Joshua Bingaman

Joshua Bingaman | Founder & CEO | Helm Boots

It takes exactly 133 steps to make a HELM boot. Founder and CEO, Joshua Bingaman can walk you through each and every one of those steps with the skill of a craftsman and the passion of a fanatic. This dedication, coupled with Joshua’s entrepreneurial spirit make Austin, Texas-based HELM Boots a burgeoning American-made footwear brand that has seen business more than quadruple since launching in 2009.

Joshua Bingaman is a true salt of the earth man. At just 36-years-old, he has boldly explored his many passions like a true adventurer. From Oklahoma-born touring musician and published poetry writer, to homebuilder in Honduras, Texas-based special needs teacher and coffee shop owner, Bingaman is an unabashed risk taker known to fall hard for community-focused trades rich in history that value quality above all.

Bingaman’s love of footwear began in childhood as a young sneaker collector. His interest quickly evolved to include designer brands, handmade leather soles and hiking boots. In 2000, Joshua and his brother opened a footwear store in San Francisco called Subterranean Shoe Room geared towards like-minded footwear aficionados. In 2003, they sold their successful storefront and Joshua made the move to Austin, Texas where he started his own coffee roaster and cafe, Progress Coffee.

In 2009, HELM Boots was born as a passion project. Bingaman designed boots and worked with manufacturers on the side while managing his growing coffee business. With great word of mouth and extremely vocal supporters, Joshua decided to focus on HELM Boots full-time in 2012. To make way for his growing footwear business, Progress Coffee was sold to Brew & Brew.

With dozens of accounts throughout the United States and across the globe, HELM Boots, all made in America, has carved out a special position in the footwear space.