These Shoes Were Not Made for Adventuring

One component many adventures fail to take into consideration is the importance of proper footwear. It is generally assumed you have boots on, which sure, in a general adventuring setting could work. But where are the details, the creativity? Ah, yes, I see you are wearing boots to your adventure. Please excuse me while I cheer with joy at the creativity level. (Joking. I take fashion to an entirely different level in RPGs.)

Importance of shoes

I am not poking fun at anyone directly, but you could spice it up and realize the importance of shoes? Do you wear the same pair of hiking boots every day? And what if you did? Can you think of the awful smell or how sore your feet would be? Maybe you haven’t, but I have!

Shoes are very important, from the comfort level to keeping feet dry, preventing overheating, frostbite prevention and so much more. Shoes are one of your most essential items. Everyone always thinks it’s the pants or chest plate, oh no! If you are wearing tight plate boots and traveling in a jungle then you ain’t going anywhere with those blisters and wet rotting feet. Think about it. Yes, shoes and descriptors are yet another way to bring your roleplaying to the next level.

Shoe type

Are you climbing a mountain? How about some nice climbing boots, or attach some climbing footgear to your general adventure boots. Shoe type matters. How about our magic using folk who can’t wear leather armor or plate in most cases — what are you all wearing for footwear? Some stylish plain canvas slippers. Slippers? In a desert? What if you step on a snake? Or worse step on rocks? Not all adventure paths are well maintained roadways. I guess it is time to invest in a horse if you are planning on wearing those shoes.

All I am saying is what you wear on your feet really does impact your adventure (if you choose to let it). Just look at the terrain, weather and comfort of your adventurer. Sure, I understand you created the character and they may not have any plans or opinions on shoes. This is where Game Masters come in by incorporating opportunities for a change of attire when changing environments. Or better yet, drop it like it’s hot. I wonder how the barbarian from the north is doing in his fur-lined leather Ugg-inspired booties?

“You have been in the desert for an hour, please make a Constitution check.”

Anti-adventuring shoes

Let’s talk about shoes you don’t want to take on adventures — the ones with heels on them. Yikes, nothing screams I’m a magic-user like a sexy pair of strappy sandals in the middle of the forest. Go ahead and add some bells or maybe some glitter. While you are at it wear a sign that says, “HP low, please kill first.” I hope you are tight with your party because you are going to need them.

Special shoes

There are several options of shoes to drop for your delicate feet but nothing says boring more than the standard +1 boot. What does it look like? Leather. Well, okay, that is descriptive. Does it magically fit anyone’s foot or does it need to be taken in? Shoe size is another consideration. When you find a pair of shoes are you lucky enough to find your size? Are they magical and they fit like a glove?

I know you probably have your hopes up for the boots of speed or maybe some winged boots. But let us be honest. You have a little bit to wait for powerful wondrous items such as these. Generally you have to make it to the adventure first and if you are walking in heels well, you’d better hope they are winged!

Conclusion

I love variety and I am one who goes to great lengths to design my characters and NPCs. Of course, this includes full attire — including shoes — that work well for different environments. I have also been known to change gear when going into a different biome or location. Even in town my characters usually have a change of attire. If they get jumped it can be exciting, but seriously my Draconic Bloodline sorcereress who has lived in a tower all her life cannot walk around in just slippers all day. Sure, she fell in a fire trap but she was ready for the jungle when she did it!

*Featured image — There’s no shortage of magical footwear in 5E D&D. We’ve come up with a few of our own too, like the Treads of the Secret Path found within the Forbidden Library. There’s plenty of inspiration for adventure and roleplaying in mundane gear too, from the shoes on your adventurers’ feet to the protection they don when danger threatens. [Images courtesy Wizards of the Coast]

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