Role Club

A boot isn't necessarily worse if it's made overseas, but there are plenty of legitimate reasons to shop American made. Maybe you want to support your nation's skilled workers, preserve vanishing artforms of shoemaking, stand against outsourcing, keep more of your money within your borders, or you might take issue with indirectly supporting the particular foreign government where a boot is made. Whatever your reason, there's a perfect American-made boot for you. In a mission to become the internet's best resource on hardwearing footwear, this website has published hundreds of articles and videos since it was launched in 2018. Since then, we've posted reviews from every kind of boot wearer, from enthusiasts of the luxury space to sheet welders who put more value in ASTM rating. When you combine their expertise with my own — I've traveled to footwear factories and workshops in a dozen countries and made my own boots by hand — I'm really confident that this is the web's most well researched list on the best USA made boots. https://youtu.be/1vUO3DbsFkk Our Top Picks: Best USA Made Boot Brands Not all of these brands make all of their boots in the United States, but in their sections below I'll tell you the products you're looking for. Best Value: Thursday Boot Company Best Casual: Red Wing Heritage Best for Work: Origin Maine Best Dressy: Allen Edmonds Toughest: Nicks Handmade Boots Best Moc Toes: Russell Moccasin Best Luxury: Alden Best Budget Work Boot: Silverado Best Waterproof: LL Bean When I resoled American boots with Tennessee cobblers. How We Picked the Best American Made Boots This was originally a list of all the great American boot brands, but the article got too long and Google wouldn't put it in any search results. So I've shortened this to our top 10 favorite USA boot brands for different use cases. I know guys will read this and say "You forgot xyz brand!" and, listen, I promise I did put them here the first time I published this article. But the unfortunate fact is that no one would see this list if I made it 50 entries long (Google refuses to rank articles that long) so this isn't every great American brand, it's what I consider the best in a range of different categories. We know that other American brands deserve a spotlight, though, so we also wrote this list of every brand making boots in the USA. Check it out if you're interested, let us know if we're missing anyone. From our trip to a New England boot factory. So how did I decide on the brands in this shorter list? It wasn't by deciding who pays us for clicks — plenty of companies we discuss, like Alden, don't have online stores or pay commissions to blogs that recommend them. These brands were selected because this site has a team of dedicated reviewers from across the spectrum of boot lovers, from luxury hobbyists to sheet welding work boot testers. Stridewise has been publishing real world, long term reviews of boots since 2018 and we've simply amassed enough expertise from a wide enough array of testers that we've got a really good feel for the industry. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/nZwjeXGWw6A We also know that there are many levels of "made in the USA," including made here "with imported components" and some brands that are partly made overseas and finished in the US. We avoid those in this list and prioritize fully American-made. I've also traveled across the US and to over a dozen countries on a mission to learn as much as I can about bootmaking from as many makers as possible. The culmination might have been the time I spent a week making boots from scratch with leather I tanned myself, but I also count exploring genuine handsewn moccasins in New England and visiting Chicago's Horween Leather Company among my most valuable experiences that helped round out my expertise. https://www.youtube.com/watch?vawjEdGf815w 1. Best Value: Thursday Boot Company ($265 - $285) Very versatile; sleeker than chunky work boots 2 models available in several leathers Made in USA with leather from US tanneries Good shock absorption, little break in Thursday Boot Company is a newer brand that has perfected the use of digital marketing and direct-to-consumer sales to keep prices lower than anyone previously thought possible. The brand was launched because good boots can be prohibitively expensive, but they've become known for more than just their low prices. Thursday popularized the use of shock-absorbing foam insoles to bring a more sneaker-like feel than traditional boots, and perhaps above all, they're known for their versatility. Their bestselling Captain (made in Mexico) and