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 making shoes in the USA 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!
Full List of Shoe Brands Made in the USA
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.
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 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.
Oak Street Bootmakers makes some of the most beautiful leather footwear out there that can be dressed up or down.
Helm Boots makes casual and formal wear shoes for men.
Belleville has been crafting military and tactical boots since 1904. 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’ 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).
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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 makes some men’s hiking and work boots in the USA.
Wolverine produces men’s hiking and work boots; only a few styles are made in Alabama and Tennessee.
Abilene is based in Pennsylvania and making some of the highest quality boots in the USA.
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 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 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 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 produces hiking and work boots. Only some are made in the USA, though.
Truman Boot Co. got started in 2014 and makes high-end hiking and work boots.
A small percentage of their cowboy boots are made in the USA. Most are made internationally, though. You can learn more in our separate Justin Boots sourcing investigation.
Established in 1945 by Carl Wilson. High-end cowboy boots.
Some cowboy boots are made here.
Some Nocona cowboy boots are made here.
Unique handmade sneakers made in North Carolina. Check out our exclusive interview with them!
Only selected styles are assembled in the USA (they use some global materials). More on New Balance in our brand investigation on them.
SAS makes very comfortable sneakers for men and women.
Psudo makes printed slip-on sneakers. They are relatively affordable and come in a lot of different styles.
Victory Sportswear makes unique, custom sneakers that are similar to a lot of popular styles from New Balance.
Frye is a historic name in the American shoemaking industry and still has some shoes for men and women made in the USA.
Aurora Shoe Co. makes casual wear shoes out of their factory in upstate New York.
CAPPS makes airline uniform shoes for flight attendants.
Footskins makes leather shoes and mocassins.
Onex Shoes makes women’s casual wear.
Men’s formal shoes; select styles made in the USA.
Pierrepont Hicks makes shoes that look similar to Sperry’s.
Boots, shoes and minimalist footwear all made in Wisconsin.
Women’s shoes handcrafted in Los Angeles.
Need some clogs? Go with Scandic Footwear.
Casual wear moccasins and other footwear built for the cold weather.
Casual wear, made in Los Angeles.
Timeless leather shoes that you can still find on retailers and marketplaces like Poshmark.
Minimalist sneakers and casual wear shoes for women.
Alden makes men’s formal shoes.
A luxury shoe brand making women’s formal shoes.
Handmade formal shoes in LA’s arts district.
You can still find Gateway Shoes on several retailers.
Jen + Kim makes women’s formal shoes.
Perry Ercolino makes very high-end formal shoes for men.
Rancourt makes men’s formal shoes. They also have some nice casual wear sneakers.
Island Slipper is based in Hawaii and makes very comfortable sandals.
Only select styles of Jack Rogers are made domestically.
The MyChacos program is the only sandals that are made in the USA here – other Chacos are not made in the USA.
The Piper Sandal Company makes handmade leather sandals.
Kepner Scott makes handcrafted children’s shoes.
Sundance Sheepskin & Leather makes amazing sheepskin slippers, mocassins, boots, and shoes from American-sourced sheepskins and leather.
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 is a worker-owned business that makes shoes and other goods from reclaimed leather straight from the automotive industry in Detroit.
Anderson Bean makes cowboy boots right here in the USA. They have been an independent boot manufacturer since 1989.
Beck Boots has been around since 1916 and handcrafts every pair of cowboy boots they make.
Carson Footwear manufactures sneakers, although uses some globally sourced materials. They have a lot of colors and styles available.
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 handcrafts custom cowboy boots in Texas. Everything is hand-cut and hand-sewn.
JL Mercer Boot Company produces high-end custom cowboy boots and has been in business since 1923.
Kat Mendenhall Boots is a vegan cowboy boot manufacturer that makes unique boots in small batches.
North Star Trading Company makes a variety of leather goods, including some super comfortable sheepskin slippers.
Rocky Boots has a ton of great boots for hiking, fishing, and other outdoor activities.
Wassookeag Moccasins makes handmade mocassins out of their facility in Dexter, Maine. They have both classic and unique style options.
WindWalkers makes boots and slippers for men and women using sheepskin. Everything they produce is handcrafted.
YouTube Video: How to Find Shoes Made in the USA
How to Find Shoes Made in the USA
Finding shoes made in the USA is more difficult now than ever. With most production now moving abroad, finding shoes that are genuinely made in the USA can be a mission. However, with the right knowledge and some handy tips, you’ll find that finding American-made shoes is not an impossible feat. In fact, with the below information up your sleeves, you should be able to find shoes made in the USA in no time if you’re doing your own research outside of the brands we mentioned above!
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.
