14 October 2026International edition
Vol. I · No.
14 October 2026
AI in Fashion
DAILY
The daily briefing on AI in the fashion business
Where fashion meets artificial intelligence.
Footwear

Minnetonka

United States

Minnetonka is an American footwear company founded in Minneapolis in 1946. It is best known for moccasins, slippers and fringe boots.

Facts
Founded1946, Minneapolis
OwnershipFamily-run, fourth generation
Signature productMoccasins
Websiteminnetonkamoccasin.com
Segment
Mid-market
Categories
Footwear
Sales channels
E-commerceWholesale

What is Minnetonka?

Minnetonka is a family-run American footwear brand. It began in 1946 in Minneapolis as a regional souvenir and gift shop, where moccasins became the most popular item and eventually the focus of the business. The company is now led by the fourth generation of the family.

Products and positioning

Moccasins remain at the heart of the range, alongside slippers and boots. Well-known styles include:

  • Classic Mocs
  • Pile Lined Softsole slippers
  • Double Bottom Softsole
  • Tilden slipper
  • Fringe boots

The brand has also offered driving shoes, introduced in the 1980s. Minnetonka sources leather from tanneries certified by the Leather Working Group, including a gold-rated tannery in the Dominican Republic and a silver-rated tannery in Mexico.

Distribution

Minnetonka sells through its own website and a broad network of footwear and fashion retailers, and its fringe styles have periodically returned to fashion coverage as bohemian looks come back into style.

Why it matters

Minnetonka is a long-running example of a heritage American footwear brand that has stayed in family hands for decades while moving between casual comfort footwear and fashion trends.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Minnetonka from?

Minnetonka is an American brand founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1946.

What is Minnetonka known for?

Minnetonka is best known for its moccasins, along with slippers and fringe boots.

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