Rocky Brands, Inc. is an American footwear and apparel company headquartered in Nelsonville, Ohio. Known for its rugged outdoor, work, and military footwear, Rocky Brands operates several subsidiaries including Georgia Boot, Durango, Xtratuf, and Lehigh. It has deep roots in southeast Ohio and a history dating back to 1932.

Rocky Brands originated in 1932 as the William Brooks Shoe Company, founded by brothers William and F.M. Brooks in Nelsonville, Ohio. They established operations in a vacant factory provided rent‑free by the city, starting with around 50 employees making 300 pairs of Goodyear‑welted shoes per day.^[1]

The facility expanded in the 1940s and 1950s, manufacturing over a million pairs of footwear for U.S. soldiers during World War II and the Korean War.

In 1958, the company was sold to the Irving Drew Shoes Company, but in 1975 John Brooks bought it back. The company was rebranded as Rocky Shoes & Boots in 1979 under the leadership of his son Mike Brooks, inspired by the mountain lifestyle of the Rocky Mountains.^[2]

The company went public in 1988 and became Rocky Brands, Inc. in 2005.

Rocky Brands expanded through acquisitions and now owns several major work and outdoor footwear brands:

• Rocky – Flagship outdoor and work boot line
• Georgia Boot – Durable farm and work boots
• Durango – Western and fashion boots
• Lehigh Safety Shoes – Industrial footwear and safety programs
• Xtratuf – Commercial fishing and marine footwear

The Rocky Outdoor Gear Store operates in the original William Brooks factory building on Canal Street in Nelsonville, offering footwear, apparel, and gear to tourists visiting the Hocking Hills region.^[3] The corporate office remains headquartered in Nelsonville, maintaining strong regional ties.

Through the Rocky Community Improvement Fund (RCIF), the company supports various regional projects and nonprofits in Nelsonville and Athens County.

• Nelsonville, Ohio
• Hocking Hills
• Georgia Boot
• Durango (footwear)
• Xtratuf