Austin's Fortress Shoes files for bankruptcy after debt burden

Footwear company that elevated Peruvian craftsmanship struggles to stay afloat

Jan. 28, 2026 at 1:23pm

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Fortress Shoes, an Austin-based company that brought Peruvian-made boots and shoes to the U.S. market through e-commerce, has closed its sole Austin location and filed for bankruptcy. The company, founded in 2010 as Inca Boot Co., sought to elevate Peruvian craftspeople by paying fair wages through family-owned factories, but its rapid growth and reliance on debt proved unsustainable.

Why it matters

Fortress Shoes' struggles highlight the challenges faced by mission-driven businesses that aim to support international artisans and craftspeople. The company's bankruptcy filing is part of a broader trend of increased business filings in recent years due to factors like tighter lending, higher inventory costs, and declining consumer confidence.

The details

Fortress Shoes closed its sole Austin location in September 2025 and is now seeking to reorganize in bankruptcy. The company owes more than $700,000 to various lenders, including $150,000 to the U.S. Small Business Administration. Under the proposed bankruptcy plan, the SBA would be repaid $31,873 over 60 payments at a 3.75% interest rate, while the remaining $122,000 would be relegated to unsecured claims, with less than 5% being paid back to unsecured creditors.

  • Fortress Shoes was founded in 2010 as Inca Boot Co.
  • The company closed its sole Austin location in September 2025.
  • A bankruptcy hearing is scheduled for Thursday, January 28, 2026.

The players

Fortress Shoes

An Austin-based company that brought Peruvian-made boots and shoes to the U.S. market through e-commerce, with a mission to elevate Peruvian craftspeople by paying fair wages.

Evan Streusand

The founder of Fortress Shoes, who started the company in 2010 after a backpacking trip to Peru where he was impressed by the quality of the local boots.

Judge Shad Robinson

The judge who will decide on Thursday, January 28, 2026, whether Fortress Shoes' bankruptcy reorganization plan makes sense for the company and its creditors.

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What they’re saying

“We believe the people that make our shoes are just as important as those that walk in them.”

— Fortress Shoes (Fortress Shoes website)

“Fortress's first big break came from getting into the J. Peterman catalog and on the global fashion retail website Free People.”

— Evan Streusand, Founder, Fortress Shoes (CNBC)

What’s next

Judge Shad Robinson will decide on Thursday, January 28, 2026, whether Fortress Shoes' bankruptcy reorganization plan is approved.

The takeaway

Fortress Shoes' struggles highlight the challenges faced by mission-driven businesses that aim to support international artisans and craftspeople. The company's bankruptcy filing is part of a broader trend of increased business filings in recent years, underscoring the need for sustainable growth strategies and careful financial management.