Finding the right pair of work boots that fit well, are constructed with care, and last a lifetime can be really tough. That’s why we did extensive research to find you all of the men’s work boots made in the USA. Below, you’ll find all of the brands making American-made boots, additional details on each, and our research methodology. Be sure to check out our guide on women’s work boots made in the USA as well.
Complete List of Men’s Work Boot Brands Made in the USA
Carolina has a lineup of domestically-made work boots with one primary attribute in mind: toughness. They even say it themselves all over their website: “Just. Plain. Tough.” Ironically, despite the brand name, their headquarters is in Pennsylvania, which is the same place where they manufacture their domestic boots. Keep in mind, not every pair of Carolina Boots is made in the USA, but they are easy to find on their website.
Chippewa has a few boots made in the USA, albeit with some globally sourced materials. They are owned by Justin Brands, which we have a full manufacturing breakdown for here. Check with their customer service team if you have questions about specific models.
Thorogood has a few men’s work boots that are made domestically. Not all of their shoes are made in the USA, though, so check those product details! We did a complete investigation of Thorogood if you want more details on their manufacturing. The full grain leather Thorogood American Heritage Moc Toe Boot are made here and a super comfortable work boot.
Belleville is known for making tactical boots, particularly for hot weather. Their minimalist training boot is designed for more natural movement and breathability. The Aero-Spacer mesh lining wicks away moisture at your feet and lets air flow in and out more easily. The bottom rubber sole, while more minimal than a traditional work boot, has almost the same amount of traction on slippery surfaces. Their boots are also AR 670-1 compliant, which means it is authorized by the U.S. Army. If you live in a hot and dry climate, Belleville is a durable option for you to stay cool and get the job done.
Nicks Handmade Boots are a classic. They are a family-owned business and have been making their boots in Spokane, Washington from start to finish ever since they were founded nearly 60 years ago.
If you work in colder weather, wool-lined boots can be a lifesaver. Woolrich’s men’s Yankee Boots are made for keeping your feet warm and protected during the work day. The corded laces and double-stitched apron toe that accompany these Horween leather work boots (from Chicago) make them super durable. They’re designed to be quite trendy so that you can wear them outside the workplace too. The wool lining is used to offer more comfort and is woven right next to the company’s home base in Pennsylvania at the Woolrich Mill.
Danner has a huge range of work boots, depending on the type of work that you do. They have trainer-style boots, more stylish ankle boots, and calf-length steel-toe ones, with everything in-between, so you’re bound to find something depending on the type of work you do. A lot of their boots are made from oiled full-grain leather that is resistant to water and liquid damage, while requiring minimal maintenance over time. Some of their boots offer Electrical Hazard (EH) protection as well as steel toes that meet or exceed ASTM F2413-18 I/75 C/75 EH.
Danner Work Boots all feature a small American flag on the outer top rim of the boot so that people can see your dedication to supporting American made. Though it’s worth noting, Danner boots are made in the USA using imported materials, and some of their shoes are partially constructed overseas before being shipped and finished in their Portland, Oregon factory.
Corcoran was one of the original suppliers of army boots in World War II, and continues to make quality field boots to this day. The Corcoran Field Work Boot is designed to be super rugged and durable, two essential requirements for pretty much every boot that Corcoran makes. They are firm boots that give extra support compared to other work boots. The arch of the boot has a steel shank for more stability. The Vibram outsole also helps grip better in a variety of different terrains. These boots are made to last a long time and hold up in a variety of conditions.
McRae Footwear makes tactical military-grade footwear that is perfect for wearing on the job. They work on military contracts, have several commercial versions of their boots, and sell pairs to everyday Americans like us.
Rocky Boots makes a ton of reliable men’s work boots using domestic and, unfortunately, a few globally-sourced materials. However, all of their assembly is domestic, and they have a lot of styles that will get the job done at work.
All American Clothing Co. is an online retailer that wholesales boots from several American manufacturers like the brands listed above. Their inventory is usually a great indication of styles that are made domestically.
Wolverine sells a wide range of work boots that are made for those working on unstable terrain or those who have a physically demanding job. They make their boots for optimal performance and to withstand any tough job as well as daily wear and tear.
