Casual Shoe Search: Blucher Camp Mocs

Lately I have been on the hunt for a pair of casual shoes. These shoes need to serve multiple purposes. They need to be work appropriate, wearable during bad weather days (so they need a rubber sole), and I would like to be able to wear them on the weekend as well. Too add to this list, summer is coming and I would also like to be able to wear them with the occasional pair of shorts which means they have to be able to look good without socks. I know that this is a lot to ask, but what can I say, I have high expectations.

I did a quick search of the web to get some ideas, but I already had a good idea that blucher camp moccasins wold best suit my needs.  I really like the classic styling of the camp moc. Plus, they will  not look out of place at work with chinos, out on the weekend with friends, or even sock-less with shorts. I prefer camp mocs with a  blucher lacing style. Bluchers are shoes that have a tongue that is one piece and the quarters (where the eyelets are) come up on both sides. This  allows for the shoe to come up further on the top of your fit and this type of support is more comfortable to me. I came up with a few different pairs blucher camp mocs to look into after a little bit of searching.

LL Bean blucher mocL.L. Bean Blucher Camp Moc Saddle (Image from L.L. Bean)

LL. Bean Blucher Moc 2L.L. Bean Camp Moc Chocolate(Image from L.L. Bean)

LL Bean Blucher Moc 3LL. Bean Camp Moc Cactus(Image from L.L. Bean)

The first camp moc that came to mind was the L.L. Bean Blucher moccasin. This is one of L.L Beans’s most iconic shoes. Their Blucher Camp Moc is priced at $69.00 and comes in three colors with saddle being the hands-down favorite. However, I found a ton of negative reviews on the internet. Most of the complaints focused on the plastic-like leather and the general discomfort of the shoe. I also looked at the L.L. Bean signature version which is priced at $69.00 dollars as well, but I heard the same complaints about this version. So, I kept looking.

Eastland falmouth LE

Eastland-Limited Edition Falmouth Camp Moc (image from Eastland).

It also comes in navy, grey suede, acorn suede (grey and acorn are Urbanoutfitters exclusive)

Eastland falmouthEastland-Falmouth Camp Moc(Image from Eastland) Also available in a handsome Bomber Brown.

Sebagao-Campside -TanSebago-Campside Tan(Image from Sebago)

Sebago-Campside-BrownSebago-Campside Brown(Image from Sebago)

There are three other versions of the blucher camp moc that are still in the running. These are the Eastland Men’s Falmouth Limited Edition Camp Moc $120, the regular Men’s Falmouth Camp Moc   $90, and the Sebago Campsides $110. I have heard good things about the Sebago’s and I am asking for some feedback on the Eastlands. Hopefully,within the next month or two I will make a purchase and can write-up a review. However, at these prices I am starting to wonder if I can find two lower priced shoes two fulfill my needs. On second thought, I may have to give the L.L. Bean mocs a try, who knows!

oxford cloth button down
Jerrod Swanton is a simple man interested in simple, classic, and traditional style.

9 Comments on "Casual Shoe Search: Blucher Camp Mocs"

  1. Paul says:

    Great post! I’ve been a huge fan of the classic Bean Blucher moc for a long time, but I will admit that the quality (as is unfortunately the case with much of Bean’s merchandise lately) isn’t as good as it used to be. My current pair of Bean Bluchers are about 5 yrs old and are wonderfully broken in and I’d still wear them to most casual events. I treat them regularly with Leather Honey and it keeps them looking good. I do alternate them with Bean Camp Mocs, Clark Driving Mocs and Sperry Topsiders, so that helps their longevity as well. I’ve never owned a pair of Sebagos, so I’m interested in reading your take on them. I owned a pair of Eastland Blucher mocs back in high school (many, years ago). I from what I remember they were very well made. I can’t speak to current models though. I’m looking forward to seeing which pair(s) you choose!

    • Andrea says:

