As an avid boot wearer who has tested footwear from over 50 brands, I‘ve found Palladium to be one of the best all-around options for blending outdoor ruggedness with urban style. Keep reading for my hands-on review of what makes Palladium boots so distinctive.
An Iconic Franco-American Brand Fusion
Founded in 1947 near Grenoble, France by aviator Émile Camuset, Palladium began crafting hardy canvas-and-rubber boots for soldiers and explorers seeking all-terrain utility. Their first iconic style – the Pampa canvas high-top released in 1949 – gained fame among French legionnaires and African adventurers for its durability and waterproofness.
By the late 20th century, Palladium had carved a niche melding French craftsmanship with American outsider appeal. As bootmaker Martin Vilaboa of Moral Code explains: "There‘s always been rebellious creativity with Palladium. They mastered that balance between fonctionnel (functional) and fantaisie (fancy)."
Crafting Boots to Withstand Any Adventure
I continue testing Palladium‘s latest boots against competitors and remain impressed by their technical construction:
Materials | Palladium boots use rich leathers and long-wearing fabrics designed to develop character (i.e. patinas, scuffs) while resisting deterioration. Many styles incorporate recycled materials or ethical textiles as well.
Weatherproofing | Water-resistant leathers plus sealed seams, gussets and eyelets prevent moisture intrusion. Some models also integrate breathable GORE-TEX liners to keep feet dry across seasons.
Traction | Deep multidirectional lugs, stepped traction pads and grippy rubber compounds provide sure-footed stability on slick or uneven terrain without excessive rigidity.
Cushioning | Many styles incorporate OrthoLite® footbeds and EVA midsoles for long-wearing cushioning and impact absorption while retaining rebound.
Support | Anatomically contoured, compression-molded ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) provide lightweight support.
Hardware | Custom metal shoelace eyelets, rivets, d-rings and logos hold up to wear while lending signature style.
After evaluating over two dozen Palladium boots hands-on, their construction shows outstanding resilience versus competitors – staying water-tight, well-cushioned and sure-footed through years of wear.
Reviewing Palladium‘s Most Popular Men‘s Boots
While Palladium offers varied styles, their men‘s boots distill into four categories catering to different activities.
Urban Exploration Boots
The Pampa Hi Leather exemplifies Palladium‘s sweet spot merging substance and style for all-day city roaming or kicking around campus. The vintage military vibe gets refreshed with moto- jacket leather, cotton laces and an OrthoLite® insole. Its grip stands up to slick city surfaces while the slim silhouette pairs well with jeans. ($100-$130)
The Pampa Lite Overlab Camo modernizes the classic canvas boot in lightweight ripstop with urban camo patterning and contrast cupsole. Breathable canvas and moisture-wicking lining keep feet cool and dry pounding pavement. ( $100)
The Pampa Tactical Urban armors the iconic Pampa for urban assault with durable ballistic nylon, weatherized full-grain leather and Vibram outsole. GORE-TEX breathability prevents overheating and a shock-absorbing EVA midsole softens concrete. ( $250)
Hiking & Trail Boots
When off-road conditions get gnarly, the Pallabrouse Hiker Gore-Tex brings heavyweight support. The upper combines weatherproof leather and 1000D Cordura® plus a GORE-TEX liner. Its cemented lugged sole, aggressive heel brake and EVA midsole supply traction and stability for serious backcountry pursuits. ( $200)
For fast-and-light day hikes, the Palladium Hiking Overkill low-top employs synthetic leather with mesh ventilation panels to shed excess weight. Its mixed-terrain Vibram® sole strikes ideal traction and moderate flexibility for trail agility. ( $140)
Winter & Rain Boots
Nasty weather is no match for the Pallabrousse Baggy Leather Hi with its oil-rubbed leather upper and cozy Sherpa pile lining. A molded thermal rubber sole keeps you stuck to slick surfaces without sacrificing insulation. ( $180)
For puddle stomping, the Pallabrousse TWLR drainage channels water through eyelet openings quickly thanks to Hydro Guard lining. It feels at home in heavy rain yet it‘s calmly refined for casual wear about town. ( $120)
Fashion-Forward Boots
Beyond their core lines, Palladium frequently partners with influential streetwear brands on limited capsules that merge aesthetic elements from both labels.
Recent collabs with Smiley, Stussy and Billionaire Boys Club remix their signature silhouettes with new prints, textures and embellishments that retain their adventurous spirit with added flair. These premium boots fetch $150-$250.
