As America Turns 250, a Look Inside Five Thriving U.S. Shoe Factories

While the vast majority of footwear that American consumers buy is produced overseas, a number of key brands take pride in maintaining U.S. operations. As the country turns 250, here is a look inside five thriving footwear factories.

Red Wing’s U.S. manufacturing footprint spans multiple facilities across the Midwest, in places like Red Wing, Minn., Potosi, Mo., and Clarksville, Ark. About 600 people work to produce safety and lifestyle boots at its factory and tannery operations.

Red Wing Shoe Co. chief executive officer Allison Gettings noted that American manufacturing matters to the brand because it’s about more than making quality products — it’s about creating opportunities.

“For more than 120 years, Red Wing has provided meaningful careers for skilled workers and their families,” Gettings said. “We’re proud to support hundreds of employees where people continue to build products with care, skill and pride. That’s part of the American dream, and it’s something we believe is worth investing in for the long term.”

New Balance owns and operates five U.S. footwear factories across Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. In 2024, New Balance also opened its Made Innovation Center in Boston that aims to drive the next generation of manufacturing innovation and development.

“Manufacturing has always been an integral part of our company heritage and culture,” Kevin McCoy, vice president for Made at New Balance, said. “Our Made associates have proven that high-quality athletic footwear can be produced in the U.S., and their skilled craftsmanship and dedication to continuous improvement reflect our relentless focus on innovation and teamwork.” 

Allen Edmonds

For over 100 years, the Caleres-owned Allen Edmonds brand has operated a shoe factory in Port Washington, Wis., where artisans produce premium men’s footwear across every category, from dress shoes and boots to more casual silhouettes. With about 160 employees at the facility, Allen Edmonds senior vice president David Law noted that the factory has been the heart of the brand since 1922.

“Combining generations of shoemaking expertise with modern manufacturing capabilities, the factory continues to uphold the quality, craftsmanship, and timeless style that define Allen Edmonds,” Law said.

Danner

Just over 130 people work to bring Danner’s hiking, work, hunting, military and everyday footwear to life at its U.S. facility.

“Danner has been building quality boots from the ground up in Portland, Ore., since 1936, and our legacy is interwoven with the traditions of American craftsmanship,” Chris Perotti, director of manufacturing and engineering at Danner, said. “Manufacturing in Portland is our strategic advantage. We’re able to draw from the expertise of bootmakers that have spent decades perfecting their craft, and our factory’s proximity to Danner’s HQ — including the research and development team — allows for seamless testing of new designs, materials and concepts.”

Lucchese

At the center of the cowboy boot boom is heritage brand Lucchese, which employs 275 people at its El Paso, Texas, factory.

Lucchese’s original boot last extends back to the 1880s, when the founding brothers brought it over from Italy.

“As one of the few true American heritage brands and craft houses, Lucchese takes immense pride in handcrafting the majority of our boots in Texas, the state that has been home to the brand for over 142 years,” says Doug Hogue, vice president of product at Lucchese Bootmaker. “We’ve upheld the same values since 1883: quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and integrity in every step of the process. In virtually every step of our bootmaking process, we rely on human hands to complete centuries-old tasks to perfection, with over 180 pairs of hands touching each boot.”