Paraboot’s story begins in 1908, when Rémy Richard-Ponvert, a young French shoemaker, set out to create footwear tough enough for workers and mountaineers, yet refined enough for everyday wear. The name itself is a blend of “Para” (a nod to Pará, the Brazilian port from which the natural rubber for their soles was once sourced) and “boot,” the English word that captured the rugged spirit of the shoe. From alpine trails to cobbled streets, Paraboot earned a reputation for durability, practicality, and understated elegance. Through time, the brand remained grounded in its values, quietly evolving but never chasing trends. That integrity, and the fact that it’s still run by the Richard-Ponvert family, is precisely what makes Paraboot such a rare gem in today’s culture.

Unlike many heritage brands, Paraboot has kept its entire manufacturing process in France — a commitment that speaks volumes. Every pair is made in Saint-Jean-de-Moirans, in the heart of the French Alps, where artisans oversee over 150 steps to produce just one shoe. They use full-grain leathers sourced from Europe’s best tanneries and natural rubber soles that ensure flexibility, grip, and longevity. At the core of many models lies the Norwegian welt, a durable construction technique rarely used today, that makes the shoes weather-resistant and fully resoleable. The result? Shoes that are built to last, and built to be lived in.

Among Paraboot’s many models, one silhouette stands out above the rest: the Michael, proclaimed “the most reliably stylish shoe of all time” by Esquire. First launched in 1945 as a functional and comfortable walking shoe, it wasn’t until the 1980s that the Michael truly found its moment. Its chunky profile and raw charm struck a chord with a new generation of fashion-forward thinkers, securing its place in the modern style lexicon. Since then, it has become a canvas for countless collaborations, from Engineered Garments and Aimé Leon Dore to Drake’s and Beams Plus, each reinterpreting the classic in their own way. Yet, no matter the twist, the soul of the shoe remains the same: grounded, authentic, and unmistakably Paraboot.