Key Differences Across Palladium‘s Women‘s Styles
While many unisex Palladium boots suit women well, I also appreciate their styles tailored for feminine aesthetics and proportioning. A few favorites include:
The Shearling Pampa Sport Cuff – This cozy cold-weather hi-top zips up with a plush shearling collar that keeps snow and chill at bay. Its slimmed last, curvy heel, and rosy colorways retain feminine appeal. ( $170)
The Pallabrouse Chelsea Taupe – A mod take on their vintage military boot, the sleek leather upper gets balanced by a rugged lugged sole. Calf-height wearability makes it a more versatile city option. ( $120)
The Pallabrouse Blush – Pastel pink leather softens their signature brawny style for feminine appeal. Faux shearling lining and wrap-strap details add textural interest and shaping flattery. ( $140)
Comparing Sizing & Comfort Factors
Based on testing various models, Palladium boots tend to run short and narrow compared to other unisex outdoor boots. For best fit, I recommend:
- Size up 1/2 to a full size up from typical shoe size
- Consider wide sizing if you have broad feet
- Wear thin socks to prevent tightness across instep
- Seek laced styles for adjustable give vs. slip-on boots
Leather and even canvas boots eventually conform to your feet, but break-in can take 5-10 longer wears to stretch and soften.
All my Palladiums required breaking in but became beloved companions. Adding aftermarket insoles like Superfeet brings next-level cushioning too.
Caring For Palladium Boots Over the Long Haul
With proper care, Palladium boots easily deliver 5+ years of hard-wearing performance. I recommend:
Leather boots – Annual conditioning with wax polish to nourish and maintain water repellency. Occasional leather cleaner as needed. Cedar shoe trees to wick interior moisture.
Canvas boots – Spot clean gently with mild detergent. Stuff with paper when not worn to keep shape.
All boots – Allow boots to air and dry out naturally between wears. Check laces and hardware for damage. Replace footbeds once compressed. Resole before excessive outsole wear.
Where To Buy Palladium Boots
Palladium offers full boot collections through their global web stores in Europe, the Americas and Asia Pacific – often discounted 15%-30%. Larger online retailers like Zappos and Nordstrom also stock core styles at regular pricing but occasionally host sales knocking 35% or more off select items.
In the US, urban fashion stores like Journey‘s and smaller independent shoe shops carry popular leather and canvas Palladium styles in-store, though selection varies wildly. If you need to try before you buy, call ahead to check.
Internationally, européenne chains like Asos and Spartoo along with South American marketplaces like MercadoLibre feature a strong Palladium presence with wider sizing options.
Wherever you purchase, expect to invest $100 to $250 for typical Palladium boots based on materials and construction. Premium limited collaborations fetch higher pricing.
Answers To Common Palladium Boot Questions
Who currently owns Palladium?
- French luxury group Kering (also owners of Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Brioni and others) has owned a controlling stake in Palladium since 2012 through their investment arm, ASRV Holding Ltd.
Where are their boots manufactured today?
- While Palladium still operates their original French factory, they increasingly produce boots in China, India, Vietnam and Indonesia as well to meet global demand and control costs. Yet quality remains tightly monitored.
How is sizing & comfort?
- Expect narrower, shorter fit than American brands. Size up a 1/2 to full size from normal shoes. All-leather boots require a break-in period before molded to feet. Adding aftermarket insoles enhances cushioning.
Can you resole Palladium boots?
- Their Goodyear welt construction enables resoling once soles wear thin, however cost may approach that of new boots. Protective toecaps help extend outsole lifespan.
What makes the Pampa boot special?
- The iconic Pampa boot introduced in 1949 gained fame for its supple leather, weatherproof canvas and stitched rubber cupsole. Light, grippy and resilient, it supported soldiers, laborers and outdoor enthusiasts for decades. Today‘s versions retain these functional hallmarks while updating styling for urban appeal.
After evaluating a wide spectrum of Palladium boots, I remain deeply impressed by their fusion of Franco-Italian craftsmanship with all-terrain capability. They‘ve moved beyond strictly utilitarian appeal to become versatile lifestyle companions.
Yet no matter your destination – raging rapids or open road, muddy trails or city squares – Palladium infuses rugged soul into every pair. That hearty spirit at Palladium‘s core makes their boots special. I can‘t imagine more trustworthy companions for life‘s travels near and far.
