Shoes Made in the USA

American-made shoes are tough to find these days – it seems like more and more brands are taking their manufacturing facilities overseas. Here is a list of all the companies that are still manufacturing U.S.-made shoes in every category. Feel free to shoot us a note if you know of any other shoe brands made in the USA that are not on this list!

Complete List of Shoe Brands Made in the USA

SOM Footwear


Headquarters: Montrose, CO

States manufacturing in: CO



SOM Footwear manufactures sneakers with a minimalist design. Mike visited SOM Footwear in Colorado, so check the Tour link above for an inside look at this great shoe company made in the USA.

Softstar


Headquarters: Philomath, OR

States manufacturing in: OR



Softstar produces extremely comfortable, minimalist sneakers and casual shoes. These shoes are also great for everyday wear. All of Softstar’s shoes are made right in their Oregan facility with American materials!

All American Clothing Co.


Headquarters: Arcanum, OH



All American Clothing Co. sells a huge range of footwear for both men and women, including work boots, shoes, sandals, slippers, and rubber boots. They also stock brands such as Thorogood, KEEN, and San Antonio Shoemakers (SAS), but stand by their American-made guarantee, ensuring anything they sell is made in the USA. Their work boots are also made for some of the most demanding professions including electricians, farmers, machinists, linemen, and fabricators.

Earth Runners Sandals


Headquarters: Sebastopol, CA

States manufacturing in: CA



Earth Runners makes unique sandals that are built for physically active individuals. They have different padding levels and styles to choose from, so you can go with something for minimal or with good cushion.

Okabashi


Headquarters: Burford, GA

States manufacturing in: GA



Okabashi makes some of the most comfortable sandals on the market. They have slides, flip-flops, and much more to choose from.

Oka-B


Headquarters: Burford, GA

States manufacturing in: GA



Oka-B makes women’s shoes, all right here in the USA. They support women by employing a female leadership team. The company produces high-quality and comfortable shoes, many of which are waterproof. Oka-B focuses on sustainability,by using recycled materials, and using 93% less transportation in their production line.

Russell Moccasin Co


Headquarters: Berlin, WI

States manufacturing in: WI



Russell Moccasin Co. has been around since 1898! They make wonderful leather boots, shoes, and moccasins – all made in their Wisconsin facility.

Oak Street Bootmakers


Headquarters: Chicago, IL

States manufacturing in: IL



Oak Street Bootmakers makes some of the most beautiful handcrafted leather footwear out there that can be dressed up or down. They go further than just producing in America, they also source their materials domestically and even go as far as producing the packaging, boxes, and shoe accessories in the USA!

Helm Boots


Headquarters: Austin, TX

States manufacturing in: ARME



Helm Boots makes casual and formal wear shoes for men. They produce a pretty extensive range of boots and dress shoes that are durable and stylish.

Belleville Boots


Headquarters: Belleville, IL

States manufacturing in: IL



Belleville has been crafting military and tactical boots since 1904. They’re one of the big American shoe brands. They aim to create the toughest, strongest, most durable boots for those who work in demanding jobs. This 5th-generation family-owned business is the oldest and leading manufacturer of boots for the U.S. Military, and also provides footwear for law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Carolina Boots


Headquarters: Martinsburg, PA

States manufacturing in: PA



Carolina Boots’ slogan is “built for work”, they craft boots for workers in a wide range of industries. They ensure they use state-of-the-art materials and patented technologies to make footwear for working people that is 100% effective. There is an option to find shoes suited for you based on gender, category (which includes professions), and technology (such as steel-toe or Gortex).

Chippewa Boots


Headquarters: Chippewa Falls, WI

States manufacturing in: MO



Established in 1901, Chippewa Boots has been making boots for outdoorsmen and workers using only the finest materials. They offer boots for both men and women and include features such as a safety toe, waterproof material, insulation, electric hazard protection, met guard, puncture resistance, and heat resistance, depending on the type of work that you do.

