Let's take a moment to clarify some terms in the moccasin world as there are several shoes that claim to be moccasins when in fact they are not. A moccasin is a heelless shoe made completely of soft leather with the sole brought up and attached to a piece of U-shaped leather on top of the foot.
Worn and designed firstly by Native Americans, traditional moccasins have evolved over time. Today, genuine leather moccasins can be found as driving moccasin shoes, soft sole slippers or hard sole loafers. Each were created for a different purpose. Let's find out the difference between the three and why you might wear them.
The addition of crepe or rubber to the sole of the moccasin allows the leather loafer to be worn outside as opposed to solely used as a house slipper. Rubber or crepe sole moccasins are considered a hard sole shoe because they can be worn on all sorts of surfaces. Hard sole moccasins keep your feet and shoes protected from water, rocks etc due to the synthetic sole overtop of the flexible leather.
Soft sole leather moccasins are considered a loafer or house shoe. They are mostly worn indoors because of their natural leather sole. However, soft sole moccasin loafers can be worn outside as long as the conditions and climate allow for it. Leather sole moccasins should be worn on soft surfaces such as grass and worn when the conditions are dry. As long as you don't scuff your feet while you walk, you should be able to wear your soft sole moccasins outside for quite sometime without the sole deteriorating. Also keep in mind that soft sole moccasins do not have a lot of traction. Those who like to practice Earthing wear soft sole moccasins outside just as much as inside. In general, most people enjoy wearing their moccasin slippers indoors as they are lightweight because of the leather sole.
At Leather Moccasins we sell a number of both hard sole and soft sole moccasins. We have friendly customer care, fast shipping and an easy-to-use, safe checkout. Our Canadian made, handcrafted moccasins are worth every cent. Pick out a pair of genuine moccasins today from any of our fashionable and trendy styles available for men, women and children.
Worn and designed firstly by Native Americans, traditional moccasins have evolved over time. Today, genuine leather moccasins can be found as driving moccasin shoes, soft sole slippers or hard sole loafers. Each were created for a different purpose. Let's find out the difference between the three and why you might wear them.
Hard Sole Moccasins
The addition of crepe or rubber to the sole of the moccasin allows the leather loafer to be worn outside as opposed to solely used as a house slipper. Rubber or crepe sole moccasins are considered a hard sole shoe because they can be worn on all sorts of surfaces. Hard sole moccasins keep your feet and shoes protected from water, rocks etc due to the synthetic sole overtop of the flexible leather.
Driving Moccasins
Driving moccasins have become very popular all over the world. Less traditional than a soft sole leather moccasin, these moccasins feature an insole with little knobs or different sized nubs which peak through holes in the leather sole. The knobs or nubs allow the moccasin to have a better grip which makes them ideal for driving, hence the name. Worn by both men and women, driving moccasins can be worn on and off the road. They are considered more of a casual summer shoe because your feet can get wet quickly due to the leather portions of the sole.Soft Sole Moccasins
Soft sole leather moccasins are considered a loafer or house shoe. They are mostly worn indoors because of their natural leather sole. However, soft sole moccasin loafers can be worn outside as long as the conditions and climate allow for it. Leather sole moccasins should be worn on soft surfaces such as grass and worn when the conditions are dry. As long as you don't scuff your feet while you walk, you should be able to wear your soft sole moccasins outside for quite sometime without the sole deteriorating. Also keep in mind that soft sole moccasins do not have a lot of traction. Those who like to practice Earthing wear soft sole moccasins outside just as much as inside. In general, most people enjoy wearing their moccasin slippers indoors as they are lightweight because of the leather sole. At Leather Moccasins we sell a number of both hard sole and soft sole moccasins. We have friendly customer care, fast shipping and an easy-to-use, safe checkout. Our Canadian made, handcrafted moccasins are worth every cent. Pick out a pair of genuine moccasins today from any of our fashionable and trendy styles available for men, women and children.
8 comments
The Brown Bear
February 02, 2023In response to Marilyn:
We would recommend you take it to a shoe cobbler and see what they can do about that. They might have product used to soften leather.
You could also search for leather softener or conditioner or leather stretching products sold online or in stores.
Marilyn Robinson
January 27, 2023I received a pair of moccs as a gift and my dog chewed the toe of one. How do I soften the chewed suede leather to patch?? Thanks 😊
The Brown Bear
August 20, 2020In response to Dawn: Please see below, the link to our wide moccasins.
https://www.leather-moccasins.com/collections/mens-extra-large-moccasins
A suggestion for a soft soled moccasin would be the Men’s Soft Soled Wide Buffalo Moccasin (SKU: BB10025) We have 1 hard sole wide moccasin (SKU:1762W)
Sadly we do not do custom orders.
Dawn
August 19, 2020My husband can’t have any hard pressure on his feet at all. What is the softest leather you carry ? Also do you do any custom moc’s? Or could you sell some extra leather as we need to do a little modification to the ones we order. We really need extra wide as well
The Brown Bear
June 17, 2020In response to Brian Henry: Sorry we do not carry any half sizes. I’m not sure exactly why, but none of our manufacturers carry half sizes (out of 5 brands).
I believer one of the reasons might be because our moccasins are made from leather and suede. If you get a snug feeling pair of moccasins, within a few days of wearing them, they will stretch and mold to your feet for a perfect fit.
Brian Henry
June 16, 2020Does any company make moccasins in half sizes, I’m looking for 11 .5
Regards.
Donna walker
April 15, 2019Wow
Would like to order two pair soft sole lined fur. Size 8. And and size 10 .
Earlene Jones
April 15, 2019Thank you for helping me educate my coworkers who always say “She’s in her house shoes again”, when in fact I just love wearing my driving mocs everywhere!