Those deep ridges on the upper are too extreme. l'magine how how it would look after many wears. You'll end up hating those ridges Marc.  + those labels look cheap and nasty. Those soles also look too rugged/extreme. Why don't you buy something with a goodyear leather sole with rubber over the top?

What would you use the shoe for? What conditions?

Last edited by The_Shooman (2007-10-30 21:06:55)

Marc - There's a company over in France called Arca/Arko/Arka (can't remember) who do these even cheaper, but still in reasonable quality leather. Must be a French Trad style! (In fact looking at that French 'History of Men's Fashion' book it seems that it is.)

(The labels come off with a knife, btw)

Thanks - And beyond that are many more Paraboot style offerings. I saw them on the Rue du Rennes (I think).

Not to my taste, but interesting to see. Ta.

Arco have the twin of your pic in the first post in a window just down from Montparnasse heading towards St. Germain.

And both companies were/are big in Paris.

The Weston loafer was THE Minet Loafer back in the day for those who couldn't get US imports.

Japan again!

See how it all fits together?

... ... ... ...

Thanks for the feedback.  I'm actually drawn to the rugged sole, which I'm thinking would serve me well on extended walking excursions, although I have no personal experience wearing them.  Given both John Lobb Paris and Paraboot are French firms, I wonder if this particular design has specific French historical origins.

In the Jacques Tati film Mon Oncle, released in 1958, the nephew wears something similar, but they are ankle boots, with the same number of lace holes as the Paraboot, and have rounder toes - perhaps to give room to growing feet.