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Goral B5 Bradwell WWI Replica Boot
The GORAL B5 WWI Replica Boot is created in collaboration with William Lennon. Established in 1899, William Lennon were original contractors for these boots, issued to British troops during the Great War, making this pair more of a continuation series than a replica. Each boot is produced using original patterns and cutting knives from surviving factory archives, fitted to the authentic wooden 2181 square-toe last.
This is a no-frills, tough-as-nails boot built for hard wear. The uppers are crafted from Waxy Commander leather by Charles F. Stead, renowned for its rugged character and ability to develop a rich patina over time.
The heritage brass-screw construction, for which William Lennon is famed, is solid and dependable, while the double-layer leather midsoles and Dainite rubber forepart and heel outsoles deliver durability and traction. Unlike the original Great War boots, which featured iron hobnails, this modern interpretation is designed for everyday wear, preserving its military heritage while offering contemporary comfort and practicality.
Finished with a seven-eyelet lacing system and a clean, soft-toe silhouette, the B5 WWI Replica Boot perfectly balances authentic vintage design with British craftsmanship built to last.
The Short & Sweet:
- Upper: Charles F Stead Waxy Commander, water-resistant leather
- Tongue/overlay: Half bellows
- Eyelets: Antique brass
- Toe: Soft toe, no reinforcement
- Last: 2181 original WW1 wooden last
- Shank/Counter: Wooden shank, polycarbonate counter for extra rigidity at the heel
- Sole finish: Double leather sole fitted with Dainite studded forepart and heel
- Laces: Leather
THE SOLE
The Double Leather Sole - Double leather soles are stiffer, wear much longer with more visual weight. Footwear with this sole literally have an extra layer of leather providing greater durability and comfort across rough surfaces. The double sole will provide more structure and protection needed in country, tramping, hunting, or walking boots and shoes.
The Dainite Sole - First designed in 1910, this is a rubber sole with large studs that provide grip, whilst not so traditional, they do provide good all-round grip and durability for most surfaces. Dainite products have been produced since 1894 in Market Harborough, England, near Northampton. The Dainite studded sole is one of the most widely known and used products, with its original design as valid today as it was in 1910. It provides grip and comfort in all conditions while not attracting or storing dirt as there are no cleats or heavy grooves to hold it.
THE LEATHER
The story of Waxy Commander begins in Leeds, England, with Charles F. Stead, a tannery that has been producing exceptional leathers and suedes since the 1890s.
What is Waxy Commander leather, and where does it originate?
Waxy Commander was meticulously developed in the 1990s at the request of an iconic English shoe brand seeking a material that was both rugged and hard-wearing, and crucially water-resistant. The resulting leather met these requirements so comprehensively that the tannery proudly bestowed upon it the name Waxy Commander.
Waxy Commander leather is not a traditional smooth-grain leather; it is a heavily treated suede or “flesh-out” leather. Its unique composition and preparation involve two proprietary, industry-leading steps:
- Fibre shrinkage
The initial tannage process is engineered to aggressively shrink the hide by up to 25%. This extreme treatment dramatically tightens the leather’s internal fibre structure, significantly enhancing its overall strength and impermeability. This tight structure is invaluable in preventing the leather from “opening up” or stretching excessively when it is lasted onto a shoe, ensuring a perfect, long-lasting fit.
- Wax and oil impregnation
The leather is then deeply impregnated with a rich blend of natural waxes and nourishing oils during the tanning process. This process saturates the fibre structure internally and coats the surface externally, creating a double barrier against the elements as well as a rich depth of character. This heavy-waxed finish yields an exceptionally water-resistant shoe.
The combination of dense, shrunken fibres and abundant oils delivers a product with a distinctive, matte texture. Where the waxes are thickest, the surface creates a unique, almost stubble-like character, setting it apart from typical suedes.
Together between Goral, William Lennon and Charles F Stead leathers this is a complete made in England product with a nod to WW1 heritage.
