On your days off, you want a reliable pair of shoes that are "more than sneakers, less than dress shoes," offering both a stylish look and comfortable fit. That's when you choose PARABOOT , a long-established French shoe brand with over 100 years of history. Despite being high-end men's shoes, their sturdy construction and timeless design, reminiscent of authentic mountaineering boots, makes them incredibly stylish no matter what era you wear them in. While there are many "famous shoes" in the world, you'll be hard-pressed to find anything quite like them.


This time, we've carefully selected five timeless and popular models from PARABOOT . We'll explain each model along with the brand's appeal.

French flair is evident in every detail, along with well-thought-out practicality.

PARABOOT , a brand that has produced many sturdy and reliable shoes, employs the "Norwegian welt construction," which adds an extra step called Norwegian stitching (a type of welt stitching) to achieve a level of durability that surpasses the Goodyear welt construction, most notably with the "Chambord," a long-loved classic shoe in Japan. Originally a traditional sole attachment method for mountaineering boots, PARABOOT has popularized it for everyday street shoes.


Furthermore, the brand continues to produce its own rubber soles using natural latex, a practice rare in the world. Using a unique recipe, raw latex is placed in a mold and baked under pressure and heat, resulting in a rubber sole that is highly resilient, robust, and resistant to wear. Moreover, the baking process is subtly adjusted for each type of sole to achieve the optimal hardness for its intended use.

The upper is made of Lisse leather (meaning "smooth" in French), a high-quality calfskin that is treated with oil and finished to develop a beautiful patina while remaining water-resistant. It is extremely resistant to moisture such as rain and is a durable leather that becomes more supple and develops a deeper color with wear. Incidentally, the fact that the surface may appear whitish when new is proof that the oil has penetrated deeply into the leather fibers.

Five timeless and popular models from PARABOOT that have been loved for generations.

Despite its simple and robust design, it has the appeal of flexibly adapting to various outfits.

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The brand's iconic and classic "CHAMBORD" was born in 1987. Its plump, rounded U-tip shape is a representative design of French shoes, employing a construction method known as "praying moccasin" or "pinched moccasin," where the leather of the moccasin section is pinched and sewn. Despite being a leather shoe, its casual design makes it a popular choice for its versatility, suitable for a wide range of styles from jeans to slacks.



The sole uses "PARATEX," which is made entirely in-house from 100% natural latex and is suitable for various situations such as rain and poor road conditions. "PARATEX" has a thick 1cm sole and is equipped with multiple fins on the underside that trap air, resulting in excellent grip and cushioning.

The upper is made of Lisse Leather, which has a higher wax content than regular leather, making it more durable, water-resistant, and comfortable to wear, while also possessing a unique sheen. The Norwegian welt construction, which involves more than 150 steps, is extremely time-consuming to complete, resulting in a distinctive appearance and high fashion appeal.

2. AVIGNON

The U-tip design, with its clean toe line, creates an elegant impression.

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In France, a country with a strong jacket culture, the "AVIGNON" has long been a popular choice. It's the most basic U-tip shoe, made using a technique called "overlaid moccasin," where the leather of the vamp is placed on the side of the upper and sewn. While U-tip shoes are generally classified as casual shoes, the Avignon's long, sleek nose design makes it a good match for jacket styles and suits.



The Avignon, characterized by its unique design with a contrasting opening inspired by parachute boots, employs the Norwegian welt construction method, just like the Chambord. A strip of leather called a welt is used to stitch the upper and sole together with double stitching, creating unwavering sturdiness.

The sole uses "GRIFF," made from 100% natural latex produced entirely in-house. The jagged pattern, arranged vertically and horizontally, enhances grip, proving particularly effective on wet surfaces. In addition, the leather used is the highly regarded Lisse leather, providing a comfortable and well-worn fit.

3. MICHAEL

Oiled leather and Norwegian weave – the perfect combination for Tyrolean sandals.

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The "MICHAEL" model was created in 1945 to celebrate the birth of Michel Richard, the grandson of founder Rémy Richard-Pontvert and current president, and named after him. It is a representative model that spread the name of PARABOOT worldwide and remains highly popular today as a masterpiece of Tyrolean shoes.


While traditional Tyrolean shoes are predominantly heavy-duty and heavily influenced by mountaineering and ethnic cultures, the Mikael is a modified version of the original MORZINE model, making it easier to pair with everyday clothing, which has led to its widespread popularity worldwide. The thick, oil-rich "oiled leather" is highly waterproof and molds to the foot with wear, playing a vital role in protecting the feet in the harsh mountain environment.


Furthermore, the Norwegian welt construction, essential for mountaineering boots, boasts top-class durability among existing shoemaking methods, meaning the boots will hardly break under normal circumstances and will be cherished as a lifelong investment. The combination of "oiled leather and Norwegian welt" is the identity of Mikael.

4. REIMS (Lance)

Coin loafers that create an overwhelming sense of volume and impact on your feet.

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"REIMS" is a loafer model of the classic Tyrolean shoe "Michael," which debuted in 1986. At the time, suit styles that were popular in Italy were often paired with thick-soled rubber shoes, and REIMS was created in response to strong demand from Italian customers. Like the Michael, REIMS is sewn with a thick moccasin, and to ensure that the part where the instep attaches (where the saddle leather is fixed) is strongly stitched, everything is finished by hand.


With its thick sole, this loafer features a deep opening and a unique angle to prevent the heel from slipping out. You won't find another loafer with such a heavy feel anywhere in the world, and it's a product that combines American style with French sophistication, making it widely recognized around the globe.

Production ceased in 1995 due to changing fashion trends, resulting in a production period of only 10 years. However, in response to calls for a "Reims revival," it was re-released in 2009 when round toes gained attention.

5. WILLIAM

A leading figure in French design, with a passionate following despite its unusual fate.

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PARABOOT , which handles shoes for luxury brands around the world, has a history of OEM production for leading French luxury brands. "WILLIAM" is a representative French design model inspired by riding boots with a double monk strap.


When JOHN LOBB launched its casual line, "CORTAGE COLLECTION," PARABOOT handled the entire collection and selected the William model. Although production was sadly discontinued when the series ended, due to strong demand from customers (especially in Japan), it was revived in 2001 as an original collection item to commemorate the opening of the Paraboot Aoyama store. At that time, the William was made from a special grain leather (embossed leather), but as time went on, it became difficult to obtain the leather, and production was discontinued again in 2003 because "it was no longer possible to maintain quality."

Revived in 2010, the William retains its original pattern design and sole, but incorporates subtle elements to resonate with contemporary fashion. It truly embodies the philosophy of French craftsmanship, representing a fundamental shoe.