Medieval footwear had thin soles and pattens would give an extra protection against the cold, wet and dirt from the ground. Leather-cork pattern where at first for indoor use. Wood pattens would ease walking in wet dirt.

The Arnolfini portrait by Jan van Eick shows us both versions: the wooden pattens (1) with street dirt stuck to them and the neatly put away leather pattens (2) at the foot of the bench.