The OG Moc toe is based on the Bird Shooter, a boot developed by the Berlin, Wisconsin, brand in 1910. It is a raw version of the modern moc boots made by Russell and a group of brands from Maine.
The key feature is a double-layered vamp, which has two layers of leather forming the lower portion of the boot, wrapping around the foot like a sock. Even the handful of other brands that still make genuine moc boots, like Easymoc, Rancourt and Yuketen, don’t use double-layered vamps.
Paying homage
Traditional Native American moccasins feature a double layer of leather on the vamp for increased protection and durability, as they lack an outsole. Moccasins from brands like L.L.Bean and Minnetonka are still made this way.
Rusell Moccasin Co. and Rose Anvil opted for a double-layered vamp on the OG Moc in acknowledgment of the footwear style’s origins. As the shoemaker describes it, “Two independent layers of hand-lasted leather surround the foot, making it incredibly water-resistant and the ultimate in comfort.”