What leather do you guys make mocassins out of for hard use

[KHickam]

Well, decided I am gonna wear center seams more in my day to day life and stuff - I currently have 2 pairs from brain tan deer hide - but it is an awful lot of work to tan and make mocs that will wear out rather quickly

So what type of leather do you guys make mocs out of for daily or nearly daily wear?

[rollingb]

I got tired of making mocs every time I turned around (or so it seemed), so I made a pair out of brain tanned elk hide and stitched thick buffalo hide soles to'em. Now when the soles start to wear out I just replace'em.
The mocs themselves have lasted for quite a while that way.
The thick buffalo hide soles can make for some exciting slippin' and slidein' on dry grass when they get "shined up", but are nice for walking on small rocks and stuff.  

[flyfisher76544]

I use moose or elk. A little bit thicker than deer.

[cayres1955]

Bison or elk.

[Two Steps]

Yes sir, I'll vote on the Elk...though I've never had any Buffler skin mocs.  I don't do center seams...I wear side seams, the Elk holds up pretty well.  I've also stitched rawhide to the bottom of my mocs...I'll NOT do that again anytime soon!  Try walking on wet grass or pine needles with 'em and you'll see why (one of the reasons Two Steps got stuck to me many years ago)!  
Al

[Bison Horn]

As rollingb says make um double soled. Like the buff myself. BH

[Spotted Bull]

get a good elk hide that is really thick on one side and thinner on the other...not skivved down at all. Use the thickest parts for insoles and the thinner sides for the mocs!

[Loyalist Dave]

I use moose or elk. A little bit thicker than deer.

Me too

LD

[Fletcher]

I bought mine from the man from Yaak River Montana - they are Moose Hide - soles are double thick.
Incredible fit and wear - unfortunately due to health issues he no longer makes them.  I paid $135
about 6 years ago.  When they wear out I don't know what I'll do - hopefully I can be buried in them !

[mario]

Commercial-tan deerskin.

A. Because deerskin was what was most commonly used.
B. Commercial tanned is fairly cheap and after a day or so dirtys up to look like BT.



Mario

[cb]

The German Tan from Crazy Crow - get the seconds since they are cheaper and they have a heavy thick neck section that is great for adding a double sole. It's oil tanned red deer from Europe (their version of a wapiti) - it also looks and breathes like real brain tan but is much less expensive and they offer a smoke or unsmoked - prestretch it though...

Mario - while deer was the most common in the east, elk and buffalo were much more common in the west and buffalo especially holds up best of all ....

[mario]

Mario - while deer was the most common in the east, elk and buffalo were much more common in the west and buffalo especially holds up best of all ....

I understand. But he asked what I used. Not what's best for out West.

Mario

[Mad Irish Jack]

I use Moose or Bison neck back leather as it is thicker and stiffer and last considerably longer. In the period time, we also had woods bison(Taller and narrower than the plains buffalo)and large elk herds here in PA. So using that leather is correct. Although the patterns and documents found in digs at Ft Ligonier show they used mostly deer leather but also mentions elk when the purchaser wanted them made of it. The recorded writings also mention linings of wool, hair in hides and sheepskin for warmth in colder weather. Here is a picture of my winter Ft Ligonier boots, shoes, mocs, pacs ....or whatever you want to call them. The collar was LACED on, not sewn, to be correct.

[sse]

Most informative...

[Kermit]

Mario - while deer was the most common in the east, elk and buffalo were much more common in the west and buffalo especially holds up best of all ....

I understand. But he asked what I used. Not what's best for out West.

Mario

...and he asked about center seams.

I use elk. Tried moose once, but that was hard work. I'm go for easier but more frequent.