Q&A:

What is a boat shoe and what makes Ralph Lauren’s so special?

Characterized by scored rubber soles and stitched leather uppers, the classic boat shoe was introduced in the ‘30s — first as a boating necessity and finally as a lasting, iconic American shoe. Today, Ralph Lauren continues the tradition at our historic shoe factory in Brewer, Maine. Ralph Lauren restored the original factory to its former glory as a leader in crafting quality footwear. After rehiring the factory’s former shoe artisans, the factory became the source for all of Ralph Lauren’s classic boat shoes. It’s only fitting that iconic American footwear is produced in the USA; with a team of expert craftsman and time-honored techniques, our Maine factory proves that we can produce the highest quality products right in our own backyard.