Design 
Quality of Materials 
Craftsmanship 
Fit & Sizing 
Value for Money Over the years, I’ve worn dozens and dozens of leather boots. But I’ve never tried a canvas boot.
When I first heard of Palladium Boots, I thought they looked like a Converse sneaker that went Super Sayan.
After picking up two of their most popular models: the Pallabrousse and the Pampa, I’ve got some opinions. This is my full Palladium boots review.
What Is Palladium Boots?
Palladium has been around for longer than you and I. They recently celebrated their 70th anniversary and actually got their start as a maker of aviation tires.
So they were originally a rubber company. The story is actually somewhat similar to Converse’s story: a rubber factory wants to expand their market so they start making sneakers and boots. And the style caught on.
Palladium really leaned into boots during World War II, when the company supplied the French Foreign Legion with their original Pallabrousse boot in 1947, and then the Pampa in 1949.
With that military aesthetic, Palladium Boots have surged in popularity in recent years due to demand for street style.
And I can’t lie: they got me, too.
Despite being a leather boot guy all the way through, I picked up the Pampa and the Pallabrousse to see what a canvas boot is all about.
The Palladium Pampa is a canvas high top boot that mixes the laid back casual vibe of a sneaker with the build and structure of a boot. Best of both worlds? Heck yeah.
Things to Consider Before Buying from Palladium
Beyond trying the boots for myself, I read through all the reviews for Palladium Boots and found one major issue you need to consider before buying their boots.
Palladium’s Trustpilot rating is terrible, and I know why: there was a scam site that loaded what looked like Palladium’s catalog, but would charge customers and ship them something completely different (a lot of times it was a cheap necklace for whatever reason).
Are Palladium boots good for hiking?
Palladium boots have great traction, but they’re not the best boots for hiking. The canvas is light and breathable, which is nice. But they don’t offer a lot of ankle support, and the tread in the lugs tends to get filled with rocks, which can make the boots more dangerous toward the end of your hike.
Palladium boots are better for style than anything else, but if you’re planning a hike and Palladium’s are your only boots, then you’ll be fine wearing them for a few hikes.
This is actually surprisingly common—the same thing happened to Red Wing boots and I wrote about it in-depth here.
From what I could tell, those scam sites have been scrubbed, but it’s always best to use caution. For that reason, I shopped directly through Palladium’s online US store and didn’t have any trouble.
Our Palladium Boot Reviews
I wanted to try Palladium’s two original boots, so I picked up the Pampa and the Pallabrousse. I’ve been wearing them all summer and here are my thoughts.
Palladium Pallabrousse Review
The Palladium Pallabrousse is my favorite of the two boots.
Part of me likes the Pallabrousse better than the Pampa because of the color I chose for it. I went with the Star White Pallabrousse, which is a natural canvas color and not a pure bleached white (though you can get that, too).
I'm digging the heavy tread of these canvas boots, and the slightly off-white color is my jam.
But the only difference between the Pampa and Pallabrousse is that the Pallabrousse has a diagonal strip of canvas along either side of the “waist” of the boot. Other than that, there aren’t any differences that I noticed.
The upper is solid and well-constructed. I wouldn’t say it’s anything spectacular or special for a canvas boot or shoe.
But where Palladium really shines is in the outsole and insole. These boots are decked out with a heavy rubber lug sole that offers a lot of shock absorption, grip, and durability.
They’re also extremely comfortable.
The Pallabrousse features Palladium’s paradrop insole, which is a thick piece of high-density foam with extra padding at the heel and along the arch.
Where are Palladium Boots made?
Palladium Boots are made in Asia. My Pallabrousse boots were made in Vietnam and my Pampa boots were made in China.
I'm digging the heavy tread of these canvas boots, and the slightly off-white color is my jam.
Compared to the insole you get for a lot of boots, Palladium’s is way better. Compared to the insole I got in my Blundstone 500’s, the Palladiums is almost three times as thick. In any case, I know it’s more comfortable.
I can’t speak to the durability of the Pallabrousse—I’m used to hard core leather boots that can last 10 years. I’m not entirely confident these canvas boots would make it past a year or everyday wear.
But the rubber toe cap certainly helps. And, after all, these boots did originate as military boots, so they must have some durability to them. I don’t wear mine often enough to really put them to the durability test, but they’re great for the two to three wears per week I’ve been getting through the summer.
Palladium Pampa Review
I picked up the Palladium Pampa in Original Brown, and I like the slightly simplified design. There’s no diagonal canvas strap across the side of the boot, but otherwise, the look and style is almost identical.
