Since our founding in 2010, we have been manufacturing exquisite renditions of the most timeless shoes and boots from America’s past. We are committed to traditional shoemaking, and each pair features either Goodyear Welt, Genuine Handsewn, or Stitchdown construction—and we use some of the finest materials available from many of the world’s most-trusted tanneries and sole makers. All of our footwear is fully recraftable and backed by our Factory Guarantee.
Oak Street Bootmakers was created to help preserve the tradition of American shoemaking.
The son of a cobbler, Oak Street Bootmakers Founder and Design Director George Vlagos apprenticed at his father’s shop. From his father, George learned how shoes are made—and how they used to be made. Today, George works to preserve the heritage of fine American shoemaking through thoughtfully designed and attentively crafted shoes and boots.
Born in Pagrati, Greece, John Vlagos apprenticed for a cobbler as a young man before eventually opening his own shoe repair in Wheaton, Illinois. John’s reputation for quality cobbling and famously direct and boisterous personality have allowed his business to flourish for over four decades. His relentless perfectionism, instinctive business acumen, and reverence for quality footwear had a profound and lasting influence on his son and apprentice.
Our shoes and boots are made with leather and soles from many of the world’s most-trusted tanneries and rubber molders. Each pair features traditional, recraftable construction and is backed by our Factory Guarantee. It's not the easiest or the most profitable way to do it, but it's the way we've always done it and always will. But there is more to shoemaking tradition than where and how—we are interested in why.
You can learn a lot about a people from their shoes and boots: their occupations, their sensibilities, and their aspirations. The history of American shoemaking tells the story of a courageous, ambitious, yet practical and resourceful people. The Fur Trade introduced New England settlers to hand-sewn moccasins, which would evolve into camp mocs, boat shoes, and eventually, the leisurely loafers of the Ivy League. European explorers of the Klondike Gold Rush wore expedition boots made with Norwegian stitchdown construction, which is still used today for heavy-duty work boots worn by linemen, loggers, and first responders. The Industrial Revolution introduced the Goodyear Welt Stitching Machine, which enabled the production of reliable service boots for American and allied forces and made quality footwear accessible to the middle class for the first time in history. We are committed to keeping these traditions alive and are proud to be part of writing the next chapter of this incredible story.
More on our ManufacturingQuality footwear begins with quality materials. All our shoes and boots feature components made from the most trusted names in the industry, including leather, soles, and heels. Our year-round collection features leathers from American tanneries, such as Horween Leather Co. in Chicago and Seidel Tanning in Milwaukee. Limited editions often feature specialty leathers and suedes from C.F. Stead in England, Maryam in Italy, and Tannerie D'Annonay in France. We select leathers based on durability, comfort, and unique aesthetic characteristics. Our boots are typically fitted with American-made rubber soles by Vibram® or British-made studded soles by Dainite®—while we pair most moccasins with exclusive rubber soles made at a Vibram facility. We take great care in selecting even the most discreet components from well-trusted suppliers, such as Barbour® welts and Cougar® rawhide laces.
Fine footwear is an investment. With proper care, our footwear will last years or even decades. This is because our shoes and boots are all fully recraftable, meaning the insoles and outsoles can be replaced again and again. Recrafted footwear will provide the same traction and comfort as a brand new pair while preserving the unique patina the leather develops over time. Of course, recrafting is also more cost-effective and sustainable than buying new, year after year. For a simple resole or small repair, we advise customers to support their local cobbler. When a more thorough recraft is in order, we offer a Factory Recrafting Service, which includes replacement of the insoles, outsoles, leather conditioning, as well as new laces.
See How it WorksWhen it comes to footwear, durability means more than withstanding years of use. It also means resistance to short-lived fashion trends. With this in mind, Design Director George Vlagos draws his inspiration not from fashion industry forecasts or streetwear scouts, but from ongoing research and observation of footwear styles which have persisted through generations. His designs preserve the archetypal characteristics of a given style, while removing the more frivolous features which may have been popular in this decade or that. The result is a footwear collection that showcases the timeless charm and subtle nuances of hand craftsmanship while paying tribute to modern history’s most notable and enduring styles.
We guarantee all Oak Street Bootmakers products and our policy is simple: We will repair or replace any Oak Street Bootmakers product with faulty craftsmanship or defective materials.
Read Our Guarantee