Quality shoes. With decades of tradition. Direct from Bardejov.
We've been developing and manufacturing work and special-purpose shoes since 1998. Since 2012, we've offered our own brand, BOSP.
Slideshow
BOSP – a family business
The story of a brand that has been equipping professionals and adventurers since 1998.
1957
The history of shoe manufacturing in Bardejov goes back to 1957, when the 29th of August Factory was founded.
As it grew, the company operated as the state enterprise JAS, and Bardejov became a center of shoe production in Central Europe. Alongside military footwear, various manufacturing methods were used to produce sports and casual shoes as well. This tradition trained many skilled workers.
1989
The political regime change in Slovakia after 1989 disrupted sales channels. Equipment and technology that had not been modernized for decades—despite millions of pairs produced—also showed clear signs of age.
The decline led to layoffs: within a few years, the workforce at the Bardejov factory fell from 4,500 to about 2,000.
Company history
Bardejovská Obuv SPeciál – BOSP
1996
JAS-ŠPECIÁL s.r.o.
In 1996, Ing. Miroslav Matys decided to found his own company, JAS-ŠPECIÁL s.r.o. It employed eight people and operated as a trading company. After the preceding upheavals, sales of shoes made at the factory picked up slowly, mainly to the armed forces and police units. The quality enjoyed a high reputation, and the label "Made in Slovakia" gave the leather shoes added intangible value.
1998
OBUV-ŠPECIÁL, spol. s r.o.
The workshops, whose sales depended entirely on this company, were merged into the firm together with the development department. In 1998, the company thus became a production and trading business and has operated since then as OBUV-ŠPECIÁL, spol. s r.o.
1999
Certifications achieved
As early as 1999, the company received ISO 9001 quality management certification and ISO 14001 environmental management certification. Thanks to its good reputation, built on hard work then as now, it won important customers for whom it developed and manufactured special-purpose shoes—military, police, work and casual footwear. As demand for production capacity grew, the number of employees increased step by step.
2001
Development of new, modern models
In 2001, the company began manufacturing shoes with semi-permeable membranes. This significantly improved wearing comfort and drove the development of new models that were modern for their time.
2004
First firefighter boot model
A milestone came in 2004 with the launch of the first firefighter boot model, creating an important new sales category.
2007
Introduction of quality management
The manufacturing of special-purpose shoes for uniformed personnel reached a high standard. In 2007, the company introduced quality management under AQAP 2130:2005, recognized by the Office for Defence Standardization, Codification and State Quality Assurance.
2008
License agreement with GORE-TEX®
2008 was an important year: the company signed a license agreement with W. L. Gore & Associates GmbH for the manufacture of shoes with GORE-TEX® membrane. This allowed the existing range of casual, work, special-purpose and safety shoes to be extended with models featuring the globally recognized semi-permeable GORE-TEX® membrane.
2012
BOSP – Bardejovská Obuv Speciál
OBUV-ŠPECIÁL, spol. s r.o.'s many years of experience in the European market led to the wish to appear and be recognized under its own brand. In 2012, the brand "BOSP" was introduced for the first time—an abbreviation of "Bardejovská Obuv Speciál".
2014
Registration with the Patent Office
Through the development of new models and testing with emergency and security services in Slovakia, modern collections emerged for particularly demanding conditions. The BOSP brand was registered with the Patent Office. At the same time, distribution was expanded: alongside public tenders, BOSP also opened up the free market.
2015
Material innovations
We offer a combination of materials made in Europe, strictly controlled—in certified laboratories as well as by experienced specialists at our factory. Carefully selected natural leather defines the look of the shoes. The selection and combination of numerous textiles, reinforcements, paddings and other components is decisive for their properties. The result is foot-friendly shoes that contribute to overall well-being.
2016
New model: Logger Trek
We want to be closer to our customers. That's why we're improving our trekking models and expanding the collection with new color variants. The forestry shoe collection is also growing: Logger Trek is a modern shoe with protection against chainsaw cut injuries.
2017
Husky Evo Pro
We completed development of the flagship of our trekking collection, Husky Evo Pro, and launched our own mountaineering shoe with groundbreaking solutions onto the market: maximum stiffness at minimum weight thanks to a carbon fiber insole board, the latest GORE-TEX lining with hollow-fiber insulation, and VIBRAM soles with an integrated mount for automatic crampons.
2018
BOSP's new brand identity
Our logo was modernized and represents the four areas of our company.
2019
Grifit
We present the versatile low-cut shoe Grifit for active and less active people alike, in an unusually colorful combination.
2020
A year full of new products
We present the versatile low-cut shoe Grifit for active and less active people alike, in an unusually colorful combination.
BOSP today
Quality
Quality
Every pair of BOSP shoes goes through hundreds of checks—from selecting hydrophobic-treated natural leather 2.2–2.4 mm thick to the final inspection before shipping. Our own development department tests materials in certified laboratories and directly in the field with the forces we produce for. Since 1999, we have held ISO 9001 quality management and ISO 14001 environmental management certifications.
Standards
Standards
BOSP supplies shoes to the Slovak armed and security forces. Since 2007, we have met the quality management requirements of SOŠ AQUAP 2130:2005, recognized by the Office for Defence Standardization, Codification and State Quality Assurance. Our work models are certified to EN ISO 20347. We develop tactical models (Taras) and firefighter models (Winner) directly with their future users.
Technologies
Technologies
Every model combines leading technologies: waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX® membranes (license partner since 2008), VIBRAM soles with MEGAGRIP® compound for grip on wet surfaces, and replaceable DryMemory Support insoles with arch support. Our flagship model, Husky Evo Pro, uses a carbon insole board for maximum stiffness at minimum weight.
Made in the EU
Made in the EU
Since 1998, we have manufactured in a single factory in Bardejov in eastern Slovakia, continuing the city's 70-year shoemaking tradition. No outsourcing to Asia. Materials from certified European suppliers and handwork by specialists with decades of experience. Caledon, Grifit, Ural Pro, Logger Trek—every model is made in one place, from design to shipping.
Post-warranty repair service
Post-warranty repair service
We make shoes that you wear five to six days a week. If a repair is needed after years of use, we're here for you: we replace soles and rubber protective rands and repair seams, insoles and laces. As the manufacturer, we have all parts from our own production. Even after years of wear, we get your BOSP shoes ready for action again. More about our post-warranty repair service.
