Larp shoes
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LARP shoes are more than just a visual detail – they determine whether you’re still ready for battle after eight hours on the field or whether you’re limping back to camp with aching feet. Here you’ll find medieval and fantasy shoes made from genuine leather, designed to withstand the rigours of play: from simple lace-up boots based on historical originals to stitched soles that handle dirt tracks and castle cobblestones alike.
What makes a good LARP shoe?
The most important difference between a costume shoe and a proper LARP shoe lies in comfort over many hours. A cheap costume shoe might be fine for a photo – but at the Dragon Festival or Conquest of Mythodea, where you’ll be covering miles on foot, you’ll regret it after two hours at the latest.
Sole construction: Single-nailed soles are lighter and more flexible – they offer good ground contact on dry, level surfaces such as market cobblestones or festival grounds. Double soles, on the other hand, provide more cushioning and last longer if you’re on the move for several days over uneven terrain. For weekend events, the double sole is worth it; for day markets, the single sole is perfectly adequate.
Upper material: Leather – specifically full-grain leather (the outer layer of the hide) – is denser and more durable than split leather, which is made from deeper layers of the hide. Full-grain leather absorbs care products better, repels moisture for longer and develops a characteristic patina over the years. For shoes you wear regularly, this isn’t a luxury, but a choice that ensures longevity.
Inner material: Leather-lined shoes breathe significantly better than models with synthetic linings. Anyone spending several hours out and about in full attire will notice the difference by the afternoon at the latest. Of course, a leather lining costs a little more – but it pays off when blisters and sweaty feet are no longer an issue.
Fit and sizes – from children to adults
The range covers children’s sizes from size 26 up to large adult sizes – so whole families can be kitted out with suitable shoes when a visit to a medieval market or a family LARP is on the cards.
Sizing tip for welted shoes: Historically crafted shoes stretch over time due to body heat and moisture. Initially, the shoe should fit snugly – not uncomfortably tight, but without any noticeable play. If you want to speed up the breaking-in process, put on thick woollen socks and wear the shoes indoors for a few hours. The leather will stretch to fit the exact shape of your foot.
Special requirements apply to children at markets and LARP events: the sole should be thick enough to cushion uneven surfaces and stones. Laces and straps must fasten securely and must not pose a tripping hazard. For children’s shoes, simply nailed soles are recommended – they are lighter than double soles and allow children greater freedom of movement.
Natural brown or dyed – colour and appearance to match the costume
Natural brown means: undyed, untreated – the leather is in its most natural state. This has a major advantage: you can treat the shoe with standard leather dyes or waxes to achieve any look you desire, apply a specific tint, or deliberately leave it in its light natural shade. Before wearing them for the first time, natural brown leather must be treated with leather grease or leather balm – it is still unprotected.
Antique brown / hand-dyed: Some of the shoes in the range are hand-dyed in-house in Rinchnach. The process gives the leather a worn, aged character – a so-called antique finish. These shoes look like worn gear right from the start and go perfectly with re-enactment costumes that prioritise authenticity.
Cordovan red is historically documented and typical of the upper classes in the High and Late Middle Ages. The name derives from the Moorish city of Córdoba, which was renowned in the Middle Ages for its fine dyed leather. Anyone playing a nobleman, merchant or courtly character is historically on the right track with Cordovan red.
Black is timeless and particularly versatile: for fantasy settings, city guard characters or mercenaries, black is the most understated choice, one that goes with almost any outfit.
Single sole or double sole – which suits you?
- Lighter and more flexible
- Better ground contact on dry terrain
- Ideal for markets and daytime events
- Can be repaired at any cobbler’s
- More affordable entry-level price
- Grease the leather sole regularly for long-lasting durability
- More cushioning and padding
- Longer lifespan with intensive use
- Suitable for multi-day events
- More stable on uneven ground in the camp
- Higher initial investment, which pays off in the long run
- Leather sole: more authentic, less grip in wet conditions than rubber
Choose shoes according to character and setting
A simple, plain brown lace-up shoe without embellishments is the right choice here – affordable, historically accurate and suitable for long days at the market. No adornments, no elaborate lacing: these shoes reflect the status of a simple man or woman of the Middle Ages.
For long marches in full armour, a double sole is recommended – it cushions the weight of the equipment. Can be combined with LARP boots for characters requiring additional ankle protection. Black or antique brown best suits scale armour and chainmail.
The Jorvik style with simple lacing across the instep is historically attested by excavations and is ideal for Viking attire. Natural brown or antique brown, minimal construction – exactly what is documented for the 9th to 11th centuries.
An overview of the main shoe types
Collar shoe / London type
The most commonly found medieval shoe type, historically attested by excavations at the Museum of London. Closed construction, single or double nailed sole – the universal all-rounder for almost any setting, from the market to the military camp.
Viking shoe / Jorvik type
Simple construction with lacing across the instep, named after finds from the Jorvik Viking Centre in York. Typical of early medieval characters – minimal ornamentation, clean lines, good freedom of movement.
Strap shoe / Late Middle Ages
More open design with straps instead of a closed tongue. Suitable for High Medieval and Late Medieval settings, particularly for noble characters and merchants. Well documented historically through pictorial sources and excavations.
Cow’s mouth shoe
The wide, round toe box is the hallmark of this era – striking and unmistakable. Typical of mercenaries, townspeople and the nobility of the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance. A real eye-catcher at any market.
Caring for your LARP shoes: How to make them last longer
Leather shoes that are regularly cared for often last a decade or more – neglected shoes, on the other hand, tear after just a few seasons. A few simple habits make all the difference:
- Allow them to dry after every use – never place them directly next to a heater, campfire or spotlight. Direct heat dries out the leather and causes cracks.
- Condition regularly with leather grease or balm – especially for natural brown shoes before wearing them for the very first time. Unconditioned natural brown leather is not yet protected against moisture.
- Prevent mould – never pack damp shoes into closed bags or storage boxes. Allow them to air dry for at least one night before storing them.
- Repair cracks in the sole at an early stage – simple nailed leather soles can be resoled at any traditional cobbler’s workshop. If you don’t wait until the crack is large, you’ll avoid the more costly repair.
Whether you’re marching through the Drachenfest as a Viking, on the move as a mercenary at Conquest, or visiting a medieval market for the first time – the right shoe makes the difference between enjoyment and agony. Browse through our range and find the LARP shoe that suits you, or simply give us a call if you’re unsure.
Frequently asked questions
For multi-day events such as army camps or Conquest events, shoes with double soles are recommended. They offer more cushioning and withstand more intensive use on uneven terrain for longer. If you’re only visiting markets, the lighter, single-nailed sole will do just fine.
World-seamed and historically crafted leather shoes should fit snugly at first, as leather expands due to body heat and moisture. It’s best to choose shoes half a size smaller than usual. They’ll break in more quickly if you wear them indoors for a few hours with thick woollen socks.
Natural brown means undyed and ungreased – the leather is still untreated and absorbs leather dyes and care products perfectly. It can be tinted to suit your preference. Antique brown is hand-dyed and looks worn and aged from the start, which looks particularly authentic for re-enactment costumes.
Yes, the range includes children’s shoes from size 26 upwards. For children, we recommend models with a single-nailed sole, as they are lighter and allow greater freedom of movement. It is important that laces and straps fasten securely and do not pose a tripping hazard.
Allow leather soles to dry completely after each use – never place them directly on heat sources. Regular treatment with leather grease protects against cracks caused by drying out. Never pack damp shoes directly into closed bags to prevent mould. Cracks in the sole can be repaired at any cobbler’s workshop.