The moccasin is a simple shoe with a complicated history, and Quoddy has figured in that history for the last hundred years. In America, a soft-soled, two-piece shoe has been around for-effing-ever, as traditional Native American footwear. Moccasins are quiet--useful when stalking game--and comfortable, and their thin soles afford you protection from the thorny forest floor while you can still feel what's underfoot--good for keeping you on your toes. Americans also imported a moccasin-construction slip-on from Aurland, Norway, in the mid-20th century and mass produced it as an Ivy League classic: the pennyloafer. So if there's one thing Americans do well (there may be a couple more), it's moccasins; forget the Italian horse bits. Quoddy has lasted through the peaks and troughs of mocc popularity, and today remains the best source for handsewn American moccasins, still made in Maine in the far northeast corner of the United States.
Quoddy uses high-grade leathers from Horween Leather in Chicago and sews their moccasins one by one at workbenches in their Maine factory--no glue, no staples, no shortcuts. The shoes that go out the door are traditional in the best ways--simple in design and durable in character. Whether you're ordering a blucher moccasin with a slim rubber sole or a grizzly boot on a crepe wrap, what you're receiving is heritage in a shoebag.
Like other long-lived manufacturers enjoying a new cultural relevance, Quoddy is growing its line, and today you have broader options for soles and leather colors than 10 years ago, when models were few. Très Bien Shop is carrying a fleet of moccs--the Maliseet oxford in navy on a red sole, ring boots, grizzly boots, deck chukkas, boat shoes in black, Blucher and others. No matter whether you're tracking a black bear in Vermont or tracking down some '60s soul on Portobello Road, a pair of Quoddy's will keep your feet close to the ground.