Vanguard boots (made in the USA!) are a hybrid of work and dress boots, making for a model that can be worn with just about anything. Their other USA-made model, the Logger, is a taller boot that leans more woodsman. The Logger boot (see our review) What I Like Made in the USA, not partly made in the USA from imported components — even the eyelets are American steel Versatile design that's easy to wear smart casual Fast and free shipping and returns Phenomenal value for resoleable boots Downsides But Not Dealbreakers The slimmer, more urban design isn't for guys who like chunky looks or splay-friendly toe boxes No wide sizes available Best Known Boots Thursday is best known for the Captain, but their two USA-made boots are the Vanguard and Logger. America's most iconic casual boot, the Classic Moc. 2. Best Casual: Red Wing Heritage ($300 - $350) Made in Minnesota for over 100 years Closed production loop means great quality control Best known for vintage style work boots Resoleable, practically waterproof, and longlasting While many of Red Wing’s work boots are made abroad, you can be confident that 100 percent of the brand's casual line, Red Wing Heritage, is made in the United States. Based in Minnesota for over 100 years, the company was founded to outfit iron miners and railroad workers of the pre-war Midwest. As time brought modern materials like Gore-Tex and composite toes to work boots, Red Wing split their product line into Work and Heritage, wisely preserving their old fashioned boots for those of us who either love the way they look or who don't need a ton of ASTM ratings for work. The Blacksmith and Iron Ranger What I Like Well priced for an American made, resoleable boot Hardy leather that ages well Privately owned brand founded in 1905 Good range of casual boots Roomy toes, no pinky squishing taper https://www.youtube.com/watch?vMOyto5_fHW4 Downsides But Not Dealbreakers Not a brand for dressy looks Tough break in Some models don't have midsoles, making them bad at shock absorption even for an old fashioned boot Best Known Boots The Classic Moc and the Iron Ranger Yup, we actually wear tested them. 3. Best for Work: Origin Maine ($299 - $350) 100% American made with no imported components Well priced ASTM rated steel toe Available in Goodyear welted or more flexible construction Origin Maine (which might have officially renamed to Origin) was launched in 2011 with the proud mission to bring manufacturing jobs to the United States, especially the famous shoemakers of Maine. They later partnered with retired US Navy officer Jocko Willink and the brand's visibility (and product line) exploded. This commitment to the American working class made them a beloved brand for work boots, and Origin has endured because, fortunately, their boots actually hold up to work. (We tested them ourselves.) Adam, one of our work boot reviewers, wearing his Origin boots for sheet welding What I Like Commitment to US manufacturing Great transparency regarding sourcing Multiple options, from Goodyear welts for resoleability to hybrid Blake stitches for lightweight needs ASTM rated safety toe Roomy toebox, available in wide widths Downsides But Not Dealbreakers Might be too bulky to wear outside of work Only ASTM rated for the steel toe, not electrical hazards or other uses On their site they "promise (the boots) will never fail you," but Origin stops short of offering an actual warranty Best Known Boots For work, the Maine Moc and Wilton Steel Toe; see also their hybrid work boots for more breathable and lightweight models (that are harder to resole). Oak Street's most popular model, the Trench boot in Natural Chromexcel 4. High End Casual: Oak Street Bootmakers ($460 - $520) Premium boot for casual city wear Skillfully made with rare and laborious techniques, like hand lasting Designed after World War military service boots We've covered boots that are popular because of their history, their price, and their performance, but there's another reason to love a product: the artistry. As is the case with almost any niche, there exists a subculture of boot hobbyists who value elements like consistency, skill, labor, aesthetic, leather clicking, and historicity — and they'll pay four figures for it. Oak Street Bootmakers might be America's best example of this kind of luxury casual boot, which is why the pricetag of $500-ish is actually very reasonable. The boots have versatile good looks, excellent leathers, and a nice dose of history: the two bestselling models I reviewed in this video, the Trench and the Field, were designed after US military boots from the first and second World Wars, respectively. They're as tough as they should be. