Brogans Question

[JohnSeever]

Currently, I have my Leather's and my Union uniform, minus the brogans and musket. I plan to have these items by the end of the year, money allowing at least. Which I purchased from C&C Sutlery and a few other items form as Jas Townsend and Son and Mercury Supply Company Sutler.

I am also looking for a place to purchase a good pair of brogans, and how do you determine the size that one will need, since I have been told by different sutlers via phone and e-mail that it is:

A) your shoe size.
B) To go a half size than what you normally wear.

If anyone can help me here, it will be appreciated.

[MMurphy]

I know that this is going to sound weird....and sometimes it could be hard if not impossible, but the best thing to do when getting brogans is to find a sutler and try on a pair...Depending on how they are made is all the difference...

[sunnylady408]

It all depends on who you get your brogans from. We mainly deal with crescent city sutler and they go by shoe size. My husband did have to go bigger than his normal size for comfort reasons but my sons did not.
I would do like my husband did just for the comfort factor.

[ILYankee5]

I will refer you to missouri boot and shoes ideas on how to order your brogans by mail. I hope this helps. This can be some of your most important gear you pick up, so please, once again please for the sake of your feet choose wisely when selecting brogans.

Also PM Sent

http://missouribootandshoe.tripod.com/id8.html

[NYCivilWar]

I wouldn't look any further than Missouri Boot and Shoe. I have purchased a pair of Federal Bootees and a pair of Civilian boots from MB&S and they are without a doubt the best on the market. As for your concerns to finding the correct fit; when you order from MB&S it is mandatory that you send in a tracing of each foot with the sock you'll be wearing plus other measurements of your foot (instep, ball, heal etc.) to ensure a proper fit, you WON'T find that with any other vendor.

Your footware is something that you'll want to put some bread into, don't waste your money on some sutler row variety, you'll regret it...Read the historical documentation on their website, I believe they use period lasts in the drying process.

It usually takes 1-2 months to complete your order, but it is well worth the wait and money...

Just my two cents...

-Kyle M. Stetz

[flattop32355]

It all depends upon what quality of footwear you wish to purchase.

Some vendors have shoes made in Mexico or other countries don't hold up as well as some other vendors' shoes. You get what you pay for.

Since you'll be spending a fair bit of time in those shoes, you want them to be as comfortable (granted, a relative assessment for brogans) as possible. Few things can ruin a good weekend faster than shoes that hurt or damage your feet. Do not ask me how I know this....

Missouri Boot and Shoe custom makes their shoes to a tracing of your foot. It's what I now wear. In the past, I've owned (and my son still uses) shoes from Fall Creek Suttlery, which have served well. A number of other vendors have good reputations for their shoes.

Don't shortcut on price for false savings over real value. The feet you save will be your own.

If they aren't the custom sized ones, get 'em a half size larger than your modern shoe size to allow for a second pair of socks for cold weather wear.

[JohnSeever]

The Sutler in Liberty had a pair, actually they were all Wide pairs, and I tried on a few, and they were too big. I have to get a wide show cause I have a somewhat wide foot, but, I also like to have a nice fit. Also being a diabetic does not help. I know my CO has oked me to wear my black work boots till I get a pair of brogans. Which I hope will be within the next 2 or so months.

Thank you all for the help and information here.

[reddcorp]

Pard:
I've purchased several pairs of brogans from several vendors over the years; but I must concur with several of the responders that Missouri Boot and Shoe is a excellent choice for your purchase. As noted, you send a precise measurement of both feet and they make your brogans to order. From my own personal experience, the fit is fantastic and my Missouri brogans are the most comfortable that I've had.
Don't go cheap on your brogans. A properly fitting & well made pair will last a good while, when properly maintained. A poorly made and improperly fitted pair will cause naught but grief, and sore feet.
*And they aren't paying me anything for this endorsement.

A.Redd

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

A shoemaker at Colonial Williamsburg told me that a common problem with ordering "wide" sizes is that the makers do not always have the wide lasts needed and simply use a bigger size shoe hoping to deal with the width that way.

It has been my experience with several of even the respected
"premium" shoemakers that I end up with shoes that are 1-3 inches LONGER than where a shoe should end past one's toes.

One told me that Civil War shoes have to be longer than normal so that when the sole bends over time and use, the bending up does not break one's toes.

I can "live with" an inch or two beyond a half inch or inch, but when there are 3-4 inches of shoe beyond my toe, not so much. (Stuffing the space with rags is not what I like to pay the Big Bucks to experience, but that is just me...)

What I had to do was submit a foot tracings that are shrunk a shoe size or two, and fudge the several measurements of my left and right feet- to get a pair of shoes that actually "fit."

Others' mileage will vary...

CHS
If the shoe fits, wear it Mess

[mmescher]

Check with the vendor to make sure you can return them if they don't fit and are clean.

If that is the case, order them well in advance and, when you get them, wear them indoors as much as you can. This will loosen them up as well as make sure the fit is good. If the fit is off, you'll be able to report where they are loose/tight.

But please, don't wear them for an event and then expect the sutler to take them back, especially if they are caked with mud or other materials.

Michael Mescher