Brooklyn · Est. 2015

Hand-felted valenki
made in New York.

A collective of felt-boot makers keeping a centuries-old craft alive on the streets of Brooklyn. Warm wool, bold colour, and zero shortcuts — one pair at a time.

See the collection Our story

The story of valenki

From Siberian winters to Brooklyn lofts — a craft that outlasted empires.

Valenki (also called pimy — they are the same thing) are traditional Russian felt boots made from a single piece of compressed wool. No seams, no laces, no leather — just warm, dense felt shaped by steam, pressure and skilled hands.

The craft dates back centuries, born out of necessity in regions where winter meant −30 °C and leather boots simply froze. Over time, valenki became a symbol of Russian village life, then of industrial workers, and finally — a piece of living heritage.

  • 18th century Felt boot making spreads across Russian provinces; each region develops its own shaping and fulling techniques.
  • Early 1900s Valenki become standard winter footwear for workers and soldiers — practical, cheap and impossibly warm.
  • 2015 A small group of Brooklyn makers — many with Eastern European roots — founds the New York Felt Boots Collective.
  • Today We still full our wool by hand, but we dye it in colours our great-grandmothers would never have dared.

Modern valenki — the wild collection

Same hand-felted wool, same warmth — but in colours that would make a traditional craftsman faint. Small batches, made in Brooklyn.

Statement

Neon Sunrise

Hot pink to tangerine to lemon — hand-dyed in three gradients, felted into one seamless boot.

Custom order · from $340
Limited · 12 pairs

Electric Unicorn

Iridescent blue-violet-pink wool with a hand-stitched zigzag trim. The most requested pair in the studio.

From $395
Everyday bold

Acid Sprite

Lime, mint and cyan felt with a scatter-dot pattern pressed in while the wool is still warm.

From $310
Winter drop

Molotov Mango

Red-orange-yellow gradient with a hand-stitched flame motif. Loud, warm, unapologetic.

From $360

Get in touch

Custom orders, studio visits, or just a question about wool — drop us a line.

We're a small collective, so we answer every message ourselves. Whether you need a custom colourway, a repair, or just want to see how valenki are made — we're happy to help.

Studio 47 Greenpoint Ave, Brooklyn, NY
Studio hours Thu–Sat, 11:00–18:00 (by appointment)

Send us a message