Frequently Asked Questions

All of our shoes are handmade in Peru or Colombia by skilled artisans.

Fortress was inspired by a pair of boots originally bought in Peru in 2005. These boots featured textiles and materials that were native to the region and represented the talent and creativity of the Peruvian people. When Fortress was launched, it was important to us to keep production of these beautiful boots and shoes in Peru.

Yes. We pay excellent wages, well above a living wage in Peru, to our talented shoemakers.
Meet our shoemakers.

Each style has a unique fit guide that will help you find the correct size. When on a product page, click on "What size should I order?" and follow the prompts.

Ground shipping is free within the United States for orders over $150. Domestic orders will be shipped either via UPS or USPS. For expedited shipping, the cost is automatically calculated at checkout and will vary depending on the number of items purchased, where your order is being shipped and the shipping method chosen. Please review the order total before confirming your purchase. 

For international orders, the shipping method is based on the number of items in your order and where your order is going. You will have the option to choose USPS, UPS or DHL.

Please note, all shipping charges are non-refundable.

Typically, orders are shipped the following business day. Fortress does not process or ship orders on weekends or holidays. Expedited orders will ship the following business day. You will receive a USPS, UPS or DHL tracking number along with a shipping confirmation email at the end of the day that your order ships. Please use the tracking number to get an estimated delivery date. Domestic shipping times are usually 2-5 business days.

We ship all international orders via UPS or DHL. Shipping fees will depend on the number of items in your order and shipping address. 

All international customers are responsible for payment of import duties and customs fees.

Please note that international orders, with the exception of Canada, are final sale.

Bummer! Sometimes carriers mark packages as delivered, but they are delivered the following business day. If you have checked with neighbors, your doorman, and/or all possible locations it could be, send us a note at support@fortress.shoes.

We offer free domestic exchanges of unworn and unused merchandise within 30 days of purchase. 

When returning an item for a refund, the item must be unworn and unused and returned within 30 days of purchase. A $6.95 fee will be held from your refund to cover shipping and restocking. You may choose to return an item for store credit at no additional cost. 

Click here to read our full policy or to initiate a return.

Cool, you scored an excellent deal! Pairs from our Last Chance Collection are styles or colors that will not be produced next season (or maybe ever again), so we are offering them to you at a significant discount and thus, they are final sale. You will find this noted on the product page, in your cart, on your order confirmation and on your order packing slip.

We know buying final sale items can be tricky, so we suggest using our fit guide on each product page, and if you have further questions, reach out to us at support@fortress.shoes. We're happy to answer any fit questions!

If you receive the pair and find they don't work out, you may list them on Fortress Pre-Loved so that they may find a happy home.

Our CWYP/Warehouse Sale includes pairs of your favorite styles that may have minor leather imperfections, or small scuffs and marks from try-ons. While these pairs are new, their imperfections keep them from being sold on our website, so we are offering them to you at a significant discount from their regular retail. You may also find select styles or colors that will be discontinued from our collection in this sale. You may also find styles that we overproduced or will be discontinued.

Each style in our CWYP Sale has three pricing tiers, and based on what you choose to pay, your return and refund options will differ. The low-tier price listed is final sale, the mid-tier price listed may be returned for store credit, and the highest price listed may be returned for a full refund.

This information can be found on the product pages of any product that is included in the sale, and is noted on each item in your cart, at checkout, on your order confirmation and on the packing slip. 

If you would like to exchange for store credit, you must return your order within 30 days of the date your order is shipped. You can initiate a return by clicking the button above.

Many of our styles are season-less and can be worn year-round, so they will likely be restocked. If you would like to receive an in-stock email notification for a particular style, click the button that says "Email when available" and enter your email. When the item is restocked, you'll be the first to know.

We have a great selection of products that will help you keep your shoes looking good for years to come. Shop shoe care products here.

For smooth leathers, we usually recommend applying a salve or conditioner, like Otter Wax Leather Salve or AttireCare Leather Cream, as often as needed to keep leather supple and aid in a bit of water resistance. You can also apply Otter Wax Boot Wax to provide more protection for your shoes.

Suedes and textiles can benefit from a protecting spray, and we really like AttireCare The Protector.

Please be sure to read instructions carefully as Fortress is not responsible for misuse of shoe care products. Please see product descriptions for a listing of applicable leathers.

We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. We also accept payment through Paypal, ShopPay, and others.

Bummer! No, sale prices are only eligible for items marked down during sale dates. Orders placed prior to or after the sale are not eligible for price-matching.

You can find e-gift cards here. Gift cards purchased on our site are only available via email, however you do have the option to send to someone else.

Classic, physical gift cards are only available in our Austin Showroom.