Paraboot — Men's Shoes: Complete Brand Guide
Paraboot is a French footwear brand founded in Izeaux, in the Isère, by Rémy Richard in 1908. Four generations of the Richard family have built one of the most iconic brands in quality footwear — a human adventure that has survived wars, industrial crises and fashion revolutions without ever abandoning its founding philosophy: stitch, don't glue. Today Paraboot is one of the last emblems of Made in France in artisan footwear.
On michidamato.com you'll find the complete Paraboot men's collection with free shipping on orders over €249 and free size exchanges.
What makes Paraboot unique
Paraboot is not a footwear brand in the contemporary sense. It is a French manufacture that has been producing stitched shoes for over a century — a production choice that has almost disappeared from the contemporary fashion market.
Leather as signature. Paraboot selects superior quality leathers with precise criteria — robustness, softness and response to craftsmanship. The quality of the leather is immediately perceptible to the touch and manifests over time: a Paraboot shoe ages well, develops a patina and adapts to the foot over the years.
Iconic silhouettes. Paraboot shoes have immediately recognisable forms — the thick vulcanised rubber sole, solid construction, balanced proportions. The Michael model, born in 1945, has survived epochs, stylistic revolutions and passing trends without losing relevance. This is the definition of an iconic silhouette.
Stitched, not glued. Paraboot has always refused the shortcut of adhesive. Shoes are stitched with Goodyear or Norwegian construction — a longer, more expensive process, but one that guarantees a durability and repairability impossible with glued shoes. A Paraboot shoe can be resoled — it is not thrown away.
Extraordinary technical heritage. Paraboot was born from rubber — Rémy Richard discovered latex in the United States in 1926 and developed the first vulcanised rubber soles stitched to the upper. This technical expertise, combined with French footwear tradition, is the brand's DNA.
Loyalty to suppliers. Paraboot has worked with the same tanneries for generations — suppliers who are first and foremost friends, united by the same passion for the craft. This continuity is reflected in the consistent quality of the product over time.
The most sought-after Paraboot models
Paraboot Michael The Michael is the brand's iconic model — born in 1945, it saved Paraboot from bankruptcy in the 1980s when Italian designers chose it as the symbol shoe of the new male wardrobe. Robust construction, thick rubber sole, selected leather upper. It is the shoe that never goes out of fashion because it was never in fashion — it is simply an icon.
Paraboot Barth The Barth is the most urban model in the catalogue — a derby with Goodyear construction, superior quality leather and discreet rubber sole. It works with formal and smart casual outfits, maintaining the constructive solidity that is the signature of all Paraboot models.
Who Paraboot is right for
Paraboot is the right brand if you're looking for a French artisan shoe with durable construction, quality leather and an iconic silhouette. The typical customer on michidamato.com is between 30 and 60 years old, appreciates footwear that lasts and can be resoled, and consciously chooses quality over trend.
It's not the right brand if you're looking for formal luxury footwear like Santoni or Doucal's, sneakers or a streetwear positioning.
Paraboot on michidamato.com
Michidamato.com is an authorised Paraboot retailer based in Bari, active since 1977 in the selection of luxury and contemporary menswear and footwear.
Purchase conditions:
- Free shipping on orders over €249
- 30 days to return items at a flat fee of €7.90
- Size exchanges and replacements always free of charge
Shop the Paraboot men's collection
Frequently asked questions about Paraboot
Is Paraboot a French brand? Yes. Paraboot is a brand founded in Izeaux, in the Isère, by Rémy Richard in 1908. It is one of the last emblems of Made in France in artisan footwear — four generations of the Richard family have maintained production in France. Today it is based in Saint-Jean-de-Moirans.
What does the name Paraboot mean? The name was registered in 1927, combining "Para" — the Amazonian port from which latex was exported — and "boot", the American boot that Rémy Richard discovered in the United States in 1926. It is not a name created for marketing: it is the history of the material that changed the brand.
Can Paraboot shoes be resoled? Yes. Paraboot constructs its shoes with Goodyear or Norwegian stitching — not with adhesive. This means the shoes can be resoled multiple times, extending the product's life for decades. It is one of the concrete advantages of artisan construction over industrially glued shoes.
What is the difference between the Paraboot Michael and the Paraboot Barth? The Michael is the brand's iconic model — robust construction, thick rubber sole, silhouette recognised worldwide. Born in 1945 as a work shoe, it became an icon of the male wardrobe. The Barth is more urban — a derby with Goodyear construction and a discreet rubber sole, suitable for formal and smart casual contexts.
Can I exchange sizes on michidamato.com? Yes. Size exchanges on michidamato.com are always free of charge. You have 30 days from receipt to return items, with a flat fee of €7.90 for standard returns.