Brunt Workwear Pledges $1 Million in Boots to Trade Schools for 2027

Brunt Workwear has committed to donating $1 million worth of work boots to trade school students nationwide in 2027. The North Reading, Massachusetts-based brand announced the program weeks after opening its first wholly owned retail store.

The pledge accelerates an existing goal. Brunt has promised 100,000 pairs of boots to trade school students by 2030. Since launching in 2020, the company has donated roughly 25,000 pairs across the United States. The 2027 program now front-loads a large share of that volume into a single year.

"America needs the next generation of builders, electricians, plumbers and skilled tradespeople more than ever," Eric Girouard, founder and CEO of Brunt Workwear, said in a statement. "These are the people who will build our homes, maintain our infrastructure and keep this country running. We want to do our part to make sure they're equipped to succeed. As Brunt grows, our commitment to the trades is only going to grow with it."

How will schools access the boots?

Applications open Jan. 1. Trade schools nationwide can apply at bruntworkwear.com, and selected schools will receive boots throughout 2027. Brunt framed the program as a way to remove an upfront equipment cost that blocks some students from hands-on training.

A Massachusetts educator backed that framing. "Particularly for students in high-need communities, having the proper and safe work boots can mean the difference between opportunity and exclusion," said James Hachey, director of the center for career and technical education at Somerville High School. "Donations like Brunt Workwear's help remove that barrier, thereby ensuring all students can safely participate, build the necessary skills, and prepare themselves for lasting careers."

For a young brand, the donation also functions as a demand-generation play: 25,000 pairs already placed on vocational students creates early brand loyalty in a workwear segment where repeat purchase cycles are long and safety-toe compliance drives replacement demand.

What is Brunt's retail footprint?

The donation news follows Brunt's move into direct retail. In April, the company opened a 3,000-square-foot flagship at 70 Main Street in North Reading — one mile from its headquarters and its first wholly owned store.

The location carries the company's full range of work boots, apparel and accessories, including best-sellers the Marin work boot, the Torra pant and the Shevlin hoodie.

Brunt built its physical presence through wholesale first. Since 2024, the brand has sold a core product assortment at leading workwear retailers including Boot Barn, Scheels, Super Shoes and Trav's Outfitter.

Why does the timing matter?

The combined moves — a $1 million in-kind donation, a flagship store and a growing wholesale network — map a vertically layered channel strategy: wholesale for reach, owned retail for margin and full-assortment presentation, and donations for workforce-level brand seeding. Girouard signaled the commitment scales with the business, meaning further donation volume depends on Brunt's continued growth through 2027 and beyond.