If you have searched for grasshopper shoes recently, you have probably noticed something strange. Some results talk about soft, memory foam loafers for women. Others describe rugged leather moccasins with a fascinating South African backstory. A few sites blend both stories together in a way that does not quite add up.
That confusion is not your fault. It is because grasshopper shoes actually refers to two separate brands that happen to share a name. This guide clears up exactly which is which, walks through what makes each one worth considering, and tells you where you can genuinely still buy a pair, since that part is more complicated than most articles let on.
There Are Two Different Grasshoppers Brands
This is the single most important thing to understand before you buy anything, and it is the detail most articles on this topic get wrong or skip entirely.
1. Grasshoppers, the American Comfort Shoe Brand
This is the version most US shoppers mean when they search for grasshopper shoes. It is a women’s footwear line built around all day comfort rather than rugged outdoor use. The shoes typically feature:
- A dual density comfort footbed for cushioning
- Stretch fabric uppers that flex with your foot
- A flexible outsole designed for easy, low impact walking
- Styles ranging from slip on sneakers and boat shoes to wedge loafers and sandals
This brand has long been popular with women who need extra width, all day comfort, or a shoe that requires no break in period. It has been sold through mainstream retailers rather than boutique shoe shops, which tells you a lot about its positioning: reliable, affordable, and practical rather than high fashion.
2. Grasshoppers, the South African Heritage Leather Brand
This is a completely different company with no connection to the American brand above. It began in South Africa in the 1960s and has since become one of the country’s most recognized footwear names, with tens of millions of pairs produced at its original factory.
This brand is best known for:
- Classic leather moccasins with a soft, hand stitched construction
- Stitch down shoes, often called vellies, traditionally worn in rural South Africa and now popular across generations
- A strong local manufacturing story, with shoes still made by skilled leatherworkers in the same coastal region where the company started
If you have seen grasshopper shoes described as having decades of heritage, craftsmanship, and a proud local identity, this is almost certainly the brand being referenced, not the American comfort shoe line.
Why the Confusion Happens Online
A handful of low quality affiliate websites have blended details from both brands into a single, inaccurate story. You may come across a page claiming an American founding date alongside South African heritage in the same breath. That mix up does not reflect either real company. If a site cannot get the basic history straight, it is worth being cautious about anything else it tells you, including sizing advice or product recommendations.
Popular Grasshopper Shoe Styles Worth Knowing
Whichever brand you are interested in, a few style categories come up again and again.
Slip on sneakers
Lightweight, easy to wear, and popular for errands or travel days when you do not want to deal with laces.
Wedge loafers
A small heel lift with the comfort of a flat shoe underneath, a common pick for work or casual outfits that need a slightly dressier look.
Boat shoes and moccasins
Classic silhouettes with a soft construction, often finished in canvas or leather depending on the brand.
Stitch down vellies. Handcrafted leather shoes with a distinctive rubber sole, associated with the South African heritage brand and increasingly worn as a fashion statement well beyond their original working roots.
How to Choose the Right Pair
Think About Fit First
Comfort focused shoes in this category are known for accommodating a range of foot shapes, including wider feet. If you have struggled to find shoes that fit without pinching, look specifically for styles labeled with wide or extra wide width options, and check the brand’s sizing chart rather than assuming your usual size will translate directly.
Match the Shoe to Your Day
A soft, cushioned slip on works well if you are on your feet for long stretches but do not need serious arch support. If you deal with foot pain, plantar fasciitis, or need orthotic inserts, look for a style with a removable insole so you can swap in your own support.
Consider the Material
Canvas and synthetic uppers are lightweight and easy to clean, which suits warmer climates or casual daily wear. Leather styles, especially the stitch down construction associated with the South African brand, tend to soften and mold to your foot over time, making them a longer term investment rather than a quick, disposable purchase.
Check Return Policies Before You Buy
Since sizing can vary between styles and even between production runs, buying from a retailer with a generous return window protects you if the fit is not quite right out of the box.
Where to Actually Buy Grasshopper Shoes
This is the part most guides skip, and it matters more than you might expect. The American comfort brand has seen its retail footprint shrink noticeably. Several major retailers now carry only a handful of styles compared to the dozens once available, and some past product lines have been discontinued entirely.
