Laurentian Chief Moccasins🍁

Laurentian Chief Moccasins by Eugene Cloutier are inspired by traditional First Nations moccasins. The company, which was established in 1945, is based in Quebec City where all their moccasins are hand-crafted. This traditionally inspired footwear is great for indoor and outdoor use (depending on the style you choose) and is built with long-lasting and high-quality properties in mind. Here at The Real Wool Shop, we sell a variety of Laurentian Chief moccasins in Men’s, Women’s, and Baby sizes. Choose from a selection of moosehide, suede, leather, sheepskin lined, and rabbit fur trimmed moccasins and find the perfect pair for you!

History of Moccasins

Moccasins are a traditional footwear of various Indigenous peoples. The term “moccasin” stems from similar words in various Algonquin languages which all loosely translate to “footwear”. While the term moccasin generally refers to the traditional footwear we see in North America, similar footwear has existed for centuries in various Indigenous groups around the world. Moccasins were traditionally made from animal hides, such as moose, bison, and deer. Their designs vary between the maker of the moccasin, the Indigenous group, and the changing landscape – for example, hard soles were added in rocky areas to make walking more comfortable. Moccasins are more than just footwear, they are an important part of various Indigenous cultures and can be a way to show the maker and/or wearer’s heritage, community, and personal history.

 

Cleaning and Up-Keep of your Moccasins

  • Before cleaning, you can protect your moccasins with a water repellent but be sure to find a product that won’t damage the materials used in your moccasins
  • If you have a softer leather such as moosehide, you may want to apply soft leather cream
  • Let your Moccasins air out and completely dry between uses to avoid excess moisture and odour – baking soda, citrus peels, and white vinegar are great at removing unwanted odours
  • If you are storing your moccasins for an extended period, keep them in a breathable bag to maintain air circulation

Smooth Leather:

  1. If applicable, remove the laces from your moccasins and let them dry thoroughly. Use a soft brush to remove any dust and dirt.
  2. To remove stains, gently rub them in a circular motion with a slightly humid cloth with a drop of soft soap (dishwashing liquid). Rinse with a clean cloth. Let your footwear air dry totally before applying anything onto the leather (overnight if possible).
  3. You can use a good quality shoe polish and conditioner, or mink oil product. It is very important to keep leathers hydrated. Use a soft cloth and help the product penetrate by making small circular movements. Normally a good shine protects your leathers for a week.
  4. In winter, remove any mud, snow, and dirt from your footwear as soon as possible and keep them away from any heat source. Salt may leave a white residue on your shoes. Clean the white spots with a damp cloth before salt gets embedded. Let them air dry before treating them again with shoe polish before you wear them again.

Suede:

  1. If applicable, remove the laces from your moccasins. Use a soft brush to eliminate any dust and dirt.
  2. To remove stains, gently wipe them in a circular motion with a slightly humid cloth with a drop of soft soap (hand dishwashing liquid). Rinse with a clean damp cloth. If needed, use a crepe brush for suede, a suede eraser block, or a plain eraser. Let your footwear air dry thoroughly before re-applying any type of protector.
  3. Certain greasier stains can be removed by sprinkling talc, baking soda, or powdered chalk that will absorb grease. Let sit for a few hours then brush with a suede brush.
  4. In winter, remove any mud, snow, and dirt from your footwear as soon as possible and keep them away from any heat source. Let them air dry before treating them again with conditioner before you wear them again.

Rabbit Fur:

  1. To eliminate any trace of dust and dirt, simply shake it or tap it against your hand.
  2. To remove stains, delicately wipe them with a soft clean cloth or sponge moistened with a little bit of water and a drop of gentle shampoo. Rinse the cloth or sponge with cold water and remove the excess soap. Let dry thoroughly then shake or use a hair dryer on the cold or warm setting, never hot – never use too much water to clean and never rub the fur.
  3. If the fur is wet, shake the excess water or let it dry naturally away from any heat source. Then shake it to fluff it up again.
  4. It is typical for fur to lose a few hairs with time. We strongly recommend avoiding the rubbing of your pants on the fur or rubbing your feet against each other so you can prolong its life span.
We also carry Laurentian Chief Mitts made with the same care and quality! 

 


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