Best foot forward

After 74 years, Palladium relaunches its first ever boot, the Pallabrousse Legion

WHEN YOU PULL on a pair of boots from Palladium, you’re joining a long line of adventurers, activists and athletes, all of whom have a part to play in the brand’s storied 74-year history.

In 1947, after the end of World War II, Palladium’s utility boots became the ideal footwear for the French Foreign Legion. The Pallabrousse was sturdy yet light and, made from rubber and canvas, helped soldiers survive the days and nights of walking, crawling, running and climbing through hostile environments.

Fast-forward to the ’60s when Haroun Tazieff, the famous volcano explorer, swore by Palladium, packing his durable boots on all of his expeditions.

This year, Palladium is celebrating its first ever boot, the Pallabrousse Legion. Relaunched for the next generation of explorers, it has all the original boot’s hallmarks: the iconic lug sole, designed to reduce foot fatigue and adapt to different terrains, and the protective toe cap. And while the Pallabrousse’s original moulds and shoe lasts were used in the redesign, it also reflects the brand’s sustainable credentials in 2021. The shoe’s upper is now 100% organic cotton canvas, while the sock liner’s cover is 100% recycled polyester, giving the resulting product the comfort-factor of a trainer, and the built-to-last quality of a boot.

Whether you’re in the planning stages of your next expedition, or are starting to think about long walks through the countryside in spring, the Pallabrousse Legion is the only companion you need on the adventures that life has in store.

The Pallabrousse Legion is available at palladiumboots.com