Brogans, sole recommendations

[MWood1841]

I'm a newbie to the reenacting scene. Recently got a pair of brogans and the bottom soles are extremely slick. Especially the front portion. I find myself walking slowly and careful just around my house and navigating stairs a few times, almost having my feet slide out from under. Wet grass and other smoother surfaces would probably be like walking on ice.
Before I run these things to a shoe cobbler, any recommendations on adding tractions to the bottom? I'm all about doing my best to be authentic, but not willing to risk a broken ankle, leg, etc.
Appreciate y'alls time and recommendations.

 

[captaindrew]

Walk (carefully at first) on the sidewalk or street. That will scuff them up a bit. Once they are scuffed traction will greatly improve.

 

[captaindrew]

You'll want to break them in a bit anyway before you wear them in the field.

 

[Doc_Ralph]

Good luck with that. I opine It is something you get used to, I slipped and fell recently at Cedar Mountain on a descent. My mentor told me to get boots if I was serious about it. It pains me now that I did not listen to that advice. Boots for my "doctoring" for sure.

 

[johan_steele]

Hobnails and heel plates.

 

[Doc_Ralph]

Or as we did at Cedar Mountain and go barefoot whenever possible...

 

[7thWisconsin]

You can scuff the sole with a file to get some traction. The best advice is to break them in on concrete which will rough them up. I recommend heel plates, though, because road surfaces are especially hard on the heels.

 

[HobnailJohn]

Hobnails and heel plates.

If you are looking for the most historically correct answer Steele has it for you right there. Otherwise the traditional thing to do is just wear them and break them in. Grip will improve as the leather breaks in and softens and the surface scuffs up. If neither of those do it for you, you could look into getting them resoled with something like this. A leather sole with rubber inserts. As long as you never show anyone the bottoms of your boots most people probably wouldn't notice. If you are trying to be more authentic though you will need to ditch that rubber top lift on the heel block.