Canada West Boots
MakerAbout
Canada West Boots is a Canadian footwear manufacturer based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The company operates as a family-owned business, producing Goodyear welted boots through traditional handcrafted methods. While the Canada West name dates to an earlier Winnipeg shoe company that operated from 1931 to 1959, the current company was established in 1978 when a group of partners including William Moorby purchased the assets of a closing shoe manufacturing plant and acquired the Canada West name from the original founder's family.
About
Canada West Boots is a Canadian footwear manufacturer based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The company operates as a family-owned business, producing Goodyear welted boots through traditional handcrafted methods. While the Canada West name dates to an earlier Winnipeg shoe company that operated from 1931 to 1959, the current company was established in 1978 when a group of partners including William Moorby purchased the assets of a closing shoe manufacturing plant and acquired the Canada West name from the original founder's family.
History
The original Canada West Shoe Manufacturing Company began production in Winnipeg in 1931 and operated until 1959 when production ceased and its assets were sold. In 1978, William (Bill) Moorby and partners revived the brand by purchasing manufacturing equipment from a closing Winnipeg facility and obtaining rights to the Canada West name. The company has remained in the Moorby family across three generations. Ted Moorby served as president for over 15 years before his son Graham Moorby, a third-generation shoemaker, assumed leadership. Additional family members including Paul Moorby, Lisa Moorby, and Donna Moorby have contributed to the company's operations over its 47-year modern history.
Manufacturing
Production takes place at the company's Winnipeg facility located at 1250 Fife Street, producing approximately 200 pairs of boots daily. The manufacturing process encompasses all stages from leather selection and cutting through final packaging. All boots utilize Goodyear welt construction, a technique developed by Charles Goodyear in 1890 that joins boot components through stitching rather than adhesives. This method involves sewing the upper and welt to the insole, then stitching the outsole to the welt, creating a resoleable boot structure that extends the product's lifespan.
The company maintains this construction method despite its complexity, viewing it as the optimal approach for producing durable work and western boots. Most collections incorporate Vibram soles and premium leathers. Work boot offerings include CSA Grade 1 steel toe options, steel plates, and puncture-resistant insoles for occupational safety requirements.
Products
The product catalog encompasses several boot categories serving different markets. Work boots feature safety certifications and protective components. Western boots include styles such as Brahma Ropers, Buckaroos, and Ranchman Ropers with traditional western heel construction. Romeo boots offer slip-on designs with rounded toes at ankle height. The company also produces biker boots and maintains the WM. Moorby heritage line as a premium offering. The 2024 catalog introduced 17 new styles and five new leather colors to the existing range.
References
Wei's Western Wear. "Canada West Boots - FAQ."
Canada West Boots. "Proudly Made in Canada."
Gravitypope. "Canada West Boots."
Architects at Play. "Play Visits Canada West Boots."
