Types of Moccasins

There are many types of moccasins we see across the Nations. I am Cree and in my area I see two styles: pucker toe, and plains style. This page is to share the differences in them, and the types of finishes they may have. Traditionally, moccasins were made using brain tanned, smoked hide. Today it is hard to access smoked hide and commercial hide is what is often used. Other materials used are wool, cotton, beads, sinew, thread, etc. Read below to see some of the differences.

Pucker Toe Moccasins

Pucker toe moccasins are seen in many different Indigenous groups, not only Cree. They are also seen in Dene, Anishinaabe, Gwi'chin and many more. They are a testament to how our relatives traveled and had influential relationships with each other.

This style consists of a vamp (where the wool and beadwork is in the image), and a lower/sole. They are stitched together using puckers/gathered stitches at the round of the toe.

Plains Style Moccasins

This is a popular style seen throughout many nations. It is often used not only with hide but also with various cloth materials and is used with applique and beadwork for powwow regalia.

Wraps vs Collared

There are different ways that moccasins can be finished at the ankle. Often for babies we see wraps, as it helps to keep them on their feet. The high top wraps are also popular among dancers.

Another option would be "low top" collared moccasins. These are finished with a draping piece of hide that covers the laces.

Sometimes bias is used to finish the top of the moc, this can be done instead of having a hide piece such as a wrap or a collar.

In many moccasins there is nothing but the hide of the upper at the top, and this is also a finish option. See historical moccasins for examples.