Viking Low Shoes Hedeby Type

Light Brown Leather Viking Low Shoes Hedeby Type

Historical Context and Archaeological Background

This type of simple low footwear is based on archaeological discoveries in the Danish (now northern German) port and trading centre of Hedeby (Haithabu). These finds date mainly to the turn of the first millennium (10th to 11th century). Similar footwear was commonly worn by Vikings, Normans, and Western Slavs. The original shoes were mostly made using the turnshoe technique, but the product shown here is equipped with a sturdier flat sole for greater longevity and protection on modern surfaces. These low shoes are ideal for portraying common Nordic folk, merchants, and warriors during relaxed moments in the encampment.

Construction and Fastening on the Foot

The shoes are designed for maximum simplicity and functionality. On the outer side of the instep, there is a practical slit that fastens using a rolled leather toggle (button) threaded through a hole in the leather. For a firmer fixation to the foot, the shoe is additionally equipped with a system of slits in the heel area and on the sides, through which a long leather lace is threaded. You simply wrap this around your ankle and tighten it, ensuring the shoe stays securely on your foot even during a brisk walk.

Technical Parameters of the Footwear

Proper Care for Leather Low Shoes

Upon delivery, the footwear is already treated with a high-quality leather balm containing beeswax. To ensure the leather retains its suppleness and moisture resistance, we recommend regularly treating the shoes with fat, oil, or balm intended for smooth leather. Keep in mind that natural leather darkens slightly after applying fat. If you have chosen shoes in a colour other than the basic natural, brown, or black, the leather is treated with a special covering dye. Over time, this dye may crack or crumble in stressed areas. Therefore, these coloured variants are recommended solely for occasional, festive wear.

Safety and What to Watch Out For

As this is a historical replica, the shoes do not have modern anatomical shaping or a deep tread on the sole. A smooth sole can be slippery on wet grass, mud, or modern paving. The shoes are not intended for demanding mountain treks. Never wash them in a washing machine and do not dry them in close proximity to a camp fire or on a radiator – the intense heat would cause the leather to shrink, harden, and irreversibly crack.

Size Selection and Custom Fit

When you select the custom-made option, the footwear is manufactured exactly to your specifications. After placing the order, it is necessary to carefully measure your feet (in centimetres/millimetres or inches) and fill in our measurement chart. If you wear orthopaedic insoles for healthy walking, please send them to us by post. The shoemaker will seat them permanently and with millimetre precision inside, so you can look forward to perfect comfort.

Recommended Accessories for Your Costume

For cooler mornings and to protect your feet, we highly recommend acquiring authentic woollen socks made using the nålbinding technique to wear inside these low shoes. You can perfectly complete the overall look of a Nordic warrior with a linen tunic and woollen leg wraps (winingas), which you secure below the knee with bronze hooks from our early medieval range.