Are you on the lookout for high-quality leather boots made in the USA? It can be challenging to find the perfect pair, but we've got you covered. In this article, we'll introduce you to the top leather boot brands that manufacture in the United States, and we'll also share some insights on understanding labels and caring for your boots. Let's dive right in!
Leather Boots Made In The USA: Top Brands To Consider
There are plenty of reasons to buy American-made leather boots, from supporting domestic businesses to enjoying top-notch quality. The USA ranks among the top 10 leather producers globally, so you can expect excellent craftsmanship in various styles, including work boots, cowboy boots, and casual boots. Check out these popular brands that proudly produce leather boots in the USA:
- Red Wing
- LL Bean
- Truman Boots
- Rocky
- Thorogood
- Wolverine
- Danner
- Nicks Boots
- Justin
- Kreosote
Now, let's explore each brand in more detail, highlighting their unique offerings and commitment to quality.
Discover American Craftsmanship With Leather Boots Made In The USA
Red Wing
Founded in 1905, Red Wing Shoe Company has been providing quality leather footwear to workers in Red Wing, Minnesota. The company's Red Wing Heritage line features USA-made construction and leather sourced from their tannery, S.B. Foot Tanning Company. While only around 25% of its product line is entirely made in the USA, the company clearly states each product's country of origin on its website. Some popular styles in the Heritage Collection include:
- Iron Ranger
- Classic Moc
- Weekender
- Classic Chelsea
- Work Chukka
- Blacksmith
- Clara
- Classic Engineer
L.L. Bean
The iconic Bean Boot from L.L. Bean is handcrafted in Maine using full-grain leather and waterproof rubber. The 1912 original construction is maintained, and stitchers undergo 26 weeks of training to master the trademarked triple stitching for durability.
Truman Boots
Initially established in a Pennsylvania horse barn in 2014, Truman Boots is a small bootmaker that later relocated to the Pacific Northwest to accommodate its rapid growth. Although all boots are made in the USA using Goodyear welted construction, the company sources some leathers from Italy and the UK when equivalent quality is unavailable stateside. Truman Boots offers three categories of boots:
They offer a variety of boots in three categories:
- Built to order: Stock makeup built after the order is placed, requiring 6-8 weeks
- Made to order: Special offerings with customizable options, requiring 12 weeks
- Ready-made boots: In-stock items ready for immediate shipping
Rocky
Founded during the Great Depression by brothers in Ohio, Rocky is known for its hunting and work boots. The company continues to produce leather boot lines made in the USA, such as IronClad, Public Service Boots, S2V Military Boots, and Eliminator.
Thorogood
As an employee-owned company in Wisconsin, Thorogood has been crafting quality leather boots for over 130 years. While not all styles are made in the USA, their website clearly labels domestically produced styles, including American Heritage, 1957 Series, Logger Series, and Emperor Toe.
Not all styles qualify as Made in the USA, but their website notes domestically produced styles. However, the War Fighter Military boot states Made in the USA while many of their other styles bear a Made in the USA with USA and globally sourced components notation. Below are some of those styles:
- American Heritage
- 1957 Series
- Logger Series
- Emperor Toe
Find Thorogood boots on Amazon.
Wolverine
Wolverine is a Michigan-based boot company whose roots date back to 1883 when the founder made leather boots in his small tannery known as Wolverine Shoe and Tanning Company.
Later, when electricity was available nearby, the official Wolverine factory was built. The company still produces its original boot, known as the 1,000 mile boot, in the USA.
Find Wolverine 1000 mile boots on Amazon.
Danner
Founded in 1932 in Portland, Oregon, Danner creates durable boots for work and adventure. The company has three classifications for its Made in the USA products: Berry Compliant, Made in the USA, and Made in the USA with Imported Components. Popular styles include Marine Expeditionary Boot, Sharptail Snake Boot
Danner has three separate classifications to honor their Made in the USA products:
- Berry Compliant is a certification that is above and beyond FTC standards, meaning products' components are USA sourced, and all manufacturing takes place in the Portland factory.
- Marine Expeditionary Boot
- Sharptail Snake Boot
- Fort Lewis
- Recon
- Acadia
- Made in the USA labeled boots are manufactured top to bottom in the USA, but some components come from other countries.
- Trophy
- Super Rain Forest
- Santiam
- Explorer
- Canadian
- Made in the USA with Imported Components means some components may come from other countries, but the final product assembly is in the USA.
- Crag Rat
- Quarry USA
Nicks Boots
Nicks Boots is a family-owned and operated business located in Spokane, Washington, that prides itself on handmade leather boots by a team of highly skilled craftsmen. All their products are top to bottom Made in the USA.
Justin
Justin Brands, which includes Justin Boots, has an American factory in El Paso, Texas, that manufactures various western boots styles. The company uses the designation "Made in the USA with global parts" for some popular styles like Blueprint, Ryder, Caddo, Conductor, Pasco, and Austin. Justin Brands also owns Chippewa Boots, a heritage-focused boot manufacturer in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, offering Made in the USA leather boots options.
Kreosote
Kreosote is a small one-man company owned by JD Gabbard. His company dedicates itself to making American-built Folklore boots and carrying on his family's craftsmanship skills and traditions.
Every pair of boots is 100% crafted by Gabbard using traditional shoemaking techniques and are custom made for an exact fit for the customer. His boots last a lifetime, maybe even longer.
Construction for the reminiscent historical boots requires around 60 hours, so he only produces 35 pairs per year. If you want a pair of these unique custom boots, you have to be willing to pay and be very patient because the current waiting list is almost three years out for a pair of Gabbard's creations.
Leather Boots Made In The USA? - How Do I Know?
While some boot companies exclusively produce in the USA, others may outsource materials from abroad. Pay attention to specific wording and labels to avoid confusion. To carry the "Made in the USA" label, the Federal Trade Commission requires a product to meet the following criteria:
- The final assembly or processing occurs in the United States.
- All significant processing that goes into the product happens in the United States.
- All or virtually all ingredients or components of the product are made or sourced in the United States.
Caring for Your Leather Boots
Leather boots require regular maintenance to prolong their lifespan. Clean and dry them after use, and use a boot brush to remove dirt and mud. Condition your boots every few months with oils, conditioning creams, or specialized leather conditioners to keep the leather supple and prevent cracking.
Leather Boots Longevity
Leather boots' lifespan depends on the quality of the leather, construction, and care. High-quality boots can last 5-7 years, while average quality pairs may only last 1-2 years. Poor quality leather boots may last as little as six months.
Many bootmakers continue to create quality leather boots made in the USA. Be aware of different designations and research carefully to find products made entirely in the USA with all components sourced domestically. With proper care and attention, your American-made leather boots will serve you well for years to come.
If you need help choosing a leather oil, this post may help you decide: What Is The Best Oil For Leather Boots? [8 Suggestions]
If you ever need to repair a hole in your boots, this post has the information you need: How To Fix Gouges In Leather Boots