Best Boots I've Ever Left Tracks In

My Review of Palladium Boots

     For over two years now I have been wearing exclusively as my 3 season outdoor boot a brand called Paladiums. I've specifically been wearing the leather high tops model and I got to say I absolutely love these boots. They are a perfect amalgamation of a pair of converse and a military combat boot. In fact I found out that these boots in a canvas buckle -top form are what the Israeli military uses as their combat boot of choice, and the canvas low top version have been used by the French Foreign Legion!

     After a quick Google search I found out Palladium was founded in 1920 to make tires for the aviation industry. They revolutionized the making of tires by combining vulcanized rubber with canvas bands and they were soon outfitting most of Europe's airplanes. After WWII, Palladium opened a factory in Pont de Cheruy, France with the goal of making footwear that was as tough as their tires and their boots were soon adopted by the French Foreign Legion. I can guess that because of the desert terrain that the legion trains and operates in, the boots found their way to the Isreal military.

(me guiding in the west desert of Utah)

     Things I love about these boots; I’ve been wearing them exclusively, except in winter, for a few years now and they haven’t failed me at all. I finally wore down the tread to the point that the bottoms were flat and had to replace my first pair after just under 2 years, but at $60-80 for a great pair of boots for that long I feel they are worth it. As I said, these boots are half chuck-taylor converse, half combat boot, with aggressive tread, and sturdy support, but the weight and feel of a running shoe. I can go jogging in these boots if I wanted to and feel fine.

(me on top of Notch Peak, still rocking my Palladiums)

     Paladium boots use real leather and as such can be waterproofed and kept nice with mink oil or similar products, if you didn’t already purchase one of their waterproof models.  And with the rubber sole coming up slightly over the toes you never get the toe of the boot wearing out from squatting down or kicking something. The high top can be folded and snapped down if you prefer a lower boot as well, which can be nice if you plan on wearing these boots around town casually. I even have the original strings on the boots and they have held up fine so far. I get a good amount of traction in these boots especially on rocks and frankly they look stylish. For those of you out there looking for more minimal footwear it’s often been said that converse are the white man’s moccasins. The Palladiums, I feel, are as close to moccasins you can come while still having a great sole on there. And for those of you that don’t like the leather option, Palladiums come in a canvas option as well which offer more breathability.

(In Oregon with my wife collecting Fat Wood)

     Some survival hacks you may consider for these boots might be leather or paracord lacing making them multifunction so you can use the boot laces for a bow drill string if needed. If you do this modification I highly suggest doubling up your length of cord needed for the laces and just tying the extra behind our ankle, this way if you need to cut lacing to use for your bow you still have enough left to tie your boots up with. Another modification you can do with these boots is fold the top down to the low rise position and super glue a lighter in between the leather fold of the upper and lower. This ensures and emergency bic lighter if you ever need it and you won’t be able to feel it when you’re hiking around.

     I used to have one big gripe about these boots, and that was that they didn't come in an insulative option. I would just wear a thick wool sock and would be able to still be comfortable into the late fall season. However, upon looking online, Palladium now makes insulated waterproof boots that may be a good option for the winter months. That being said, if I’m being real with you folks I still wouldn’t go trudging through knee deep snow in these, I use insulated rubber tall boots for that one.

(trekking across Spain on the Camino in my Palladiums)

     I suggest trying a pair of these boots out for yourself and see how you like them. I enjoy the lightness on my feet and forget I’m wearing them half the time, not like when I hike with heavy boots and can start to feel the weight as my hiking day starts to get long. If you have a pair of them, feel free to comment below! And if you’re looking to try a pair out just go look on Amazon, that’s where I got mine. No, I’m not getting paid by Palladium(though I wish) I just really love their boots, and I think they are worth a try for anyone.

Keep your feet dry and enjoy the trails!