Driving mocs, driving shoes or drivers, are updated interpretations of the original moccasins worn by Native Indian tribes of North America.
The history of moccasins show there were two primary variations – a hard sole worn by plains Indians featuring layers of bison leather to protect the wearer from the harsh conditions of the desert and prairie, and the soft sole consisting of one layer of tanned leather and worn mostly by the eastern tribes as the soft, needle covered forests did not require as much protection to the wearer. Moccasins became popular with the early settlers and eventually found there way to Europe where they became a casual fashion item.
In recent years there has been a resurgence of popularity of moccasins in the form of driving mocs. These casual shoes are hand sewn in the manner of traditional Indian moccasins but have knobby rubber soles that provide protection and traction and prevent the leather from wearing off the heel as the driver braces the heel of the shoe on the floor board of the car to accelerate or change gears. The original “driving moccasin” was developed by the Drive Car company of Italy in 1906 and became instantly popular with race car drivers and sports car enthusiasts. They have since become a very popular shoe – particularly in the summer – many worn without socks – and come in a variety of colors and hides. The David Spencer drivers are made of tanned leather and feature different design elements. The Buffalo Jackson driver is unique in that the leather is genuine bison from the North American plains.
The David Spencer and Buffalo Jackson drivers are hand-sewn on the last. The uppers are soaked in water and positioned on the last. The plug and vamp are hand- sewn together while sill wet. The shoe is dried and in the process the leather fibers retain the permanent shape of the last. Stitches on the moccasin are pulled tightly for the detailing.
David Spencer Casual Footwear 