Palladium Boots?

[Carnacki25]

Does anyone own any Palladium boots? The price seems right, and they have that Foreign Legion, Safari cache to them. I'd be curious of other people's experiences. Thanks for your help, and nice to meet you.

Matt

 

[Renault]

They are nice boots. Several acquaintences have them. I believe the current boots are made in China. Original French military "Pataugas" are out there if you want them. However the vast majority of NOS I've seen are size 47 from the late 50's. "Wissert" brand were allegedly the most popular in Indochine and on into Algeria.

Renault

 

[Carnacki25]

Thanks very much for the response. I'll have to look into those!

 

[Saint-Just]

If I remember correctly, Palladium was just the brand name, equivalent to Nike or Converse.

The specific model you're referring to was the Palla-Brousse, in effect a Pataugas from the 60's - 70's.




Disclaimer: this info is directly from memory and has not been verified by wiki or any other source, so could well prove slightly inaccurate, or totally wrong

 

[Renault]

SJ,you are spot on!

Renault

 

[J.D. Hunt]

I have an almost new pair thanks to RS, they fit like a glove. JDH

 

[Renault]

Carnacki25,
Are these the ones you are interested in?????

http://www.palladiumboots.com/cgi-bin/palladium/store/product_detail.html?mv_arg=x&pid=02352:364

These are just about the perfect copy of the boots worn in the Indochine war and are a very nice boot!!!!! The high top boot with the double buckle top are the later versions.

Renault

 

[Baggers]

And can be found here:
Orvis Foreign Legion Boots.

ETA: 800 posts!

 

[Carnacki25]

Yep, those are exactly the ones I was thinking of. I actually came across them first in the Orvis cat. The green has kind of a neat washed out color. I might pick up a couple pair if I like them. It sounds like they have some support, and they are cheaper than even Converse All-Stars. I'll post some pictures when I decide which ones I am going to order. They have some canvas/leather ones that are kind of nice as well.

 

[savoy6]

i love mine.....wear them all the time ..not just for my hobbies....lol...i like the baggy canvas hi-top version.a bit more supportive than the low quarter ones....
mine in something close to their original use...well .....kinda'...

great shoes.....i see why alot of marine recon units and LRRPs in vietnam would try and source these in any way possible....wayyyyyy more comfortable that the issue jungle boot.definitely want a couple more pairs.

 

[Renault]

AND a chapeau de brousse!

Renault

 

[savoy6]

yeah...I like my CdB........though it's not the most accurate repop..but it does the job and looks the part....

 

[cookie]

Does anyone own any Palladium boots? The price seems right, and they have that Foreign Legion, Safari cache to them. I'd be curious of other people's experiences. Thanks for your help, and nice to meet you.

Matt

I had a pair and found the heel height (higher than norm) to make them not very comfortable FWIW. I notice they are selling again in the young kids skate shoes VANs type store in my town.

 

[30s sliphorn]

The Israeli Army wears them. http://www.palladiumboots.com/cgi-bin/palladium/store/product_detail.html?pid=02352:261#

I have a pair, and they are quite comfortable in hot weather. Not sure how they compare in quality to the others posted here.

 

[Steven180]

I also highly recommend Palladium boots. I had a set I used to use in the military some twenty years ago and not only are they in one piece but I still wear them a few times a year while kayaking. The quality and comfort is exceptional...granted they are actual Palladiums.

There are a lot of off brands out there that do not meet the same QA. Beware of these and although the price may be a little higher for the real McCoy, the durability will be worth it if so desired.

Good luck to all,
M.

 

[Setok]

Reviving this old thread. How water resistant is the canvas? Also how do they compare to the Pataugas boots, which also claim relevant heritage, do the usual French thing of having a page only in French, and are made in the EU (but weirdly seem to have a leather lining)?

 

[Davy Crockett]

I have had many pairs of Palladium boots, I would not describe the canvas ones as very water resistant they are probably similar in water resistance to Converse (although the standard canvas on palladium is slightly thicker), Palladium do however make some waterproof and water resistant boots, as for Pataugas boots, I have never handled these although they look identical to Palladium Pallabrouse, I can't fault palladium I currently have about seven pairs, for comfort and price level they are second to none!

D

 

[Setok]

I have had many pairs of Palladium boots, I would not describe the canvas ones as very water resistant they are probably similar in water resistance to Converse (although the standard canvas on palladium is slightly thicker), Palladium do however make some waterproof and water resistant boots, as for Pataugas boots, I have never handled these although they look identical to Palladium Pallabrouse, I can't fault palladium I currently have about seven pairs, for comfort and price level they are second to none!

D

Seven pairs? Impressive!

I ended up buying a pair as they were on offer locally. Unfortunately in grey as the local shop only had black, white and grey (and green, which I wanted, but in a size too small). I also bought a pair for Lady Setok. We just went for an evening stroll through some forest, shortly after it was raining. The shoes got moist, hers to the sock but my socks remained dry. The boots were very light and comfortable. Her's might need some break-in, but mine seemed comfortable enough that I could hike with them right away. I think we might be able to make them a little more water resistant by using some water repellent spray.

The Pataugas might be a little bit more substantial, and made in the EU, which would itself be worth paying a little more for. However Lady Setok really prefers to have vegan shoes, and the Pataugas have leather lining (plus they're not available at any local shop). We plan to do some mild hiking tomorrow, so let's see how things go.

How would you compare the Palladium Pampas (which we have) to the Pallabrouses? Is there a functional difference? All I could see was the extra canvas strip on the Pallabrouses.

 

[Davy Crockett]

I don't think there is much difference between the Pampa Highs and Pallabrouse other than the canvas strip may make them slightly more rigid(they feel exactly the same to wear), My wife loves them and has more pairs than me, she has a high instep (and doesn't wear high heels) and says they are the most comfortable shoes possible for her feet. I usually buy direct from Palladium and they occasionally have very good sales where they offer discounts of up to 50%, they deliver very quickly too.

D

 

[Cornelius]

I found these to be good for canoe trips, no slipping on muddy banks, enough support for portages, and they'll dry out in the sun afterward. The treads do tend to trap gravel though, so often that I find myself inspecting the soles before heading indoors and gouging someone's floor finish.