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From $2,350.80
Original: $7,836.00
-70%Goral B5 Bradwell WWI Replica Boot—
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Description
The GORAL B5 WWI Replica Boot is created in collaboration with William Lennon. Established in 1899, William Lennon were original contractors for these boots, issued to British troops during the Great War, making this pair more of a continuation series than a replica. Each boot is produced using original patterns and cutting knives from surviving factory archives, fitted to the authentic wooden 2181 square-toe last.
This is a no-frills, tough-as-nails boot built for hard wear. The uppers are crafted from Waxy Commander leather by Charles F. Stead, renowned for its rugged character and ability to develop a rich patina over time.
The heritage brass-screw construction, for which William Lennon is famed, is solid and dependable, while the double-layer leather midsoles and Dainite rubber forepart and heel outsoles deliver durability and traction. Unlike the original Great War boots, which featured iron hobnails, this modern interpretation is designed for everyday wear, preserving its military heritage while offering contemporary comfort and practicality.
Finished with a seven-eyelet lacing system and a clean, soft-toe silhouette, the B5 WWI Replica Boot perfectly balances authentic vintage design with British craftsmanship built to last.
The Short & Sweet:
- Upper: Charles F Stead Waxy Commander, water-resistant leather
- Tongue/overlay: Half bellows
- Eyelets: Antique brass
- Toe: Soft toe, no reinforcement
- Last: 2181 original WW1 wooden last
- Shank/Counter: Wooden shank, polycarbonate counter for extra rigidity at the heel
- Sole finish: Double leather sole fitted with Dainite studded forepart and heel
- Laces: Leather
THE SOLE
The Double Leather Sole - Double leather soles are stiffer, wear much longer with more visual weight. Footwear with this sole literally have an extra layer of leather providing greater durability and comfort across rough surfaces. The double sole will provide more structure and protection needed in country, tramping, hunting, or walking boots and shoes.
The Dainite Sole - First designed in 1910, this is a rubber sole with large studs that provide grip, whilst not so traditional, they do provide good all-round grip and durability for most surfaces. Dainite products have been produced since 1894 in Market Harborough, England, near Northampton. The Dainite studded sole is one of the most widely known and used products, with its original design as valid today as it was in 1910. It provides grip and comfort in all conditions while not attracting or storing dirt as there are no cleats or heavy grooves to hold it.
THE LEATHER
The story of Waxy Commander begins in Leeds, England, with Charles F. Stead, a tannery that has been producing exceptional leathers and suedes since the 1890s.
What is Waxy Commander leather, and where does it originate?
Waxy Commander was meticulously developed in the 1990s at the request of an iconic English shoe brand seeking a material that was both rugged and hard-wearing, and crucially water-resistant. The resulting leather met these requirements so comprehensively that the tannery proudly bestowed upon it the name Waxy Commander.
Waxy Commander leather is not a traditional smooth-grain leather; it is a heavily treated suede or “flesh-out” leather. Its unique composition and preparation involve two proprietary, industry-leading steps:
- Fibre shrinkage
The initial tannage process is engineered to aggressively shrink the hide by up to 25%. This extreme treatment dramatically tightens the leather’s internal fibre structure, significantly enhancing its overall strength and impermeability. This tight structure is invaluable in preventing the leather from “opening up” or stretching excessively when it is lasted onto a shoe, ensuring a perfect, long-lasting fit.
- Wax and oil impregnation
The leather is then deeply impregnated with a rich blend of natural waxes and nourishing oils during the tanning process. This process saturates the fibre structure internally and coats the surface externally, creating a double barrier against the elements as well as a rich depth of character. This heavy-waxed finish yields an exceptionally water-resistant shoe.
The combination of dense, shrunken fibres and abundant oils delivers a product with a distinctive, matte texture. Where the waxes are thickest, the surface creates a unique, almost stubble-like character, setting it apart from typical suedes.
Together between Goral, William Lennon and Charles F Stead leathers this is a complete made in England product with a nod to WW1 heritage.
