ESB Hoth Boots Project

[cwoodreplicas]

After starting a X-wing and Snowspeeder costume earlier in 2022, following research it became apparent to me that there are no accurate Snowspeeder Boots available from the usual retailers! So I thought I’d make my own. This thread will document the process of how I am going about this.

 

[cwoodreplicas]

Finse Hero Boots

The first version I am going to share is what I have called the Finse Hero Boots. These are the versions used by Han and Luke on the shoots in Norway. They are two toned (first detail people miss) with tan lowers and grey uppers with white trim and seem to only be simple covers with no sole. I cannot determine the material from the images, but suede leather with a white canvas trim would be an obvious choice.

I believe these were the first versions made, and were either completely custom or made from modified slipper lowers.

 

[cwoodreplicas]

Luke On-Set Hero Boots

The second version is the Luke On-Sett Hero Boots. These were the boots used by Luke throughout ESB on set during filming. They are a better constructed boot with a proper sole and better finish. These are two tone (grey uppers, tan base) and clearly are inspired by the Finse Hero Boots. The trim is less obvious but is a little suede light coloured piece. They become progressively weathered throughout the movie until they are almost a uniform colour.

 

[cwoodreplicas]

Brandon Boot

The third version of the boot I am naming the Brandon Boot, as I can only find it in the Star Wars Costumes book by Brandon Alinger. They are very similar to the Finse Hero Boot but have a rubber sole attached. It is unclear if these are a modified Finse boot or if they are completely new. These are interesting as the white strips cover eyelets, perhaps indicating that they were a modified existing boot or that they were altered later in the production process to make them more Star Wars-y. One thing to note however, the lower is white and not tan - perhaps indicating a new boot all together.

 

[cwoodreplicas]

Boot Covers

The fourth version of the boot is the Boot Cover. These were used by the Rebel troops in Finse and were made to slide over the snowboots they were likely wearing. These are again made to resemble the hero Finse boot. and likely made from a felt or wool type material.

 

[cwoodreplicas]

Snow Boots

The fifth version of the boot were modified Snow Boots. These were painted to match the Finse Hero boots and were modified to include some detailing seen on the Finse hero boot (strapping and edging). I am struggling to find some actual set photos with these boots in use.

Edit: From images shared below, it looks as if the Snow boots were used by the rebel soldiers on the Echo Base Set.

 

[cwoodreplicas]

In this thread, I will be attempting to scratch build a hybrid between the Finse Hero Boot and the Brandon Boot. I have chosen these two as I believe the Finse Hero best represents the Snowspeeder boot but I have better images of the Brandon boot from which to develop a design and incorporate details. I will be patterning everything from scratch and learning how to work with thin suede. I doubt these will be perfect but they will attempt capture the following details:

• Tan Suede Lower, Moccasin Saddle Stitched.
• Grey Suede Upper, assembled in the same way as the Brandon Boot.
• Eyelet holes punched and covered with white canvas material.
• White Canvas trim along the top.
• Rubber Stick on Soles for durability.

 

[Sym-Cha]

Looking forward to your work in progress CWOODREPLICAS . . . and with all this incredible
research ... don't you forget about the ESB Han Solo Hoth Do Your Laundry Day Stunt Boot :

Chaïm

 

[GreyGuard38]

Snow Boots

The fifth version of the boot were modified Snow Boots. These were painted to match the Finse Hero boots and were modified to include some detailing seen on the Finse hero boot (strapping and edging). I am struggling to find some actual set photos with these boots in use.

I would guess these were used for the extras in the battle scenes. Since they're all in the snow and trenches, there wouldn't be much chance to see the boots very clearly in the movie, at least for everyone more than 20 feet from the cameras.

 

[Sym-Cha]

Kidding aside ... this is the only picture of the extras, which I believe were members of a Norwegian regiment, that I can share from my Archive :

Chaïm

 

[division 6]

 

[cwoodreplicas]

I would guess these were used for the extras in the battle scenes. Since they're all in the snow and trenches, there wouldn't be much chance to see the boots very clearly in the movie, at least for everyone more than 20 feet from the cameras.

Looking at the images kindly shared above, It looks like the snow boots were not used in Finse. Instead I believe I am spying them in some of the Set Images.