Sioux

Sioux was founded in 1954 by Peter Sapper in Walheim in southern Germany, with an original focus on manufacturing moccasins - comfortable, flexible footwear inspired by traditional Native American shoemaking. The company describes itself as the first to bring moccasins to the German market. Its best-known model, the Grashopper, was developed in the 1960s and built a following for its crepe-soled comfort; it became successful enough that the British shoemaker Clarks licensed the Grashopper design from Sioux and produced it under license for more than two decades starting in 1970. Sioux also claims it was the first company to produce a perforated leather sole with molded rubber nubs.