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Renboots with example cleaning tools Autumn has arrived, bringing with it colder air, shorter days, and the lull of Renaissance events across the United States. While a few wintery events spring their way through the snows here and there, a majority of vendors and event organizers take the late fall and winter months to shut down, recoup from the busy year, and begin plans for the next year's flurry of activities. We (Kommando Kilts/Renboots) are no different, taking stock of inventory, getting schedules in place for next year, and allowing time off for our [very exhausted] workers to spend some uninterrupted peace at home with family and friends! But, what do you do as a faire-goer? Do you also plan for next year's schedule of events? Make a plan of what garb to get, where the gaps in your armor need to be filled? Or, more than likely, find that you need to make repairs to your torn dress or clean your dusty leather boots? If you're in the cleaning mindset, we can help you - with the leather boots, at least! Why is it important to keep your leather cleaned, you may ask. Well, while we assure you that true leather is forever, its durability doesn't magically happen on its own (although we wish it did). Leather, although tough and durable, can be susceptible to the elements, and without the proper maintenance or care techniques, will decay over time with not much hope of recovery. We take pride on our leather products, but highly encourage you to maintain your leather boots, shoes, pouches, or whatever you may purchase from us, so you can ensure your investment does, indeed, last a lifetime. So, where to begin with leather care? It's not as simple as using hand soap, but it's also not complex as some may think. We have a full guide available for step-by-step cleaning instructions, to include what items and tools you'll need, but here's a quick summary of what proper care entails: 1) Materials typically needed are an old or ragged (but clean) cloth, horsehair brushes, clean dry and wet rags, saddle soap, small applicator brush, and of course leather conditioner and polish/wax. 2) Throughout the process, you'll be doing a lot of brush, wipe, apply, dry, repeat for each type of soap/conditioner/wax application. This process takes time, and should not be rushed to meet a deadline. Without proper drying time for each application, the leather can become scuffed or marred in quite an unflattering look, and can cause discomfort for your feet. 3) If you really insist on doing the minimum, at least apply a conditioner to keep the leather supple and hydrated. Once leather goes dry and starts to crack, there is nothing that can fix it, and you'll need to replace your item(s). 4) We recommend a deep clean at least once a year, or every 3 months if you wear your boots and shoes for daily wear or wore them through harsh weather or terrain. For the full guide, we have our steps posted here: Leather Care - Renboots For our signature polish to match your leather colors, buy here: We've had a great time seeing you all this past season, and we can't wait for the fun to be had next year! Huzzah!

A special Halloween edition of our best-selling Autumn Aldo Pouch It's that time of year again! The pumpkins are drained of their spices for lattes and pies, the bats and spiders suddenly want to be in daylight and take up precious house space without paying rent, and a myriad of costumes and candies make themselves VERY known as soon as you walk through the department store. But, it wasn't always this way. Long ago in the Celtic lands of old, Halloween, or Samhain, was a revered time of the year, filled with the sounds of harvest, joyous praise around bonfires, and humbled whispers to the souls of the dead hovering so close to The Veil... Pronounced as "SAH-win" or "SOW-win" in most Gaelic tongues, Samhain is a festival that occurs from sunset on October 31st and continues all day on November 1st, while also marking the halfway point between the autumn equinox and winter solstice. It is part of the four-festival Pagan calendar (aside from equinox/solstice) to accompany Imbolc (February), Beltane (May), and Lughnasadh (August). Samhain is widely believed to have Celtic Pagan origins, with beliefs and traditions centering around the idea that The Veil, that which divides the physical world from the spirit world, is at its thinnest, allowing the living to "greet" the dead of loved ones, ancestors, and friendly fae. Celebrations would involve the gathering of bountiful harvests and livestock, preparations for the longer and colder nights ahead, as well as special bonfires that would be lit to cleanse and protect the living from any dark or evil spirts that came through The Veil unbidden. Masks or costumes would be worn to "hide" the living from such dreadful beings. As with most Pagan traditions, this was soon associated with Christian practices, becoming known as All Saints Day, with All Souls Day directly following on November 2nd. In addition, October 31st later became known as All Hallow's Day, with All Hallow's Eve being October 30th. How we know Halloween today started around the 19th century, when mass Irish and Scottish immigrants came to America and shared their traditions wherever they settled down. The earliest known occurrence of costuming and trick-or-treating is in 1898 in British Columbia, Canada, with the phrase itself first recorded in 1917 in Ontario, Canada. From the 1930s onwards, the tradition of trick-or-treating in various and spooky guises spread like wildfire across the United States, and to say that "sounds pretty sweet" is probably an understatement. Fun fact: In 2025, it is estimated that consumers will spend almost $4,000,000,000 ($4bil) on even more billions of pounds of candy, all for one night! So there you have it, a brief overview of why we get all dressed up, go out and speak to strangers we would otherwise never see, get free candy, and then get a stomachache over eating or drinking too much for our sweet tooth. But beware, while you're "ghouling" it up, make sure you don't have the wrong spirit follow you back home... Or, it could have been just the wind that brushed your hair when you walked past that cemetery... Happy Halloween, and Blessed Samhain to all who celebrate! Need a bit of fall to accompany you everywhere? See our collection of Autumn Aldos !

