GORAL Sharman Boot Review - The Blake-Stitched Alternative You Shouldn’t Ignore
We were thrilled to see Chalkboard Shoes dive into his first-ever experience with GORAL, and even more excited to hear his thoughts on our Sharman boot in Forest Green Horween Chromexcel. This was his first time reviewing a Blake-stitched boot, and as he notes, it marked a refreshing change from his usual Goodyear welted favourites. From the craftsmanship to the comfort, here are some key takeaways from his in-depth video review.
THE PERFECT SHADE OF GREEN
Right from the start, he was drawn to the Forest Green Chromexcel leather from Horween Tannery in Chicago, a rich olive-toned leather that, in his words, is “the perfect shade of green for a boot.” He also pointed out that while Chromexcel can show scuffs and scratches easily, that’s part of its charm, it develops a unique patina and character over time.
CONSTRUCTION & DETAILING
Chalkboard Shoes took a close look at the craftsmanship and highlighted several details that stood out:
- Triple stitching on the derby quarters for durability and definition
- Refined piping around the throat and lacing area
- Eight eyelets with subtle, unpolished brass hardware for a clean, understated look
- Perfectly matched laces, in his words, “This is how you match boot laces with boots. GORAL got it right.”
- He also noted the gusseted tongue, soft cream leather lining, and leather pull tab, all of which contribute to comfort and usability.
COMFORT AND FIT
While he usually leans toward Goodyear welt construction, he found the Blake-stitched Sharman boot surprisingly comfortable, especially thanks to its removable cushioned leather insole.
He appreciated the arch support, describing it as “surprisingly good,” and noted that the fit felt snug but not tight, requiring a light break-in period. The steel shank, firm rubber outsole, and reverse suede heel counter also earned praise for giving the boot structure, support, and traction.
LIGHTWEIGHT BUT STURDY
Despite its robust build, he was pleasantly surprised by how lightweight the Sharman felt, calling it “surprisingly light considering all the materials that go into it.” He compared the outsole grip favourably to Dainite soles and said the overall traction and firmness were excellent.
HONEST FEEDBACK
In true Chalkboard Shoes fashion, he also shared a few small preferences: he would have liked speed hooks for easier lacing and slightly more instep room. But overall, he emphasised that these were minor personal tweaks rather than design flaws. You’ll have to let us know your thoughts by commenting on the video link if you would like to see this too.
To quote his final thoughts: “GORAL did a really good job with this boot, especially with picking the uppers, the colours, the laces, the piping. Everything about the boot is very well designed, and it’s obvious that it’s a very high-quality build.” He concluded by saying he’s glad he finally got to try GORAL and is looking forward to seeing what we create next.
We’d like to extend a big thank you to Chalkboard Shoes for the thoughtful review and for sharing such detailed impressions of the Sharman boot. It’s always rewarding to see our craftsmanship appreciated by people who understand what goes into every pair made in our Sheffield factory.
Watch the full video here:
