Massachusetts Moccasins

You all know that I'm a cheapskate. I hate buying new things, and I hate to spend a lot of money for junk. However, I will but new things when they're worth it. I have no problem at all paying for quality and craftsmanship when I have few extra bucks. So, feeling flush after the success of the Top Shelf Flea, I decided to replace my ailing Sebago Campsides. I considered a new pair of Sebagos, I thought about the premium priced Quoddy, but I decided on Arrow Moccasins.

Arrow Moccasin Company has been in business in the same place in Hudson, Massachusetts since 1965. Founded by Ron Ouellette, and now run by his son Paul, Arrow is about as real a product as a person can reasonably get in America these days. Just shy of three weeks ago, I ordered a pair. But rather than have them shipped, I asked Paul if I could come pick them up, maybe chat and take a few pictures of the operation. He graciously granted me access, and offered a tour and a some friendly conversation.

Arrow uses only English tanned Swiss cow hides. Here's a stack of them waiting to be cut and made into moccasins. These things are as thick as your thumb and super heavy. This leather is some serious stuff, and one look will make all of your other shoes seem just a little crappy.

Here we see a rack of various styles in near completion, awaiting final stitching and a double sole.

There are shoe-lasts everywhere in this place...

all pretty old by the look of them.

The retail shop is right next to the work shop, separated only by a door. The heady smell of fresh leather hangs heavy in the air. New pairs of Arrow's signature styles hang from hooks by their laces against a wall, while leather vests hang form the ceiling.

Paul tells me that he advertises in Muzzle Loader magazine. A big chunk of his business comes from historical re-enactment buffs. They tend to prefer these very native styles, something Paul says "may seem a little weird to some people". True, I'm not about to delve into the world of hardcore native American footwear, but the only thing weird about a guy making these kind of things by hand is the fact that anyone thinks its weird in the first place.

Sitting on a table in the workshop, I spied this old pair. Paul estimates this pair to be between eight and twelve years old. He had just resoled them and was getting them ready to ship back. Just drool over the patina these treads have developed. Chinese made L.L.Bean be damned, this is a real pair of canoe mocs.

As for myself, I chose the Two Eye Moc. It's the perfect hybrid between a 'boat shoe' and a 'blucher moc'. It's better than either of those because it's 100% hand made in Massachusetts, using only leather and thread.

I tried them on in the shop, and kept them on all day from then on. Believe me when I tell you I have never worn a more comfortable shoe. Paul tells me they conform to the wearers foot over time, which means they will only continue to astonish me with how comfortable they become. Sure, they may be more than a little 'hippie' in style, but they're also pretty damn sharp. I can't imagine a better shoe to wear with shorts.

I picked up a can of mink oil while I was there, and Paul gave me a scrap of sheep skin to clean them with. Keeping them soft and oiling them occasionally should help them last for many years.

Arrow Moccasin Company was started by Paul's dad Ron in 1965. After having spent some years as the boot maker at Olde Sturbridge Village in the fifties, Ron decide to strike out on his own. Since then, Arrow has been providing moccasins derived directly of a native American heritage that are stylish and wearable to this day. Each pair is made completely by hand, by Paul or one of his 'elves' who help out during the week. The leather is cut by hand, and then sewn using an awl and a thick needle. My double soled mocs cost $131, short money for handmade quality. They also will resole any of their shoes, for about $58. It's a service Paul estimates is needed every five years or so.

Perhaps not surprisingly, Arrow moccasins are very popular in Japan. They do love their Americana and I guess it doesn't get much more 'authentic' than this. Paul was perhaps a bit apologetic at taking two and a half weeks to complete my pair, but, as he said, 'it's tough to keep up when you're making every pair in the world yourself.' He seemed a bit surprised when I told him that Quoddy took months to fill an order.

In closing, An Affordable Wardrobe highly recommends Arrow Moccasins. After all, if you're going to drop some scratch on new products, better make it count.


As a side note, the Town of Hudson is a sleepy little place just off I-495 filled with 19th century architectural gems, like the town hall seen here, and a number of excellent Victorian houses. If that's your bag, drive up and grab your shoes in person. About 45 minutes from Boston, and well worth the trip,