Iron Boots
MakerAbout
Iron Boots is a Chinese footwear manufacturer founded in 2015 in Guangzhou, specializing in handmade military-inspired boots. The company operates as a small studio with six employees, creating fully handmade boots using construction methods such as channelled insole construction and hand-welting techniques. Iron Boots has expanded globally to markets including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe.
About
Iron Boots is a Chinese footwear manufacturer founded in 2015 in Guangzhou, specializing in handmade military-inspired boots. The company operates as a small studio with six employees, creating fully handmade boots using construction methods such as channelled insole construction and hand-welting techniques. Iron Boots has expanded globally to markets including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe.
The company focuses on creating strong yet lightweight boots with smaller heel blocks and narrow waist designs compared to heritage boots. Iron Boots sources materials from Europe and North America, featuring leathers from Italy's Maryam tannery and Minnesota's SB Foot tannery, combined with Dr. Sole outsoles from Taiwan.
History
Iron Boots was founded in 2015 in Guangzhou, China, by Kaishu Zhang, known as Kai. Starting as a small operation, the company has maintained its artisanal approach while expanding internationally. The founder established the company with a focus on military heritage designs, drawing inspiration from historical military footwear patterns.
From its founding, Iron Boots has operated as a small studio maintaining handmade bootmaking methods while growing its international presence. The company expanded globally to serve markets in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe, establishing itself in the heritage footwear community.
Manufacturing
Iron Boots employs fully handmade construction methods using channelled insole construction. All construction processes are completed by hand, including hand-welting, hand-lasting, hand-bottoming, and hand-sewn outsole stitching. The six-person team includes specialized bootmakers who focus on specific tasks such as upper sewing, hand-lasting, stitching and polishing, or hand-bottoming.
The company's construction methods include precise stitching specifications: stitchdown models feature hand-sewn outsoles with seven stitches per inch, while handwelted models aim for 10 stitches per inch. Iron Boots differentiates itself through specific material choices, using wool felt instead of cork filling between the outsole and footbed, and leather shanks instead of steel.
Since early 2021, Iron Boots has featured leather heel counters and toe puffs for overseas boots. The company sources most materials from Europe and North America. Materials include leather from Italy's Maryam tannery and Minnesota's SB Foot tannery, paired with Dr. Sole outsoles, a specialty sole brand from Taiwan. The leather lining is sourced from established suppliers.
Products
Iron Boots offers made-to-order boots with production timelines typically ranging from three to six months. The product range includes military-inspired models reflecting the company's focus on military heritage designs.
The 5515 is based on a United States military boot from 1955 constructed on a Munson last. Other models include "The Great Escape" and "Devil Dog" designs inspired by military heritage.
Made-to-order boots range from $725 to $805, reflecting the handmade construction and materials used throughout the manufacturing process.
References
"About Iron Boots!". Iron Boots Company. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
"Iron Boots". Iron Boots Company. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