Wolverine’s boots are made from tumbled full-grain leather, designed to be soft and comfortable while also being durable and easy to clean. These leather uppers are bonded to the sole with a welded construction for long-lasting durability. For maximum comfort, Wolverine includes a patented Dri-lex lining that wicks away sweat and has a removable double-density footbed that provides additional cushioning and stability. They feature a fiberglass shank that is 75% lighter than steel, reducing foot fatigue while also stabilizing the foot. Most of their boots can either come with a soft toe or a steel toe, and many offer DuraShock technology that absorbs shock and returns energy to give you the power to move you forward. All of Wolverine’s boots come with a 30-day comfort guarantee, and there are lace-up and no-lace options too.
With Truman Boot Co., you can buy ready-made boots, built to order, or made to order, depending on your specific needs with your work boots. The made-to-order boots have many different elements that can be customized, but this usually means a 12-week lead time, while ready-made boots are typically built and shipped in two to three business days.
Truman Boots are made using leather, and they use a whole host of different leathers explained in detail on their site. These include bison, horse rump, ox, cow-hide, antelope, and many more, along with many different tanning processes giving them all different characteristics. Some also use waxed leather, which is extremely durable and has water-resistant characteristics. It’s worth noting that Truman Boot Co. sources its leather from renowned tanneries from around the world, including Horween in Chicago, C.F Stead in Leeds UK, and Italy, though they say they try to stay as local as possible. However, their ‘leather care guide’ on their website tells you which leather is sourced from which country, so you can easily stick with American-made.
These boots have pull tabs, making them easier to pull off, and are lace-ups so that they form to your shape better. Featuring antique brass hardware and Goodyear 270 storm welts, these boots are designed to last a long time. They also include a structured toe box and Vibram 100 lug sole for added comfort.
White’s Boots is a storied manufacturer that has been handmaking boots since 1853. They are based in Spokane, Washington, and have tons of styles no matter what work boot you’re looking for. They will take a while to break in, but they will stand up to any job.
Hoffman Boots sells footwear designed for linemen, loggers, hunting, construction work, wildland, hiking, and winter PACs. Their boots feature industrial-grade waterproof bottoms that are designed to resist cracking as well as premature rebuilds. Hoffman also designs their boots with 7-8 oz oiled tanned leather that is made to be form-fitting while also withstanding heavy work. Some of their boots are EH-approved, and all of their steel and composite toe boots meet the correct ASTM standard. Hoffman will rebuild your boots for a third of the cost of a new pair if you do wear the soles out.
It’s worth noting that most of Hoffman’s boots are manufactured in the United States, but they source their leather from Italy, Germany, and other European countries.
As part of their footwear range, L.L. Bean sells work boots that are made from waterproof full-grain leather that are designed to shed rain and snow, as well as waterproof rubber bottoms, though it’s worth noting that the laces aren’t waterproof. They have iconic triple-needle stitching to improve durability and a chain tread outsole for better traction. Made with a steel shank for additional support, these boots from L.L. Bean have a uniquley-shaped foot form that is designed to offer comfort and stability while you work.
Mike’s YouTube Video on American Made Work Boots
How To Find Men’s Work Boots Made in the USA
There are many great reasons you should buy USA-made work boots. Firstly, the boots produced in the US are made with higher quality materials and manufacturing standards than other major producers, ensuring that the products meet strict health and safety requirements. Secondly, when you purchase American-made goods, you are helping to create and sustain local jobs and reducing the carbon footprint created by shipping products from overseas. This will save the environment from unnecessary carbon emissions.
Here are the tips and tricks for finding men’s work boots made in the USA.
What Does “Made in the USA” Mean?
Before we dive in, let’s first define what it means for a product to be made in the USA. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), “all or virtually all” of the product must be made in the USA. This includes everything from raw materials sourcing, processing, and manufacturing.
To learn more about this, look at our “made in the USA” labeling guide.
Materials
The materials that manufacturers choose to make their men’s work boots from are very important and determine the overall quality and durability of the final product. Therefore, researching the materials and knowing where they come from plays a huge part in finding men’s work boots made in the USA. Work boots are usually made from leather, rubber, and nylon.
