Heschung Thuya VS Paraboot Michael - the ultimate shoedown for some ugly shoes (sizing, style, etc).

[troika]

I've been seeing a ton of comparison questions about these two heavy hitters of the tylorean mountain garb: the Heschung Thuya (sold most famously at NMWA and since discontinued) and the Paraboot Michael (sold everywhere that wants a shoe account).

I am posting my take of them below, and opening up the thread for other folks to give their opinions.

SIZING
I'm a 10.5D brannock, low instep. I have thuyas in 9 and Michaels in 44, length-wise they are almost identical, with maybe an extra millimeter on the Michaels. I would say that I have all the other traditional hallmarks for sizing - 10D van/barrie, 10.5 Aberdeen, 11 or 11.5 in sneakers.

Volume-wise, thuyas are gigantic (but that's cuz I have flat feet too probly). Thuya lacing basically overlaps on me, while Michaels have about a centimeter gap in between the two. You can see in the photos just how beefy that heschung sole is in comparison with the Paraboot.

LEATHER & CONSTRUCTION
Leather is definitely a lot better and heftier on the thuyas. Paraboot aren't bad, but like, heschung is on a different level. Construction is def better on the thuyas, but it's not as massive of a gap as leather quality. Paraboot also had more leather panels, and while don't necessarily cut any corners, they just don't feel as sturdy as the Heschung.

SOLE
For me, the paraboot sole is better for city walking, while the thuyas have taken me through some wild winters without a problem. Because of the sole on the thuya, the rubber sole is stitched on, whereas the Michaels are glued (I think this is correct?).

STYLING
thuyas are definitely a beefy country shoe, Michaels are available in hair-on and mismatched styles which are dope, so that's on you.

PHOTOS

 

[upsett1_spaghett1]

I really want to hate both of these, but something about the hair-on Michaels is so perplexing I love it?

 

[troika]

I really want to hate both of these, but something about the hair-on Michaels is so perplexing I love it?

In 3 months you'll have 10 pairs. I guarantee it. Ask me how I know.

 

[upsett1_spaghett1]

In 3 months you'll have 10 pairs. I guarantee it. Ask me how I know.

My thing is...are they comfortable? Because that's a big thing for me with something that polarizing

 

[bry2000]

I hate this style with great passion. They are awful and ruin every fit pic they appear in. Not surprising that Heschung discontinued the style.

However, I own several pairs of other Heschungs and Paraboots and they are all supremely comfortable and well made. Can recommend both brands.

 

[troika]

My thing is...are they comfortable? Because that's a big thing for me with something that polarizing

Def comfortable. Rubber sole, lots of toe room, thick and pliable leather. Comfier than traditional leather soles, that's for damn sure.

They were originally created for hiking in the mountains.

 

[thatboyo]

The Michael is kind of heavy. I mainly wear loafers though so that may skewer my perception. I think most of the time I prefer wallabee/p204 to Michael, especially since I can go sockless with former.

im a 6D in Alden van and took a 39 in Michaels. Can probably size down .5 for a more snug fit.

 

[Omega Man]

How about Kleman https://kleman-france.com/fr/padror-derbies-tabac-ka721ek-649.html?utm_medium=none&utm_source=OPUMO
Read it up on Opumo. Similar style. Made in France and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

 

[troika]

Kleman and ERKN are also good tyrolean options, however they are of lower quality than heschung or paraboot from what I understand.

 

[jaywhyy]

Kleman are cemented construction, if you care about that stuff.

 

[qubit]

Also Mephisto Peppo as a chunkier soled, very comfy option. Leather may not be up to Thuya standards (haven’t compared) but is a nice thick pull up all the same and they are Norwegian welted AFAIK, also quite a bit cheaper. Picked up a pair for £175 from Pediwear and am very pleased at that price.

 

[Ed13]

Recently got a pair of ERKN with black pony hair on top. Thicker sole than the Michaels and very comfortable. Have only worn them a few times and will have to wait to see if they hold up well.

 

[troika]

This now officially the ugly tyrolean shoe thread.

Post pics of your favorite disgusting bricks that you wear on your feet anyway cuz they're actually super cool.


I slept on these on farfetch unfortunately...

The YMC two tones are bangers too

 

[troika]

Also Mephisto Peppo as a chunkier soled, very comfy option. Leather may not be up to Thuya standards (haven’t compared) but is a nice thick pull up all the same and they are Norwegian welted AFAIK, also quite a bit cheaper. Picked up a pair for £175 from Pediwear and am very pleased at that price.

Shoutout to these, they're dope

 

[sipang]

I'm partial to the stubbier toebox on the Paraboots but I love them all.
Tyroleans were my grandpa's go to footwear for most of his life (which was spent at sea, go figure) -possibly with an even beefier moc toe- and probably my earliest grail. Of course in those before times, I had no idea where to even begin to look for them or what they were called which only added to their mystique.