I’m in the market for some Canoe/Camp mocs. I’ve been a fan of these for a while, and I’m looking for an alternative to boat shoes. I’ve found three suitable alternatives:
Quoddy Trail Canoe Moc ($175): Maine Made
In Brown Cromexcel
And in Cinnamon Pebbled Leather
The unlined versions from O’Connell’s are $175, and the lined version direct from Quoddy is $219. Unline it up.
Russell Camp Moccasin ($135): Wisconsin Made
*Note – These are the only Mocs of these three that I’ve tried on – Sid Mashburn has them in stock:
LL Bean Camp Moc ($69): The Original
Of course they have the original brown version, which looks a lot like the Quoddys and the Russells, but here is the ‘Cactus’ version – I like it.
Any opinions? Any others that I should consider?
Images: Linked websites, Google, and my iPhone
Could be worth taking a trip to the nearest Orvis and giving their Pembroke mocs a shot – though the reviews on the site aren't particularly great: http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=2G00
There's also the L.L.Bean Signature mocs. Not made in the US, but apparently pretty decent nonetheless: http://www.llbean.com/llbeansignature/llb/shop/505906?page=shoes&subrnd=1
I've owned the LL Bean and Russell versions and like both. The Quoddy is way overrated, IMO. Those Russells in your photo are beautiful.
I'm wearing my Bean Camp Mocs now – I do NOT like the catus color – stick with the brown. The Quoddy lined mocs look very nice, but I just don't have use for a lined camp mocs. I like to wear them on lazy summer days and thus never with socks – lined mocks make no sense to me.
The Bean Camp Mocs start out stiff – the leather is thick – I suspect it's bullhide because of the thickness and the texture, but I really like mine. I suggest you start with the Bean. If you get them and find that they are deficient in some way – send them back and spend 3X for the Quoddy's.
I'm not a fan of the Russell – I think it's the lack of hardware that the other two have (i.e., the metal eyelets)
Highly recommend the Quoddy mocs. Mine became extremely comfortable in a short time span. Well worth the extra expense, they will wear in nicely.
I have the LLBean mocs, and I love them. I got them in cactus and used boot oil to give them a nice oiled leather finish. Two warnings: I got them in my usual size, and their a little big for sockless wear. It still works fine, but when I wear these out I'll get me next pair down one size. And: one of the metal eyelets pulled out once. I considered sending them back, as the nice lady on the LLBean line suggested, but it was an easy fix.
Russells hands down. They are a sturdier construction than the others and they wear in quickly. Plus, go to the Russell website and check out the list of luminaries who wear Russell mocs! They can't all be wrong.
The first and the last ones are my favorites!
Read my short post about my Quoddy experiences here:
http://altogethernow.blogspot.com/2010/08/back-in-saddle.html
Short version: bought 2 pair from OConnells Spring 09; both have been returned due to workmanship issues. I posted this on Ask Andy and was not too surprised to hear that other people have had trouble as well.
It's too bad, really. The shoes are beautiful and apparently well made. But when you're paying $400 for two pair of boat shoes them thangs best be perfect. These were not. Far from it, in fact.
CWAC – I like the Orvis model; I'll give them a look.
LBF – the Russell's look better in person. They are at the top of the list.
Anon @ 8/28|11:56 – Impressive list…They did feel very sturdy, and I like that they don't have the metal eyes.
OD – thanks for the head's up. I never imagined that the Quoddy's would have such a mixed review – especially for that price.
Lined Quoddys are the way to go if you're going for Quoddys in general. The glove leather is very friendly on bare feet.
If you're willing to try a pair of mocs without rubber soles; give the Gokey's on Orvis a look. they're akni to a driving moc.
Made in the USA, size down, tough break-in period. I love mine.
Did you ever pull the trigger on a pair of Camp Mocs?
Mark
How do those Russell’s fit? How would you compare them to sperrys fit?
Hi, not sure if you ever got around to buying these, but if I may, I would like to share my opinion. I own all three of these, and more, actually. The camp moc is my all time favorite shoe.
LL Bean, the new shoe, well, the classic looks are there but the quality is just subpar. They do run big, I normally wear a 12.5 EE and I bought these in a regular width 12 and they are still roomy. The leather is stiff, but not unmanageable. The sole would be my biggest complaint. They are not camp soles. They are some hodgepoded, almost athletic shoe sole. They do stretch out, too, which has made them uwearable at this point. They just flop off my heel.
Russell’s, I had mine custom made to my foot measurements. The leather is thick, but supple. Only problem, they don’t fit right. The body of the shoe was stitched onto the sole incorrectly so it always looks like my foot is turned out. I tried to get this fixed to no avail. I sent them back twice, not fixed. A big disappointment. Also, not a camp sole once again. It is a boat shoe sole. The slight heal is contrary to everything a camp moc should be. I decided that any more effort in getting them fixed or replaced was not worth my time, so they are collecting dust.
Quoddy, well, these by far are my favorite. Once you know how to order them, they are fantastic. I order them straight from Quoddy and have them customized for my liking. If you call them, they are extremely helpful and willing to work with you. You can get any leather, any sole, any color lace, eyelets or not, lined or not. I have my 4th pair on order right now. Not that I am wearing them out, I just love them so much I keep getting different version. So I would suggest going with Quoddy. If you wear a standard size, like 9M, you can get them immediately from O’Connell’s in Buffalo. They carry both standard, unlined variations.
But here is the ultimate camp moc, in my opinion. I copped a pair of vintage LL Bean camp mocs made by Quoddy on ebay! It was amazing luck finding them new, old stock and in my size. I guess the trad gods were on my side that day. Needless to say, they are the epitome of the camp moc. Correct flat sole with cut out wedge at the rear of the sole. They are thick and supple pebble grained bullhide. They are unlined and have nickel eyelets (which I happen to like). My only concern with these is what to do if I ever wear them out.
Anyway, hope this helps, I apologize for the long winded diatribe on camp mocs, it just happens to be something close to my heart.
Love the website!
Best,
PAB
Hey,
I’ve been at this since many days now, and I don’t know much- in fact, I know nothing- about moccasins. However, I’d like to know the difference between canoe and camp mocs. I’ve just given up hope now and Google brought me here, so I’m just gonna ask you. Also, could you tell me the difference between moccasins and boat shoes… I kind of do know the difference, but online shops continuously call what would be a boat shoe a moccasin and a moccasin a boat shoe. So confused!
Please help!… lol
One word! Rancourt’s!!!