9 American Brands That Still Make Sneakers In The USA

It’s rare to find a pair of sneakers that isn’t made in Asia or South America these days. Sure, there are places like Italy that are known for handcrafting luxurious leather footwear, but if you want a pair made on US soil, your options are pretty limited.

Unfortunately, a certain economic situation unfolding in America has created instability and uncertainty around the price of imported goods. And with that in mind, we thought it would be a fitting time to look at what’s available closer to home.

Now, we said options are limited, but they’re not nonexistent. There is still a modest handful of brands whose sneakers carry the Made in USA label, and we’re going to take a look at some of the best ones below. From big names like New Balance to niche independents, these are the Made in the USA sneaker brands you should know.

What does ‘Made in USA’ mean?

So, first off, let’s get the technical stuff out of the way. Brands can’t just slap ‘Made in USA’ tags on things willy-nilly – it’s a far more complex legal procedure than that. In order to use it, a pair of sneakers has to be almost entirely made in the States. We’re talking everything from design to assembly to the materials and hardware.

You might have noticed brands circumventing this by using the label ‘Assembled in USA,’ which is slightly different, meaning the product uses foreign parts but was built in America.

In 2021, New Balance was actually sued for using the label on shoes with imported parts. It settled, but the case showed the rest of the industry how closely the claim is watched.

The Best Made In USA Sneaker Brands

New Balance

As the case brought against New Balance highlighted, even its “Made in USA” line uses some imported components – notably midsoles and foam – but the design, assembly, and bulk of materials still come from the brand’s US factories in Maine and Massachusetts.

The Made in USA line – think 990s, 977s and the like – is built in the brand’s factories in Maine and Massachusetts. The quality of the materials and construction is noticeably superior in hand, and while the price tags are significantly higher, we believe it’s worth the extra money for the resulting build quality and durability.

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Opie Way

If you’re the kind of person who thinks, ‘they don’t make ‘em like they used to’, then you’ll probably be right on board with what Opie Way is doing out of North Carolina. Everything is handled in-house. Each shoe is stitched, lasted and finished by hand in the brand’s Asheville factory.

The designs are simple, classic and versatile. Think unfussy court shoes with vulcanised rubber soles and no unnecessary details, branding or embellishments.

For those who value keeping it local, buying better, and investing in quality, these American-made sneakers are certainly worth considering.

Shop now at Opie Way

COMUNITYmade

COMUNITYmade is one of a growing number of brands making sneakers with a conscience.

Based in downtown LA, the brand makes everything locally, in small batches, although some materials may be imported. It then allocates a portion of its profits to local charities and creative initiatives, allowing you to feel even better about purchasing a new pair of shoes.

Aesthetically, the sneakers are playful, soft and slightly relaxed, often putting a modern spin on classic men’s footwear silhouettes. The Westsider 2.0, for example, is a simple leather sneaker with a round toe and minimalist lacing system, while the Seaton takes things in a slip-on direction.

The brand even makes a couple of golf shoes, too.

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Made+

Half sneaker brand, half clever piece of engineering. Made+ is based in Maryland and manufactures its shoes domestically using recycled yarn and a sophisticated 3D-knitting process that minimises waste to almost zero.

Are they the best-looking sneakers on the planet? Well, that’s for you to decide, but there’s no denying the zero landfill, zero stockpiling, everything made to order under one roof concept is refreshing.

It’s modern American manufacturing in miniature – clean, circular, and as sustainable as sneakers can ever be.

Probably not one for the fashion crowd, but if you’re into innovation, this is a brand you’ll appreciate. Just bear in mind that shoes are made-to-order, so delivery times are slower than the average drop-shipped sneaker.

Shop now at Made+

Bedrock Sandals

Sick of the sight of Birkenstock Bostons? Not surprising given how ubiquitous they’ve become over the last few years. Thankfully, there are alternatives, and in our humble opinion, Bedrock Sandals’ Mountain Clogs are one of the best out there – rugged, hardwearing and surprisingly wearable with everyday outfits, not just around the campsite.

While the Mountain Clogs are made in South Korea, most of Bedrock’s core sandals – including the cult-favourite Cairn – are manufactured in the USA.

Granted, they’re not sneakers strictly speaking, but if you’re after lightweight footwear for the summer months, this is the best American-made option there is.

Shop now at Bedrock Sandals

Queen City Footwear

Queen City is small – like, really small – and that’s the whole point. Everything is done in-house in Vermont by a handful of people, from cutting to stitching to packaging.

The shoes are minimalist, understated, and crafted with meticulous attention to detail. If you like the look of Common Projects’ classic Achilles Low but want something a bit less predictable (and a lot more American), a pair of these will probably hit the spot.

Shop now at Queen City Footwear

SAS (San Antonio Shoemakers)

Not everyone is looking for their sneakers to be at the cutting edge of fashion. Some people value practicality, build quality and heritage above having the latest, greatest, most hyped-up thing. If you’re one of those people, SAS is for you.

Founded in Texas in the 1970s, the brand focuses on various ultra-comfortable walking sneakers, making the vast majority of them on home soil, with a small percentage of components sourced internationally. Properly supportive and proudly unfashionable, but don’t expect much change from $300.

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Carson

The barefoot-shoe market is continually growing as more people opt for a kinder approach to their feet. Vivobarefoot is the biggest name in the game, and while it may have been the originator, there are plenty of smaller labels putting their own unique spin on the concept. One such brand is Carson.

Handmade in America using a mix of domestic and imported materials, Carson specialises in hiking, walking and trail running shoes, operating on the principle that ‘heels are bad’. These are barefoot shoes with character, often featuring outlandishly colourful designs that are sure to get heads turning on the trail.

Shop now at Carson

Rancourt & Co.

If New England had a shoemaking soul, Rancourt & Co. would be it. Based in Lewiston, Maine, the brand has been handcrafting footwear in the United States since 1967—and unlike many competitors, it has never outsourced. Every pair is still made in-house by skilled craftspeople, using traditional methods and premium materials.

While best known for its deck shoes and hand-sewn boots, Rancourt also produces a sleek leather court shoe called the Court Classic, which blends minimalist sneaker styling with old-school construction. Think full-grain leather uppers, soft sheepskin linings and a genuine sidewall-stitched Margom sole—all built to order under one roof.

It’s a sneaker in silhouette, but a shoe in substance. If you like your footwear with heritage, quality and zero offshore guesswork, Rancourt is one of the real ones.

Shop now at Rancourt & Co.