Our
history

Behind the brand’s
French heritage,
a visionary American

Rubber, innovation and an American founder — discover Aigle’s surprising beginnings.

At the start
was vulcanization

In Hiram Hutchinson’s days, rubber had already been developed, but showed little resistance to high temperatures. Through vulcanization, Hutchinson made rubber more resilient to changes in temperature. He heated the material in a pressurized atmosphere, making it less brittle in the cold and less sticky in heat.

The process was used from 1842 to make rubber more elastic and waterproof, revolutionizing production and inspiring the American entrepreneur Hiram Hutchinso to found Aigle.

1853

Hiram Hutchinson purchased the rubber vulcanisation patent applied to the shoe and created the “Compagnie du caoutchouc souple”, to create waterproof city shoes.

1936

With the revolution brought about by paid leave in France, Aigle diversified its offer: sports and outdoor shoes enriched the range of rubber models.

1967

Aigle sets up its boot production plant in Ingrandes. The “Bison” model is the first to be produced by the master bootmakers in this factory.

1972

For the Olympic Games in Munich, Aigle creates the “Regatta”: the famed blue boot bearing two white stripes.

1989

Aigle opens its first store in Paris, in Saint-Germain-des-Prés and offers ready-to-wear for the first time, in addition to its shoe collection.

v

1993

The Ethical Traveller’s Guide is published, so that tourism can be more virtuous and respectful of nature.

2007

The award-winning campaign “For the reintroduction of Man into Nature” is launched.

2013

Aigle celebrates 160 years of history with a Heritage collection.

2020

Aigle becomes a mission-driven company and creates collections that are ever more environmentally-friendly.

Aigle today

Still today, Aigle brings together French know-how and the pioneering spirit. Our outdoor clothing and accessories are worn all over the world: Aigle owns several hundred stores across Europe, Asia and America.