My Minnetonka's Making My Day...

FlashBack Friday

Minnetonka Sheepskin boots were my first pair of free footwear given to me during my 13+ year stint selling shoes. There were part birthday present, part consolation prize. February is my birthday month, so I feel like this is the best time to share this Flashback Friday story.

You see, I was going to be turning 19 on the 20th and I had started this new job at a little shoe store during the first week of February. I had only been working there a couple of days and yet I was bold enough to let my boss-man know that I wanted to have my official birth “day” off of work. He rolled his eyes at me, his new employee, but said “Yes”! I was ecstatic and began making plans for how I would spend my whole birthday day off.

The weekly work schedule got posted. To my dismay, there was my name on the 20^th scheduled to work a full shift! Inconceivable! I marched up the stairs and attempted to politely ask “What Happened?!?” Boss-man replied that he forgot and on top of that, he would be out of town and I was needed to work that day. I made sure that each subsequent day I worked leading up to my birthday that my boss-man knew my utter disappointment by exclaiming that “I couldn't believe that I had to work on my birthday!” Honestly, I don't know why he put up with me during those early days:)

The day before my birthday, boss-man asked if I was willing to put aside the birthday guilt trip if he offered me any pair of shoes I wanted as an “I am sorry that I blew it and scheduled you to work on your birthday” birthday present? He had my attention and even got the first smile out of me he had seen in a week and a half. I extended my right hand and said “Deal”! We shook on it and I spent the remainder of the day contemplating which shoes I would choose to take home with me the following day. What a pleasant thing to contemplate:)

Ugg sheepskin boots had not yet made their big debut in the small towns of Humboldt county but I had seen them in Southern California and liked the comfy, cozy look they exuded. So, naturally, I was drawn to these Minnetonka sheepskin boots and as a new college student I couldn't afford them but was thrilled to receive them as my gift from boss-man. I was even a little bit pleased that he forgot to give me the day off. These boots have brought me MANY years of pleasure and began my birthday tradition of the “day off or new shoes”. Boss-man gave me my birthday off for the rest of the years that I worked for him and I have since always bought myself my birthday kicks.

I am embarrassed to report that I have yet to re-sole my Minnetonka boots even though I have had them for over 15 years and they are in dire need. I am equally amazed by how they have held up and continue to be one of my favorite, counted upon shoes. They are naturally water resistant, perfect to wear in snow or sand and keep my feet warm without them getting all sweaty inside. I love the raw seams, basic look, and classic sheepskin color. My toes smile any time I pull them on and the happiness transfers all the way to the smile on my face.

Minnetonka is brand that is based in the U.S. and some of their product offerings, specifically their sheepskin products, are still made in the U.S. while their moccasins, driving mocs and fashion forward models are made overseas.

The closest model to my pair still made by Minnetonka is the shorter 9” Pug Classic Boot available on zappos.com and is one of the rare styles that is re-sole-able. Visit your local Minnetonka retailer to see what styles woo you and feel the softness of the materials that Minnetonka is known for.

Fitting Notes:

U.S. whole sizing. These shoes are best worn barefoot so be sure to try them on with thin footies. They should have a little play in the heel but otherwise fit a touch snug as the sheepskin will compact down a bit over time. The footbeds are not removable and thus the boots can only accommodate the thinnest of orthotics.