Thorogood American Heritage 11 Soft Toe Wellington Boots for Men

At the age of 27, Albert H. Weinbrenner opened a cobblery in Milwaukee with partner Joseph Peffer, serving the "Jobbing" trades in 1892. The Albert H. Weinbrenner Co. was then formed in 1900. The company's first catalog was printed in 1916, at which time it had more leather cutting machines than any other in the U.S. In 1917, the "Job-fitted" concept was introduced, and Weinbrenner became a major contributor of boots to the U.S. Army during World War I.

In 1938, the company took its first steps into safety footwear production. Celebrating its 50th year in business in 1942, the company converted to all-military footwear for the duration of World War II, producing combat and dress styles. Military footwear also became popular with civilians during this time. In 1943, the company's workers organized under the International Boot & Shoe Workers Union, with management and workers maintaining an outstanding relationship to this day.

The iconic "Hike n' Camp" boot, featuring a wedge sole and moccasin-style stitching, was introduced in 1964 and became the company's best-selling boot of all time, still available in its original design today. In 1988, the company was purchased by a local group including six employees, and the "ThoroGard" division was created, featuring high-tech occupational safety footwear. Weinbrenner celebrated its centennial in 1992 with the theme "A Century of Lasting Quality."

In 2000, Weinbrenner employees took ownership of the company through an ESOP. Following the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, the company donated 300 pairs of durable work boots to Ground Zero within three days, with another 200 pairs following shortly after. The "1892 Heritage" line of handcrafted, lifestyle boots was introduced in 2014, built on the iconic No. 60 last.

Weinbrenner celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2017, demonstrating a renewed commitment to upgrading and improving domestic facilities, machines, equipment, manufacturing methods, and computer systems/programs. The company's 130th year, 2022, saw the opening of a new factory in Merrill, WI and the launch of the first western wear product, Thorogood's Square Toe Wellingtons. As Thorogood gains popularity and expands with many new styles on the horizon, sales continue to increase in 2023.

Thorogood's safety toe boots, whether featuring steel or composite toes, meet or exceed the industry's falling impact and compression testing standards. The boots are also constructed with electric hazard-resisting soles and heels, slip-resisting outsoles, and oil-resisting properties. Crafted from premium, oil-tanned full-grain leather, the boots are made in the USA by skilled workers using a Goodyear welt construction for superior wear resistance and moisture sealing.

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