The story of how shoemakers from Ukraine shod almost the whole world in yellow waterproof boots

In Europe, Timberland boots are synonymous with American quality (Made in USA) and versatile fashion. In the United States, they’ve become iconic virtually since their appearance in the early 1970s. Today, these shoes are worn by people of all styles: students, builders, lumberjacks, street performers, celebrities, hipsters and trail enthusiasts. .

For us, from awesome.clubit was a true revelation to discover that the legendary Yellow Boot resistant sole was invented by emigrants from Odessa, Ukraine. We were also surprised by the fact that the first pairs of boots were kept in the company bathroom. So we believe you will be impressed too.

The roots of this story go back to Ukraine at the beginning of the 20th century. Nathan Swartz was born into a poor family in 1902. His father, grandfather and great-grandfather were shoemakers, so the young man followed the same profession.

Subsequently, the Swartz family emigrated to the United States. Nathan, still a teenager, got a job as an apprentice at a shoe repair shop in New York. He worked hard, saved money, and in 1952 acquired a 50% stake in the Abington Shoe Company.

For another three years, he saved up and bought the rest of the company. Over the next ten years, Nathan and his sons, Sidney and Herman, produced handmade shoes and sold them in discount stores.

For a long time, the business was not profitable. But that all changed when the Swartz bought a special sole injection molding machine. Thus, they obtained very resistant soles that did not detach from the upper part of the shoe. Boots produced with this new technology sold for a higher price: nearly $6 per pair.

After that, Nathan retired. Sidney and Herman moved production to the north of the country, where local workers needed special footwear due to the harsh climate. The boots would guarantee dry and warm feet for the workers, who spent a lot of time outdoors in unfavorable weather conditions. Having realized this need, Sidney decided to make the waterproof boots completely in leather.

The idea seemed “ridiculous” to many. But in the early 1970s, he introduced the now famous yellow work boots (later to be called Timberland) to the world: a shoe made of ultra-resistant leather, joined to the sole by injection molding technology, with seams sealed and entirely by hand, consisting of 39 components and manufactured in 80 separate steps. There just wasn’t a shoe like this before.

The Swartz dipped the boots in a bucket of water, poured a colored liquid inside, and waited to see if there would be any leaks. The first boots were left overnight in the factory bathroom, directly on the toilet. This was done to prove that the shoes did not get wet under any circumstances. Today, boots are also tested for water resistance and durability, but with the help of special equipment.

Suddenly, the yellow boots waterproof workwear have become a hit with young Americans. The brothers began to earn millions and decided to take a risky step: renaming the company to Timberland. Later they expanded their assortment, but without changing the brand name.

The first Timberland boots are still timeless classics, but they’ve been slightly improved. Impact-absorbing insoles have been added to reduce foot fatigue. And the color gamut has increased. Now everyone can choose their perfect match. There are options even for those who care about the environment, as many models are made from recycled materials.

Once, Swartz was visited by an Italian distributor who wanted to buy 600 pairs of shoes. Sidney thought he would never see the strange Italian again, but he went back and ordered a second batch, then another and another. Thus, Timberland began its triumphal march across Europe.

Created as a working shoe, the excellent ​yellow boots were also a hit with street hip-hop artists. Then the fashion reached world-renowned celebrities such as 50 Cent, Rihanna, Beyoncé, Kanye West, Gwen Stefani and many others. Thanks to these celebrities, the brand’s sales have grown exponentially.

Basketball star Shaquille O’Neal also wanted such boots, but the company didn’t produce shoes in his size. So they went to find “Shaq” and made bespoke models for him.

all inyellow boots Timberland is of good quality, but they tend to get dirty very quickly. And if something happens to the sole, then few shoemakers will be able to fix it. Fortunately, these shoes are almost eternal, but you need to take good care of them. They can withstand water and frost, but excessive heat can damage the leather. Therefore, they should not be placed in a very hot place to dry. After washing, it is recommended to put paper inside the boots and let them dry in a well-ventilated place.

Timberland reps say their boots have long outgrown a single style. They are as appropriate for builders or street musicians as they are for supermodels or famous singers. And they can be worn with a sweater or even a dress.

The footwear of American workers and lumberjacks inspired Spanish designer Manolo Blahnik, who created his own version of the Timberland boots worn by Jennifer Lopez in the music video. Jenny from the Block and Beyonce in ’03 Bonnie & Clyde🇧🇷

In 1998, Jeffrey Swartz, Sidney’s son and Nathan’s grandson, took over the company. It was he who set Timberland on the path of environmental and social responsibility. He funded tree-planting programs and gave employees money to buy hybrid vehicles. Jeffrey also created the Green Indexa green tag that indicates what materials and resources were used to produce a given pair of shoes.

In 2011, Jeffrey sold the company and the Swartz Era was over. He stated that Timberland will forever be a family business. “It’s like planting a tree: you dig a hole with your hands, put a sapling inside, do everything possible to ensure it succeeds, and then watch it grow. That’s how I see Timberland.” Today, Swartz is actively involved in charity work, and the company continues its commitment to sustainability.

Do you know Timberland boots? Did you feel like buying a pair after reading this fantastic story?