Corcoran Boots


Headquarters: Martinsburg, PA

States manufacturing in: PA



Made famous by their ‘Jump Boots’ that served U.S paratroopers in WWII, Corcoran continues to provide footwear for the military, with their ‘Combat Boots’ most recently being worn by those serving in Iraq. Their Jump Boots continue to feature the classic calf-length lace-up minimalist look, but they also now sell a wider range of footwear designed for security personnel. Corcoran is part of the Carolina brand.

Danner


Headquarters: Portland, OR

States manufacturing in: OR



For nearly a century, Danner has been making boots for those who work, hike and hunt. They also sell casual shoes, but ultimately their footwear is made for those looking to explore and work hard in them. They make their boots out of quality materials to ensure they’re built to last, but they also offer a recrafting service. It’s worth noting that not all Danner boots are made in the USA, but they have a filter on their website so that you can find ones that are. These boots feature a small American flag on them, so you can wear them with pride.

Red Wing Boots


Headquarters: Red Wing, MN

States manufacturing in: MNMO



Red Wing Boots was founded in 1905 with an aim to supply workers with safety boots in industries such as mining, farming, and logging. Now, Red Wing sells boots in over 990 styles, has 700+ retail stores, and distributes to over 110 countries. In their work boot range, Red Wing offers men’s and women’s boots with a safety toe, insulation, waterproofing, and boots that are CSA-approved.

Unfortunately, Red Wing doesn’t make all of its footwear in the USA; they also have manufacturing facilities across Europe, the U.K, and Asia. However, Red Wing is transparent about this on its site, with a map showing where all of its processes are done. They also have a search function on their site, so you can search for boots that are “made in the USA,” “made in the USA with imported materials,” “assembled in the USA with imported components,” and “made in the USA with imported parts,” making it easier for you to find 100% made in the USA boots.

Nicks Handmade Boots


Headquarters: Spokane, WA

States manufacturing in: WA



All of Nicks Handmade Boots are 100% made in the USA using USA materials. They offer boots for men and women for occasions such as work, heritage, safety toe, fire and duty, outdoors, and western.

McRae Footwear


Headquarters: Mt Gilead, NC

States manufacturing in: NC



McRae Footwear manufactures military boots for our armed service members and sells boots to ordinary folks like us too. They’ve been around since 1959 and aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Thorogood Boots


Headquarters: Merrill, WI

States manufacturing in: WI



Thorogood makes some high-quality men’s hiking and work boots in the USA. They also sell some military and uniformed personnel footwear. All of Thorogood’s boots and footwear are manufactured in the United States. However, some of their materials are sourced from abroad.

Wolverine Boots


Headquarters: Richmond, IN

States manufacturing in: MI



Wolverine produces men’s and women’s hiking and work boots. All of their footwear is made of the best quality and they really pay attention to the details with this boot. Keep in mind that only a few styles are made and sourced in the USA.

Abilene Boot Company


Headquarters: Somerset, PA

States manufacturing in: PA



Abilene is based in Pennsylvania and makes some of the highest quality boots in the USA. They produce 100% of their products in America and have a few different cowboy and workboot designs for men and women.

CYDWOQ Boots


Headquarters: Burbank, CA

States manufacturing in: CA



CYDWOQ Boots handcrafts leather shoes that are made to be unique and timeless. They are conscious about providing their employees with an enjoyable and safe place to work, as well as conscious about the environment. Their shoes are made using biodegradable water-based glues and other environmentally-friendly materials. CYDWOQ sells shoes, boots, and sandals for both men and women. Because their shoes are handmade to order after each purchase, shipping times can be 3-4 weeks.

White’s Boots


Headquarters: Spokane, WA

States manufacturing in: WA



White’s have been handmaking boots for men and women who need high-performing boots since 1853. These boots are hand-sewn, hand-lasted, hand-welted, and hand-bottomed. White’s Boots are made for a range of industries including logging, fire boots, and work boots. You can also buy custom boots and have your boots rebuilt/resoled if needed.

