When I want quality craftsmanship, I look right in my backyard.
Well, not literally—my backyard just has some yellow grass, an old dog bone, and a bird bath. But you get what I’m saying.
While 98% of shoes in America are made overseas, there are still a few brands making boots the good ol’ fashioned way here at home.
Here are nine of my favorite boots made by brands that support American families, jobs, and are worth every penny for their rugged durability.
Skip Ahead
How Did I Come Up With My List?
Over the years, I’ve worn over 50 pairs of boots, and I’ve spent hundreds of hours researching brands, both foreign and domestic.
I’ve come across several brands that do an incredible job making boots, some of which are made in Indonesia, China, Spain, England, etc.
A common sentiment I hear running the BootSpy YouTube channel is, where are the American made boots?
While US-made boots are a rare breed, I’ve tested the top brands myself—the others on this list I compiled from recommendations made by our YouTube community and those hundreds of hours of research.
Made in the USA from Merino wool, these work socks really are something else in terms of quality. They feature compression through the arch and calf which helps your feet recover after a long day. Plus, because they're Merino wool, they're breathable and help reduce foot sweat.
9 Best Boots Made in the USA
My Top Pick: Thursday Vanguard
The Thursday Boot Co Vanguard very well could’ve taken my top spot, but the Vanguard line is the only model Thursday currently makes in the United States. The rest of their boots are produced in León Guanajuato, Mexico.
Still, this boot is incredibly impressive considering it’s relatively low price point.
The Vanguard uses a Horween Chromexcel upper and is lined with Horween Glove leather. There’s triple stitching along the upper and toe box—in a lot of respects, it’s just as durable as the Red Wing Iron Ranger, but it’s $100 cheaper. But it also has a much slimmer silhouette, steel shanks, and more pointed toe.
If you want a dressier looking boot (though it’s still quite rugged), the Thursday Vanguard is a USA-built masterpiece.
What I Like
The Vanguard is constructed in the USA with Chicago-based Horween leather—it’s American all the way through.
It features many of the same benefits as the Red Wing Iron Ranger, but it’s well under $300.
The slim silhouette and more pointed toe make this a better fit with slim jeans and a more modern style.
Leather laces.
What I Don’t Like
There aren’t any speedhooks, and because it comes with leather laces, it can take a while to put these on.
What Other Reviewers Say
A lot of reviewers say they’re buying the Vanguard as an update on Thursday’s super popular Captain boot.
It’s not surprising to see so many reviewers coming back for their second boot from Thursday. I’m the same way. I started with the Captain, but couldn’t resist the Horween leather and studier construction of the Vanguard.
The Verdict
The Thursday Vanguard offers much of the same rugged durability you’d expect from any American Heritage brand, but packages it in a slim and sleek profile.
Even better, Thursday shaves off about $100 compared to other brands like Red Wing and Wolverine.
While Thursday doesn’t have the same USA-pedigree as more established brands (the Vanguard is their only Made-in-USA boot), the Vanguard is worth a closer look.
The Thursday Vanguard has some subtle design differences that make it more sophisticated than the super-popular Captain. Plus, the materials are next level in comparison, and the value for price is phenomenal for a USA-made boot.
Runner Up: Red Wing Iron Ranger
Red Wing boots have been crafting American Heritage lines in Red Wing, Minnesota since 1905.
The Iron Ranger is one of the most iconic boots in the US today, and the line is inspired by what early iron miners in the Midwest used to wear on the job.
The Red Wing Iron Ranger is a tough boot that works equally well for work and for style.
What I Like
The 270-degree Goodyear welt can be recrafted and offers plenty of water resistance.
The midsole is made with all leather and cork, so the boot continues to break in and get more comfortable over time while staying durable.
It’s a stylish boot—way more so than other work boot styles.
What I Don’t Like
There’s a tough break in period.
What Other Reviewers Say
Reviewers have been loving on the Red Wing Iron Ranger for years. These boots have a wide range of fans, including motorcyclists, electricians, hipsters, and everyone in between.
The most common complaint is with the break in period. The Iron Ranger can feel a bit narrow for the first few weeks, but usually the leather stretches out and the boot becomes much more comfortable.
The Verdict
If you’re looking for a “Made in USA” pair of classic American boots, the Red Wing Iron Ranger is an amazing choice.
It offers an excellent blend of quality, durability, and style.
Depending on how hard you wear these, they can easily last a decade or more, making the investment well worth it
If you survive the break-in period, the Iron Ranger will reward you with a rugged, manly boot that can last for decades with minimal care.
Best American Made Work Boot: Thorogood Moc Toe
The Thorogood Moc Toe is basically ubiquitous on construction sites. There’s always one guy who knows the secret.
While a lot of workers might opt for squishy insoles and fancy plastic guards and multicolored boots made overseas, the dudes who want longevity from their boots stick to American made.
