For the Longship and the Long Road
These boots draw lineage from the jarðskór (earth shoes) worn by Viking traders traversing the Varangian routes to Constantinople, their crisscross lacing echoing the reip (rope) techniques depicted on Gotlandic picture stones. While 10th-century Norsemen relied on oiled oxhide, our design reimagines resilience through waterproof PU leather – a modern homage to the skinnbúningur (leathercraft) praised in Egill's Saga. The lugged sole mirrors the traction of fjallaskór (mountain shoes) described in Norse exploration sagas, now optimized for festival grounds and urban concrete alike. Each stitch follows the þráður (thread) patterns from Oseberg textile fragments, marrying the pragmatism of Viking Age cobblers with 21st-century ethical material innovation.
Features
-
Adjustable 18-eyelet lacing system inspired by Jorvik leather lace finds (c. 960 CE)
-
1.5" (3.8 cm) lugged sole replicates klifurbotn (climbing grip) of Norse fjord-crossing footwear
- Waterproof PU leather withstands Midgard's storms and spilled mead hall libations
-
12" shaft height (30.5 cm) protects like brynja (chainmail) for ankles during LARP battles
-
Cushioned insole mimics the springy mossþǫkk (moss padding) of Gokstad burial shoes
Materials
Weatherproof PU leather with antiqued brass grommets
Reinforced cotton laces dipped in beeswax emulsion
Fit & Sizing
Forged for the modern leiðangr (expedition): Sizes 7-13 accommodate völva (seeress) and berserkr alike. While patterned after the 3:1 foot-to-shaft ratio from Lund archaeological finds, slight variations in leather grain may occur – each pair bears unique "battle scars" from artisan crafting.
Care Instructions
Wipe with damp úlfléttur (wolf-hair cloth); condition monthly with lanolin-rich balm as prescribed in Hávamál verse 62. For "muddy portage mishaps," air-dry upside-down like longships beached at Birka.