Ah, whisky, one of the most recognizable and highly respected spirits around the world. Whether you're an enthusiast of bourbon, scotch, rye, or another variety, there is no denying the allure and attraction those small pools of golden amber provoke. When one starts to delve into the history of whisky, there is also no surprise as to what brought about the passion and reverence over a simple thing as a dram. Distilling can be traced back as far as the Islamic Golden Age in the Middle East (700s - 1200s). During this time, scholars practiced "alchemy" with early versions of alembic stills for extracting essential oils, to eventually include ethanol. In fact, "alcohol" is derived from the Arabic word "al-kuhl", a fine powder used in medicine and cosmetics in the day. As trade and the Crusades expanded to Europe, knowledge of such practices sparked a new interest and intrigue within monastic communities. Under the vows of order, silence, and devotion, the monks embraced distillation as a contemplative practice, creating medicinal elixirs known as aqua vitae, or the "water of life", to use in healing practices and spiritual rites. The earliest known record of whisky distillation in Scotland appears in the Exchequer Rolls of 1494, which state the supply of eight bolls (or 1500 bottles) of malt to a monk at Lindores Abbey in Fife for use in making aqua vitae. However, long before these official records, it was known that monks had already brought their skills and knowledge for such techniques to Ireland and Scotland, adapting to local grains and conditions to better suit their products. While Henry VIII was parting ways with Rome, monks had to find new ways of making a living in new areas away from their monastic homelands, sometimes generating income secretly with the aid of farmers, rebels, and artisans. During the following centuries a kind of "catch me if you can" game developed between distillers and government regulators, for Parliament came to recognize the importance and popularity of whisky and therefore implemented various taxes and regulations - much to the disagreement of many Highland communities, who viewed the practice as a part of cultural history and heritage. Modern distilling practices and whisky production are certainly miles ahead of the old ways, in both terms of legal acceptance and technological advancement. But don't assume that's across the board: There are plenty of distilleries that have embraced and continued the traditions of old, never losing the timeless embodiment of inspiration despite today's regulations. Throughout the process, the "heart" of the distillate is often referred to as the "soul" of the spirit, with casks imparting their unique "personality" into the liquid. And of course, certainly not the last nor least, the grain is the "essence" that serves as the foundation for all whiskies, shaping the final profile of the bottle that sits on your shelf. So, go on, have another dram, and enjoy what centuries of hard work, passion, and pride have crafted for your enjoyment. Want your whisky with you, or want to be prepared for the next whisky tasting at our showroom? Peruse our line of whisky-holding containers so you're never left out to dry!

Jousting Games at a Renaissance Festival When you go to your local Renaissance Faire or Festival, three things come to mind: Ye Olde King's Talk, turkey legs, and jousting. Arguably one of the most-anticipated attractions to any historical festival of the Medieval or Renaissance kind, jousting has taken on more of a "showy" role than any actual combat, although you might not guess that by the cheers, gasps, and cries of the crowds as they hear the clanging of swords and thundering of hooves! So, exactly how old is the sport, and why is it still so popular today? To begin, we go all the way back to the Middle Ages. Jousting has its origins in the military tactics of heavy calvary during the High Middle Ages (1000-1300). By the 14th century, many members of the nobility (including kings) had taken up jousting to showcase their own courage, skills, and talents. However, as you can imagine, jousting became so dangerous that eventually nobility stopped participating, leaving the knights to pave the way to honor and greatness without the need for direct warfare. The main weapon was the lance (a lot), with other choices being short-range weapons in the event of being unhorsed. Specialized jousting armour was typically heavier than suits of plate armour intended for combat, and could weigh as much as 110lbs, nearly twice that of what was worn for the battlefield! With the development of the courtly ideals of chivalry in the late medieval period, the joust became more regulated than just a martial meeting (duel), resembling more of how we see and practice it today. As rulers rose and fell, jousting eventually lost its luster as a sport, with tournaments at one point being seen as more of a parade or show than an actual martial exercise. Modern-day jousting has been alive since the 1970s thanks to the efforts of various reenactors. In addition, the chain venue Medieval Times is another example of consistent jousting entertainment outside of Renaissance Faires, being located in many states across the U.S. Movies throughout Hollywood have glorified the lifestyle of knights and their jousting aspirations - A Knight's Tale , anyone? While we at Renboots can't make you the shining armour, of a knight, we can at least provide you with the footwear and confidence of one! Our Lancelot line of boots have proven time and time again their historical accuracy in looks and functionality, while not sacrificing any of the modern-day comfort and longevity of 100% hide leather. So if you dare to be a chivalrous man hoping to attain the glory of knighthood, be sure to stop by our booth on your way to the jousting arena!

