CNET reviews the BUXTON boot
The BUXTON boot is a product of place, purpose, and experience. Designed by us at GORAL and made in collaboration with William Lennon, a specialist bootmaker based in the Peak District with over 100 years of bootmaking expertise, the BUXTON represents a shared approach to footwear crafted with robust materials, a time-tested construction method, and a belief that boots should be built for years, not seasons.
Recently featured on CNET in a review by Andrew Lanxon, the BUXTON was assessed by someone with a personal connection to both Sheffield and Buxton itself. That perspective mattered to us, because this boot was designed with the landscape, conditions, and heritage of the Peak District very much in mind.
The BUXTON is built using traditional brass wire sole construction, a method chosen for its exceptional strength and reliability. Rather than relying on adhesives, the outsole is mechanically secured to the upper, creating a bond that stands up to repeated wear and allows the boot to be resoled multiple times over its lifespan.
This construction method is slower and more labour-intensive than modern alternatives, but it offers significantly greater durability, particularly in wet, uneven, or abrasive conditions. It’s one of the reasons the BUXTON feels reassuringly solid underfoot from day one.
The BUXTON uses Horween Chromexcel leather uppers, selected for their structure and resilience. Out of the box, the leather provides strong support and protection and over time it gradually softens, moulding to the foot and developing a rich, natural patina. This ageing process isn’t a side effect, it’s the intention. As you wear them the scuffs, creases, and marks reflect how the boot has been worn and where it’s been used, giving each pair a character that’s entirely personal to the wearer.
True to its Peak District roots, the BUXTON is designed to perform across a wide range of settings, from long walks on mixed terrain to everyday wear in town. It offers stability, protection, and confidence underfoot, rather than lightweight cushioning or technical foams. As noted in the CNET review by Andrew Lanxon, the BUXTON has a firm, grounded feel. It’s comfortable for everyday use and longer walks, but it’s not intended as an ultra-lightweight trekking boot, instead it rewards consistent wear with improved comfort, fit, and character over time.
What you’re investing in is not just a boot, but a product made by skilled hands, using proven techniques, and designed to be repaired rather than replaced. With proper care, the BUXTON will last for many years and only improve as it does.
