Buy Minnetonka Moccasins

Minnetonka started in 1946 as "one of many companies who sold handcrafted moccasins and Native-inspired accessories to roadside gift shops," Miller explained, and is now in its fourth generation of family ownership. It originally made its products in Minnesota, but has since shifted manufacturing operations to factories in China and the Dominican Republic.

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While the company has since evolved to sell other kinds of shoes and accessories, it acknowledged that "moccasins remain a core part of our brand." And it's not just the product that has been appropriated, Miller said: The word "moccasin" itself is an anglicization of the Ojibwe word "makizinan."

Our newest style, the P.W. Driving Moc, is a great testament to the detail and craftsmanship we put into each pair. A single pair of P.W. Driving moccasins takes three days to construct and are custom-made to order. We partnered with Horween Leather Company to create a special natural shrunken leather using a proprietary blend of waxes, oils and tanning agents, that resulted in a rich feeling, beautifully textured leather that combines superior durability and feel.

Her first pair of moccasins, however, were met with a less-than-enthusiastic reaction from her boyfriend at the time. White Bear refused to let his opinion define her creativity and continued working with leather, perfecting her sewing and tweaking her patterns to incorporate new materials like brass and copper. She used the tricks her coworkers at the shoe repair store showed her to improve the final products.

As she got older, learned the craft of making moccasins and started her own business, White Bear said she also learned more about her heritage and her culture, all of which helped her find her voice.

Minnetonka has been crafting moccasins from the highest quality leather since 1946. In addition to traditional boots and flats, some with stylistic flair borrowed from the art of Plains Indian tribes, Minnetonka has added a number of contemporary styles and designs to their line.

I grew up in Minnesota where Minnetonka moccasins were a household name and every kid's go-to school shoes, and I've been a fan for as long as I can remember. They're great shoes, and they're less expensive than they could be. I've typically been loyal to their Drivers, so I decided to try the fan-favorite Double Deerskin Softsoles. 041b061a72