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v-2OWAzHR42Q What I Like These higher end boots preserve a lot of disappearing artforms in bootmaking, like hand lasting and hand pressing The toebox is low profile but nice and wide; very comfy Brand name leathers from tanneries in the US and abroad The Field boot, modeled after World War 2 "Boondocker" service boots. Downsides But Not Dealbreakers If you know boots, this is well priced for what you're getting — but you might not value the rare touches that push the price to $500 Boot enthusiasts might dislike the use of celastic heel counters Sizes stop at 13, no extra wide widths If you gravitate toward their moc toes, note that some of them are sewn in the Dominican Republic Best Known Boots The Trench and Field boots. I should have used bar lacing on these. 5. Best Dressy: Allen Edmonds ($550) Easy choice: The Park Ave is America's best known dress shoe, and this is the boot version Ideal dress boot: Balmoral style with blind eyelets, oxford lacing, and leather sole 5 leathers to choose from Unparalleled fit with 9 widths available Usually, the bigger a brand gets the more corners they cut, but Allen Edmonds might be the biggest good shoe brand. A Wisconsin institution for over a hundred years, they're well known for their dressy footwear — their Park Avenue shoe is often described as every guy's first dress shoe out of college. So when they finally released it in boot form, it was the obvious choice for best dress boot. If that's what you want, you're looking for a balmoral style boot like this: blind eyelets, oxford lacing, a leather sole, and smooth calfskin. This boot ticks all the right boxes while giving you that extra boot-tier ankle stability. What I Like Unambiguously dressy, with high tier calfksin and all the formal touches Unparalleled range of widths, from AAAA to EEE Goodyear welted; dress shoes are often Blake stitched, but this gets the extra longevity of a Goodyear welt without appearing bulky Downsides But Not Dealbreakers They don't disclose where the leather's from, but I've worn some models that I know were made with British suede, which might not meet your standards for US-made Not for guys who need a grippy sole Best Known Boots The Park Ave is easily the best for pairing with a suit, but their brogued Hamilton boot is quite smart and has the added bonus of being waterproof 6. Toughest: Nicks Handmade Boots ($600 - $650) Sole secured with double row stitchdown construction + over 90 nails about as durable as boots get Unusually thick (~7oz) leather Very customizable Huge range of widths Long wait time for orders A lot of the time, when a guy needs a work boot, he wants something not too expensive with the right ASTM rating for his job. But sometimes he needs something that's as tough and longlasting as a boot can get, and for that, the crowd favorite is Nicks Handmade Boots. While your average resoleable boot is made with a Goodyear welt, Nicks uses double row stitchdown construction, which is even more durable and water resistant. (Ordinarily, I tell folks they're splitting hairs when contrasting the two, but Nicks are made for the most legit of Pacific Northwest outdoorsmen.) Combine that with the 90-plus nails used to further secure the upper, the uncommonly thick leather (over 3 millimeters, some 50 percent thicker than the already-very-tough work boots from Red Wing), and a huge range of widths that make the fit more precise than just about anyone else. My Urban Loggers What I Like The toughest build and thickest leathers you're likely to find Range of models designed for different jobs and use cases Nicks only use 51% of their leather hides to minimize the chance of flaws and gain break Incredible range of widths for a precise fit Customizable: tons of leather options, and most models let you choose your height, sole, toe structure, and more Downsides But Not Dealbreakers Made-to-order model; expect to wait several months for your boots to arrive Very heavy and have a tough break in; not for casual boot fans! You can't dress up a Nicks boot https://www.youtube.com/watch?vIeo0nxKnDlU Best Known Boots The Builder Pro is the all-purpose work boot, the Urban Logger and Americana are casual boots, and there are dedicated models for specific jobs, like the Hot Shot for firefighters. Read the review of the Alden Indy here. 7. Best Luxury: Alden (~$700 - $750) Headquartered in Massachusetts since the 1880s Many find the famously anatomical last to produce the most comfortable boot High stitch density, skillful construction Worn by Indiana Jones! Versatile smart casual look For boots that are high end but able to be worn casually, many consider Alden Shoe Company to be the crème de la crème. A Massachusetts institution since 1884, they're best known for their 403 model, better known as the Indy boot — because it's the one Indiana Jones wears in all of his movies. Available in a wide range of leathers, this boot is best known for its comfort; the brand has a history of making orthopedic footwear and if you're prone to sore feet, one of our writers found that this is the only boot that he can wear without aggravating his collapsed arches. (But talk to your podiatrist if you have foot pain!