We are Grasshoppers Shoes®, the leading maker of stylish and comfortable women’s shoes. For over 40 years, we have been crafting high quality footwear designed to make walking a pleasure. Our shoes feature innovative comfort technologies like OrthoLite® insoles and adjustable closures so you can move through your day with ease. We believe shoes should fit your lifestyle, not pinch and rub. Read our story below to learn what sets Grasshoppers apart.
Our History
Grasshoppers was founded in 1984 by husband and wife duo Marty and Ruthie Lott. Marty worked in the footwear industry and noticed a lack of fashionable options for women struggling with foot pain and discomfort. Many shoes forced women to choose between style and comfort.
Determined to prove women could have both, the Lotts began designing shoes with stylish silhouettes and proprietary comfort features. They wanted to create footwear allowing active women to follow their passions and enjoy everyday life.
The name “Grasshoppers” was inspired by the idea women could “hop through life” in their shoes. Grasshoppers first caught on in Florida, where retirees appreciated their cushioning and adjustability. Positive word-of-mouth spread, demand grew nationwide, and the brand steadily expanded.
Today, Grasshoppers is still family-owned and headquartered in New Hampshire. We’ve stayed dedicated to our founders’ vision of melding fashion and function. Our team of designers keeps fit, comfort and quality foremost in mind.
Our Comfort Systems
What makes Grasshoppers the ultimate comfort shoe? We incorporate cutting-edge materials and technology to ease pressure on the feet. Our proprietary comfort systems absorb shock, cradle the foot, promote circulation, and reduce fatigue.
Some of our key innovations include:
- OrthoLite® Footbeds – All our shoes are equipped with contoured, open-cell PU OrthoLite insoles. These footbeds provide resilient arch support and superior breathability. OrthoLite is anti-microbial and washable too.
- Adjustable Fit – Many styles have adjustable hook-and-loop or stretchy Gore straps across the instep. This customizes the fit, dispersing tension for a relaxed feel.
- PU Midsoles – Lightweight, porous PU midsoles give just the right amount of bounce back. They also have flex grooves allowing the shoe to move naturally with the foot.
- Rubber Outsoles – Durable rubber outsoles offer slip-resistance and shock absorption. Their tread patterns ensure stability on various surfaces.
- Removable Footbeds – Our footbeds can be removed to accommodate custom orthotics. This adds an extra layer of cushioning and support.
- Stretch Fabric Linings – Breathable, soft linings crafted from stretch materials further enhance the ease and flexibility of our shoes.
Our Design Aesthetic
We believe fashionable style is vital for confidence and self-expression. Our designers carefully craft shoes to reflect the latest trends while remaining timeless.
Grasshoppers silhouettes range from sophisticed to sporty. You’ll find everything from flats, wedges and loafers to sneakers, sandals and boots in our collection. We offer many heel heights and toe shapes to flatter different foot types.
Discerning details like decorative hardware, contrast stitching, fun patterns and rich materials elevate the look. Popular uppers include smooth leathers, nubuck suedes, woven textiles and vegan leather.
Our color palette features versatile neutrals plus bold, saturated shades like ruby red and cobalt blue. We aim to provide shoes suiting any taste and matching any outfit. There are options appropriate for the office, weekends and everything in between.
While our styles are fashion-forward, we engineer them to prioritize foot health. Our shoes provide support and move naturally, preventing pain even after hours of wear. Reviewers across age groups rave they are the most comfortable heels, wedges and dress shoes they own.
Our Commitment to Quality
We obsess over quality and longevity so you get more than your money’s worth from Grasshoppers. Our shoes are carefully constructed to endure regular use.
It begins with sourcing premium leathers from European tanneries. These supple hides have beautiful grain and buttery softness outlasting cheaper leathers.
Next, components like footbeds and outsoles are made using the latest technologies by industry leaders like OrthoLite. These materials retain their supportive properties over time.
Highly-skilled craftsmen and women assemble Grasshoppers shoes by hand for meticulous attention to detail. They check for any imperfections ensuring everything aligns and functions as it should.
We put our finished products through rigorous testing to guarantee they meet our standards. Our quality assurance team wears the shoes for extended periods to pinpoint areas for improvement.
Due to this diligent process, Grasshoppers maintain their comfort, structure and appearance even after countless steps. With proper care, many customers wear their pairs for years without issues. We back our shoes with a one year warranty against defects too.
Our Core Values
Grasshoppers remains a caring, conscientious company dedicated to our founding mission. We nurture an open, honest corporate culture where creativity and innovation flourish. Our core values drive every decision we make across all areas of business:
- Quality – We take pride in designing shoes that meet exceptional standards for comfort, craftsmanship and durability. Cutting corners or chasing trends doesn’t interest us.
- Comfort – Comfort takes precedence in everything we do. We keep developing advanced systems to reduce pain and energize feet.
- Value – Our shoes contain premium components rarely found at our affordable price point. We focus on providing the best possible product while keeping it attainable.
- Integrity – We stand behind our brand promise and treat customers, partners and employees fairly and respectfully. Ethics matter to us.
- Service – Our helpful, responsive customer service team promptly handles any product issues to ensure satisfaction.
- Sustainability – We’ve adopted responsible business practices to lessen our environmental impact. This includes sustainable sourcing policies and recyclable packaging.
Giving Back
Philanthropy has remained integral to our company culture from the start. We began supporting causes important to our founders like wildlife conservation and literacy.
Today, Grasshoppers partners with several national and local charities. We donate thousands in cash grants plus shoes each year. Our employees can also use paid time off to volunteer with organizations of their choice.
Some of the worthy groups we aid include:
- Soles4Souls – We donate new and gently used shoes to this nonprofit fighting global poverty. They distribute the footwear to impoverished communities worldwide.
- Dress for Success – Grasshoppers provides professional attire and monetary support to this organization promoting economic independence for disadvantaged women.
- Girls Who Code – We sponsor workshops teaching computer science skills to young women through this nonprofit.
- New Hampshire Food Bank – Our local food bank receives annual financial contributions along with shoes for their clients. We also organize food drives engaging our employees.
- Animal Humane Society – A portion of sales gets donated to rehabilitate homeless pets and promote adoption. We sponsor fundraising walks/runs benefiting this nonprofit too.
Philanthropy nurtures our bonds with local communities. It also makes work more meaningful for employees who get actively involved. We plan to keep expanding our giving efforts for greater impact.
Become Part of Our Flock
We hope reading our origin story gave you insight into the Grasshoppers difference. Our passion for crafting comfortable yet fashionable shoes shines through in every pair. We take pride in helping women walk, work and live with joy.
Are you ready to be amazed by our footwear? Browse our latest collections to find shoes suiting your unique style and needs. We offer free shipping and returns for a risk-free experience.
Still have questions? Our friendly customer care team is happy to offer personalized recommendations and advice. Reach out any time by phone, email or chat.
Thank you for considering Grasshoppers. We can’t wait to help you find shoes allowing you to soar through your day in comfort.
