For over 60 years, Dexter Boots® has been the leading manufacturer of high-quality hiking, work, and mountaineering boots. Our boots are made in America using only the finest materials and constructed to the highest standards to provide unmatched comfort, support, and durability.
Our History
Dexter Boots® was founded in 1958 by John Dexter, a passionate outdoorsman and entrepreneur based in Portland, Oregon. As an avid hiker and mountaineer, John struggled to find durable and comfortable boots that could withstand the rigors of the trail.
Frustrated with the options available at the time, John decided to make his own boots. Using his background in shoe repair and construction, he began hand-crafting hiking boots in his basement workshop using the best leathers and materials he could source.
Word of John’s expertly crafted boots quickly spread among his hiking friends and soon complete strangers were showing up at his door eager to get their own pair. Realizing he was onto something special, John Dexter left his job at a shoe factory and founded Dexter Boots® in 1958.
The new company was dedicated to making only the finest hiking, mountaineering, and work boots. John focused on quality over quantity, carefully constructing each pair by hand using techniques he had perfected over decades in the shoe industry.
In the early years, the company operated out of a small factory employing just a handful of skilled shoemakers trained personally by John. Every material and component was carefully selected to ensure unmatched quality and durability.
As demand grew, Dexter expanded while staying true to John’s commitment to hand-crafted construction. More expert shoemakers were brought on and production capacity increased, but never at the cost of quality.
By the 1970s, Dexter Boots® was the leading brand for hikers, climbers, and outdoor workers needing dependable footwear. Our reputation for comfort and durability made us the go-to brand for adventures far and wide.
Over the decades, countless outdoor expeditions have relied on Dexter’s boots to carry them over every terrain and through the harshest conditions. Generations of hard-working professionals have trusted our boots to give them the support and safety they need on the job site.
Hand-Crafted in America
From the very beginning, Dexter Boots® has been proudly hand-crafted in America. Even as production has expanded over the decades, we remain committed to skilled domestic manufacturing.
Our factory in Portland utilizes cutting-edge technology while retaining an emphasis on hand-crafted construction. Highly trained and experienced shoemakers oversee every step of the meticulous production process.
Each pair is hand-assembled and undergoes thorough quality control checks before earning the Dexter name. This hands-on approach allows us to maintain extremely high standards of quality and durability that mass-production cannot match.
We partner with reputable tanneries and suppliers across the United States to obtain only the best leathers, components, and materials. Every material is carefully chosen to withstand rugged use without compromising comfort. Premium full-grain leathers are hand-selected for durability and rich texture. Triple-stitched seams ensure resilience even under heavy loads. Waterproof membranes block rain and snow while allowing airflow. Impact-absorbing midsoles provide cushioned support mile after mile. Slip-resistant Vibram rubber outsoles grip surfaces from slickness to scree.
By keeping production on home turf instead of outsourcing overseas, we have complete control over quality from start to finish. This gives us the flexibility to construct boots tailored for different needs while upholding our uncompromising standards across every pair we make.
Our hand-crafted American made boots are backed by a lifetime warranty, a testament to the quality and care put into every step of their creation. The Dexter name is synonymous with footwear made the right way, built to handle any adventure while staying true to our heritage.
Unmatched Comfort and Support
At Dexter Boots®, we believe that a comfortable boot is the only boot worth wearing. Every design prioritizes comfort and stability without sacrificing ruggedness and durability.
We choose supple yet durable full-grain leathers that mold to the contours of the foot for customized cushioned support. Flexible midsoles provide impact absorption and rebound with a balanced feel underfoot. Molded heel counters and stout shanks prevent rollover and overpronation while allowing natural flex.
Precisely engineered lasts give each boot design an ergonomic shape optimized for comfort in motion over varied terrain. Padded collars and tongues pamper pressure points and relieve pinch. Orthotic-friendly removable footbeds accommodate custom insoles for personalized comfort.
For enhanced comfort and climate control, many of our boots feature moisture-wicking mesh linings and cushioning open cell foam. Waterproof yet breathable membranes keep feet dry without overheating. ThinsulateTM insulation retains warmth without bulk. Select styles incorporate odor-fighting technologies to keep boots smelling fresh.
We obsess over every detail because we understand that comfort is paramount in boots truly built for adventure. Dexter users can be assured that our footwear will keep them feeling great mile after mile in even the most daunting conditions.
Rugged Durability for the Outdoors
Dexter Boots® are made for the outdoors, built to stand up to the demands of hiking, mountaineering, and hard-working trades. We incorporate only heavy-duty components that can endure repeated stress without failure.
Our boots feature sturdy Goodyear welt construction for hard-wearing flexibility and weatherproofing. The upper and sole are stitched together with a “welt” of leather rather than glued, creating a rugged bond less prone to separation. Soles can be replaced when worn without compromising the rest of the boot.
Full-grain leathers selected for optimal durability shape each pair with rich texture that ages gracefully. Inside, cushioning midsoles retain their bounce over years of use. Shanks of steel or fiberglass prevent bruising flex and keep feet supported.