Leather
Leather is generally the most popular material for men’s work boots, as it is flexible, breathable, and comfortable. But when looking for leather, keep in mind that leather quality varies. If you’re looking for quality leather work boots, look specifically for full-grain leather made from cowhide – this will last you the longest. If that’s a little out of your budget, top-grain leather is pretty good too. If possible, try to avoid genuine leather, as this is an umbrella term for anything that is technically leather and doesn’t even have to be cowhide.
Cowhide is the most likely to be American-made leather. On the other hand, exotic leathers are more likely to be sourced overseas.
China is the world’s largest leather producer, but the United States also has a substantial leather industry. As a plus, leather made in the USA will generally be of higher quality, especially if you’re after full-grain or top-grain leather for work boots that will last you a long time.
Rubber
Rubber is used for men’s work boots due to its ability to protect feet against external factors. The thickness is a huge advantage, but it does come at the cost of discomfort and limited movement. The USA produces around 35 million tons of rubber annually, but only around a third of the total production is natural rubber. The majority produced on US soil is synthetic rubber, coming from chemicals instead of trees. Thailand is the largest producer of natural rubber, while the US, China, Japan, and some European countries are the largest producers of synthetic rubber. So synthetic rubber is the better choice when looking for US-made work boots.
Nylon
Nylon work boots are used for light safety boots. Although they don’t protect your feet as well as leather or rubber, it is a great lightweight and breathable choice. As with most other materials, China takes the trophy for the largest producer of nylon globally, with around 4 million tons produced per year, while the USA sits modestly in fourth place, producing approximately 2.4 million tons annually. But with the cheap cost of overseas production and importing, you may be more likely to come across nylon work boots made from overseas, so definitely double-check the country of origin before purchasing.
Labeling
To find men’s work boots made in the USA, you must also look at the labeling. Title 19 Chapter 4 Section 1304 of the United States Code states that all imported products must be labeled as such. Therefore, when looking for men’s work boots made domestically, you should look specifically for the FTC-protected “made in the USA” label.
However, it’s worth mentioning that the FTC does not do a good job of enforcing the usage of the “made in the USA” label, and it is up to the manufacturer to decide whether or not their product fits the description.
Also, watch out for labels that sound similar to “made in the USA” but are not. For example, keep an eye out for labels like “designed in the USA” and “assembled in the USA,” as these do not mean the same thing as “made in the USA.” Instead, they mean only a portion of the product’s manufacturing takes place in the United States. Similarly, some companies may use the American flag on the label to achieve the same thing. But the usage of the American flag on labels is not regulated.
Other Tips
Here are some more tips to keep in mind to help you find USA-made boots.
Research the Company Online
Companies don’t have to state the country of origin on their online or promotional materials, only on the physical product itself. So, if the product does not list its country of origin, it is most likely to be made overseas. On the other hand, if the product is made in the USA, this is a huge selling point, so you should see this information on the company’s website. Check the company’s About Us or product pages to find this information.
Call the Company
For the fastest response to your questions, call the company directly. They should be able to give you the information you need.
American Made Work Boots vs. Boots from China
Regarding footwear, several American-born companies are cutting costs and moving their operations overseas. Unfortunately, cutting costs typically means cutting quality as well. Labor and materials are cheaper in China and other popular manufacturing hubs, so their manufacturing process often cuts out important protective features of work boots or lacks durability because of the lower quality material that they make their boots with. Now, this choice is typically not the one of the manufacturing facility (there are many capable companies overseas who use high-quality materials in their products), but that of the main shoe brand that wants to squeeze out every drip of cost possible in their manufacturing process. Remember to read labels and product details to ensure your next pair of work boots are made in the USA!
Men’s Work Boots Not Made in the USA
- Red Wing – only their Heritage series is made here
- Keens – only some styles assembled in the USA
- Carhartt – most boots are imported
- Timberland – mostly outsourced to Asia and Central America
- Xtratuf – rubber boots no longer made here
- Georgia Boot – Made in China and other countries
- Wolverine – Mostly made in China and Vietnam
Related Research
For more boot recommendations, check out our guides on American-made cowboy boots, hiking boots, and hunting boots, as well as our YouTube video on shoes made in the USA (we cover a few USA-made work boots). Here’s a little more related research as well.