Hoffman Boots


Headquarters: Kellogg, ID

States manufacturing in: ID



Hoffman Boots provides footwear for those doing heavy-duty work such as construction, logging, or linemen. They also sell boots for hunting and extreme terrains such as freezing cold weather and Wildland. Hoffman crafts their boots from leather and uses industrial-grade waterproof bottoms.

The fourth-generation family-owned business has been operating for nearly four decades and prides itself on offering a personalized service, with its team happy to talk you through choosing the right boot for you.

It’s worth noting that only the majority of their boots are manufactured in the states, but they manufacture some products in Italy, Germany, and Europe, where they also source their leather from.

L.L. Bean


Headquarters: Freeport, ME

States manufacturing in: MENCNY



L.L Bean manufactures shoes for men, women, and children. Their footwear range includes sneakers, shoes, boots, slippers, sandals, and water shoes. Their boots are suitable for hiking and hunting – they specify the level of water protection offered by each of their boots so you can find something suited to your needs. L.L Bean has been crafting shoes for the road less traveled since 1912. Though it’s worth noting that only some of their range is made in the USA, these often have ‘Maine-made’ written on the product description, but they’re not entirely transparent about where other boots are manufactured.

Schnee’s Boots


Headquarters: Bozeman, MT

States manufacturing in: MT



Schnee’s Boots produces some top-shelf hiking and outdoors boots. Many of their products are waterproof and made to withstand tough conditions. Only some are made in the USA, though.

Sloggers


Headquarters: Gardena, CA

States manufacturing in: CA



Sloggers makes great women’s boots and shoes for rain and wet weather. While all of the manufacturing and assembling occurs in the USA, some of the materials for Sloggers are imported.

Truman Boot Co.


Headquarters: Eugene, OR

States manufacturing in: OR



Truman Boot Co. got started in 2014 and makes awesome high-end boots for hiking, work, and more formal occasions. They source some leather from the US, but they also get materials from Italy and the UK.

Justin Boots


Headquarters: El Paso, TX

States manufacturing in: TX



Justin Boots is a large cowboy boot company based in Texas. A small percentage of Justin Boots’ cowboy boots are made in the USA. However, most are made internationally, though. You can learn more in our separate Justin Boots sourcing investigation.

Babiones Wilson Boots


Headquarters: Livingston, MT

States manufacturing in: MT



Established in 1945 by Carl Wilson, Babiones Wilson Boots manufactures high-end cowboy boots that are all made in the USA. They have a wide variety of premium boots and go through an extensive fitting process with each sale to ensure the boot is comfortable and fits well. They even offer repairs to their boots to make certain they last you a lifetime.

Caboots


Headquarters: El Paso, TX

States manufacturing in: TX



Caboots is a Texas-based cowboy boot company that manufactures custom, handmade cowboy boots. These are premium boots made for customers with high budgets that want top quality. They use high-quality leather and make all products by hand in the USA.

Double-H Boots


Headquarters: Martinsburg, PA

States manufacturing in: PA



Double-H produces cowboy work and outdoor boots for men and women. All of the company’s boots are made in USA, though it is worth noting that they use global parts.

Lucchese


Headquarters: El Paso, TX

States manufacturing in: TX



Lucchese Boots makes a few of its high-quality boots in the USA. The entire process of crafting the boots is done by hand to ensure your boot is of the best quality. Check their product details if you’re shopping online or the tag in store.

Tony Lama


Headquarters: El Paso, TX

States manufacturing in: TX



Only some of their cowboy boots are made in the USA, but their website is easy to navigate to search for boots made in the USA. They have a much larger selection of men’s boots made in the USA, but they have a couple of women’s options as well.

Opie Way Footwear


Headquarters: Asheville, NC

States manufacturing in: NC



Opie Way Footwear produces some awesome and unique handmade sneakers made in North Carolina. These are premium sneakers that are comfortable, durable, and sustainably sourced from the USA and Italy. Check out our exclusive interview with them!

New Balance


Headquarters: Boston, MA

States manufacturing in: MAME



New Balance is one of the largest shoe manufacturers in the world and is a HUGE company. So, it isn’t surprising that only selected styles by New Balance are assembled in the USA (they use some global materials). More on New Balance in our brand investigation on them.