The Thorogood Moc Toe isn’t all that pretty, but it’s reasonably priced and it’s a total tank of a boot. The wedge sole offers a lot of slip resistance and electrical resistance, plus the triple stitched upper and 360-degree storm welt ensure that your feet will stay dry and protected.
Even after years of rough wearing.
And if you want the best American made work sock to pair with this boot, I highly recommend the Camel City Mill Lightweight Wool Work Sock. These are my favorite boot socks and they’re 100% made in North Carolina.
Made in the USA from Merino wool, these work socks really are something else in terms of quality. They feature compression through the arch and calf which helps your feet recover after a long day. Plus, because they're Merino wool, they're breathable and help reduce foot sweat.
What I Like
The 360-degree Goodyear Storm welt is essentially waterproof (not 100%, but unless you’re in standing water for several minutes, your feet will stay dry).
You can get the Moc Toe with an 8” shaft and with a steel toe option.
The MAXWear wedge sole is made with a hardened polyurethane that’s fairly abrasion-resistant so it doesn’t wear down quickly like other wedge soles.
What I Don’t Like
They fit a bit narrow (I’d opt for a EE instead of a D).
There’s one eyelet at the top (above the speedhooks), which seems unnecessary.
What Other Reviewers Say
Many reviewers mention feeling the same snugness I felt in the front of the foot. Like me, several just powered through and broke the boot in, and now they love the fit and feel.
The Verdict
While the Thorogood Moc Toe might not be as stylish as some of the other options on this list, it’s hard to beat the price and durability.
I like the Red Wing Iron Ranger, but I also have a hard time roughing up a $300+ pair of boots. That’s where Thorogood comes in.
With a slip-resistant sole and premium leather, this rugged boot does well in tough working conditions.
They’re proudly made in the USA (they even come with a little nylon USA flag), and they’re crafted strong enough to keep up with the toughest tradesmen.
The Thorogood Moc Toe is an excellent value buy work boot. While I don’t think it’s as stylish as other alternatives, lightweight features like a fiberglass shank and Poron insole boost the rugged durability while cutting cost and weight. If you’re looking for a relatively inexpensive moc toe work boot, the Thorogood Moc Toe is my top choice.
Best Made in USA Chukka: Oak Street Campus
Oak Street Bootmakers are based in Chicago and of all the brands on this list, they’re likely the most “made in USA” of them all (tied with Nick’s Handmade Boots).
While many USA-built brands will source from outside the country and even pre-build some components abroad, Oak Street makes everything in their Chicago factory.
The Campus Chukka is made with either Horween Chromexcel or Horween Orion suede, both of which are packed with oils and waxes for extra water resistance and fantastic patina development.
What I Like
The shape is unique among chukka boots.
The use of Horween leather keeps it Chicago-based (plus the quality is excellent).
The Campus comes with a Dainite rubber studded sole, which has excellent grip in wet weather.
What I Don’t Like
There aren’t many size and color options.
What Other Reviewers Say
There aren’t many reviews around the web for Oak Street. But from the professional reviews I could gather, it seemed that the consensus is that Oak Street makes an excellent quality boot with top materials.
There’s some sticking points with the price (well over $300), and that’s mainly due to labor costs as a truly USA-built brand that sources everything it can from within the border.
The Verdict
There are very few chukka boots made in America. And of those that exist, you can expect to pay a hefty price ($300 on a sturdy service boot feels different to me than $300 on a chukka).
But if a USA-built chukka is what you’re after, the best of the best is from Oak Street Bootmakers.
Their Campus Chukka is made with Horween leather, a solid Dainite sole, and a weather resistant 360-degree Goodyear welt (a Barbour welt, no less).
If a USA-built chukka is what you’re after, the best of the best is from Oak Street Bootmakers. Their Campus Chukka is made with Horween leather, a solid Dainite sole, and a weather resistant 360-degree Goodyear welt (a Barbour welt, no less).
Best American Made Hiking Boot: Danner Mountain Light
You’ve heard of Danner. They’re American hiking boot legends, and their Mountain Light has done most of the heavy lifting in earning the brand that reputation.
This boot has been around since 1979, fully constructed in Portland, Oregon. Makes sense: Portland is such a great place to take a hike.
Made with either Dri-Lex or Gore-Tex (depending on which model you get), this boot has excellent water resistance and the fiberglass shank offers plenty of support without becoming too heavy.
The Danner Mountain Light is well regarded as one of the best backpacking boots of all time, so if you’re thinking about going full Americana and wearing some USA-made boots while hitting the Appalachian or PCT, this is the only way to go.
What I Like
The fiberglass shank is lightweight but still offers plenty of solid arch support (especially on scree and rocky terrain).
