Softstar Shoes

Oregon workshop shoemaker since the 1980s — moccasins, barefoot shoes, and the RunAmoc running line, all made in-house in the USA.

Approved

Founded: 1985
Website: softstarshoes.com
HQ: USA
Manufacturing: USA
Ownership type: Employee-owned
Status since: 2026-07-28

Ownership

Founded July 1985 by Tim and Jeanie Oliver. NOT family-owned today: sold 2005 to Patricia Salcido and Larkin Holavarri; Salcido became sole owner 2018; January 2026 the company transitioned to an Employee Ownership Trust — now 100% employee-owned. Corvallis 1990-2017, Philomath since 2017.

Why Approved

Makes every shoe in its own Oregon workshop and, as of January 2026, is 100% employee-owned via an Employee Ownership Trust — the ownership structure least likely to ever sell, offshore, or be acquired. Approved. Tested-asterisk: we have not run in them.

Reversibility

What would change our verdict

Trust unwound; production outsourced; workshop closure.

Read the full investigation

Investigation · July 29, 2026

Same Shoe, Different Factory

Nike does not make Nike shoes. Four contractors it does not own build 59% of them. Adidas outsources almost 100%. The fastest-growing brand in running buys its shoes on individual purchase orders, with no commitment at all. Two majors still own a factory. Plus the ones still worth buying.

Read the full investigation

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