The story of the San Antonio Shoemakers™(SAS) family begins with its founders, Terry Armstrong and Lew Hayden. The two first met in Pittsfield, Maine, but their passion for making quality footwear led them to San Antonio, Texas. After working for a local shoe company, Terry and Lew struck out on their own.

Terry and Lew had a vision of how genuine leather shoes should be made. With determination and the support of their families, the two pooled their resources to start their first factory at 101 New Laredo Hwy in a corner of an unused aircraft hangar on the South Side of San Antonio. In 1976, San Antonio Shoemakers was born.

Growth on the Horizon
They started small, with just 13 shoemakers and no marketing beyond word of mouth. The SAS reputation grew and became a name people could trust for comfortable, quality footwear. In 1985, SAS opened a factory in Del Rio, Texas, thereby maintaining its business presence in the State while allowing for future expansion.

Now, SAS’s line features everything from walking and athletic shoes to pumps, flats, sandals, and even a new boot for women. The men’s line has expanded to include walking and athletic wear, as well as dress shoes like the Ambassador and Diplomat, and a new casual shoe, the Move On, featuring S Motion Technology.

Dedication to Quality
Today, we continue to handcraft our shoes from the softest, highest-quality leather.

At SAS, our priorities have always been the comfort and quality of our shoes. As our company has grown over the years, so have the tastes of our customers. When we decided to create our first pump, we discovered a small, multi-generational, family-owned company with a rich heritage and a passion for crafting fine leather shoes, much like SAS.
Working hand in hand, we believe we have developed a unique approach that combines the best of Italian design with SAS comfort. Within our line of dress shoes, any particular style or color may be manufactured in the U.S., Italy, or both locations.

Keeping the Dream Alive
SAS remains a family-owned company, and that family extends itself to every SAS employee. From our skilled shoemakers to our CEO, every employee at SAS collaborates to craft the most comfortable shoes in the world. At SAS, we hold our products to the highest standards and respect the workers who make them possible. San Antonio Shoemakers has built the company around appreciating and respecting our workers.