Justin

Currently owned by Berkshire Hathaway since 2000, Justin Boots continues operations with a focus on quality, integrity, and family values, producing boots crafted by skilled boot-makers using traditional techniques and premium leathers.

Herman Joseph Justin left Lafayette, Indiana, in 1877 at age 18 with only five dollars, traveling by train to Texas with the goal of becoming a boot maker. He apprenticed at the Norton Shoe Shop in Gainesville, Texas, quickly learning the cobbler's trade. In 1879, he moved to Spanish Fort, Texas, a Chisholm Trail town where cattlemen drove herds eastward to market, providing a natural customer base for custom boot-making.

Justin married Louanna Allen in 1887. She contributed significantly to the company's early success by developing a made-to-measure chart and order card system for cattlemen passing through Spanish Fort. This innovation enabled mail-order business, expanding the company's reach beyond local customers and laying groundwork for future growth.

When the railroad arrived in 1889, Justin relocated the family and business to Nocona, Texas, capitalizing on improved shipping facilities and market access. By 1915, Justin Boots were sold in 36 states and five countries including the United States, Mexico, Cuba, Canada, and Australia, retailing for twelve dollars per pair.

In 1908, Justin made his two oldest sons, John and Earl, equal partners, renaming the company H.J. Justin & Sons. This family partnership model would characterize the business for generations.

The Justins moved operations to Fort Worth, Texas, in 1925, seeking larger facilities and better market access. However, daughter Enid Justin believed her father would have wanted the business to remain in Nocona. She subsequently founded Nocona Boots, maintaining the family's boot-making presence in the original location while the main company expanded in Fort Worth.

John Justin Jr. originated the classic roper boot, revolutionizing cowboy boot design to accommodate calf ropers' specific needs. Featuring shorter height and a flat, comfortable heel offering essential grip and support, the roper boot became widely adopted and remains a standard western boot style.

In 2000, Justin Industries' board of directors approved the sale to Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway Corporation, bringing the company under the conglomerate's ownership while maintaining operational independence and brand identity.

Justin Boots offers western boots including traditional cowboy styles, roper boots, and modern interpretations alongside work boots designed for demanding occupations. The product line emphasizes quality materials, with each boot curated by skilled boot-makers using premium leathers selected for durability and appearance.

More than 140 years after founding, Justin Boots remains an icon within the western community, maintaining focus on craftsmanship standards established by Herman Joseph Justin while adapting to contemporary market needs and production methods.