Middle Earth Ranger Forum

The members of the MERS are proud to announce that the latest issue of Edge of the Wild is now available! We are focusing in this issue on deeper dives into Middle-earth lore related to traveling! Check it out by direct PDF download HERE, or you can browse this and past issues on the Newsletters section of our website. Please share freely among your circles, consider joining our subscription mailing list, and give us a like on Facebook and Instagram.
Please enjoy!

Great job, everyone! Really enjoyed working on this one. Traveling is a BIG part of what we do, and there was WAY more info buried in the text than I expected once all was said and done.

Another fine job.

Thanks for sharing.

Awesome information, thank you

and orcs are fast!!! I knew they were "faster" but I had honestly never considered by how much

If an Isengarder’s pace is say, 1/8th faster than
the usual orc (4.5 mph), they would travel 22.5
miles in 5.5 hours (average pace of 3.75 mph) x
4.36 marches per 24 hours = 98 miles per day!

that is just insane

VERY COOL!!!

The article on Dunedain marching I especially liked! And

The boot article also comes just in time - I think this might be the year I finally sew up a set. I've been scared off them forever, but the more turnshoes I look at, the more I see they're basically funny-shaped pouches. I think with that mindset, it might actually be doable.

If you ask REALLY nicely, I've got a secret for fitting them that's yielding positive results...

Ooh! Ooh!

My dear Greg, would you be so kind as to share your hard-won secrets with us?
I should be ever so grateful, and endeavor to be half so well shod as yourself.

Excellent issue, all!

Greg wrote:If you ask REALLY nicely, I've got a secret for fitting them that's yielding positive results...

Apparently Pretty Please with Sugar on it doesn't work anymore. The times they are a changing !


I too really enjoyed the distance marched article.

Elleth wrote:Ooh! Ooh!

My dear Greg, would you be so kind as to share your hard-won secrets with us?
I should be ever so grateful, and endeavor to be half so well shod as yourself.

WOW. That's laying it on pretty thick.

I'll have to gather some notes...I'm actually in the process of making some new boots as we speak. They were supposed to be finished in time for the newsletter, but you know how those deadlines are...

I am curious about the traction with turnshoes. Through my reading of the forum, I've noticed that with turnshoes, people have issue with hills, grass, and other slick surfaces. With the traction noted in the issue, is there a special trick or way to get the soles a little less slippery?

Firstly, I really enjoyed the read guys. We're working on some watercraft stuff with a friend so thank you for a timely article and also the reminder to go back and read the Lake Town one as well.

Haradir wrote:With the traction noted in the issue, is there a special trick or way to get the soles a little less slippery?

It could be a placebo but I've found rubbing the sole of new shoes with a bit of beeswax seems to give a bit of tackiness that helps. Overall I rarely find myself struggling for grip as I adjust my balance and stride when wearing turn shoes but for the genuinely impassable terrain the only real options are crampons.

Cimrandir wrote:I am curious about the traction with turnshoes. Through my reading of the forum, I've noticed that with turnshoes, people have issue with hills, grass, and other slick surfaces. With the traction noted in the issue, is there a special trick or way to get the soles a little less slippery?

I've always found it fascinating how much trouble people have, to be honest. I've never treated my soles with anything, and only find them to be slick when walking on wet, mossy logs/rocks and ice. Even going down steep inclines, I don't really have issues. Sorry I'm not more help... :/

Granted, my knowledge is entirely secondhand. I’ve never worn a pair in my life. Good to know that they aren’t as slippery I was thinking. Given that I’m not terribly experienced with leathercrafting, how hard would it be to make a pair for myself? Or would it be best to purchase a pair to get a feel for them first?

WOW. That's laying it on pretty thick.

Ha!

And thank you for the notes!

Cimrandir: I think once a leather sole is worn in a bit, it does get better. But yeah - there's a hill out back that's just murder no matter what with turnshoes. I wonder if it's just the ground cover there?

Or maybe fit plays a part? It seems to me in theory a tighter fit or thinner sole might flex with the foot better, letting one naturally "grab" the ground a bit better. But I've not enough experience with enough different shoes/boots to say for certain.

Regardless, a while back I ordered some of the "viking style" crampons from Daegrad, but simply haven't had the time to stitch up some strapping for them. Maybe by fall...