Made in America Since 1884

 

There aren't too many shoe makers left in America.  In the dress shoe space, Allen Edmonds is still manufacturing in the US, but they have also outsourced production to South America to keep costs down.  They make great shoes, but when you trully want to go American, you have to go with Alden.  Founded by Charles Alden in 1884 and located in Middleborough, MA, the company's shoes and boots are some of the highest quality products still manufactured in the USA. 

It is difficult to imagine just how active and important the shoe industry was in Massachusetts so long ago. Early New England shoemaking was a trade based upon one craftsman making a pair a day in one room cottages (called "ten footers"). Beginning in 1850 a series of inventions led to mechanized stitching and lasting.operations and the birth of New England shoe industry followed rapidly. The productivity gains over the traditional shoemaker were on the order of 500 - 700%, yet the new methods also led to an extraordinary improvement in both quality and consistency. The explosive growth of the shoe industry in eastern Massachusetts at the turn of the century was impressive. Numerous companies were being started, and demand soared as product made its way west and south on newly expanded rail routes. Charles Alden's factory prospered, adding children's shoes to their offering of men's shoes and custom boots.  While the company doesn't really advertise, they have continued to prosper as consumers have had a renewed interest in quality craftmanship and supporting local businesses. 

Joint marketing efforts with retailers such as Unionmade in San Fransisco and J.Crew have renewed interest in the veriable brand as their classic style will certainly stand the test of time.  Even Indiana Jones has been known to wear his Aldens...

Alden is now the only original New England shoe and bootmaker remaining of the hundreds who began so long ago. Still a family owned business, still carrying forward a tradition of quality genuine-welted shoemaking that is exceptional in every way.