GORAL Mellor II Review: Handmade Leather Sneakers Worth the Hype
Today, I am going to feature something I didn’t expect to be amazing. Honestly, when I first saw Goral as a brand, I had no idea of the brand. I saw a quick video online featuring Goral sneakers collaborated with Rose Anvil, but wasn’t super interested. However, I had a chance to get my hands on Mellor II in Maryam TPR Toscanello leather. These sneakers offer something truly exceptional: a premium sneaker that embodies craftsmanship, longevity, and subtle elegance. Whether you’re already a fan of Goral shoes or curious about handmade leather sneakers, this pair delivers on all fronts.
In this review, I’ll walk through Goral’s heritage, construction details, materials, fit, and why these sneakers deserve a place in your wardrobe. Let’s explore why the Mellor II stands apart from mass-market alternatives.
If you are interested in purchasing these here is the link: https://www.goral-shoes.co.uk/
About GORAL: British Craftsmanship in Every Stitch
Goral operates out of Sheffield, England, carrying forth decades of shoemaking expertise into modern sneaker design. Interesting to feature a Non-Northampton-made shoes with you today as well. As Northampton is almost a shoemaking capital in the UK. For anyone who isn’t familiar with where Sheffield is located, it’s in the very middle of the UK.
Every sneaker is handcrafted using Blake-stitch construction, and the company takes pride in their resoleable build. This is very uncommon for sneakers. They source premium leathers, including Horween and Maryam TPR horsehide, to combine longevity with refined aesthetics.
Design & Aesthetic: Minimalist Leather Excellence
The Mellor II features a sleek low-top design with clean lines, French binding, and a leather-lined insole. Its focus is squarely on timeless elegance, avoiding flashy logos for a refined appearance that pairs effortlessly with both casual and smart-casual outfits. The Maryam TPR Toscanello variant includes a rich, glossy finish reminiscent of Tuscan horse leather, evolving beautifully over time. You can find Mellor II in different types of leather on their website, if you are interested in different looks for your summer shoes.
Premium Materials: Maryam TPR Toscanello Leather
Crafted from vegetable-tanned horse rump leather, the Maryam TPR Toscanello delivers a warm, lustrous patina that deepens as the shoe ages. At a thickness of approximately 2.2–2.4 mm, the leather is robust and luxurious. Maryam is a tannery that is located in Tuscany, Italy. Maryam has a long and rich history and makes beautiful leather like this. From my understanding, TPR doesn’t actually stand for Thermoplastic resin, but it’s a different breed of horse. Anyway, the leather is wonderful and will give a beautiful patina as you wear them more. I feel like it’s a bit dry at the moment, but we’ll get this sorted with some Saphir product
Goral uses Italian calf leather lining, plus a leather-board insole and waxed cotton laces—finishing touches that elevate comfort and style.
One thing I want to mention is that, these actually have a bit of a break-in period. Upper leather and the leather lining are both pretty thick and sturdy materials. It also gave me a bit of heel blisters, but honestly after a day of wear it became super comfortable and now it’s not a problem at all. So just keep that in mind for people who aren’t familiar.
If you want to purchase these wonderful shoes : here is the link!
Construction & Reconstruction: Blake-Stitched Resoleable Build
The Mellor II is built using Blake-stitch construction, where the outsole is stitched directly to the upper resulting in a sleek profile and great flexibility. Actually most of Goral’s footwear is made of Blake-stitching method. Crucially, this method allows for resoling, meaning these can be revived rather than replaced. GORAL’s craftsmanship ensures the sneakers retain their structure and are built to last.
For anyone who are less familiar with Blake-stitching it’s a method where they will stitch the insole and the outsole together to hold the construction. This stitches can be removed to be resoled later together.
You can see the stitching going around the sneakers holding the upper and the outsoles together. Even in the stress areas, it’s holding well. I do kneel down a bit sometimes, and I am a heavy guy, so it’s durable for now!
Fit & Comfort: True-to-Size with Premium Feel
Available in regular (D) and wide (EE) widths, the Mellor II fits true to size. The leather upper gradually molds to the foot for added comfort. Sizing guidance is clear, though some feedback suggests trying a half-size or wide width if you’re between sizes. For me though, I have a bit of a wide feet and recently I have found out that some of my sneakers are a bit different from what I expected. So I tried with UK11.5 EE width, for better comfort. Honestly my wide feet are happy in these and fits really well.
Why the Mellor II Deserves Attention
- ✔️ Handcrafted in England with decades of shoemaking tradition
- ✔️ Premium Maryam TPR leather with luxurious patina potential
- ✔️ Resoleable Blake-stitch build—sustainably extendable
- ✔️ Responsive fit with width options for more feet
- ✔️ Timeless minimalist design built for diverse outfits
Quick Takeaways
- Sleek, minimalist leather sneakers with a refined aesthetic
- Vegetable-tanned horsehide evolves beautifully over time
- Resoleable via Blake-stitch construction—built to last
- True-to-size fit with regular and wide options
- Handmade in Sheffield with premium materials and attention to detail
FAQs
- Are these sneakers resoleable?
Yes—thanks to the Blake-stitch construction, they can be professionally resoled to extend their lifespan. - Do they require a long break-in?
Not really; most wearers report minimal discomfort after a short period. Any initial stiffness fades quickly. - How does Maryam TPR leather wear?
The leather develops a rich patina, gaining depth and character with wear over time. - Should I size up or down?
They fit true to size, with options in D or EE widths. If you’re between sizes or have wide feet, consider half-size up or the EE width. - Are they worth the price? Absolutely—these are premium sneakers built sustainably and designed to endure.
