When you consider buying leather boots, you may wonder if your choice is made in the USA. Sometimes it can be difficult to determine. Therefore, we have compiled a list of leather boots that qualify as being made in the USA if this is a fact that influences your buying decision.
For some people, buying domestic products is essential. The USA is a top 10 producer of quality leather. Therefore, you can find a pair made in the USA, from work boots to cowboy boots to casual boots. Below is a list of popular leather boots brands with product lines made in the USA:
- Red Wing
- LL Bean
- Truman Boots
- Rocky
- Thorogood
- Wolverine
- Danner
- Nicks Boots
- Justin
- Kreosote
Read on to learn more about domestic-made leather boots, including understanding the labeling to ensure you are getting a product made in the USA. We will also cover how to properly care for your leather boots to keep them looking great for as long as possible.
Leather Boots Made In The USA
Below is a list of boot manufacturers that offer leather boots eligible for "Made in the USA" labeling.
Red Wing
Red Wing Shoe Company was founded in 1905 in Red Wing, Minnesota to supply quality leather footwear to the local workers, and the company still has the same goal.
Red Wing Heritage footwear is built in the USA using traditional construction and leather from the company's tannery, S.B. Foot Tanning Company.
However, only about 25% of their overall product line is made entirely in the USA. Fortunately, the company is transparent in listing the country of origin for each product on its website.
Below is a list of styles within the men's and women's Heritage Collection listing the USA as the country of origin.
- Iron Ranger
- Classic Moc
- Weekender
- Classic Chelsea
- Work Chukka
- Blacksmith
- Clara
- Classic Engineer
L.L. Bean
The classic Bean Boot from L.L. Bean is handmade in Maine using full-grain leather and waterproof rubber using the same construction as the 1912 original. Stitchers are trained for 26 weeks to master the trademarked triple stitching that ensures durability.
Truman Boots
Truman boots is a small bootmaker in the Pacific Northwest that initially started in a horse barn in Pennslyvania in 2014. Due to rapid growth, relocation was necessary to sustain their business.
While all boots are Made in the USA using Goodyear welted construction, the company does source some leathers from Italy and the U.K. when a comparable quality isn't available in the United States.
They offer a variety of boots in three categories:
- Built to order - stock makeup but built after order. These require 6-8 weeks.
- Made to order - special offerings that allow customer customization. These require 12 weeks.
- Ready-made boots - in stock and available to ship within days.
Rocky
Rocky is a boot manufacturer founded during the Great Depression by brothers in Ohio, where the headquarters remains today. Known for hunting boots and work boots, the company still has leather boot product lines made in the USA. Below are the styles of leather boots that earn the Made in the USA label.
- IronClad
- Public Service Boots
- S2V Military Boots
- Eliminator
Thorogood
Thorogood is an employee-owned company in Wisconsin making quality leather boots for over 130 years. Creator of the official Boy Scout boot known as the Hike n' Camp and a major contributor of military boots during WWII, they are part of history.
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
Danner is a boot manufacturer in Portland, Oregon, founded in 1932 with a vision to create boots durable enough to survive the rugged northwest. Today, they are still producing quality boots for work and adventure.
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.
Watch this video to hear Nicks Boots talk about their all-leather options:
Justin
Justin Brands includes several footwear companies, including Justin Boots, an American factory in El Paso, Texas, manufacturing several styles of western boots. Justin Boots uses the designation of Made in the USA with global parts.
Several popular styles in this category include the following:
- Blueprint
- Ryder
- Caddo
- Conductor
- Pasco
- Austin
Justin Brands also includes Chippewa Boots, a longstanding boot manufacturer in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, focusing on heritage and quality. You can also find leather boots options Made in the USA in their product line.
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.
For insight into Kreosote Boots, check out this video:
How Do I Know If A Product Is Made In The USA?
Some boot companies are 100% made in the USA, while others may outsource some materials outside the country. Some manufacturers have specific lines dedicated to US-made products, but that doesn't mean all their product lines meet that criteria.
Look for the "Made in the USA" sticker, but don't assume the product was 100% made in the USA, even with that sticker, unless it expressly says so. You have to pay attention to specific wording and not be fooled by lone American Flag stickers or tricky phrasing.
The Federal Trade Commission code requires that a product meets the following requirements to carry the Made in the USA label:
- The final assembly or processing of the product occurs in the United States.
- All significant processing that goes into the product occurs in the United States.
- All or virtually all of the ingredients or components of the product are made or sourced in the United States.
How Do You Take Care Of Leather Boots?
Leather degrades over time because of exposure to sunlight, dirt, water, and regular wear and tear from use. However, you can prolong the life of your leather boots by keeping them clean and dry. Wipe them down after use or dust them with a boot brush if dirt and mud are on them.
Periodically, leather boots need conditioning to replace the hide's moisture, keeping it supple and preventing cracking. Invest in a good product and use it every few months for regular maintenance. You can use various oils, conditioning creams, or specially formulated leather conditioners.
To make sure your leather boots get the proper care even while on the go, consider this Leather Care Travel Kit by Bickmore that you can easily stow in your luggage.
How Long Do Leather Boots Last?
This answer depends on the quality of the leather, the construction, and how well the boots are cared for. Leather boots can last over 100 years. However, that isn't the norm.
Even a high-quality pair of leather boots will probably only last 5-7 years, while a good quality pair may last 1-2 years and even less if not cared for properly. For poor quality leather, 6 months is the average lifespan.
In Closing
There are many bootmakers still making quality leather boots in the USA. However, there are different designations, and you have to do some research and carefully read labels if you want a product wholly made in the USA with all components sourced here.
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