SEBAGO HISTORY
From coastal Maine to the rest of the world. A timeless style icon, since 1946.
Born in Maine, Sebago has become an international brand: your shoes are produced by companies located in the Dominican Republic, Mexico and El Salvador, as well as by a few small specialist manufacturers in Southeast Asia. Sebago shoes have always been and will only ever be crafted by the hands of expert shoemakers, meticulously selected based on stringent standards in order to ensure the highest quality results.
SEBAGO® ESTABLISHED
1946
Established in 1946, Sebago was born from a consumer demand for quality, casual footwear. An owner of five independent shoe stores in Maine was determined to keep his stores stocked. So, in the true spirit of New England ingenuity he partnered with two local businessmen and created a hand-sewn footwear factory. The original shoe they made, the Sebago Classic beefroll penny loafer, is made the same way today as it was back then: hand-sewn with the finest craftsmanship.
LOVED AROUND THE WORLD
1964
Once established in the USA, our sights were set abroad and we began selling in some parts of Europe. However, we saw a substantial gain when, in 1964, Sr. Francisco Gaudier purchased a pair of Classic penny loafers in Switzerland. He was so impressed with the quality that he visited the Sebago factory in Maine. A partnership was struck, and his company began selling Sebago across Europe. The level of craftsmanship and materials won the hearts of many Europeans. Years later, the introduction of the Docksides and its colorful counterpart, the Spinnaker, were the ‘must have’ casual shoe for vacationers in the South of France. We are now in 120 countries around the globe.
DOCKSIDES® LAUNCH
1970s
With avid sailors running Sebago in the late 60’s, they looked to create a functional, hand-sewn leather boat shoe. The Docksides were launched in 1970 to meet that need, and have grown to historic status. They are still being hand-sewn and finished the same way but new materials and colors have evolved the Docksides to casual shoe status. A practical alternative to the canvas boat shoes of the time, Docksides® brought dramatic growth to the company.
SAILING IS OUR HERITAGE
1990s
From our roots near Sebago Lake in Maine, and the launch of the Docksides®, sailing has always been in our blood. Through the years, Sebago has sponsored the Celebrity Regatta, Newport to Bermuda, and The America’s Cup, as well as the prestigious title of the official supplier of yachting footwear to the U.S. sailing team. Sailing is part of our heritage and DNA, we feel at home on the deck of a boat.
A CRAFTED LEGACY
The tagline “Crafted with Care, Crafted to last” was introduced. Many of Sebago’s 800 workforce were sons and daughters of former employees carrying on the crafted legacy.
A PLATINUM ANNIVERSARY
2016
In 2016, Sebago celebrates its platinum anniversary and 70 years of dedicated skill and a Life Well Crafted.
BASICNET S.P.A
2017
In Turin, July 31st, 2017 BasicNet S.p.A. signed the agreement for the acquisition of the Sebago® brand from the American company Wolverine World Wide, Inc. Sebago® is an ideal brand for BasicNet: classic, iconic, sporty and renowned worldwide” says Marco Boglione, Founder and Chairman of the BasicNet Group. “This is a wonderful opportunity for the BasicNet’s network of distribution licensees and sourcing centers”.
THE SEBAGO YEARBOOK
2023
Almost 80 years after it was founded, Sebago celebrates its history with the “Sebago Year Book”, an editorial project that pays loving tribute to the heart and soul of the brand. Issued annually, the book features interviews, anecdotes and true-life stories shared by those who, over the years, have transformed Sebago into not just a brand, but a lifestyle grounded in quality, authenticity and shared values.
EIGHTY YEARS OF SEBAGO
2026
Sebago celebrates eighty years of history, reaffirming its roots in Maine while looking toward the future without losing touch with its identity. From the Made in USA capsule collection to initiatives like the Sebago Boat Tour in major European cities, the brand marks this milestone by transforming tradition into a global experience.