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?vXDx7F1V7T3s What I Like Versatile designs that dress up and down easily Many boot enthusiasts find it the most comfortable last Unusually wide range of widths Known for extra high end shell cordovan boots Downsides But Not Dealbreakers Some purists take issue with softer components in the build, like leatherboard This brand's price comes from precision craftsmanship, not all-terrain durability Very wide widths can take months to arrive My pair of Backcountrys. 8. Best Moc Toes: Russell Moccasin (~$700) Founded in 1898 Worn by Harrison Ford, John Wayne, and several Presidents and explorers Combines several rare shoemaking techniques like genuine handsewn moc and double vamp builds Offers both off-the-shelf and customizable boots Yes, we love Red Wing's moc toe, but it's actually not a real moc toe. Neither is almost every moc toe on the market: those designs all ape genuine handsewn moccasin construction, a vanishing artform that Russell is doggedly preserving. It's basically an upside down boot: picture standing on a piece of leather and wrapping it up over your foot, stitching it to the "plug" on top that extends under the laces. Because this means there's one piece of leather on the bottom and sides of your foot, it does a superior job of conforming to your foot's shape — many find it to be an unparalleled kind of comfort. On the rare occasion a brand makes genuine mocs, they're usually loafers. Russell has been using their specialty craft to make unusually comfortable and waterproof boots for hunters. They sometimes employ a double or triple vamp technique that gives you a functionally waterproof boot by encircling the foot in multiple layers of leather. You're basically wearing several boots at once, but because they're all leather, they don't suffocate your feet. Chore jackets are underrated What I Like Genuine handsewn moccasins is completely unlike any other boot on the market Construction gives a toe that's wide and comfy, but not voluminous and bulky Many models are extra waterproof, yet breathable and lightweight, by virtue of rare double or triple vamp construction Some models are ready to wear, some you can customize yourself if you're able to wait — it's unusual for a brand to offer both services Russell is a great small business with a ton of history; companies this old are usually much bigger Solid celebrity pedigree: they've been worn by Harrison Ford, Robert Redford, US Presidents, and the King of Nepal to boot Downsides But Not Dealbreakers Some models require a good 5 months to arrive Not for guys who want something dressy Best Known Boots The Backcountry is the go to: good for casual use, but with a double vamp for great water resistance Well used Silverado Work Boots — if you don't work in them they're just boots. 9. Budget Work Boot: Silverado (~$250) Goodyear welted for unusual durability Made in USA with all US components All steel toes are ASTM rated, everything sold is ASTM rated for electrical hazards Under $250 for USA made is a great deal When our work boot reviewer put his Silverado boots through a punishing wear test, he found that they were better value for money than the other American-made budget models he'd tried from brands like Danner and Thorogood. Plus, most of Thorogood's production takes place in the Caribbean and Danner uses imported components. That's better than totally made overseas, of course (we don't want to be whiners), but we spoke to Silverado and confirmed that not only does all of their production takes place in their factory in Pennsylvania, every component of the boot is sourced from US brands as well. For example, the lining's from Weymouth in Massachusetts, the shank is from Lancaster in Pennsylvania, and the leather's from Seidel in Wisconsin, a very well regarded tannery. Combine that with the Goodyear welted build and this is definitely our pick for the best priced American work boot. What I Like 100% made in USA with US