Aigle
Maus Frères · France
Aigle is a French outdoor clothing and footwear brand founded in 1853 by American entrepreneur Hiram Hutchinson and best known for natural rubber boots still made in France. Swiss family group Maus Frères has held a majority stake since 2005, and the company has had the legal status of a société à mission since 2020.
| Founded | 1853 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Hiram Hutchinson |
| Owner | Maus Frères (majority since 2005) |
| Headquarters | Montargis, France |
| Boot production | Ingrandes, France (since 1967) |
| Legal status | Société à mission (since 2020) |
| Website | aigle.com |
What is Aigle?
Aigle is a French brand of outdoor clothing and footwear, best known for its rubber Wellington boots. Based in Montargis, it sells clothing for men, women and children, footwear and accessories, and is part of the portfolio of Swiss group Maus Frères, which also owns Lacoste and Gant.
History
American businessman Hiram Hutchinson obtained a licence in 1850 to use Charles Goodyear's vulcanisation process and in 1853 founded a company in France to apply vulcanised rubber to boots and clothing. Over the following century the company also produced rubber goods for the motor industry and, from the 1950s, sports shoes. Boot production moved to Ingrandes, near Châtellerault, in 1967.
Aigle expanded internationally from 2000, notably in Japan, and by 2006 operated 131 stores in France, the rest of Europe and Asia. Maus Frères acquired a majority stake in 2005. In 2020 Aigle became a société à mission, a French legal status that writes social and environmental objectives into a company's articles.
Products and positioning
Rubber boots remain the brand's icon, with selected styles still made in France. Aigle also sells parkas, jackets, fleece, knitwear, shirts and trousers, as well as sneakers, bags and accessories, positioned between technical outdoor gear and premium casualwear. A second-hand platform extends the product life of its items.
Business model and distribution
- Own stores: brand stores in France, elsewhere in Europe and in Asia
- Wholesale: outdoor, footwear and department store retailers
- E-commerce: aigle.com and a second-hand resale site
Why it matters
Aigle is one of the oldest continuously operating fashion and footwear brands in France and an example of a heritage manufacturer that has retained domestic production. Its status as a société à mission and its resale offer make it a reference point in debates about purpose-driven business models in fashion.
Frequently asked questions
Where are Aigle boots made?
Aigle has made rubber boots at its site in Ingrandes, near Châtellerault in France, since 1967, and selected styles are still produced there.
Who owns Aigle?
Swiss family-held group Maus Frères acquired a majority stake in Aigle in 2005. The group also owns Lacoste and Gant.