Pomar 65 years
Pomar 65 years
65 Years of Shoemaking
Founded in 1960, Pomar is more than a footwear brand—it's a Finnish way of life.
As a family-owned shoemaker, we believe luxury lies in comfort, confidence is quiet, and every step is taken with purpose. For 65 years, we’ve been dedicated to producing responsible, authentic, and high-quality footwear. Our reputation is built on crafting shoes that combine comfort, quality, and timeless style.
This is Pomar—Nordic Shoemakers since 1960. Discover our story below!
1960-1969
Born in Pomarkku, Finland
Pomar began in a small cottage in Pomarkku, Finland, where Toivo and Kirsti Leppänen crafted toddler boots to keep their family warm. From humble beginnings—delivering shoes by bicycle—we grew into a company renowned for quality and craftsmanship, values we uphold to this day.
1970-1989
Pehmis & Pop Icons
The 1970s saw the launch of our iconic Pehmis style, with over 1 million pairs sold. By the 1980s, Pomar was a favourite across Nordic markets, with Finnish pop stars like Dingo adding flair to our designs.
1990-1999
GORE-TEX® & Cult Classics
In 1994, we became Finland's first shoe manufacturer licensed to produce GORE-TEX® footwear, making us a trusted name for Nordic climates. We opened our shoe factory in Pärnu, Estonia. The Pomar Curling Boot also debuted, earning cult status in Sweden.
2000-2009
Performance Meets Style
We expanded our GORE-TEX® collections, integrating advanced winter soles with anti-slip rubber soles and Memory Foam insoles for unrivalled comfort, durability, and style—perfect for harsh Nordic winters.
We pioneered a custom-made shoes concept with Left Shoe Company, made to measure with 3D images of customers feet. The chain eventually spanned the globe from Tokyo to London.
2010-2019
Nordic Casual & Award-Winning Design
Our Felt Boot Collection earned a Fennia Prize Honourable Mention in 2017, celebrated for its Nordic style, warmth, and waterproof performance. We also embraced sustainable materials like TERRACARE® leather and introduced our first vegan shoes.
2020 & beyond
A Bold New Era
We’re leading innovation with GORE-TEX® ePE, a PFA-free eco-material, and expanding into new markets like Greenland, Mongolia, and Canada. In 2024, we welcomed Juha Latvala, our first non-family CEO, while staying true to the values that have defined us since 1960.
Today
Family-Owned, Globally Loved
Still family-owned in our 65th year and three generations later! We continue to craft shoes in Europe, blending tradition with innovation. We're proud to carry on the shoemaking tradition in a world where less than 3% of footwear is made in Europe. From the Nordics to Japan and beyond, we’re proud to share our Nordic spirit worldwide.
