The Bloodline - Ethan Patron

For our Bloodline Black Friday campaign, we wanted to celebrate the people who make GORAL what it is, our community of loyal customers, Ethan is one of those people. He’s been following GORAL for around three years and, despite working just over the road from the factory, he first discovered our shoes through Rose Anvil on YouTube.

How long have you been following or wearing GORAL?

I’ve been following GORAL for about three years. I first saw some of the shoes on Rose Anvil and kept up with the brand ever since. I bought some SMUGS not long after, and it’s all progressed from there.

What’s your favourite GORAL style and why?

My favourite style has got to be the SHARMAN boot. It’s the perfect blend between an everyday boot and a more classy option. The outsole is rugged enough for a small hike but still smart enough to dress up for a meal.

What makes GORAL different from other shoes you own?

GORAL shoes have a refinement about them, you can tell they’re carefully made and quality-checked before they leave the workshop. Compared to off-the-shelf shoes from other brands, the fit and finish of GORAL is way above the rest. There’s clear time and effort put into every pair. On top of that, the materials are always top-quality and incredibly durable, they last no matter what you put them through.

What do you think of the Blood Core designs, and which were your favourites from the shoot?

The Blood Core designs bring a new way of seeing how shoes are worn and how people live with them. It adds a lot to the shoes and lets them tell an even bigger story about the person wearing them.

My favourite from the day was the SAMARA. The Blood Core leather and Vibram outsole really sold the shoe for me, and since they’re designed as a hiking/trail shoe, I can imagine they’d perform amazingly on adventures.

If you could design your own GORAL sneaker, what would it look like?

I’d base it on the SMUGS, but with a true toecap for extra protection, that’s one area I always damage on shoes. I’d add a Vibram outsole for trail walking and a canvas upper around the ankle for flexibility while still offering protection. Essentially, a trail-ready shoe that keeps the GORAL style and durability intact.

Why Ethan came to the shoot, and his favourite part of the day

I came along to see the shoes in person and notice the differences between the new Blood Core designs and my older pairs. My favourite part of the day was discussing ideas with Dom (Fourth generation GORAL family member) and hearing how the company develops itself and constantly improves its products with small, considered changes.

Ethan is a great example of someone who wears his shoes every day, he doesn’t keep them for ‘best’. He likes to scuff and wear his shoes in, and his thoughts on Blood Core reflect this. The leather really allows you to make your own journey in them, creating character through wear, however much, or little, you want.