Beginner's Guide to Timberland
Midwest construction sites to NYC street corners to Parisian runways. An overview of the iconic footwear brand.
The Timberland story began in 1952 when shoemaker Nathan Swartz joined the Abington Shoe Company in Boston. In 1955, he and his sons acquired full control of the company before relocating it to New Hampshire. The company’s original goal was to provide sturdy leather boots for laborers. Swartz soon established himself as a footwear visionary by introducing new technological advancements to the industry. One especially notable development was injection molding, which allowed shoe soles to be fused to the leather uppers without stitching them, resulting in a waterproof shoe.
In 1973, the company debuted the 8-inch waterproof leather “Timberland” boot. It proved so successful that Swartz later renamed the company after the style. The name refers to land that is covered by trees and shrubs, which informs the design of the brand logo.
Three years later, Timberland released the 6 Inch Boot (often referred to today as the Original Yellow Boot, or by its nickname, “Buttas”). Executed in a wide variety of leathers, it was the yellow nubuck iteration that proved most popular, becoming an immediate icon and brand symbol. Timberland continued to grow in stature, embraced by construction workers and outdoors explorers due to its premium craftsmanship, waterproof construction and durable design.
In the late ’80s and early ’90s, Timberland found a new audience on the streets of New York City. By the mid ’90s, loosely tied “Timbs” had become a staple of hip-hop culture, championed by the likes of Notorious B.I.G, JAY-Z, the Wu-Tang Clan and Nas. Aside from the 6 Inch Boot, silhouettes like the World Hiker (nicknamed “Beef and Broccolis”) have amassed cult followings.
Evolution of Timberland
Timberland continues to make waves in the lifestyle and fashion worlds through collaborations and reimaginings of heritage silhouettes. Since the late 2010s, the brand has also made commitments to eco-conscious product design, announcing the sustainability-focused British designer Christopher Raeburn as its first-ever global creative director in 2018.
Under Raeburn, Timberland has overseen projects such as Construct 10061 (a nod to the yellow boot’s product code), which invites new designers to reinterpret the iconic silhouette using earth-friendly methods; Tommy x Timberland, a capsule collection utilizing sustainable materials; and Earthkeepers by Ræburn, a collection of responsibly designed products.
Iconic Collaborations
Timberland’s 6 Inch Boot and various other models have been reworked by numerous creatives over the years. Below, a guide to some of the most notable.
Off-White
In 2018, Virgil Abloh’s Off-White put a signature bold twist on the 6 Inch Boot, including luxurious velvet throughout the upper. Orange zip-ties recalled Abloh’s groundbreaking collaboration with Nike, while colorways in vibrant neon green and bright orange furthered the streetwear sensibility.
Supreme
In 2006, Timberland joined the ranks of perennial Supreme collaborators such as The North Face, Comme des Garçons and Stone Island. The partnership has since reworked the 6 Inch Boot with eye-catching motifs like the American flag and also created irreverent takes on the 3-Eye Classic Lug, Field Boot and co-branded apparel.
Stüssy
In 2023, streetwear legend Stüssy came together with Timberland for a GORE-TEX version of the World Hiker Boot. This followed previous collaborations in the early 2010s, through the now-defunct Stüssy Deluxe line, that resulted in a premium remix of the 6 Inch Boot and a Special Forces-inspired colorway of the NM Field Boot.
A-COLD-WALL*
To celebrate its 50-year anniversary, Timberland invited six creatives to reimagine some of its most iconic designs. A-COLD-WALL* founder Samuel Ross joined the program alongside the likes of CLOT’s Edison Chen, Opening Ceremony founder Humberto Leon and Christopher Raeburn, offering up new takes on the 6 Inch Boot and the 3-Eye Lug, as well as a selection of co-designed apparel.
Vans
In 2022, Vans and Timberland created the Half Cab Hiker, an experiment based on the Half Cab and Euro Hiker boot that was part skate sneaker and part hiking boot. The tie-up also yielded a premium version of the 6 Inch Boot, replete with Vans’ unmistakeable checkerboard motif.
Bee Line
Billionaire Boys Club offshoot Bee Line’s long-running affiliation with Timberland stretches back to 2013, when the two first came together on various colorful 6 Inch Boot iterations. The partnership continues to evolve today, with apparel incorporated into more recent collections.
Veneda Carter
Model-turned-stylist Veneda Carter first collaborated with Timberland in 2022, reworking the 6 Inch Boot in patent leather with co-branded dog tags and Tall Lace Boots in nubuck leather with stiletto heels. The duo reunited in 2024 on two colorways of the 6 Inch Boot and Zip Boot, reprising the partnership’s signature use of patent leather.
Louis Vuitton
Pharrell Williams has long been a fan of Timberland’s 6 Inch Boot, regularly spotted wearing it in multiple colors. He teased a Louis Vuitton collaboration on his design team’s @skateboard Instagram account before revealing the full lineup at a Western-themed Fall/Winter 2024 Paris Fashion Week show. The boots are 15% larger than standard Timberland boots and executed with the LV monogram, luxury pebble nubuck and super-grained buffalo nubuck.
Jimmy Choo
In 2020, footwear savant Jimmy Choo teamed up with Timberland for a vibrant spin on the 6 Inch Boot, elevated by the addition of Swarovski crystals and glitter embellishments. Two years later, the relationship was rekindled when the duo revealed a glamorous edition of the 6 Inch Boot, inspired by its influence on the burgeoning New York hip-hop scene of the ’90s.
How to Style Timberlands
The enduring appeal of Timberland boots owes much to their versatility. Timberlands can be worn with baggy casual jeans or technical outdoor trousers and are an ideal option for inclement weather and colder climates. The 6 Inch Boot can also be paired with shorts for a more adventurous summer look. Many Timberland boot wearers avoid placing their pants over the tongue, but this ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Brands Similar to Timberland
Timberland’s rugged outdoors aesthetic is reminiscent of other heritage brands such as Blundstone, Columbia and Red Wing. Other names that are noted for their heavy-duty work boots include Caterpillar and Dr. Martens.
Timberland FAQ
When did Timberland start?
Timberland was founded in 1955 when Nathan Swartz acquired full ownership of the Abington Shoe Company. The company was renamed Timberland in 1978.
Who started Timberland?
Timberland was started by shoemaker Nathan Swartz.
Where to buy Timberlands?
You can buy Timberland boots on GOAT.
How to clean Timberland boots?
Timberland boots react well to most specialist cleaning products. For more information, consult our cleaning guide.
Are Timberlands waterproof?
Many of Timberland's work boots and hiking boots, including variations of the iconic 6 Inch Boot, are waterproof. Waterproof versions apply waterproof leathers, seam-sealed construction and/or waterproof membranes to provide protection during wet conditions.
Do Timberlands run big?
Because of their robust build, Timberland boots run slightly bigger than average shoes. It is recommended you go down a half size in Timberland boots. For example, if you wear a size US 10 in sneakers, you may want to select a size US 9.5 in Timberland boots.
Are Timberlands good for hiking?
Timberland’s 6 Inch Boots are well-suited for light hikes. However, for longer distances, Timberland’s specialized hiking boots are preferable.
How to tell if Timberlands are fake?
GOAT uses machine-learning technology, digital authentication, in-hand verification or a combination of these methods to determine if Timberland boots are fake or real. By doing so, we seek to ensure the Timberland boots you purchase are both authentic and as-described.
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