Minnetonka slippers are made mainly at the company’s own factory in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, with some products made through partner factories near Shanghai, China.
The brand is known for its moccasins, sheepskin slippers, and Native American inspired designs that date back to 1946.
Minnetonka Moccasin Co. is a family owned business based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is now run by the fourth generation of the founding Miller family.
Knowing where Minnetonka slippers are made helps shoppers understand the craftsmanship behind a brand that has manufactured overseas for decades despite its Minnesota roots.
This article covers Minnetonka’s manufacturing history, its current factories, and how it compares with other American footwear brands.
So let’s get started.
Quick Answer: Minnetonka is a family owned Minneapolis company. Its slippers and moccasins are made at its own factory in the Dominican Republic, with some products supplemented by partner factories in China.
Table of Contents
Who Makes Minnetonka Slippers?
Minnetonka Moccasin Co. designs and manufactures its own footwear rather than licensing production to a separate parent company.
The company has been family run since it was founded in 1946, and it still owns and operates its primary factory rather than outsourcing entirely to third parties.
Minnetonka is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where it also maintains a warehouse that supports local jobs even though production has moved overseas.
Where Are Minnetonka Slippers Made?
Where are Minnetonka slippers made today? Most Minnetonka footwear is handcrafted at the company’s own factory in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Since 1999, Minnetonka has supplemented that production with a network of small, family owned factories near Shanghai, China.
Minnetonka is unusual in the footwear industry because it owns its Dominican Republic factory outright rather than simply contracting with an outside manufacturer.
The company says both its own factory and its Chinese partner factories are regularly audited by Bureau Veritas for labor and quality standards.
Were Minnetonka Slippers Ever Made in the USA?
Yes. Minnetonka operated its own factory near Minneapolis for the company’s first two decades, starting in 1946.
In 1966, the company moved production to Puerto Rico to keep manufacturing within the United States and its territories.
After roughly 30 years in Puerto Rico, a shortage of skilled sewing labor pushed Minnetonka to relocate to the Dominican Republic, where its main factory remains today.
How Did Minnetonka Get Its Start?
Minnetonka was founded in 1946 near Lake Minnetonka in Minnesota, selling handcrafted moccasins and Native inspired souvenirs to gift shops.
The company has faced criticism over the years for profiting from Native American design traditions without direct ties to Native communities.
In 2021, CEO David Miller publicly apologized on Indigenous Peoples Day and committed to hiring more Native American employees and forming partnerships with Native owned suppliers.
Minnetonka vs UGG: How Do Their Factories Compare?
Minnetonka and UGG both sell sheepskin lined slippers and boots, but their manufacturing models differ in an important way.
UGG, owned by Deckers Brands, contracts with third party factories across Asia for the vast majority of its footwear.
Minnetonka instead owns and operates its Dominican Republic factory directly, giving it more direct control over labor conditions than a brand that relies entirely on outside contractors.
Is Minnetonka Still Family Owned?
Yes. Minnetonka remains a privately held, family run business, now led by the fourth generation of the Miller family.
The company is not publicly traded and has never been acquired by a larger footwear conglomerate, which is relatively rare among heritage American shoe brands.
For more on how other footwear brands source their materials, see Who Makes Hoka Shoes and Where Are Brooks Shoes Made.
Frequently Asked Questions About Where Minnetonka Slippers Are Made
Are Minnetonka slippers made in the USA?
No. Minnetonka slippers are currently made in the Dominican Republic and China. The company operated a US factory only during its first two decades.
Where are Minnetonka slippers made now?
Minnetonka slippers are made mainly at the company’s own factory in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, supplemented by partner factories near Shanghai, China.
Who owns Minnetonka?
Minnetonka is privately owned by the Miller family, who have run the company for four generations since it was founded in 1946.
Does Minnetonka own its own factory?
Yes. Minnetonka owns and operates its Dominican Republic factory directly, which is unusual for a footwear brand of its size.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.