The Goral Story
Goral is a British shoemaker known for its handcrafted, resoleable (Blake stitch) sneakers. The brand’s roots are deeply embedded in Sheffield, a city with a rich history of craftsmanship and industry.
The story of Goral began in 1936 when Franciszek Goral built a small workshop by his home in Poland. He started by repairing and handcrafting shoes for family, friends, and others in the local village. His exceptional craftsmanship soon made him the go-to shoemaker in the area, with the whole family working to fulfill and deliver orders.
Despite the challenges during the war and the following Stalinist years, the family was determined to keep the business going. They operated mainly by night and went to extreme lengths to distribute the shoes. As the situation in Poland began to improve, the family experienced growth again and was able to return to business as usual.
Around the turn of the century, Franciszek’s grandson Bogdan made the tough decision to leave Poland and move to a new factory and a new home in Sheffield. He offered the current craftsmen the opportunity to join them, and many of them did. This new life brought with it its own challenges, but steadily, things were on the rise again. Due to their traditional, quality-first approach, they began securing contracts to produce high-end footwear for a number of major UK fashion brands.
In 2018, with the business now being run by the 4th generation, Dominik, the decision was made to build a factory brand centered around its reputation for handcrafted quality and traditional manufacturing processes. Combining this with his passion for British fashion and culture, Goral was born.
Today, Goral offers a range of men’s and women’s footwear, all handcrafted in their Sheffield workshop. The brand prides itself on using premium materials and traditional shoe-making techniques. Each pair of shoes undergoes a meticulous crafting process, ensuring impeccable craftsmanship and quality.
Goral stands as a testament to the beauty of fine craftsmanship and the dignity it evokes. Each pair of shoes is a unique piece of art, reflecting the brand’s commitment to quality and sustainability. Goral, with its rich history and commitment to quality, continues to be a beacon of luxury and craftsmanship in the world of shoemaking.
Construction
The Blake Stitch, allows the upper to maintain its shape when the sole is removed because it is stitched to the bottom layer and not just held in place by a cup-stitched outsole and glue.
Outsole - the outsole is TPR Shore 70A; some models use Lactae Hevea outsoles
Midsole - the lasting board ranges from 2-2.2mm vegetable-tanned leather, with 100% felt filler
Insole - full-grain vegetable-tanned leather
Insert - foam is PU molded, with calfskin leather on top
Heel counter - compressed full-grain leather
Lining - calfskin, chrome tanned, part of the Leather Working Group (LWG)
Upper - ranges from 1.4-1.6mm, the Horween is 2-2.2mm thickness
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