Fellow Shoe Snobbers, we officially have one month to go until we descend upon Chicago for what is shaping up to be one of the greatest footwear gatherings we have ever been a part of. On November 6th and 7th, 2026, the Super Trunk Show and Stitchdown Expo will come together at Artifact Events in Chicago for the Chicago Super Trunk Show x Stitchdown Expo 2026, bringing two different—but very much connected—worlds of footwear under one roof.
On one side, you have the world of classic dress shoes, bespoke shoemaking, tailoring, and fine shoe care that has long defined the Super Trunk Show. On the other, you have the incredible world of handmade boots, leather, tanneries, workwear, and craftsmanship that Stitchdown has built such a strong community around.
And for the first time, we are bringing it all together.
Two Days of All-You-Can-Eat Shoes, Boots, and Leather
It is difficult to fully explain just how much is going to be happening over these two days.
We have shoemakers coming from around the world. We have bootmakers, bespoke makers, tanneries, leather specialists, shoe-care brands, tailors, and craftspeople all gathering in the same space.
There will be demonstrations, masterclasses, opportunities to meet the makers, special VIP experiences, and, of course, the Americas Shoe Shining Championships, presented by Saphir Médaille d’Or.
Saphir will also be hosting shoe-care masterclasses throughout the weekend, while some of the special ticket packages include experiences such as the Horween Leather Company tour, an Optimo Hat Factory tour, and Saphir shoe-shining masterclass, early access to the show, Meet the Makers experiences, and the Saturday night wrap party.
In other words, it is essentially two days of all-you-can-eat shoes, boots, leather, and shoe care.
What more could a shoe lover ask for?
An Incredible Lineup—and It Is Still Growing
If you have followed our previous announcements, you will have already seen many of the brands participating this year. I won’t go through another introduction of every maker, but the sheer size and variety of the lineup deserves to be shown.
2026 Presenting Sponsors
Nicks Handmade Boots • Grant Stone • Saphir Médaille d’Or
Gold Sponsors
Horween Leather Company • Landis International • Bedo’s Leatherworks • Dimar Shoe Repair • Crown Northampton • E. Woodford & Sons • The Tannery Row
Silver Sponsors
Red Wing Shoes • S.B. Foot Tanning Co. • Shinki-Hikaku • Tochigi Leather • Hashimoto Industry • BLKBRD Shoemaker • Hermann Oak Leather • The Leather Tanning Co. • CNES Shoemaker • Wicket & Craig • Meltonian • Pedag • Boot Black • Bridlen • Addict Clothes Japan • Russell Moccasin Co. • Iniziative Conciarie Associate • Conceria Orice • American Tanning & Leather
Bronze Sponsors
Caswell Boot & Leather • Divij Bespoke • Peter Qu • Charles Paige Atelier • Twinkima.G • Lennertson • Cuoificio La Querce • Schuh-Bertl München • Luke’s Custom Belts • Peter Limmer & Sons • Growing Grass • Iron Boots • Ostmo Bootmaker • Oak & Oscar • Chicago School of Shoemaking and Leather Arts • Lactae Hevea
Solo Makers – Main Floor
Evermore Leatherworks • Johnny’s • Dapper Woodworks • Back & Forth Leather • Jakkrabbits • Sanjar Leather Works • Pure Polish • Pisgah Range Ltd.
Shoemakers’ Corner – Super Trunk
Emi Bespoke Shoemaker • KLH Bespoke • Calzoleria Carlino
And we are not quite finished yet.
The Super Trunk Shoemakers’ Corner continues to grow as well, giving attendees an opportunity to see the work of independent bespoke shoemakers from different parts of the world.
We have also recently confirmed Calzoleria Carlino for the Shoemakers’ Corner, and hope to close one more maker there.
Between classic shoemakers, bespoke makers, bootmakers, tanneries, leather-goods makers, shoe-care specialists, and everyone in between, this is becoming something much bigger than either event could have created independently.
It is essentially a world’s fair of footwear.
From New York to Chicago
For many years, our American Super Trunk Show took place in New York City. Those events gave Jesper, Kirby, and me the opportunity to meet so many of you in person, and that community aspect has always been one of my favorite parts of putting these shows together.
This year, we are bringing that spirit to Chicago—and making the event considerably bigger in the process.
Jesper, Kirby, and I will all be there, alongside Ben Robinson and the Stitchdown team, and we genuinely hope to see as many of you as possible.
So, to all of you Midwestern Shoe Snobbers who perhaps never made the trip to New York: this one is for you.
Come say hello. Come meet the makers. Try on some shoes and boots. Learn something about leather or shoe care. Watch some of the best shoe shiners in the Americas compete. Have a drink with us.
Most importantly, come enjoy being surrounded by people who are just as obsessed with this stuff as we are.
One Month Left—Have You Got Your Tickets?
The Chicago Super Trunk Show x Stitchdown Expo 2026 is a ticketed event, and with only one month remaining, now is the time to secure yours.
Ticket levels vary depending on how much of the weekend you want to experience, ranging from General Access to special packages offering early entry, VIP events, tours, masterclasses, and other experiences.
If you are reading this through The Shoe Snob Blog and plan on attending, please purchase your tickets through our dedicated link below.
GET YOUR TICKETS HERE
The Chicago Super Trunk Show x Stitchdown Expo 2026 takes place Friday, November 6th and Saturday, November 7th at Artifact Events in Chicago.
One month to go.
The countdown has officially begun.
We hope to see you there!
—Justin FitzPatrick, The Shoe Snob
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