh the colour after cleaning, you’ll find a detailed article on leather care in the blog, which also covers medieval belts and bags.
What are Bundschuhe? The most important Celtic shoe type explained
The Bundschuh is arguably the best-known type of shoe from early and high medieval Europe – and at the same time the most direct descendant of Celtic shoe construction. The principle is very simple: a single piece of leather is wrapped around the foot, the side flaps are pulled up and tied with a cord or strap. Neither a frame nor a complex sole construction is required – the entire stability comes from the leather itself.
Historically, the Bundschuh is documented across much of Europe from the early Celtic Middle Ages through to the High Middle Ages. It was the shoe of the common people, the peasants and craftsmen – it is no coincidence that the term became a symbol of the peasantry and peasant uprisings in the 15th and 16th centuries. The best-known example is the Bundschuh movement in the run-up to the German Peasants’ War (1525), in which the shoe served as a heraldic emblem.
Within the range, the different styles differ primarily in terms of fastening and sole: the open Bundschuh (laced over the instep) is the simplest form and most closely resembles early medieval finds. The closed Bundschuh with a toggle fastening offers more support and is suitable for active wearers. Children’s Bundschuhe follow the same design principle and are available from EU size 24 – practical for families visiting medieval markets together.
Whether you’re looking for a simple lace-up shoe for your first medieval market or need a historically accurate model with a leather sole for your re-enactment – you’ll find the right style in your size in our range. Take a look at the models directly and decide which shoe suits your costume.
Frequently asked questions
The Celts mainly wore simple leather shoes made from a single piece of vegetable-tanned cowhide – known as carbinae or lace-up shoes. The flaps were pulled up over the foot and tied with a strap or cord. Archaeological finds from the salt mines of Hallstatt and Dürrnberg confirm this construction method. Simple sandals with strap lacing are also known.
A Bundschuh is a shoe made from a single piece of leather, in which the side flaps are pulled up and tied to the foot with a cord or strap. The principle originates from the Celtic and early medieval shoe-making tradition and was widespread until the High Middle Ages. The term ‘bundschuh’ is also historically known as a symbol of the peasantry – it became the emblem of the peasant uprisings in the 15th and 16th centuries. Our range includes bundschuhe with rubber soles and leather soles.
Celtic Bundschuhe at Vehi Mercatus are available from around €25 for children’s Bundschuhe with rubber soles. Simple adult Bundschuhe with rubber soles are in the mid-range at around €46, whilst models with leather soles and more intricate craftsmanship can cost up to around €72. All models are made of leather – no synthetics.
Boots with leather soles are historically more authentic and recommended for re-enactment on dry ground or in open-air museums. They are breathable but require more maintenance. Ankle boots with rubber soles are more robust, better suited to everyday use on grass and cobblestones, and easier to maintain – the first choice for medieval markets and LARP events. Both variants are available in our range.
Yes, as the lace-up shoe was a common style across cultures in early medieval Europe, these models also go well with Germanic and early medieval costumes. The boundaries between Celtic, Germanic and Viking footwear are fluid in the archaeological record. In the shop, you’ll also find Germanic shoes and Viking shoes as separate categories.