Tickets are officially live for Stitchdown Expo Chicago 2026 x Super Trunk Show, taking place this November 6th and 7th, 2026, at Artifact Events in Chicago.

For those who missed the earlier announcement, this year marks a major new chapter for the Super Trunk Show in the US. After hosting our American event in New York for the past few years, we are moving to Chicago and joining forces with Stitchdown Expo, one of the largest and most important gatherings in the world for quality footwear, leather, tanneries, makers, and enthusiasts.

It is a big move, and an exciting one.

The Super Trunk Show has always leaned more toward classic dress shoes, bespoke shoemaking, shoe care, tailoring, and elegant menswear. Stitchdown Expo has built an incredible community around boots, rugged footwear, leather, repair, tanneries, and the broader world of well-made goods. Bringing the two together makes for a unique event that should offer something for just about anyone who loves quality footwear.

Tickets are available here:
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This year’s event will feature the full Stitchdown Expo experience, alongside a dedicated Super Trunk section curated by myself, Jesper of Shoegazing, and Kirby Allison. Expect a strong showing of classic footwear, bespoke makers, tailoring, shoe care, leather goods, and plenty more from across the wider menswear and footwear world.

We will also be hosting The Americas Championships of Shoe Shining, presented by Saphir Médaille d’Or, along with shoe care masterclasses throughout the weekend. More details on the competition will follow, but this is a major evolution from the US Championships of Shoe Shining that we previously hosted in New York.

There are also several special ticket experiences available, including Horween tannery tours, an Optimo Hats factory tour hosted by Kirby Allison, a Collector Pass, and Crown Northampton’s guided handwelting tutorials. Some of these are extremely limited, so if one of those experiences appeals to you, I would not wait too long.

One of the most exciting parts of this collaboration is the sheer range of brands, makers, tanneries, repair specialists, and suppliers involved. This is not simply a boot show, nor is it simply a dress shoe event. It is much more of a true footwear and leather gathering, with many different corners of the industry represented under one roof.

Below is the current sponsor lineup by category.

Saphir — Saphir needs little introduction in the world of fine footwear and leather care. As the name behind the legendary Médaille d’Or line, it remains one of the most trusted shoe care brands in the world, used by shoemakers, polishers, collectors, and enthusiasts alike. From creams and waxes to cleaners, conditioners, and specialty products, Saphir represents the highest level of care for those who want to clean, nourish, protect, and elevate quality leather footwear.

Grant Stone — Grant Stone has become one of the most respected names in modern Goodyear-welted footwear, offering an impressive balance of quality, materials, finishing, and value. From boots and loafers to classic shoes, the brand has earned a loyal following by delivering well-made footwear that feels both approachable and genuinely refined. For many enthusiasts, Grant Stone has become one of the best entry points into serious welted footwear without sacrificing the details that make a shoe or boot worth owning.

Nicks Boots — A pillar of American bootmaking, Nicks is known for producing serious, purpose-built footwear with an emphasis on durability, rebuildability, and long-term wear. Rooted in the Pacific Northwest tradition, the brand represents the rugged, functional side of quality footwear, where materials, construction, and performance all matter. These are not boots built around trend or novelty, but around hard use, longevity, and the idea that proper footwear should be able to take a beating and come back for more.

Bedo’s Leatherworks — Bedo’s Leatherworks, led by Steve Doudaklian, is known throughout the footwear community for exceptional repair, restoration, and rebuilding work. For anyone who believes quality shoes and boots should be maintained rather than discarded, Bedo’s represents the craft at its highest level. Read more about Bedo’s Leatherworks here.

Crown Northampton — Crown Northampton brings a different perspective to quality footwear, blending Northampton heritage with elevated sneakers, casual shoes, and a deep appreciation for construction. Their guided handwelting tutorials have also become one of the more engaging hands-on experiences at the Expo. Read more about Crown Northampton here.

Dimar Shoe Repair — Dimar Shoe Repair is one of North America’s most respected names in high-level shoe and boot repair. Their work shows just how important skilled cobblers remain in the world of quality footwear, especially when a well-made pair deserves to be restored, rebuilt, and worn for years.

E. Woodford — E. Woodford continues a long Northampton shoemaking tradition, bringing a heritage English footwear name into the wider conversation around classic shoes and craft. Their involvement adds another strong dress-footwear element to a sponsor lineup already rich with leather and bootmaking history.

Horween Leather Company — Few names in leather carry the weight of Horween, Chicago’s iconic tannery and one of the most recognizable leather producers in the world. From Chromexcel to shell cordovan and beyond, Horween’s leathers have shaped the look and feel of countless great shoes, boots, and leather goods.

Landis — Landis serves the workshop side of the industry, specializing in shoe repair machinery, equipment, and the tools that keep the craft moving. While often less visible to the end customer, this side of the trade is essential to keeping shoes and boots alive long after the first purchase.