The Vibram Kletterlift outsole does an excellent job on a huge variety of terrain, both dry and wet.
The stitchdown construction is easy to recraft and offers decent weather resistance.
What I Don’t Like
There’s limited sizing and the EE width is confusing (that’s Danner’s standard, so I’d get EE width even though I’m usually a D width).
What Other Reviewers Say
Some reviewers say they’ve owned the same pair of Danner Mountain Lights since the 80s (my sister-in-law actually has a pair passed down from her mom from the early 80s—they still look great).
These boots are a bit of an investment up front, but when you look at the inspiring photos of reviewers on mythic looking mountain tops, you start to understand why these boots are so popular.
The Verdict
Danner Mountain Light hiking boots have a reputation for dependability, and that’s exactly what you need when you’re out on the trail—especially if you’re on an overnight.
There are waterproof and insulated versions, so take some time to think about the kind of hiking you do most often.
You may feel a bit of sticker shock, but these USA-made hiking boots will be a faithful companion for you during a lot of epic mountain tours.
Danner Mountain Light hiking boots have a reputation for dependability, and that’s exactly what you need when you’re out on the trail---especially if you’re on an overnight. You may feel a bit of sticker shock, but these USA-made hiking boots will be a faithful companion for you during a lot of epic mountain tours.
Best USA Made Cowboy Boot: Abilene Bison Leather
You’d think that American made cowboy boots would be easy to find. You’d be wrong.
Despite their design heritage, most western style boots are made overseas. There are a few hand built and custom options you can find that are built in the USA, but many bump up close to $1,000 per pair. And that’s not something I’m interested in.
So where do you go if you want a quality pair of cowboy boots that are made here at home and don’t cost a small fortune?
Abilene.
Their Bison Leather boots are the best value USA built cowboy boot I could find.
What I Like
With bison leather uppers, these boots are rough and rugged.
I like the Cuban heel, which is excellent for riding, too.
Classic stitching pattern and a fairly pointed toe makes for a versatile boot.
What I Don’t Like
Limited sizing and color options.
What Other Reviewers Say
From what I could read in the reviews, it’s best if you order a wide size. Many reviewers say they normally wear D-width boots (standard), but the fit is quite narrow here and the available wide sizes were a better choice.
The Verdict
There’s a surprising few options for American made cowboy boots. Abilene has been making western boots since 1980 and their Bison Leather boot is as solid as it gets. Order the wide size for the best fit and hit the ranch.
There are surprisingly few options when it comes to American made cowboy boots. Abilene has been making western boots since 1980 and their Bison Leather boot is as solid as it gets. Order the wide size for the best fit and hit the ranch.
Best Handmade: Nicks Handmade Americana
Nicks Handmade boots from Spokane, Washington have a reputation as some of the best boots in the world.
They’re each custom-made to order, and the wait is known to last up to six months.
Smokejumpers swear by the Nicks Hot Shot, and if these boots are good enough for firefighters to jump out of a plane and immediately start battling a towering inferno, they’re good enough for me.
I don’t recommend their fire boots for casual wear—I think the Americana is a much more versatile boot but still has all the rugged sturdiness and indestructible quality
What I Like
These are made with thick 6.5oz leather.
You can get these fully fitted to your feet and customize every detail.
Excellent option if you have uniquely shaped feet and no boots seem to fit correctly.
What I Don’t Like
The break in will test your spirit.
What Other Reviewers Say
Reviewers trust Nicks Boots with their safety. From firefighters to construction workers to urban hipsters, there’s no shortage of love for these boots.
The reviewers who go for Nicks are the kind of people who prize quality and durability over everything else—including their budget.
The Verdict
If price is a secondary consideration and you’re looking to get a pair of boots that will last you the rest of your life, check out Nicks.
Yes, they cost a pretty penny and your order can take up to six months to get to you if you get a customized boot, but the quality is unmatched.
If price is a secondary consideration and you’re looking to get a pair of boots that will last you the rest of your life, check out Nicks. Yes, they cost a pretty penny and your order can take up to six months to get to you if you get a customized boot, but the quality is unmatched.
Best American Made Steel Toe: Thorogood Steel Toe Moc
I’ve already put the Thorogood Moc Toe on this list once, but it’s such a great value-for-money work boot that I couldn’t resist putting the steel toe version on here, too.
Choose between the 8-inch and the 6-inch version, depending on your needs.
If you’re working in tough conditions and you wear these every day, you can expect them to last between two and three years (which is a long time for folks who put in long, arduous hours). At just over $200, there are few better deals out there.
What I Like
There are a few classic color options, though I like the Tobacco leather the most because of how it ages.
The polymer sole has a decent amount of abrasion resistance so it doesn’t wear down too quickly.
I like that you can get an 8” version if your work demands a little more ankle support and protection.
