Most medieval pattens bend near the ball of the foot, and you can heel-walk or toe-walk in them just fine. I own a pair of modern hiking boots that bend in pre

Most medieval pattens bend near the ball of the foot, and you can heel-walk or toe-walk in them just fine. I own a pair of modern hiking boots that bend in pretty much the same way as pattens -- they have a huge shank that keeps the arch stiff.