In March of 1863 an entrepreneur named John A. Frye opened a small shop on Elm Street in Marlboro, Massachusetts. He made shoes that were purely functional and would be worn by factory workers in his small New England town. As these hard-working people began to dream of going west, their boots came along for the journey, thus spreading the name Frye across the country.

As their business grew, so did their product line. Frye began inventing new patterns and discovering new materials. He even pioneered pieces of shoe-making machinery that helped revolutionize and speed up the shoe crafting process.

The brand's Harness boot was, and still is, a treasured piece of Americana. Its design was inspired by American Calvary soldiers and is as durable and unwavering as the patriotic spirit in which they were created.

Frye began making Wellington style boots after taking a request for a custom pair for a U.S. Navy Admiral who liked the style but couldn't find any in the states. The boot maker began fulfilling orders for these custom boots through World War II. Frye's Wellingtons, called Jet Boots by the soldiers, adorned the feet of servicemen from Normandy to Okinawa - even General Patton wore a pair of the iconic boots.

In the 1960s, Frye modernized by creating styles that were representative of current trends. Their CAMPUS boot included a chunky toe and heel like a platform shoe. It came to epitomize the style of the era - there is even a pair of CAMPUS boots in the Smithsonian Institution.

Frye has expanded their offerings to include: oxfords, sandals, riding boots, loafers, boat shoes, and even sneakers. They keep up with modern fashion trends while maintaining the quality and excellence one has come to expect from this enduring brand. Whether it's a tennis shoe, a Huarache sandal, or a riding boot, Frye uses only the most exquisite leathers which are tanned with only natural oils. Their demanding standards ensure that each pair of Frye shoes and boots will last a lifetime and look great while doing it.

For over 150 years Frye has exemplified what it means to be an American brand. Many of their products are still made in the United States while others are manufactured in other countries that demonstrate specific skills and handcraft techniques. Quality is first and foremost a priority at Frye and they determine where a particular boot will be made based on the skills needed to produce it with the highest quality.