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A moccasin is a shoe, made of deerskin or other soft leather,^[1] consisting of a sole (made with leather that has not been "worked") and sides made of one piece of leather,^[1] stitched together at the top, and sometimes with a vamp (additional panel of leather). The sole is soft and flexible and the upper part often is adorned with embroidery or beading.^[1] Though sometimes worn inside, it is chiefly intended for outdoor use.

Historically, it is the footwear of many indigenous people of North America; moreover, hunters, traders, and European settlers wore them.^[1] Etymologically, the moccasin derives from the Algonquian language Powhatan word makasin (cognate to Massachusett mohkisson / mokussin, Ojibwa makizin, Mi'kmaq mksɨn),^[2]^[3] and from the Proto-Algonquian word *maxkeseni (shoe).^[4]

History

In the 1800s, moccasins usually were part of a Canadian regalia, e.g. a powwow suit of clothes. The most common style is that of the Plains Indians moccasin.

Moccasins protect the foot while allowing the wearer to feel the ground. The Plains Indians wore hard-sole moccasins, given that their territorial geography featured rock and cacti. The eastern Indian tribes wore soft-sole moccasins, for walking in leaf-covered forest ground.

Contemporary use

In New Zealand and Australia, sheep shearers' moccasins are constructed of a synthetic, cream-colored felt, with a back seam and gathered at the top of the rounded toe. These moccasins are laced in the front, and the lacing is covered with a flap fastened with a buckle at the shoe's outer side. The fastener arrangement prevents the shearer's handpiece comb from catching in the laces.^[5] Shearers' moccasins protect the feet, grip wooden floors well, and absorb sweat.^[6]

The word moccasin can also denote a shoe of deer leather adorned with laces.

Driving moccasins

A driving moccasin (driving moc) is a contemporary version of the traditional Native American moccasin with the addition of rubber tabs on the sole. The addition of rubber-pad sole adds to the versatility and longevity of the shoe while maintaining the flexibility and comfort of a traditional moccasin. They were invented for men who wanted extra grip while driving.^[7] There are two variations of the sole, including:

Rubber-dotted - These have a uniform covering of small, round rubber pads.
Separated Pad - These have larger, flat rubber pads separated by only small areas.

Work boot moccasins

Moc Toe Boots, commonly referred as a "Moc Toe", the boots are normally combined with hard rubber compounded soles. The moccasin toe work boot is a style that reflects the Native American moccasin. Normally by weld stitching two pieces of leather or fabric, the pattern creates a U-shaped design around the toe box.

Gallery

Hopi Pueblo (Native American). Dancing Shoes, late 19th century. Brooklyn Museum
Beaded moccasins original to the estate of Chief Washakie, Wind River Reservation (Shoshone), Wyoming, c.1900
Crow moccasins, ca. 1940
Cheyenne moccasins
Kiowa moccasins
Shearers' moccasins on a wool rolling table.