SAS (San Antonio Shoes)


Headquarters: San Antonio, TX

States manufacturing in: TX



SAS is a Texas-based shoe company that makes very comfortable sneakers for men and women. These aren’t cheap shoes, but they offer top-quality for the price. Some of their dress shoes are made in Italy, but most designs are made in the USA.

Psudo Sneakers


Headquarters: Los Angeles, CA

States manufacturing in: CATX



Psudo makes printed slip-on sneakers. They are relatively affordable and come in a lot of different styles. The designs by Psudo are unique and attractive designs that are super durable and well-made. Some of their materials and manufacturing come from El Salvador, but most of the production is done in the USA.

Victory Sportswear


Headquarters: Fitchburg, MA

States manufacturing in: MA



Victory Sportswear makes unique, custom sneakers that are similar to a lot of popular styles from New Balance. But, what sets Victory apart is that all their footwear is made by hand in the USA. These shoes are a bit pricy, but they look and feel amazing on your feet!

Frye Boots


Headquarters: Salt Lake City, UT

States manufacturing in: UT



Frye is a historic name in the American shoemaking industry and still has some shoes for men and women made in the USA. The company specializes in boots and dress shoes, and their products look awesome and are crafted out of quality materials.

Aurora Shoe Co


Headquarters: Aurora, NY

States manufacturing in: NY



Aurora Shoe Co. makes casual wear shoes out of their factory in upstate New York. All of their shoes are assembled by hand from the best of the best materials, all sourced from the USA.

CAPPS Shoe Company


Headquarters: Lynchburg, VA

States manufacturing in: VA



CAPPS makes uniform shoes for flight attendants. These shoes are also certified for armed forces, law enforcement, ROTC, and JROTC. The shoes are extremely durable, comfortable, and 100% made in the USA.

Eastland


Headquarters: Freeport, ME

States manufacturing in: ME



Eastland makes a lot of comfortable men’s and women’s shoes. They specialize in boat shoes, boots, loafers, and dress shoes. Not all Eastland footwear is made in the USA, but select styles are.

Footwear by Footskins


Headquarters: Spring Grove, MN

States manufacturing in: MN



If you are looking for a comfortable pair of mocassins or leather shoes, we highly recommend checking out Footskins. These shoes are super soft, comfy, and built with durability in mind. Better yet, all Footskins products are handmade in the USA.

Munro


Headquarters: Hot Springs, AR

States manufacturing in: AR



Munro makes women’s casual wear as well as shoes and sandals. These are stylish and comfortable shoes. Better yet, some select styles are made in Arkansas.

Onex Shoes


Headquarters: North Hollywood, CA

States manufacturing in: CA



Onex Shoes is a women’s casual shoe brand that is comfortable and durable and designs by hand. They produce some of the best women’s footwear and sandals in the USA.

Mohop


Headquarters: Chicago, IL

States manufacturing in: IL



Mohop produces all vegan and responsibly made women’s shoes, accessories, and bags. Their shoes have a distinctive and unique design and are made with care. Everything is made, sourced, and produced in the USA.

Allen Edmonds


Headquarters: Port Washington, WI

States manufacturing in: WI



Allen Edmonds is a men’s footwear and apparel store that designs premium formal and casual attire. Their shoes are well-made and look amazing. While some of their styles are made abroad a solid chunk of Allen Edmonds’ stock is made in the USA. You can easily filter their site to search for the domestically made products.

Pierrepont Hicks


Headquarters: Maine

States manufacturing in: ME



Pierrepont Hicks makes moccasin-style leather shoes that look similar to Sperry’s. We cannot overstate just how comfortable these shoes are. The company is based in the USA and produces all of its products domestically. They also source sustainable and non-toxic materials.

PW Minor


Headquarters: Batavia, NY

States manufacturing in: NY



PW Minor is no longer in business, but you can still purchase their remaining inventory from a few retailers. They make shoes that are great quality orthopedic shoes for people with foot problems and diabetes.

