Growing up I loathed the fact I was living in rural Wisconsin. Too many simpletons, I thought. Too many squares. Where was the culture? I felt no one in sleepy west-central Wisconsin had any goals or aspirations. They simply wanted to stay there and do what they had been doing for years, “nothing”. 

I later discovered the culture, the integrity, the vigor, the inspiration and the overall “right stuff” were right under my nose! These people aren’t squares or uninspired, they’re living the life! Working for everything they have, loving the land they live on and building an amazing community. And most notably all the beer and cheese you could ever ask for. It’s easy to see what draws people to our humble corner of the country. 

All of this hometown spirit has had me on a bit of a hunt this past week. I wanted to incorporate my love for style with the products made by the men and women from my backyard! The item on every style savvy young adult’s christmas list this year is definitely boots. Thick and chunky for the gentlemen, tall and chic for the ladies. Everyone wants them and I found a few great, strictly midwestern companies that having been hand-crafting boots since the days of Paul Bunyan and his logging buddies. 

Unfortunately these companies are more geared towards men’s boots but I found a fairly new company based out of Virginia crafting some of the ILLEST boots I’ve seen in a while. Ladies you’ll have to sure to check out the last company listed.

• Weinbrenner Shoe - Meril, WI

(Thorogood and Hellfire Boots)

Check out the American Heritage Collection -
www.weinbrennerusa.com

• Chippewa Boots - Originally from Chippewa Falls, WI. Now being produced mostly in MIssouri.  
  - Check out the Arroyos/Packer Series.
  Men’s-
   
  Women’s -
  
  
  
  
  
• Red Wing - Red Wing, MN
  -Red Wing is easily the most recognizable name in the list. 
  -Be sure to check out their Japanese site. Red Wing makes a whole line just for the Japanese market. There are some really cool items on that site. (Tip from - A CONTINUOUS LEAN blog.)
  US site - www.redwingshoes.com
  Japanese site- http://www.redwingshoe.co.jp/
  
  
  
  
  Sorry ladies… slim pickin’s at Red Wing for the Females.
  
  
  
  
• Rider Boot Co. - Based out of Virginia, Manufactured in Italy.
  - www.riderboot.com
  -I stumbled across this brand and thought it too amazing to not share with you guys. Now Rider Boot isn’t manufactured in the mid-west or even the United States but the company is based out of Virginia. If you happen receive a generous amount of xmas cash I suggest you pick yourself up a pair of these bad boys. The craftsmanship and design in these boots are really something special.
  Men’s - 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Ladies -