components Goodyear welted for longevity Steel shank for stability EVA foam midsole for better shock absorption than traditional Goodyear welted boots Downsides But Not Dealbreakers Limited options if you need something waterproof or other ASTM ratings like metatarsal or blood borne pathogens Best Known Boots Google suggest that the 9-inch Logger is the most popular, but the Lumberjack has the widest variety of heights and toe builds 10. Best Waterproof: LL Bean ($150) Very inexpensive Durable; our writer has had the same pair for 30 years Made in Maine One of the most iconic and perhaps the most striking boot on this list, no discussion of American made boots is complete without discussing the Bean Boot. LL Bean has outsourced a lot of their production to maintain their size, but they've made an admirable commitment to continue making the country's best known waterproof boot in Maine. Some will complain that this is the least versatile boot on Earth and it's true that it's hard to wear with anything besides jeans and casual wear, but that's part of the charm. As time has gone, the brand has grown their line of Bean Boots to offer a giant range of insulation levels, insulation types, colors, heights, and styles. It's not the best for work or for hiking, but you don't have to think twice if you need something to cover you in a storm. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v6lFHrvSF2nY What I Like Surprisingly durable; our writer has had a pair for 30 years A rare balance of waterproof, lightweight, inexpensive, and US-made Iconic symbol of New England Americana Downsides But Not Dealbreakers Your cobbler can't resole them, but LL Bean can Not the kind of boot that offers great stability, traction, or puncture resistance These might be the world's least versatile boots Best Known Boots It's just called The Bean Boot, and it's available in a huge variety that includes different heights and types of insulation. Stick to this model, as most other boots from LL Bean aren't made in the USA. Wrapping Up I hope this list helped you guys find some great American made boots in your price range and style. All of these companies are American owned and all of the boots highlighted are American made. Whatever your priority or your budget, you'll find something on this list to suit your style and your needs. FAQs American Made Boots [sc_fs_multi_faq headline-0"h3" question-0"What are some made in the USA Boot companies?" answer-0" Thursday Boot Co's Vanguard and Logger models Red Wing Heritage Boots and some Red Wing Work Boots Truman Boot Company Oak Street Bootmakers Origin Maine Rancourt Shoe Co Russell Moccasin Allen Edmonds Thorogood's Heritage moc toe White’s Boots Alden L.L. Bean's Bean boot Wolverine's 1000 Mile boot Wesco Kreosote Role Club Nicks Handmade Boots " image-0"" headline-1"h3" question-1"Who makes the best boot?" answer-1"" image-1"" headline-2"h3" question-2"Are keen boots made in America?" answer-2"Most Keen boots are made overseas in Mexico, Thailand, or other countries. Some Keen boots are assembled in Portland, Oregon." image-2"" headline-3"h3" question-3"Where are boots made in USA?" answer-3"Boots are made across the USA. The Pacific Northwest has a high density of boot makers, but boots are made in Minnesota, Maine, and the East Coast. " image-3"" headline-4"h3" question-4"Is Ariat American made?" answer-4"Most Ariat are made in China or Mexico." image-4"" headline-5"h3" question-5"Is Timberland American made?" answer-5"Most Timberlands are not made in America, but they do have limited-release boots that are made in America. " image-5"" headline-6"h3" question-6"Are Red Wing boots made in USA?" answer-6"All of Red Wing’s Heritage boots are made in the USA. Many of their work boots are made in the USA, but some are made overseas." image-6"" headline-7"h3" question-7"What men's boots are made in USA?" answer-7"There are many boots made in the USA here are a few. Red Wing Heritage Boots and some Red Wing Work Boots Thursday Boots makes their Vanguard boots in America Parkhurst Oak Street Thorogood White’s Boot Company Alden L.L. Bean " image-7"" headline-8"h3" question-8"What is the best all around boot?" answer-8"We think the Thursday Vanguard is the best all-around made in the USA boot. The price and quality are fantastic. Red Wing's Heritage Boots are also fantastic." image-8"" headline-9"h3" question-9"Are Carhartt boots made in the USA?" answer-9"Carhartt boots are not made in the USA. They are made overseas by a grey label manufacturer, some people consider Carhartt boots to be cheap and poorly made." image-9"" count"10" html"true" css_class""]