Quoddy


Headquarters: Lewiston, ME

States manufacturing in: ME



Quoddy makes a wide variety of casual wear shoes handcrafted in Maine. The company specializes in boat shoes, slippers, winter boots, and sandals. These shoes are seriously high quality, and they even have a wide selection of premium shoes that are made to order.

Easymoc


Headquarters: Lewiston, ME

States manufacturing in: ME



Easymoc has some mocassins that are handmade with domestic materials. Not everything they offer is made here, though. It should be clearly labeled on their website which mocassins are made in the USA.

Salpy Shoes


Headquarters: Los Angeles, CA

States manufacturing in: CA



Salpy produces high-end women’s shoes in several different styles. All Salpy shoes are produced by hand in Los Angeles and are made-to-order.

Scandic Footwear


Headquarters: Burlington, MA

States manufacturing in: MA



Scandic produces clogs and unique footwear designs for both men and women. The company was founded by a Danish immigrant who dreamed of bringing a taste of his culture to the US. The clogs and shoes from Scandic are made to last forever and are handcrafted in the USA.

Steger Mukluks and Moccasins


Headquarters: Ely, MN

States manufacturing in: MN



Seger Mukluks and Moccasins make super high-quality footwear built for cold weather. These boots are highly durable, comfortable, and, most importantly, warm!

Sven


Headquarters: Chisago City, MN

States manufacturing in: MN



Another American clog manufacter is Sven, which makes all of their products in Minnesota. The company makes everything from standard Swedish clogs to boots, shoes, winter boots, and even clogs for men.

The Palantines Shoes


Headquarters: Los Angeles, CA

States manufacturing in: CA



Palantines produces some super unique casual shoes for women. All shoes are designed and produced in Los Angeles and there is a huge variety of designs to choose from.

The Vintage Shoe Company


Headquarters: PA

States manufacturing in: PA



If you are looking for some timeless, pre-owned leather shoes we recommend checking out The Vintage Shoe Company. These shoes are high quality and made in the USA.

Alden New England


Headquarters: Middleborough, MA

States manufacturing in: MA



Alden is one of the oldest shoemakers in the Northeast and has been continuously producing top-caliber shoes in Massachusetts since the 1880s. All components of these shoes are extremely high quality and crafted with care.

Calleen Cordero


Headquarters: Los Angeles, CA

States manufacturing in: CA



Calleen Cordero is a luxury women’s shoe brand making women’s shoes. The company specializes in sandals, but they also sell boots, clogs, heels and just about any women’s shoe you can imagine. These are high-quality and well-made shoes.

Esquivel Shoes


Headquarters: Orange County, CA

States manufacturing in: CA



Esquivel is a designer shoe and accessory maker that has a huge variety of awesome shoes for men and women. Here you’ll find some beautifully made sneakers, dress shoes, boots, and sandals.

Gateway Shoes


Headquarters: St Louis, MO

States manufacturing in: MO



You can still find Gateway Shoes on several retailers, such as Poshmark. The company produces some sleek men’s dress shoe designs.

Jen + Kim Shoes


Headquarters: Los Angeles, CA

States manufacturing in: CA



Jen + Kim makes classic women’s formal shoes with a modern twist. Their shoes are comfortable, stylish, and made in the USA.

Perry Ercolino


Headquarters: Doylestown, PA

States manufacturing in: PA



Perry Ercolino makes very high-end formal shoes for men. While the boots are assembled in the USA, the leather is sourced from Germany, Italy, and France.

Rancourt & Co


Headquarters: Lewiston, ME

States manufacturing in: ME



Rancourt makes men’s boots, loafers, and dress shoes for men and women. They also have some nice casual wear sneakers. All products have been made and designed in Maine since the 1960s!

Gurkee’s


Headquarters: Morgantown, WV

States manufacturing in: WV



Gurkee’s makes some really unique rope sandals. There are few brands like Gurkee and everything is handmade in the USA!

Island Slipper


Headquarters: Oahu, HI

States manufacturing in: HI



Island Slipper is a Hawaii-based company that makes some of the most comfortable sandals and flip-flops in the world. Not only are these premium sandals extremely durable and made to last, but they are all produced in Hawaii!

