Otto Derby

The shoe was originally built on a traditional boot last but has been updated for modern wear, combining White's traditional construction methods with a more refined aesthetic suitable for both formal and casual settings. As part of White's lifestyle boot collection, the Otto Derby serves heritage footwear enthusiasts seeking quality construction in a dress shoe format.

White's Boots traces its origins to 1853 when Edward White established a shoe shop in Connecticut before the Civil War. The family business moved west in 1889, with John White and his son Otto establishing operations in Idaho by 1900 before settling in Spokane, Washington in 1915. Under Otto White's leadership, the family operation grew into the White Shoe Company by 1910, with Otto remaining active on the factory floor until his death at age 91 in 1972.

Otto White spent more than 20 years studying foot anatomy to develop comfort solutions, culminating in the trademarked "Arch-Ease" technology in 1926. During the late 1920s and 1930s, he expanded the company's offerings to include specialized boot lines such as the Lineman, Sportsman, Summer Logger, and Packer models.

The Otto Derby first appeared in 1932 when White's Shoe Shop debuted the derby shoe for men around the streets of Spokane. The model was originally constructed on a traditional boot last but its classic appeal led to an updated version built on the MP dress last, maintaining the sophisticated profile while honoring Otto White's dedication to detail and quality.

The Otto Derby features Goodyear welt construction, which White's describes as the "gold standard of boot construction" and a hallmark of quality at an affordable price. The machine-stitched Goodyear welt enables faster and more efficient production while maintaining White's quality standards through enhanced hand-bottoming by master bootmakers.

Construction follows White's traditional approach using all-leather components including the shank and midsole, incorporating the signature "Arch-Ease" arch support technology that molds to the foot without compromising durability. The shoe is available in French calf leather and utilizes the Barrie last, which requires sizing down one full size from normal shoe size due to the last's generous fit.

The Otto Derby maintains White's philosophy of building boots "one at a time by hand" with each shoe undergoing hand-lasting, hand-welting, and hand-bottoming processes involving more than 25 unique hand production steps. This construction method ensures the shoe meets White's standards for durability and comfort while providing the refined aesthetic expected in heritage dress footwear.

In July 2014, White's Boots was sold to LaCrosse Footwear of Portland, Oregon, but the company continues manufacturing handcrafted footwear using traditional methods in their Spokane facility. The Otto Derby represents the company's commitment to maintaining Otto White's legacy of quality construction while adapting to contemporary footwear needs.