The Tannery Row — The Tannery Row is a Chicago-based leather distributor connecting makers with some of the finest leathers from the US and Europe. Their presence is especially fitting for an event built around footwear and leather, as so much of the final product begins with the materials.

White’s Boots — One of the great names in American bootmaking, White’s Boots has been building serious footwear for generations, with a reputation rooted in rugged construction, durability, and demanding use. Their boots represent the heavy-duty, heritage side of the industry, where function and craft are deeply intertwined.

Red Wing Shoes — An American footwear icon, Red Wing has been setting the standard for work boots, heritage boots, and durable leather footwear for generations.

Tochigi Leather — Tochigi Leather is a renowned Japanese tannery celebrated for its vegetable-tanned leather and the depth of character it develops over time.

Hermann Oak Leather — Hermann Oak is one of America’s great vegetable-tanned leather producers, with a long history in saddlery, footwear, leather goods, and craft.

Wickett & Craig — Wickett & Craig is a historic American tannery known for producing rich, characterful vegetable-tanned leathers with serious depth and longevity.

Boot Black — Boot Black is a premium Japanese shoe care line known for refined formulas, elegant presentation, and impressive finishing potential.

S.B. Foot Tanning Co. — S.B. Foot Tanning Co. is a Minnesota tannery closely tied to Red Wing Shoes and known for durable, characterful leathers.

Hashimoto Industry — Hashimoto Industry is a Japanese leather supplier serving makers with quality materials from one of the world’s most detail-focused leather cultures.

Thiele Tanning — Thiele Tanning is a Milwaukee-based tannery producing American leather with a hands-on, multi-generational approach.

Meltonian — Meltonian is a longstanding shoe care name known for creams and leather care products with a history going back well over a century.

Shinki Hikaku — Shinki Hikaku is one of Japan’s most respected tanneries, especially known among enthusiasts for its exceptional shell cordovan.

Blkbrd Shoemaker — Blkbrd Shoemaker offers hand-crafted footwear from India, bringing strong value and a wide range of classic and modern designs.

CNES — CNES is a Singapore-based footwear brand offering elegant classic shoes and accessories with a modern, refined sensibility.

Pedag — Pedag produces German-made insoles, footbeds, and shoe accessories focused on comfort, support, and practical footwear care.

Addict Clothes — Addict Clothes is a Japanese clothing, boots, and leather goods brand heavily influenced by vintage British style and motorcycle culture.

Bridlen — Bridlen offers Goodyear-welted and crafted footwear from India, known for strong construction, thoughtful details, and excellent value.

Divij Bespoke — Bespoke tailoring.

Schuhbertl — German shoemaker.

Limmer Boots — Heritage bootmaker.

Peter Qu — Shell cordovan footwear.

Twinkima.G — Hand-welted dress shoes.

Luke’s Custom Belts — Handmade leather belts.

GGRASS — Regenerative leather sourcing.

Caswell Bootmakers — Goodyear-welted boots.

Charles Paige — Bespoke tailoring.

Lennertson — Rugged footwear.

La Querce — Italian sole leather tannery.

Solo Maker – Main Floor + Shoemaker’s Super Trunk Corner

Evermore Leatherwork — Handmade leather goods.

Black Lotus Leather Co. — Handmade leather goods.

Johnny Boots — Custom bootmaker.

Dapper Woodworks — Luxury wood accessories.

Emi Bespoke — Taiwanese bespoke shoemaker.

KLH Bespoke Shoes — Berlin bespoke shoemaker.

Why This Event Matters

What makes this event special is not simply the number of brands involved. It is the mixture, which has never been done before in the US and quite possibly anywhere outside of true tradeshows, which are not usually open to the public.

You will be able to see classic dress shoes, rugged boots, bespoke footwear, tailoring, tanneries, leather goods, shoe care, repair work, and makers from around the world in one place. That is not something that happens often, especially in the US. On top of that, you will have me, Jesper of Shoegazing, Kirby Allison and Ben Robinson all under one roof!

Online photos can only do so much. You can read about a last, study a welt, compare leathers, or watch videos all day long, but seeing these things in person is different. You can handle the products, ask questions, meet the makers, get fitted, compare materials, and learn from people who spend their lives around this craft.

That has always been the heart of the Super Trunk Show, and it is something Stitchdown Expo has built beautifully in its own world as well. Bringing the two together should make for a truly unique weekend.

Get Your Tickets

Stitchdown Expo x The Super Trunk Show – Chicago 2026
November 6th–7th, 2026
Artifact Events, Chicago

Tickets are now live and available through the link below:

BUY TICKETS

This is shaping up to be one of the most significant footwear events we have ever been part of, and I am genuinely excited to see it all come together.

Chicago, November 6th and 7th. Mark it down. See you there!

—Justin FitzPatrick, The Shoe Snob

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