Home : About : History

The Savoca family began their proud tradition of shoe craftsmanship in the 1940's. Over the past six decades, styles and fads have come and gone. However, quality and value never go out of style.

In 1940, Sam Savoca had an idea to manufacture his first pair of majorette boots. From that point, each generation has stayed committed to providing band directors, music educators, students and parents with products they can be proud to use. We've enhanced our products and stayed at the cutting edge of what was needed as times and marching routines changed.

Now, we are at the beginning of the 21st Century, looking to build on our rich tradition of innovation, and inviting you and your students to come with us every step of the way.

DINKLES Marching Band Shoes are manufactured and distributed by Up-Front Footwear, Inc. in Lebanon, PA. For the past 17 years we have established ourselves as the leader in Marching Band Footwear. We know the most about band shoes because we are the only manufacturer of leather and vinyl marching shoes in the country.

We listened to what you wanted in a marching shoe, so now all our shoes have high flexibility, unmatched durability, and rubber soles for traction and most of all safety. We will not use PVC (plastic) soles on our shoes. Not only are PVC soles slippery and dangerous but PVC posses an environmental waste hazard in manufacturing and disposal. Never march in plastic soled shoes!

All are shoes are laboratory tested for durability, abrasion, flexibility, and material strength. During a year's time, we destroy more shoes in testing for quality control and your peace of mind than our competitors give away as promotions!

So if you are serious about marching and want marching band shoes built to the specifications of a shoe manufacturer, there is no other choice than DINKLES Marching Band Shoes. Give us a call and we will tell you how you can march with confidence. Remember that.... QUALITY SHOES = QUALITY PERFORMANCE!

Since the 1940's, the Savoca family have been proud craftsman designing and manufacturing the best marching shoes in the world.

Back in 1940, when Sam Savoca made his first pair of majorette boots times were a little bit different. Terms like corps-style, rolled heel, color guard all had different meanings...or no meaning as all. But over the past 60-plus years, the Savoca's continued to adapt to and play a role in the activity in which we all flourish today.

Innovation, when combined with pride, becomes a wonderful tradition. And this tradition is evident anytime you or your students lace up a pair of DINKLES for an event, whether it's the local fourth of July Parade or the World Championships.

Our Timeline

1940
Sam Saoca produces his first pair of marching shoes and majorette boots for the local high school

1954
Jerry Savoca begins manufacturing shoes with his father in the family's shoe factory

1968
Jerry manufacturers his first pair of band shoes

1986
DINKLES bursts onto the scene with the Vanguard the first leather, flat rubber soled band shoe

1988
Jeff Savoca becomes the third generation of Savoca's to manufacture marching shoes

1989
DINKLES introduces the Glide, the first moderately priced marching shoe with popular performance and appearance features

1992
DINKLES expands the product line to include band front shoes, such as the Stinger, Fling, Kicker, Stacie and Holly

2001
DINKLES introduces the Edge, a comfortable and stylish, sneaker-like marching shoe

2003
The Flexy debuts as an ultra-flexible front line shoe to stand the rigors of indoor and outdoor color guard demands