Irish Heritage Tartan in 16oz Acrylic When one thinks of a kilt, 9/10 times thoughts go to the Scottish Highlands, bagpipes, and the most intimidating question, "What clan are you?" The average person thinks they cannot wear a kilt unless they know what clan they are descendent from, if any at all. However, this is of course not true, as not all tartans represent clans, and the wearing of kilts isn't heavily clan-regulated. Irish tartan kilts are a perfect example of this, as we'll soon read below. Scottish tartans are known for their long history of representing clan names and organizations. Irish tartans, however, are comparatively more recent. About 20 years before Ireland restored its independence from the United Kingdom in 1922, many Irishmen started to wear the kilt as a symbol of national dress. Tartans specific to Ireland didn't fully develop until the 1990s. In 1996, due to increased demand, a Scottish Mill by the name of House of Edgar designed a range of tartans for the old 32 Irish counties as well as an Irish national tartan. Since then, other Scottish mills have created more Irish tartans beyond just the county names within Ireland, to include Connaught, Leinster, and Munster. Name tartans for Irish families are only a very recent practice (2000s onward), and boast big names such as Doyle, O'Neill, and Kelly. So, don't feel ashamed if you want to wear an Irish or even Scottish tartan kilt if you're not sure of your ancestry. Kilt wearing is for anyone and everyone, and by wearing one of our fabulous kilts, you're honoring decades, or even centuries, of beautiful Celtic culture and traditions.

Picture Taken by Renboots Employee on January 3, 2025 Nothing is quite as iconic or recognizable as the stone circle of Stonehenge. Located in Wiltshire, England, this mysterious landmark has baffled many a mind for centuries, with no definitive clues as to why these stones were placed thusly. However, one conclusion is unanimously accepted among most, if not all, who study these relics: Stonehenge was built as a temple - a place of ceremony, of burial and of celebration. With perfect alignment along the rays of the sun on the solstices, this place is revered among many who respect nature as a "hallowed place". Did You Know? In the mid-1600s, a Wiltshire-born antiquary (one who studies antiques) by the name of John Aubrey, produced one of the first accurate drawings of Stonehenge ever made, noting a series of "cavities in the ground" close to the inner edge of the bank. Over 250 years later, excavation proved that these depressions marked the position of large pits, for purposes only guessed at, earning their name Aubrey Holes. There are 56 holes in total, with some labelled as shown in the below photo. One of our employees had a breathtaking visit to this World Heritage site, and was kind enough to share some photos and historical facts with us! While she did her best to capture the beauty of these stones, she highly recommends you make it a point to visit someday and experience the unique and otherworldly atmosphere enveloping this landmark.

Ah, the Renaissance Period. A time of rebirth and rediscovery of the arts, philosophy, and literature! From the 14th to 17th centuries, a lot of what we acknowledge today as world-changing artistic and literature achievements came out of this highly-respected and heavily-researched time of humanity. So much so, that we have a driving need to experience it all across the United States (and in some other countries) in the forms of faires and festivals! But when and where did our love and passion to reenact the Renaissance period begin? Let's go back to California in 1963. In Los Angeles of that year, a couple by the name of Phyllis and Ron Patterson decided to raise money for a local radio station by hosting the "Renaissance Pleasure Faire", a revolutionary blending of historical reenactment with performative art. In that one weekend, it's estimated that around 8,000 people attended, a surprising success for such a small, first-of-its-kind event. This fortuitous outcome led to a dramatic rise in such events springing up across the US during the 70's and 80's, with the main goals of providing educational yet immersive entertainment to the public regarding historical facts of the Renaissance era. Throughout the years, these faires and festivals have greatly impacted the culture and community surrounding the arts and theatre, creating and cultivating a thriving world of magical experiences, historical education, and family-friendly environments that are interactive and immersive for all ages and backgrounds. So when you go to your next (or even first) Renaissance faire/festival, be sure to take your time taking in everything you see, hear, and feel! There's nothing quite like a Renaissance faire, and no matter how many you go to, each visit will always have its own unique and magical atmosphere! We'll see you soon, huzzah!

