Crafting Joy Since 1946
For over 80 years, Minnetonka has been bringing joy to people's feet. We're proud to have been part of happy customer memories and iconic fashion moments along the way.
Explore some of the key milestones in our history.
1946
An American Adventure
Minnetonka was founded in 1946 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where we are still based today. The company was named after nearby Lake Minnetonka; we later learned that "Minnetonka" means "great water" in the language of the Dakota Sioux tribe. In fact, many nearby cities and lakes (and even our state) have "minne"-centric names because we are surrounded by so much water.
Minnetonka started out as a small business creating souvenirs and other goods for roadside gift shops in the region. As more and more families took to the open road to explore America, our handcrafted footwear influenced by traditional Native American moccasins quickly became our most popular offering.
Shortly after Minnetonka started, it attracted the attention of Phillip W. Miller, who had come to America as a boy from Poland. Philip had been running a corner grocery store in Minneapolis, and he sold the store, using its proceeds to become a partner in Minnetonka. Philip continued to work at Minnetonka until his passing in 1986.
1953
A Family Business
The Second Generation
Philip's son, and future CEO, Marshall Miller joined Minnetonka in 1953. Soon thereafter Philip and Marshall bought out the other partners. Marshall's business acumen and operations savvy would help Minnetonka expand and flourish in the years ahead.
1955
Beading with Meaning
Nine years in, we introduced our Thunderbird Softsole featuring a hand-beaded design inspired by its namesake symbol. In 2024, Anishinaabe designer Lucie Skjefte redesigned the beading as Thunderbird "Animikii", bringing deeper intention and cultural meaning to the style. Today, the Thunderbird moc remains a long-time Minnetonka favorite, celebrated for its timeless design and lasting appeal.
1960
A Fresh Take on Fringe
In the 1960s Minnetonka gained a new following among hippies who were drawn to our earthy colors and textures. Hippies redefined American identity through individuality, and through style choices that made a statement – like wearing Minnetonkas. We released our Classic Fringe Boot during the Summer of Love in 1967 and our Front Lace Knee High Boot in 1968, both of which became beloved favorites that we still carry today.
1968
All Buttoned Up
We debuted another timeless classic in 1968: the Two-Button Boot, insoftsole and hardsole editions. With the shape of a boot and the soul of a moccasin, the Two-Button features a touch of fringe and silver-tone concho buttons influenced by those used in traditional Native American designs (Source: Alltribes Indian Art).
Fun Fact: in 2019, over 50 years after its original launch, the Two-Button Boot was featured prominently in Quentin Tarantino's film Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood on the feet of actor Brad Pitt.
1979
The Third Generation
Marshall's son, and our current CEO, David Miller joined the family business in 1979. Having grown up in the business, David hit the ground running. He helped broaden Minnetonka's product distribution and oversaw our exapnsion to become an international brand across six continents. Four decades later, David continues to steer the company today.
1980
Outfitting Preppies &
Urban Cowboys
In 1980, The Preppy Handbook was published and Urban Cowboy hit movie theaters – catapulting two very different fashion styles into the mainstream. Minnetonka moccasins became wildly popular among prepsters and Westernwear enthusiasts alike, who both loved adding classic Americana to their looks.
1986
Stepping into New Styles
There's no doubt that America is a car culture. In 1986 we introduced our first driving moccasins, designed with supple leathers for lightweight flexibility and rubber nubs for high-performance grip. On or off the road, our drivers proved to be must-have accessories for men and women about town.
1987
Cozying Up
By 1987, we had a growing business in plush-lined slippers and house shoes. That year, we made it even comfier to wear Minnetonka at home, with the introduction of our first sheepskin slippers. Ultra-soft sheepskin lining inside our super-comfy moccasins and booties delivers maximum coziness. Our Sheepskin Hardsole slippers for wome and men are still customer favorites, year after cozy year.
1996
A Comfy Classic
From the beginning, our moccasins often featured a playful touch of fringe over the top: sometimes short, sometimes a little longer, usually cut straight across. In 1996, we perfected the look with the Kilty Hardsole, featuring a tapered skirt of fringe peeking out beneath a neat, hand-tied bow. A flexible rubber sole with 95 individual nubs added a comfy, massage-with-every-step effect.
1999
Hello Summer,
Hello Sandals
For many eager vacationers, picking up a pair of Minnetonkas signals the official start of summer each year. It was only natural for us to create a line of sandals translating our easy, comfortable style to breezy, summer-friendly silhouettes. Padded footbeds and artful designs elevated flip-flops and wedges with the Minnetonka touch.
