Our Story

In 2004, we discovered our first pair of Peruvian boots while backpacking through South America. The quality of the materials used and the craftsmanship that went into making them were immediately clear to us. This led us to bringing these handcrafted shoes to the United States. Since 2010, Fortress has worked with family-owned and operated factories and workshops to maintain the quality and craftsmanship that first inspired us all those years ago in Peru. We always ensure that the working conditions of the people who create our shoes are safe and that they are paid fair wages.

How we work

Our goal is simple: to make the best shoes we possibly can, using high-quality materials, traditional construction, and time-tested techniques. Shoes that are made with care and meant to last.

We’re not trying to be the biggest shoe company. We’re not interested in mass production or chasing growth at all costs. Instead, we’re committing to fewer styles, produced in smaller quantities, with a high standard of craftsmanship.

Handmade production has always been at the heart of Fortress, and we’re leaning into that more than ever. There are very few shoemakers left who can do this work by hand, and we’re fortunate to partner with some of the best. It’s a slow, demanding process—and one that’s only becoming more challenging—but it’s the only way we want to make shoes.

We produce a limited number of pairs each year. Enough pairs to support our small team (of 3 people!) here in the US and all our shoemakers in Peru. Each season, we will communicate to you the number of pairs that we produce in each style. We’ll also share share information on how our shoes are made, who makes them, and the materials we use, with a focus on premium, traceable leathers.