What I Don’t Like
Because the sole is a harder polymer, it’s not as slip resistant as other options, so I wouldn’t recommend this boot if you walk on oily surfaces a lot (like a repair shop).
What Other Reviewers Say
After reading through dozens of reviews, it’s clear that the Thorogood Moc Toe is beloved by guys who put their boots through hell.
One complaint that came up a few times is that they’re not insulated, which could be an issue if you work in extreme cold often. Otherwise, a great pair of Fox River or Darn Tough socks should help you out.
The Verdict
The Thorogood Steel Toe Moc can take a beating and keep your feet well protected. They’re not the most stylish boots, but they’re a fantastic value buy considering the quality.
The Thorogood Steel Toe Moc can take a beating and keep your feet well protected. They’re not the most stylish boots, but they’re a fantastic value buy considering the quality.
Best USA Made Winter Boots: Danner Trophy
The Danner Trophy is hard to come by—it’s not a very popular boot, but if you can find a pair in your size, you’ll be amazed at how warm these US-built boots are.
With 600g of insulation and a 10” shaft, these boots can make a blizzard feel more like a breezy autumn day. At least for your feet.
With a stitchdown construction and waterproof treated leather, these also do a fantastic job keeping your feet dry.
What I Like
There aren’t too many insulated boots made in the USA and Danner has a reputation for quality.
The waterproofing on the leather helps a lot in snowy conditions.
The self cleaning sole keeps snow and mud off the bottom of your boots.
What I Don’t Like
There are very limited sizing options because this boot isn’t very popular.
What Other Reviewers Say
There aren’t too many reviews for this boot, but of the ones I was able to read through, there was nothing but love. One reviewer said they’ve had their previous pair for 10 years and they’re just now buying a new pair.
The Verdict
If you’re regularly crossing through a creek or your work requires hours standing in the snow, you need an insulated waterproof boot. And if you want a solid pair build in the United States, then the Danner Trophy is the best option on the market.
If you’re regularly crossing through a creek or your work requires hours standing in the snow, you need an insulated waterproof boot. And if you want a solid pair build in the United States, then the Danner Trophy is the best option on the market.
USA-Made Boot Brands
Here’s a list of every American-made boot brand. There are plenty of other USA based boot brands, but the ones not listed here outsource their production.
This list is in alphabetical order, and I’ll make a special note for certain brands like Red Wing, which makes its Heritage line in the US, but their work boots are made abroad.
- Alden
- Allen Edmonds
- Chippewa
- Danner
- Double-H Boots
- Frank’s Boots
- J.K. Boots
- Keen
- Kreosote
- L.L. Bean
- Mark Albert
- Nick’s Handmade Boots
- Oak Street Bootmakers
- Origin Maine
- Parkhurst
- Red Wing Heritage Boots
- Roleclub
- Thorogood
- Thursday Boots (their Vanguard and Logger)
- Truman Boot Company
- Wesco
- White’s Boot Company
- Wolverine (1000 Mile boot, but not work boots)
Surprising Brands that Aren’t Made in the USA
It’s true that most American brands have shifted their production abroad, mainly to China, but also to Vietnam, Mexico, and many other countries.
It may surprise you, but brands like Carhartt and Ariat aren’t actually made in the USA. With other popular brands like Wolverine, Frye, and Rocky have select lines that are made in the USA, but the majority of their boots are made elsewhere.
In my experience, there’s no link between “American craftsmanship” and the finished quality of the boot. In fact, some of the best built boots in my collection come from Colombia and China (Beckett Simonon and Grant Stone).
But there is something to be said for shopping as local as possible.
Stars, Stripes, Boots
Whether you’re looking for a pair of quality work boots or just want something with solid build quality and a story you can get behind, these nine boots are outstanding.
While a lot of manufacturing went abroad during the 80s and 90s, American industry is far from gone.
In fact, some of these American-Made boots prove its thriving. The craftsmanship for each item is outstanding and I’m sure you’ll love whichever you choose.
The Thursday Vanguard has some subtle design differences that make it more sophisticated than the super-popular Captain. Plus, the materials are next level in comparison, and the value for price is phenomenal for a USA-made boot.
Made in the USA from Merino wool, these work socks really are something else in terms of quality. They feature compression through the arch and calf which helps your feet recover after a long day. Plus, because they're Merino wool, they're breathable and help reduce foot sweat.
FAQs
What boots are 100% made in the USA?
The brands that come the closest to 100% made in the USA are Oak Street Bootmakers and Nicks Handmade Shoes.
Are Red Wing boots American made?
The Red Wing Heritage line is built in the USA. Their workwear line isn’t.
Are Carhartt boots made in the USA?
Most Carhartt boots are made in Mexico, though they do try to make products in the USA. If it doesn’t specifically say “Made in USA” then assume your Carhartt boots are from Mexico.