2005
Festival Footwear
While music festivals from Woodstock on had always provided a backdrop for interesting fashion, the concept of "festival fashion" really crystallizd at Glastonbury in the mid-2000s. Supermodels, actresses, and other high-profile influencers created a new vision of bohemian chic: part hippie, part practical, with a dash of classic Minnetonka. In 2005 we launched the 3-Layer Fringe Boot, a fun new addition to our fringe collection with just the right swish for swaying along to the music.
2008
Officially a Must-Have
In 2008, Nina Garcia (editor-in-chief of Elle magazine, Project Runway judge, and all-around fashion guru) released a new book called The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own. We were delighted that Minnetonka made the cut, alongside other classic must-haves like red lipstick and aviator sunglasses.
THE MOCCASIN IS SNEAKILY STYLISH. IT WILL ALWAYS BE A SHOE THAT SHOWS OFF YOUR FREE-SPIRITED, RELAXED SIDE.
– Nina Garcia, The One Hundred
2009
Pretty Perfect
For many years, customers had been cozying up in Minnetonkas at home as well as outdoors. In 2009, we expanded our slipper lineup with the introduction of what would become our top-selling women's slipper, the chic and comfy Cally. With classic moccasin construction in a wide range of colors and prints, and ultra-plush faux fur lining, the Cally is pretty much the perfect slipper.
2010
The Fourth Generation
Jori Miller Sherer, David’s daughter, joined Minnetonka to lead efforts across product development, marketing, sales, and e‑commerce. Today, Jori serves as President, helping guide Minnetonka’s next chapter alongside her father while continuing the company’s family‑led legacy.
2013
Collaborative Cool
In 2013, we opened our doors to collaborating with other creative brands and designers. Over the years, we've released capsule collections co-designed by trendsetters like Rebecca Minkoff, Opening Ceremony, and MOTHER, and partnered with beadwork artisans like Mōko Kobayashi and the Maasai Mamas of Kenya. We even helped Hello Kitty celebrate her 40th birthday with special edition mocs!
2016
Mocs Made-to-Order
As a tribute to our founder, Philip W. Miller, in 2016 we introduced P.W. Driving Mocs and Loafers, a new line of luxurious drivers made to order, one pair at a time. These custom mocs are crafted by hand from supple, word-renowned Horween leather, for exquisite comfort and incredible durability.
2017
The Fourth Generation
Davis Lyons, Marshall's grandson, joined Minnetonka in 2017 to focus on production, sourcing, and supply chain management. With a passion for responsible manufacturing, Davis plays a key role on our team.
2019
Innovation in Comfort
We were already known for making some of the most comfortable footwear around, but we wanted to do even better. So we introduced the Kilty Plus with three layers of cushion, the Silverthorne Prism made of contoured ultra-comfy EVA, and the Windy and Wilder slipper styles with feather-light sneaker-like soles. You can never be too comfortable.
2020
A New Commitment
We took an important and long overdue step in 2020, in acknowledging and apologizing for our historic appropriation of Native American culture and design. While Minnetonka has evolved far beyond our original product set, moccasins are still a core part of our brand and how many people know us. With that comes a great responsibility to acknowledge the Native influence on our products, expand our support of the Native community, and evolve the way we run our business.
2025
The Reclamation Collaborative
The Reclamation Collaborative is an initiative dedicated to uplifting Native artistry, advancing industry education, and helping to redefine Indigenous representation in fashion. This ongoing reconciliation effort, led by Reconciliation Advisor Adrienne Benjamin, brings together a collective of Native artists who are reimagining past designs, reclaiming cultural narratives, and shaping the future of Native artistry within Minnetonka’s collections.
2025
Minnetonka x Stranger Things Collaboration
In 2025, Minnetonka partnered with Stranger Things costume designer Amy Parris for a special collaboration celebrating the show’s iconic 1980s style. Together, the teams created a custom boot worn by Holly Wheeler throughout Season 5, blending Minnetonka’s heritage craftsmanship with the cultural influence of the series. The collaboration highlighted our enduring connection to pop culture and its continued relevance across generations.
2026
Loafer Moc + Buckle Clog Launch
While marking our 80th anniversary, we introduced the Loafer Moc and Buckle Clog as modern additions to our footwear lineup. The new styles blend heritage craftsmanship with modern comfort features, including enhanced cushioning, supportive footbeds, and everyday wearability. Together, they honor eight decades of shoemaking while reflecting Minnetonka’s continued evolution: rooted in moc-making experience and designed for today.