Throughout a typical United States calendar year, there are several government holidays assigned to a specific event or remembrance. Memorial Day and Veterans Day are two of those, both in recognition of the military. There is a third, that being Armed Forces Day, but unlike the aforementioned two, Armed Forces is not an observed national day off. There is a common misconception that all three holidays celebrate or remember the same thing. Let's go over each holiday and discover why, in fact, each holiday is unique. May is Memorial Day, and is the most somber one of them all. It was first known as Decoration Day, being first observed after the Civil War, and then in 1971 became the federal holiday we know today. It is not set on a specific date, but rather on the last Monday of May. Memorial Day is when the fallen are honored and mourned, whether they served and fell nationally or abroad. Typical celebrations are held in a very reserved manner, out of respect for those who have been lost in the line of duty, never making it back home to their loved ones. So while this day marks the unofficial beginning of summer fun, for many it is a quiet, private day to remember and reflect on the service members that paid the highest price for their country. May is also the month for Armed Forces Day, although it is often overlooked due to Memorial Day. Similar to Memorial Day, this day of recognition is not assigned a specific date; instead, it occurs on the third Saturday of May. Armed Forces Day pays tribute to the current active duty personnel serving nationwide and overseas, to include reservists and guard. There's not as much pomp and circumstance that surrounds this day, but with May being designated as National Military Appreciation Month, it's not uncommon for fun events to be held on this day for military families and communities on and around heavily populated bases. November plays host to Veterans Day, which happens on November 11th each year. This special day was originally known as Armistice Day, representing the formal end of WWI at the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month in 1918, marking the armistice with Germany. Armistice Day was officially changed to Veterans Day in 1954 by President Dwight D Eisenhower, keeping the same date every year since, save for a brief period from 1971-1974, when it was instead observed on the fourth Monday in October because of a bill passed by the US Congress. Veterans Day is just as it sounds: A day of remembering all the veterans, whether still alive or having passed on, that have served in some capacity in any of the military branches. One does not necessarily have to be separated or retired from the military to be considered a veteran, hence why this day also includes active duty personnel in its celebrations. While these three military-based holidays are the most well-known, there are over a dozen others out there that honor, celebrate, and pay tribute to the service members and their families in some way, shape, or form. If you are of affiliation, we thank you and yours for your sacrifices every day to serve the country we are proud to be in.

Renboots prides itself on its ability to balance historical accuracy with modern-day comfort, adding up to a timeless style of boot or shoe for you to wear to the annual Renaissance faire, Burns Night, or even your daily grind! Have you ever wondered, though, exactly how accurate some footwear is, and how certain styles came to be popular for Renaissance events? As is commonly found while studying the culture of clothing of any age, Renaissance footwear was not limited to one style or fashion fad, yet was greatly determined by one's social status and gender. Due in part to the increased trade of new and exotic materials, shoes evolved from being the most humbled part of clothing, serving purely to protect the feet from rough terrain, to becoming one of the most extravagant pieces of accessory money could buy. Boots that were calf length, form-fitting, and laced up the sides overtook the old leather clogs typically worn for outdoor wear. Adornments such as silk, ribbons, and trim were added to the rich-person's shoes to signify their status of wealth. In fact, to restrict extravagance in attire so social status wasn't blurred, rules called "sumptuary laws" were introduced to ensure that everyone dressed according to their rank. We at Renboots can say our footwear is heavily influenced by the myriad of styles that came out of the Renaissance era, to include examples such as the "Bateau", "Caligae", and "Carbatinae". While we know some prices today can be daunting, our goal is to keep our footwear budget-friendly, while using the finest leather and materials available to best serve your feet. After all, as many at a Ren faire would say, "Happy Feet, Happy Meet!"

St. Patrick's Day! Everyone knows it, most people love it (bartenders usually do, at least), and for one day of the year anyone and everyone is Irish! But why do people actually wear green on this special day? Yes, Ireland is the majestic green isle we all hear myths and stories about, with dreams of seeing her breathtaking coastlines and living a simple cottage life. Fae, faeries, fairies, or however you want to spell it, are interwoven throughout Ireland's folklore and tales, with one such fae being the most prominent: Leprechauns! Folklore tradition dictates that if a person wished to become invisible to these tiny mischief makers, then that person would need to wear green garb to avoid the hard pinches those little devils give! These days, though, the reason to wear green has expanded to honoring Irish ancestry, bringing good luck, and many others. So, unless you want to be swatting away those fingers that nip more than mosquitoes in the middle of a humid summer, "get your green on" and enjoy all that March 17th has to offer!