Ed Meier Named World’s Oldest Shoe Brand with 429-Year Legacy in 2025 Footwear Report

Step into the fascinating story of shoes where invention spans across ancient cultures and the first creators remain a shared mystery of early humanity.

Footwear brands may feel like a modern invention, but the roots of the world’s oldest shoe companies go back centuries—long before sneakers, athletics, or global logos. So, what was the first shoe brand? Let’s explore the earliest pioneers whose names and legacies still endure.

The Oldest Existing Shoe Brand: Eduard Meier (Ed Meier)

The title of the world’s oldest continually existing shoe brand is widely attributed to Eduard Meier GmbH, known simply as Ed Meier. This German company was established in Munich in 1596, over four centuries ago, by Hans Mayr, and is considered the oldest shoemaking company still in operation today. Originally serving Europe’s elite and nobility, Ed Meier was famed for its bespoke wooden foot replicas, allowing clients to order new shoes remotely by catalog—a remarkable innovation for the time.

Today, Ed Meier remains a family-run business in its 13th generation, offering custom and ready-to-wear footwear, along with other luxury goods, from its headquarters in Munich.

Other Early and Iconic Shoe Brands

While Ed Meier is the oldest surviving brand, several others followed:

• Birkenstock (1774, Germany): One of the oldest and most famous footwear brands, it traces back to Johann Adam Birkenstock, whose name appeared in German archives as a cobbler. Birkenstock would later become famous worldwide for its comfort sandals.

• John Lobb (1849, UK): Founded in London and Sydney by John Lobb, this bespoke shoemaker remains a symbol of traditional craftsmanship and has outfitted royalty and celebrities.

• The Frye Company (1863, US): Long the oldest continuously operating American shoe company, Frye was renowned for its sturdy boots and shoes before closing in 2020.

• Converse (1908, USA): Recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest sneaker brand, Converse started as the Converse Rubber Shoe Company and is famed for its Chuck Taylor All-Star, a true icon in the footwear world.

What Defines a Shoe “Brand”?

While humans have crafted and worn shoes for millennia, the concept of a shoe “brand”—a named business producing shoes for a broad market—emerged in Europe with the rise of commerce and merchant class demand. These earliest brands set standards in quality, bespoke service, and mass production that continue to shape the industry.

Footwear historians explain, “Shoes were invented in prehistoric times… we could [not] pinpoint the invention of shoes to a single person. But as commercial brands, companies like Ed Meier hold a unique place as pioneers in the industry.”

Key Takeaways

• Eduard Meier GmbH (Ed Meier), founded in 1596 in Munich, Germany, is recognized as the oldest existing shoe brand in the world.

• Birkenstock, John Lobb, and Frye are among the world’s oldest and most storied names still influencing footwear today.

• Converse is the oldest sneaker brand, founded in 1908 in the USA and still producing its iconic shoes.

• Early shoe brands introduced innovations in fit, comfort, and convenience that paved the way for today’s global footwear giants.

The next time you lace up, remember that the concept of a shoe brand is centuries old—and your favorite pair might just have a legacy stretching back hundreds of years.