Lion's Paw
Historical
Boots
Hand crafted footwear inspired by the past, built for the modern medievalist.
Lion’s Paw produces durable, period-accurate footwear tailored
for serious re-enactors and passionate cosplay enthusiasts alike.
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Our expert artisans blend time-honored craftsmanship with modern
structural design to ensure your comfort on any adventure.
We are dedicated to providing every wearer with high-quality, historically inspired boots that reflect a true love for medieval style.
We provide clear production timelines so you know exactly when your custom footwear arrives.
We handcraft every pair of historical boots specifically for your order. Our small-batch artistry ensures a perfect quality fit for all medieval enthusiasts.Â
the Knight
 I've been reenacting the medieval period since I was 14, after I read "The Once and Future King", and started working at the original Renaissance Pleasure Faire in Northern California. I consumed everything medieval after that - books, movies, TV, art, and in 1976 I discovered the Society for Creative Anachronism, or the SCA; a medieval reenactment group with an emphasis on armored combat, clothing, and all the arts and sciences of the middle ages. I decided I wanted to be a knight, and did end up doing a fair amount of fighting, and making really good armor with the instruction of some of the best armorers in California.
But what I always struggled with was finding good boots, boots that looked authentic, were comfortable for long periods of time, and held up to the use they were put through - hours of walking outside in all weather, or indoors for feasts and, yes, dancing.Â
  So I tried making some myself. I've always been pretty crafty with my hands, making clothing, tents, furniture, pretty much anything I could think of that either didn't exist or was too expensive for me. How hard could boots be? Hard, it turned out. I was using the medieval method of sewing the boot inside out, and then turning it right side out, thus the medieval name "turn shoes". The problem I had was that the final product looked more like a leather sock than a boot. It's just a skill set that's beyond me. My problem was that I didn't have access to the proper techniques and tools, especially not a form called a last. Made of wood (now plastic), a last is a positive form of the shoe, that the wet leather upper is stretched over. It's nailed to the last, and after drying attached to the sole layers. Most leather shoes are still made this way, but it's a highly skilled and specialized way of construction.Â
  So after years of only semi success, I went to the pros. The first iteration of Lion's Paw Boots premiered in 1993, and were very well-received, until I had a dispute with my distributer. These were the days before the internet, and I was selling the boots through a catalogue. Eventually we parted ways, and the Lion's Paw brand went dormant. Until now.
  Now re-branded as Lion's Paw Historical Boots, with an improved design and new manufacturer, I'm bringing them back, after enough people suggested I do. And now in the age of internet sales, it's my hope to bring these boots to as many medievalists, performers, SCA members, etc. as I can, offering a high-quality medieval boot at a reasonable price.
  Eventually other styles will be available, in further varieties of color, weight, style and sizes, including ladies sizes, I hope.
  Watch this space - There's more to come!