Paraboot
France
Paraboot is a French footwear maker based in the Isère region and run as a family business, now in its fourth generation. It makes shoes and boots in France and sells through independent and international retailers. Exports account for about half of sales, according to Wikipedia.
| Founded | 1908 (infobox gives 1927) |
|---|---|
| Founder | Richard-Ponvert |
| Ownership | Family business, fourth generation |
| Headquarters | France (factory in Saint-Jean-de-Moirans, Isère) |
| Segment | Footwear |
| Website | paraboot.com |
What is Paraboot?
Paraboot is a French shoe and boot brand. Its shoes are made at a factory in Saint-Jean-de-Moirans in the Isère department, and the company remains a family business, now in its fourth generation. No outside parent company is named in the source consulted.
History
Wikipedia states that the brand began in Izeaux in 1908 and credits Richard-Ponvert as its creator. Its infobox gives 1927 as the founding year, a discrepancy the page does not explain, so this profile treats 1908 as the start of the company's story and flags the difference. The brand has stayed within the same family across four generations.
Products and positioning
Paraboot makes shoes and boots, with a strong association with durable, French-made menswear footwear. It is positioned in the premium segment and is often stocked alongside other heritage-minded labels.
Business model and distribution
The company sells through retailers rather than relying only on its own stores. Wikipedia lists J. Crew, Nordstrom, Noah, Todd Snyder and Drake's among stockists, together with independent menswear shops. Exports account for roughly half of sales. Details of its own retail network and online store were not verified for this profile.
- Production at Saint-Jean-de-Moirans, Isère
- Stockists in the United States, Europe and beyond
- About half of sales from exports
Why it matters
Paraboot illustrates how a small, family-owned European manufacturer can build an international wholesale business while keeping production in its home country. It is a relevant reference for readers following heritage footwear, domestic manufacturing and the role of independent retailers in menswear.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Paraboot from?
Paraboot is a French brand. It began in Izeaux in 1908 and its shoes are made at a factory in Saint-Jean-de-Moirans in the Isère department.
Who owns Paraboot?
Paraboot is described as a family business, now in its fourth generation. The source consulted does not name any parent company.