Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.

These boots were made for ... airplanes ...

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) on Sep 4th 2009 at 3:30PM

Palladium Boots are back. And they rock.

Hitting stores (and PalladiumBoots.com) November 1st will be this hardy pair of Pampa boots, available in regular hi-tops or baggy roll-down styles in black and camel (lined with chocolate) suede. These boots are attractive and comfortable with 100 percent cotton canvas lining -- ideal for travel adventures like hiking, climbing, and trudging through museums and sight-seeing all over the world.

So, what's this about them being "back?" Well, Palladium was founded back in 1920 as a airplane tire-making company. "Tires were made by layering canvas bands underneath vulcanized rubber. Palladium's expertise was so advanced that soon the majority of Europe's aircraft were using Palladium tires," boasts their release.

Then, after World War II, when airplane manufacturing slowed way, way down, Palladium opened a plant in Pont De Cheruy, France to make footwear that would be as durable as their tires. The first Pampa boot was made in 1947 -- and was quickly adopted by the French Foreign Legion, who wore the boots in the deserts of North Africa and all over the rugged Atlas Mountains.

Palladium Boots just relaunched their line this year -- with the same ol' design but new and improved materials -- and these new boots are gonna be a big hit with travelers of all genders and travel persuasions. Check out the gallery for more views of the legendary boots! Don't want to wait for November? Check out some of the styles they released earlier this year on their website.

Gallery: Palladium Boots

Filed under: Gear, Women's Travel

Search Travel Deals

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

kdt Sep 5th 2009 8:17AM

Annie, how do you know these are comfortable if they're not out until November 1? Are the product recommendations on this site based on actual use, or do you recycle PR that you get from product vendors without actually seeing or trying the product? I'm not trying to be confrontational, but I think it's important for readers to know whether you're really endorsing these products or just passing along advertising disguised as a blog post.

Annie Scott Sep 5th 2009 9:39AM

Hi kdt,

I understand your confusion. Allow me to clarify. Palladium has held several events in NY leading up to the relaunch of their product. I have seen, held, and heard a lot about the history of the shoes. I know what they feel like, what they smell like, their weight, I know of their popularity and reputation both back in the 90s and, as I stated in the article, with the French Foreign Legion. I would not blindly reiterate a press release; I feel these boots are genuinely comfortable and valuable. The fact that they are great for traveling -- and that their history includes aviation -- makes them extra relevant for Gadling.

And no, on the other side of this coin, they did not send me a free pair.

I hope that helps, Annie