Jack Rogers


Headquarters: Palm Beach, FL

States manufacturing in: FL



Jack Rogers is a women’s shoe company that produces an extensive range of footwear. While not everything is made domestically, you’ll find some styles that are still produced in the USA.

Cade&Co


Headquarters: Park City, UT

States manufacturing in: UT



Cade&Co produces baby booties in the USA. These shoes are ethically sourced and are safe for your baby. They aren’t the cheapest baby shoes in the world, but you can rest assured that your child is wearing some comfortable shoes!

MyChacos by Chacos


Headquarters: Richmond, IN

States manufacturing in: MI



The MyChacos program is the only Chaco sandals that are made in the USA – other Chacos are not made in the USA.

The Piper Sandal Company


Headquarters: San Antonio, TX

States manufacturing in: TX



The Piper Sandal Company makes extremely comfortable handmade leather sandals. The company is a small family owned business that still produces the sandals in their home garage in San Antonio, Texas.

Zimmerman Shoes (Kepner Scott)


Headquarters: Orwigsburg, PA

States manufacturing in: PA



Kepner Scott has been handcrafting children’s shoes in Pennsylvania since 1888! These shoes are comfortable, stylish, and crafted with care by American hands.

Gokey


Headquarters: Tipton, MO

States manufacturing in: MO



Gokey makes high-quality leather hunting boots that will last you a lifetime. These boots are insanely comfortable and made by hand in the USA. All materials are domestically sourced as well!

Sundance Sheepskin & Leather


Headquarters: Guffey, CO

States manufacturing in: CO



Sundance Sheepskin & Leather makes amazing sheepskin slippers, mocassins, boots, and shoes from American-sourced sheepskins and leather.

Shamma Sandals


Headquarters: Santa Cruz, CA

States manufacturing in: CA



Shamma Sandals manufactures minimalist, barefoot-style running sandals. They are a family-owned and operated business and source all of their materials domestically. They also have some “lifestyle” sandals to choose from that have a more casual, non-athletic style for everyday wear.

Pingree Detroit


Headquarters: Detroit, MI

States manufacturing in: MI



Pingree Detroit is a worker-owned business that makes shoes and other goods from reclaimed leather straight from the automotive industry in Detroit.

NuuSol


Headquarters: Caldwell, ID

States manufacturing in: ID



NuuSol makes sandals and recovery footwear for men and women that is very affordable. The footbed in each pair is podiatrist-approved and supposed to help relieve pain.

Anderson Bean Boots


Headquarters: Mercedes, TX

States manufacturing in: TX



Anderson Bean makes cowboy boots right here in the USA. They have been an independent boot manufacturer since 1989.

Beck Boots


Headquarters: Amarillo, TX

States manufacturing in: TX



Beck Boots has been around since 1916 and handcrafts every pair of cowboy boots it makes. Their boots aren’t cheap, but if its quality you are after, this is an excellent company!

Carson Footwear


Headquarters: Milwaukie, OR

States manufacturing in: OR



Carson Footwear manufactures sneakers, although uses some globally sourced materials. They have a lot of colors and styles available.

D2SHOE


Headquarters: Santa Paula, CA

States manufacturing in: CA



D2SHOE manufactures shoes for cyclists from durable synthetic and carbon fiber materials. These shoes are for serious cyclists that want the best shoes for the sport, they come at a high cost, but you know you are getting premium quality.

Dunlop


Headquarters: Havre de Grace, MD

States manufacturing in: MD



Only some of Dunlop’s protective footwear is made in the USA. They are a global company, but there aren’t too many American-born options for rubber safety boots.

Grundens


Headquarters: Ship Bottom, NJ

States manufacturing in: NJ



Grundens makes high-quality rubber fishing boots that will keep you warm, protected, and balanced while you’re out on the water.

Itasca Leathergoods


Headquarters: Lake George, MN

States manufacturing in: MN



Itasca Leathergoods makes handcrafted mocassins for people of all ages. They are a family-owned business that has been running for over 30 years.