Triple-row stitching creates strong seams highly resistant to rupturing. Durable waterproof membranes stand up to months of assault from the elements. Traction lugs made of long-wearing Vibram rubber provide a tenacious grip across every terrain.
We partner only with reputable suppliers to obtain the finest hardware and components. Rust-proof eyelets, hooks, and d-rings endure years of lacing and unlacing. Industrial grade pull tabs hold fast through constant tugging. Impact and slip-resistant toe caps protect against drops and stubs.
Our quality control experts put each pair through its paces before deeming it ready for sale. Only boots that pass our stringent durability standards earn the Dexter name and our lifetime warranty. When you choose Dexter, you can trust your boots will stand up to every adventure.
Footwear for All Terrains
Since 1958, Dexter Boots® has outfitted outdoor enthusiasts and professionals with footwear tailored for all terrains. Whether you’re hiking wooded trails, scaling rocky peaks, or working long days, we make boots specifically designed to meet the demands of your activities.
Hiking Boots
Hit the trails with confidence in Dexter hiking boots offering stability, shock absorption, and weather protection. Lightweight and athletic designs like the Mesa Ventilator Mid cut weight while delivering comfort mile after mile. Backpacking beasts like the Burly Yukon combine rugged components and waterproofing for tackling multi-day treks. Trail hikers rely on the grip of lug soles and scuff-resistant toe caps to keep them powering over diverse topography and obstacles. Integrated gaiter hooks, d-rings, and custom lacing allow fine-tuning for personalized performance.
Mountaineering Boots
Conquer peaks and glaciers with Dexter mountaineering boots engineered for the most challenging alpine environments. The Summit Excursion clamps onto ice and shreds scree with its full-length crampon compatibility and rugged Vibram outsole. The insulated Everest Endurance keeps toes toasty in temps down to -40°F. Stiff stabilizing shanks and puncture-proof underfoot protection provide secure footing over jagged terrain. Every design balances ultra-rugged construction with nimble maneuverability to support climbers through vertical stretches and brutal approaches.
Work Boots
Farmers, mechanics, construction workers, and other trades have long trusted Dexter work boots to carry them through demanding workdays. Dependable styles like the Jackson round toe loggers combine waterproof oiled leather with a slip-resistant sole to keep you steady on slick surfaces. Composite or steel toes add impact and compression protection. Electrical hazard rating keeps you grounded for safety. Removable orthotics and shock absorbing midsoles ease fatigue over long hours. Whether you’re repairing heavy machinery, patrolling the job site, or mucking stalls, Dexter makes purpose-built boots for hardworking feet.
Innovation and Technology
At Dexter Boots®, we blend hand-crafted artisanship with innovative technologies to create footwear unrestricted by compromise. We seek out cutting-edge materials and components to integrate into our time-tested designs without sacrificing comfort or quality. This drives constant improvement and refinement in everything we make.
We utilize premium waterproof membranes like GORE-TEX® that block external water while allowing internal vapor to escape. Select boots feature MICHELIN® XCS rubber strategically placed in high-wear areas for enhanced traction and longevity. Anti-fatigue technologies such as RE-XTM footbeds convert heel strike impact into energizing forward motion.
Our goal is to create boots offering the perfect balance of traditional dependability and modern performance enhancements. We want our footwear to not just protect feet but improve every step. This commitment to meaningful innovation ensures Dexter boots keep getting better while staying true to our heritage.
Put Us to the Test
At Dexter, we stand behind the quality of our boots with a lifetime warranty because we have full confidence they will last a lifetime. We encourage our customers to put our boots to the test in the environments and activities they were designed for. Push their limits over countless miles of use and abuse. When a pair finally wears out, send them back and we will repair or replace them.
Our unwavering lifetime warranty and continued availability of replacement components makes Dexter boots a truly lasting investment. We aim to create boots worthy of becoming trusted companions for adventure after adventure – re-soled and rebuilt as needed but never sent to the landfill.
Dexter Boots® were made for the outdoors, not the closet. We want to see the scuffs, stains, and scars that come from living your passions. When our boots have endured seasons in the wilderness and years on the work site and still beg for more, we know we have fulfilled our purpose.
Carrying on the Dexter Legacy
After over 60 years, Dexter Boots® upholds the legacy of quality and craftsmanship established by founder John Dexter back in 1958. His vision and values continue to drive us today. Every boot carrying the Dexter name is a testament to his dedication to making rugged and comfortable American made footwear.
John’s principles of quality over quantity, meticulous hand-crafted construction, and customer-driven innovation inform every design and pair we make. We maintain close relationships with skilled United States manufacturing partners committed to keeping Dexter boots American made.
As new generations discover the joy of hiking, climbing, and working outdoors, we hope Dexter boots inspire them to go farther and work harder while staying comfortable. We aim for our boots to enable adventures, livelihoods, and self-reliance today as they did over half a century ago.
Here at Dexter Boots®, we look forward to outfitting many more adventures with dependable American made boots of the highest quality. John Dexter started this company with his two hands – we now continue his legacy using the hands of dedicated artisans across America.
Thank you for considering Dexter boots. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or to share your own Dexter story.