Continuing to uphold the American craftsmanship spirit.
1901 | CHIPPEWA FALLS, USA | JB Piotrowski / John Andrejski

CHIPPEWA is a shoe brand born in Chippewa Falls, a place with deep ties to Native Americans.

The first to recognize the high quality of these boots were the lumbermen working in the surrounding logging areas—the men who cut down timber and carried logs. The boots, which allowed for comfortable movement even in rough forest terrain and were highly durable, gradually increased in demand, and the company, which started with seven craftsmen in 1901, grew to employ as many as 300 people. Furthermore, in the 1930s, the rise of the coal industry increased the demand for engineer boots to protect against high-temperature boilers, and during World War II in the 1940s, they developed cold-weather boots for the US Army's first mountain troops. The know-how accumulated during this time is still utilized in the engineer boots and Arctic boots that are sold today.

The photo shows engineer boots, now a staple among motorcyclists. The laceless, knee-high design was originally intended to protect the feet of coal workers, such as railway engineers, from flames. A distinctive feature is the steel insert inside the toe box to protect the toes from falling objects. The leather used in CHIPPEWA shoes is relatively soft even when new, making them popular with women as well.

After the end of the war in 1960, the company developed outdoor boots using Vibram outsoles and cushioned ankle boots, establishing its position not only in work boots but also in the outdoor field.

In the 1980s, as demand for boots as work boots declined, CHIPPEWA focused on the aspect of handcrafted boots made in the USA. While its competitors struggled and moved their production bases outside the United States, CHIPPEWA remained committed to production within the United States, diligently continuing to make high-quality boots while preserving America's cultural identity.