Gripfast
Gripfast Originals
Gripfast began at White & Co, a Northamptonshire family firm founded in 1890 to make leather footwear and sports shoes. In the 1940s the firm made footwear for the British Army, and later the Australian Army. Gripfast followed in 1990, a more rugged Goodyear-welted boot on a UK army last with a double Commando sole held fast with screws. It soon found buyers in the US and Central and Eastern Europe. When White & Co stopped production in 2003, the work moved to other Northamptonshire factories, and that is where NPS Shoes came in, making Gripfast on White & Co's behalf. Gripfast joined the NPS range for autumn/winter 2021 and is now made in the NPS factory at Wollaston.
What sets them apart
- Goodyear weltedWith a screwed sole
- Made in BritainWollaston, NorthamptonshireHow we know
The boots
Here you'll find Gripfast Originals boots: the 6 and 10 eye derbies and the dealer boot. Each has a concealed steel toe cap, though the maker marks them as not recommended for industrial use.
Pair with your boots
Had you heard of Gripfast before today?
Where they're made
Wollaston, Northamptonshire
Made in Britain by NPS Shoes in its factory at Wollaston, Northamptonshire, where the maker says Gripfast boots and shoes are Goodyear welted and made by hand.
Made in Britain — how we know
In October 2026 we read the Gripfast page on the NPS website, which says the boots and shoes are made in England and handmade in Wollaston. NPS's collections guide and blog agree, and every boot and shoe shown here is listed as Made in England on its product page.
- Maker’s about page
Checked 12 October 2026GRIPFAST – NPS Solovair UK ↗ - Maker’s range page
Checked 12 October 2026OUR COLLECTIONS – NPS Solovair UK ↗ - Maker’s about page
Checked 12 October 2026SOLOVAIR VS GRIPFAST ORIGINALS – NPS Solovair UK ↗ - Maker’s product page
Checked 12 October 2026Black Greasy 10 Eye Steel Toe Derby Boot | Gripfast | Made in UK – NPS Solovair UK ↗ - Maker’s product page
Checked 12 October 2026Black Greasy 6 Eye Steel Toe Derby Boot | Gripfast | Made in UK – NPS Solovair UK ↗ - Maker’s product page
Checked 12 October 2026Black Greasy Steel Toe Capped Dealer Boot | Gripfast | Made in UK – NPS Solovair UK ↗ - Maker’s product page
Checked 12 October 2026NPS Solovair | Gripfast | Black Greasy 10 Eye Steel Toe Capped Zip Twin Strap Derby Boot – NPS Solovair UK ↗
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