      Hi, not sure if you ever got around to biyung these, but if I may, I would like to share my opinion. I own all three of these, and more, actually. The camp moc is my all time favorite shoe.LL Bean, the new shoe, well, the classic looks are there but the quality is just subpar. They do run big, I normally wear a 12.5 EE and I bought these in a regular width 12 and they are still roomy. The leather is stiff, but not unmanageable. The sole would be my biggest complaint. They are not camp soles. They are some hodgepoded, almost athletic shoe sole. They do stretch out, too, which has made them uwearable at this point. They just flop off my heel.Russell’s, I had mine custom made to my foot measurements. The leather is thick, but supple. Only problem, they don’t fit right. The body of the shoe was stitched onto the sole incorrectly so it always looks like my foot is turned out. I tried to get this fixed to no avail. I sent them back twice, not fixed. A big disappointment. Also, not a camp sole once again. It is a boat shoe sole. The slight heal is contrary to everything a camp moc should be. I decided that any more effort in getting them fixed or replaced was not worth my time, so they are collecting dust.Quoddy, well, these by far are my favorite. Once you know how to order them, they are fantastic. I order them straight from Quoddy and have them customized for my liking. If you call them, they are extremely helpful and willing to work with you. You can get any leather, any sole, any color lace, eyelets or not, lined or not. I have my 4th pair on order right now. Not that I am wearing them out, I just love them so much I keep getting different version. So I would suggest going with Quoddy. If you wear a standard size, like 9M, you can get them immediately from O’Connell’s in Buffalo. They carry both standard, unlined variations.But here is the ultimate camp moc, in my opinion. I copped a pair of vintage LL Bean camp mocs made by Quoddy on ebay! It was amazing luck finding them new, old stock and in my size. I guess the trad gods were on my side that day. Needless to say, they are the epitome of the camp moc. Correct flat sole with cut out wedge at the rear of the sole. They are thick and supple pebble grained bullhide. They are unlined and have nickel eyelets (which I happen to like). My only concern with these is what to do if I ever wear them out.Anyway, hope this helps, I apologize for the long winded diatribe on camp mocs, it just happens to be something close to my heart.Love the website!Best,PAB

  2. oxford cloth button down says:

    @Paul- Thanks for the comment. From the shoes you spoke of I can tell that I I like your style. As far the bluchers camp mocs go I am really leaning towards the brown Sebago’s, but who knows.

    Also, I have been contemplating a pair of camp mocs as well!

    • Karol says:

      I’m wearing my Bean Camp Mocs now I do NOT like the catus color stick with the brown. The Quoddy lined mocs look very nice, but I just don’t have use for a lined camp mocs. I like to wear them on lazy smumer days and thus never with socks lined mocks make no sense to me.The Bean Camp Mocs start out stiff the leather is thick I suspect it’s bullhide because of the thickness and the texture, but I really like mine. I suggest you start with the Bean. If you get them and find that they are deficient in some way send them back and spend 3X for the Quoddy’s.I’m not a fan of the Russell I think it’s the lack of hardware that the other two have (i.e., the metal eyelets)

      • Jade says:

        I’m wearing my Bean Camp Mocs now I do NOT like the catus color stick with the brown. The Quoddy lined mocs look very nice, but I just don’t have use for a lined camp mocs. I like to wear them on lazy smuemr days and thus never with socks lined mocks make no sense to me.The Bean Camp Mocs start out stiff the leather is thick I suspect it’s bullhide because of the thickness and the texture, but I really like mine. I suggest you start with the Bean. If you get them and find that they are deficient in some way send them back and spend 3X for the Quoddy’s.I’m not a fan of the Russell I think it’s the lack of hardware that the other two have (i.e., the metal eyelets)

  3. max says:

    wonderful post-
    i have had several LL bean bluchers and camp mocs, over the years. great for price point.
    quick bit of history- Bean made Double L moc–which was a blucher w/ white (boat ) soles- and they offered a similar boat shoe based on camp moc. they were dark brown about like a classic sperry.

    the color of sebago campside tan is closer to bluchers from days of yore–all were great shoes though

    max

    • Tacy says:

      Great post! I’ve been a huge fan of the classic Bean Blucher moc for a long time, but I will admit that the qiulaty (as is unfortunately the case with much of Bean’s merchandise lately) isn’t as good as it used to be. My current pair of Bean Bluchers are about 5 yrs old and are wonderfully broken in and I’d still wear them to most casual events. I treat them regularly with Leather Honey and it keeps them looking good. I do alternate them with Bean Camp Mocs, Clark Driving Mocs and Sperry Topsiders, so that helps their longevity as well. I’ve never owned a pair of Sebagos, so I’m interested in reading your take on them. I owned a pair of Eastland Blucher mocs back in high school (many, years ago). I from what I remember they were very well made. I can’t speak to current models though. I’m looking forward to seeing which pair(s) you choose!

  4. D. Miller says:

    Bite the bullet and buy Rancourt or Quoddy. I prefer the Rancourt but either one is very good..

  5. B says:

    I purchased a pair of the Eastlands as a replacement for some old Bean mocs, bad move. Cut waaaay too narrow. By the time I realized the leather wasn’t going to stretch any further they were beyond return. I had an aftermarket sole put on the Bean mocs and still wear them to this day (about three years of nearly daily walking use between NYC, DC, and Cairo).

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