If I were ordering again, I’d get the Pampa in Star White and the Pallabrousse in another color. But I’m still happy with what I’ve got.
There really aren’t any other differences I could find, other than that they were made in different factories (though I’d say the quality is the same).
The Palladium Pampa is a canvas high top boot that mixes the laid back casual vibe of a sneaker with the build and structure of a boot. Best of both worlds? Heck yeah.
Looking at the fit, I ordered the same size as I do for all my sneakers. I’m a 10.5D on the Brannock device, and I order a size 10.5 for all my sneakers and dress shoes.
Read my full guide to Palladium boots sizing for more.
Overall, I like the Palladium Pampa, and while I like the Original Brown color, I probably wouldn’t get it again. The Star White is much stronger for that streetwear aesthetic, and if I were to get another pair of Pampa’s, I’d probably get the Black/Marshmallow combo.
What do Other Reviewers Say About Palladium Boots?
I mentioned the negative reviews on Trustpilot already—those were due to a scam site, which has since been resolved. I don’t think those reviews actually reflect on Palladium at all (though maybe they could’ve been more proactive in taking action faster against the scam site).
Palladium Boots offer excellent value, and their style is awesome. Whether you're going for a streetwear look or a rugged hike, they have you covered.
But the vast majority of folks love their Palladium boots. A lot of reviewers seem to get them for hiking, which I can’t say I recommend. Leather boots are always stronger for hiking than canvas just because of the durability and ankle support aspect.
From a style perspective, there’s no other boot like Palladium, and that’s why I like them, too.
Palladium Alternatives
Cariuma Shoes
Cariuma is a Brazilian brand that mainly focuses on sneakers. They also have a cool rubber toe cap on them, which is why I felt they’re a possible alternative to Palladium boots.
The two brands are different and their styles are distinct, but Cariuma could be worth checking out if you want a little less military aesthetic and a little more “skater” aesthetic.
Cariuma’s are really comfortable and they come in bright colors that really pop.
Cariuma's small rubber toe cap gives this sneaker a unique vibe, and the brand’s commitment to sustainability is commendable. They’re also super comfortable and offer a variety of colors that will make your shoe collection pop.
My Thoughts Overall On Palladium Boots
What I Like
I love the streetwear/ military aesthetic these boots have.
The rubber sole is durable and has excellent traction.
The dozens of color and style options are fantastic.
Both the Pampa and Pallabrousse are extremely comfortable.
What I Don’t Like
The tread on the heel is wide, so rocks tend to get stuck in the lugs.
Many people say they like these for hiking, but they don’t offer as much ankle support as pretty much any leather hiking boot.
Who is Palladium for?
Palladium Boots are right for you if you want for a uniquely styled boot that’s light, comfortable, and easy to style with a casual streetwear look.
The Verdict
I’m really impressed with both the Palladium Pampa and the Pallabrousse.
They’re not perfect boots, but for their price, I think they’re absolutely worth the money.
Probably the biggest drawback for me is that rocks seem to always get stuck in the lugs of the heel, which is why I’m confused when reviewers say they love hiking in these boots—they’re not hiking boots in my opinion.
From a style perspective, Palladium Boots are fantastic. They have that streetwear/military aesthetic that works well with casual style, but still looks interesting enough to be noticeable.
I recommend going with a white boot, or if that’s too bold for you, try black canvas. I have the Original Brown in the Pampa, and it’s not as versatile as I’d hoped. But it’s still a great boot, nonetheless.
My favorite of the two boots is the Pallabrousse.
It’s a fantastic value for your money, and they’re very comfortable, too. Compared to a brand like Blundstone, you can tell Palladium is focused on the details—the amount of foam in the Palladium insoles compared to Blundstones can tell you that.
Palladium Boots offer excellent value, and their style is awesome. Whether you're going for a streetwear look or a rugged hike, they have you covered.
FAQs
Are Palladium Boots good for snow?
No, Palladium Boots are not great for the snow. I recommend a leather boot, or a weatherproof boot instead. The canvas will soak through quickly and leave you with cold, wet feet within an hour or two.
Where did Palladium Boots come from?
Palladium Boots are from Lyon, France. The brand started as a French rubber factory and had a lot of success with their boots—the story is somewhat similar to how Converse became popular, too.
Are Palladium Boots breathable?
Yes, because they’re made with canvas, Palladium Boots are very breathable, especially when compared to leather boots. I got my Palladium’s to wear in the summer humidity because they’re much more comfortable than my other boots in that hot weather.