JB Hill Boot Company


Headquarters: Texas

States manufacturing in: TX



JB Hill Boot Company handcrafts custom cowboy boots in Texas. Everything is hand-cut and hand-sewn, leaving you with a top-shelf product.

JL Mercer Boot Company


Headquarters: San Angelo, TX

States manufacturing in: TX



JL Mercer Boot Company produces high-end custom cowboy boots and has been in business since 1923. The company custom makes cowboy boots in their Texas facility.

Kat Mendenhall Boots


Headquarters: Dallas, TX

States manufacturing in: TX



Kat Mendenhall Boots is a vegan cowboy boot manufacturer that makes unique boots in small batches. Their boots come at a high cost, but if you are looking for American-made boots from alternative materials, this is your best bet.

North Star Trading Co


Headquarters: Clinton, WA

States manufacturing in: WA



North Star Trading Company makes a variety of leather goods, including some super comfortable sheepskin slippers.

Rocky Boots


Headquarters: Nelsonville, OH

States manufacturing in: OH



Rocky Boots has a ton of great boots for hiking, fishing, and other outdoor activities. Not all of their materials are sourced domestically, but they do a ton of assembly in the US.

Wassookeag Moccasins


Headquarters: Dexter, ME

States manufacturing in: ME



Wassookeag Moccasins makes handmade mocassins out of their facility in Dexter, Maine. They have both classic and unique style options.

WindWalkers


Headquarters: Bodega Bay, CA

States manufacturing in: CA



WindWalkers makes boots and slippers for men and women using sheepskin. Everything they produce is handcrafted in California.

Woolrich


Headquarters: Woolrich, PA

States manufacturing in: IL



Woolrich goes all the way back to 1830 and is one of the oldest apparel companies in the country. They have a few shoes in their inventory, along with a lot of other apparel.

Queen City Footwear


Headquarters: Williston, VT

States manufacturing in: VT



Queen City Footwear produces leather shoes for wearing around the house. They have high, mid, and low-top style options in a few colors. Everything is made from super soft, yet durable leather.


Mike’s YouTube Video on American Made Shoes


How to Find Shoes Made in the USA

Outside of simply presenting an extensive list of American made shoes, our aim is to empower you with the knowledge to conduct your own research and make informed choices when it comes to shoe manufacturing. Let’s take a closer look at the footwear industry, delving into aspects like material sourcing, labeling, and effective strategies for finding high-quality shoe brands produced in the USA. First, we’ll explore the language of “made in the USA” and how to decipher it to make informed decisions about your footwear purchases.

What Does “Made In The USA” Mean?

Before we dive in, let’s define what it means for something to be “made in the USA.” The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) protects the “made in the USA” label and defines it as a product that is “all or virtually all” made in the USA. In other words, all significant parts and processing must take place in the USA. Everything from the sourcing of the raw material to the assembly of the product should take place on US soil. However, “virtually all” can be a bit of a gray area, so it’s worth doing your additional research on top of looking for the “made in the USA” label.

We discuss this in further depth below and on our “made in the USA” labeling guide

Materials

If you’re after an American-made product, you should look specifically at shoes made from materials sourced in the USA. Since so many components make up a shoe, finding a pair of shoes that are 100% sourced in the United States may be difficult, so try to find something that is at least mostly sourced in the USA.

Leather

Leather is often used for the uppers or soles of shoes. It is pretty easy to find American-sourced leather compared to other materials, though China still takes the prize for the top manufacturer of this material. Just be sure to be on the lookout for cowhide specifically, as more exotic leathers are harder to come by in the United States. If you’re looking for a quality pair of shoes that will last you years, US-made full-grain leather is your best choice.

Canvas

Canvas is a popular material used in shoe uppers. Unsurprisingly, China tops the board in terms of canvas production as well. However, most of the canvas used in the American textile industry comes from the United States. But since canvas can also be sourced in other countries throughout Asia and South America, it is always worth double-checking the country of origin for this material.