Here is a realistic picture of where you can shop, depending on what you are after:
- Comfort focused shoe retailers still stock a small, current selection of styles, typically in the medium price range for casual women’s footwear.
- Large online marketplaces carry the widest current selection, including styles that may no longer be available directly through smaller retailers.
- Department store shoe sections sometimes group this brand alongside other accessible, comfort oriented labels, which is a useful clue about its market position.
- Resale marketplaces have become a genuinely important source for both brands, especially for discontinued colors or styles. Because the American brand has reduced its new season offerings, secondhand listings are often the best way to find a specific past style you remember and loved.
- South African retailers and specialty footwear shops are the reliable source for the heritage leather brand, since it is not widely distributed through mainstream American retailers.
If you are hunting for a specific style you wore years ago and cannot find it anywhere new, check resale sites before giving up. Given how many pairs were sold over the years, secondhand supply is often stronger than current retail supply.
Caring for Your Grasshopper Shoes
A little maintenance extends the life of either brand significantly.
For canvas and synthetic styles:
- Spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap rather than tossing them in a washing machine, which can warp the sole or loosen the stitching.
- Let them air dry fully before wearing again to avoid odor buildup.
For leather styles, including stitch down vellies:
- Wipe away surface dust with a soft cloth after each wear.
- Use a leather conditioner every few months to prevent the material from drying out and cracking.
- Store them away from direct heat or sunlight, which can cause the leather to stiffen over time.
Are Grasshopper Shoes Worth Buying?
For the American comfort brand, the honest answer is that it depends on what you value. If all day comfort, wide width availability, and an affordable price point matter more to you than having the newest style each season, it remains a solid, practical choice, even with a smaller current lineup.
For the South African heritage brand, the appeal is different. You are buying into decades of craftsmanship, a distinctive silhouette, and a shoe built to be worn in and last, rather than replaced each year. If you want a leather shoe that develops character over time, it is genuinely worth seeking out.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are all Grasshopper Shoes made by the same company?
No. There are two separate brands using the Grasshoppers name: an American women’s comfort footwear line and a South African heritage leather brand. They are unrelated companies with different histories.
2. Why do some websites describe Grasshopper Shoes with conflicting histories?
Several low-quality affiliate sites have mixed details from both unrelated brands into a single inaccurate story. Always check a retailer’s official product description rather than relying on third-party summary sites.
3. Are Grasshopper Shoes good for wide feet?
The American comfort brand is known for offering wide and extra-wide width options in many styles, making it a popular choice for shoppers who struggle with standard-width shoes.
4. What are stitch-down vellies?
Vellies are handcrafted leather shoes with a distinctive stitched sole construction, most closely associated with the South African heritage brand. They are known for durability and a soft, broken-in feel over time.
5. Is the American Grasshoppers brand still being made?
Retail availability has shrunk in recent years, with several retailers carrying only a small number of current styles. Many past styles are now easier to find through resale marketplaces than new retail channels.
6. Where can I find discontinued Grasshopper Shoes styles?
Resale marketplaces are often the best option for discontinued colors or styles, since secondhand supply frequently exceeds what is currently available through new retail.
7. Do Grasshopper Shoes require a break-in period?
Comfort-focused canvas and synthetic styles are typically designed to feel comfortable right away. Leather styles, particularly stitch-down construction, may take a short break-in period before molding fully to your feet.
8. How do I clean leather Grasshopper Shoes?
Wipe them with a soft cloth to remove surface dust, condition the leather every few months, and avoid storing them in direct heat or sunlight, which can cause cracking over time.
9. Can I put orthotic inserts in Grasshopper Shoes?
Many comfort styles feature a removable insole, making it easy to swap in a custom orthotic if you need additional arch or heel support.
10. Which Grasshopper Shoes brand should I buy?
Choose the American comfort brand if you want an affordable, wide-width-friendly everyday casual shoe. Choose the South African heritage brand if you want a handcrafted leather shoe built to last and develop character over years of wear.
Final Thoughts
Grasshopper shoes is not a single, simple answer. It covers two unrelated brands with different histories, different materials, and different reasons to love them. Knowing which one you are actually looking for saves you time, helps you avoid misleading content, and points you toward retailers that genuinely carry what you want. Take a moment to identify which style and brand fits your needs, check width and sizing carefully, and do not overlook resale marketplaces if the exact pair you want is no longer sold new.
