Botas
Vasky · Czechia
Botas is a Czech footwear brand from Skuteč whose name has been used for sports shoes since 1963. Since 2023 the brand has belonged to the Zlín based shoemaker Vasky, which continues to sell Botas footwear under the original name.
| Founded | 1949 (as Botana) |
|---|---|
| Brand name since | 1963 |
| Origin | Skuteč, Czechia |
| Owner | Vasky (since 2023) |
| Category | Sports shoes and sneakers |
| Website | botas.cz |
What is Botas?
Botas is a footwear brand from Czechia, rooted in the town of Skuteč. The name, introduced in 1963 for sports shoes, combines the Czech word for shoe with the initial letter of Skuteč. Botas sneakers are among the most recognisable Czech consumer brands.
History
The company was founded in 1949 as Botana in Skuteč, formed from merged and nationalised firms that had previously supplied the Bata Corporation. It initially made men's walking shoes before moving into sports footwear under the Botas name.
In 2023 production in Skuteč stopped because of rising energy and manufacturing costs and export difficulties, and the company entered liquidation. In April 2023 the Zlín shoemaker Vasky completed the purchase of the brand. Most production moved to Vasky's factories, while some workshops remain in Skuteč, and Botas footwear continues to be sold under the original brand.
Products and positioning
- Sports shoes and casual sneakers
- Retro styles drawing on the brand's archive
- Footwear made in Czechia
Why it matters
Botas is an example of a heritage footwear brand surviving a manufacturing crisis through acquisition by a domestic peer, keeping Czech shoemaking and a well known name alive in the market.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Botas from?
Botas comes from Skuteč in Czechia, where the company was founded in 1949 and the Botas name was introduced for sports shoes in 1963.
Who owns Botas?
Since April 2023 Botas has been owned by the Zlín based shoemaker Vasky, which continues to sell footwear under the Botas brand.