Rubber

Many shoes use rubber soles because they are non-slip and generally more comfortable than leather soles.

Rubber can be a bit more difficult to source from the United States, but it is not impossible. The USA produces around 35 million tons of rubber every year. However, note that 90% of natural rubber grows in Southeast Asia, and only a third of the USA’s rubber production is natural rubber. So, to find US-made rubber, synthetic rubber is generally the way to go. 

Plastic

Plastic is used in the soles, uppers, and eyelets of shoes. A lot of the world’s plastic comes from China, but the USA still produces some plastic of its own. We produce roughly 20% of the world’s plastic, which is certainly not an insignificant amount. So, all in all, finding US-made plastic parts shouldn’t be too difficult.

Shoelaces

Shoelaces are normally made of nylon and polyester. Although China is the world’s largest producer of both materials, the USA doesn’t fall too far behind. Plus, if you look at shoelaces specifically, you’ll find that there are plenty of companies that produce shoelaces made in the USA.

Labeling

Checking the product’s labeling is the next step to finding US-made shoes. Title 19 Chapter 4 Section 1304 of the US Code states that any imported product must be labeled accordingly. This piece of legislation helps us find foreign-made products. In this case, you should focus on the “made in the USA” label specifically.

Although labeling seems like a cheat code to find US-made shoes, the reality can be different. Unfortunately, the FTC does not police the “made in the USA” label as well as it should, so doing your research to determine where a product is sourced and manufactured can go a long way.

On top of that, many companies use confusing jargon to trick consumers into thinking a particular product is made in the U.S. For example, some companies use phrases like “designed in the USA” or “manufactured in the USA,” but these labels signify that only a part of the processing takes place in the United States. Similarly, the “made in America” label means the product could have been made in Canada or Mexico.

Another thing to watch out for is the American flag. The usage of the American flag on labels is not protected, so just because a company uses the flag does not automatically mean that the product is made in the USA.

Other Tips

Here are some other tips to help you find US-made shoes.

Check The Website

In particular, check the company’s “About Us” page or the product page. If the product is truly made in the USA, this fact will likely be loudly advertised as it is a huge selling point. On the other hand, if the product is made abroad, you probably will not find the country of origin on the company’s website. This is because companies are not required to label their products with their country of origin on online or promotional materials.

Online Shopping Sites

Shopping websites like Amazon will often state the country of origin in the “Product Information” section. If you can’t find this information, do some extra snooping in the FAQ section of the product page. Someone else may have already asked about the product’s country of origin.

Call The Company

Finally, if you still don’t know where a particular shoe is made, simply call the company. A company representative will be able to answer your questions.


Shoes Not Made in the USA

We came across several big shoe brands that are not making their products in the USA when doing our research. We’ve created a full list of these brands below as well as where their shoes are made. We’ll keep adding to this list as we find more.

  • Reebok – Made in Vietnam.
  • Nike – Made in Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Taiwan, Italy, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Korea, Japan, Argentina, India, Bosnia, and Herzegovina.
  • New Balance – Made in Vietnam and China, “Made in the USA” shoes are 70% domestic.
  • Converse – Made in Vietnam, China, India, and Indonesia.
  • Vans – Made in China, Vietnam, Cambodia, South Korea, Mexico, and the USA (did 700 pairs of limited edition “Made in the USA” trainers).
  • Puma – Made in China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Romania.
  • Adidas – Primarily made in China, Vietnam, and Indonesia, but also in Argentina, Brazil, Cambodia, Germany, India, Italy, Myanmar, and Turkey (all broken down on their factory list on their website).
  • Vagabond – Made in Vietnam.
  • Birkenstock – Made in Germany (closed-toe shoes made in Portugal).
  • VEJA – Made in Brazil.
  • Skechers – Made in China and Vietnam.
  • Asics – Made in China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Brazil, Japan, and Argentina.

Related Research


About The Author

Kristen

Kristen

Kristen does research on everything you need to turn your house into a home. All made in the USA, of course. She also writes on behalf of Hodor, one of our lead pet product researchers and Chief Barketing Officers.