@@gaboasis21 listen look at all the comments on all these dodgy videos the majority have bought doc martens for many years some have lasted for years and years one guy has same boots for 16 years , suddenly you tube is flooded with videos going on about another brand and comparing them to doc martens that’s because no one has heard of them that’s because they used to make doc martens under licence from doc martens , but people always go for the brand they know best and that’s doc martens not Solovair !! So now it’s a campaign by this firm to derail doc martens one of the main people behind this is Rose Anvil is he and everyone connected getting paid ? I have no proof I don’t know but judging by the sheer amount of videos slagging off doc martens I would really think about it ,
I'm so frustrated at how hard it is to find a decently made product anywhere anymore. Everything has gone down in quality and it's gone up in price. I wish I was around in the early 90's to buy a small stockpile of good vintage Doc Martins. I have a pair of vintage Levis jeans that are likely older than I am and they look brand new after a year of heavy wear and being second hand. My year old American Eagle jeans are trash, they look worn and not in a cool way.
My MIE docs (2 pairs) are great, my vintage (20 yo) Docs are as good and I have a pair of outsource docs that are not as good... you get what you pay for... so the reason for out sourcing was due to the company nearly going out of business when people were not buying them. They were bought and restructured to save the company...
I hear you buddy! Made in china docs are taxing hard and the quality is just sub par. In terms of sneakers my nike sb stefan janoskis are shit quality broke down after a few months. Its like companies are charging more for something that does not last. Now i either buy vintage from thrift shops, locally made goods, or if i buy name brand goods i make sure they are not made in asian factories. I found that i get more out of the money i spend. Hell my 2nd hand vintage docs lasted much longer than the ones not made in england.
Planned obsolescence is everywhere. Low quality products are taken as if they were good/average quality (so as the prices), while good/average quality products are now considered "luxury". We all dance to the sound that consumerism imposes on us, paying obscene sums for having a name adorning our products; brands are no longer necessarily an indication of quality, as it used to be long time ago.
Have a look at William Lennon boots. Traditional british work and outdoor boots. Nothing fancy, but thick high quality leather and traditional construction.
IMO if you look at various clothing in the store, materials they use nowdays often look and feel worse than the material on my old trousers I have worn daily at work and washed weekly for last 2 years. It's fucking ridiculous. There are still some local brands where I live, that make clothes out of good quality materials but sadly they don't make what I like and getting stuff custom tailored is just too expensive.
I bought my Solovairs over 5 years ago, wore them daily as soon as it was cold enough, and they are still by far my favourite footware. I resently got some made in Thailand doc Martens. Compared to my comfy Solovairs they feel as if they were made by a carpenter with arthritis, an absolute travesty
@@marianazh9117 The quality of Docs have unquestionably been going down for a while. They've cheaped out and begun coasting on the names reputation. I don't hate them, as they are still fashionable boots (hell, I've got a pair of Jadons coming in the mail), but if your just looking for a pair of standard 1460s, save your money, get solovairs.
I am not a brand snob , and I like quality , Solovair would be my choice . It is getting harder and harder to find decent quality products , even the expansive stuff can be really bad now .
I managed to get a pair of Solovair oxbloods 8-holers about 3-4 years ago - they look great and they are night and day compared to an appalling pair of Thailand-made DMs. The MiE DMs do look good, but would really think long and hard about getting a pair. Fatal mistake by DMs to outsource, lost their...ahem, soul. Solovair keeping the faith.
phil allan I am beginning to agree with this. I also am very disappointed with DM prices in 2020. They are selling for very high prices to get a stylish look. But my stylish DM platform boots have eyelets are coming out when I lace them up. The DM store will not return or fix them. Thanks for sharing
Ay, as much as much as I've come to detest DMs as a company, I'd still buy a pair of cherry red MIE 1490s if theh still made them and sold them at a reasonable price.
I've worn DM's every day for the last about 20 years. The last pair I bought 6 months ago I had to return for a manufacturing defect then the replacement pair just seem very poor quality compared to previous. I'm thinking about buying a different brand for the first time. It's a shame. I used to love them
This video literally came out as I was looking to buy new boots and was debating between these 2 pairs. I've had 1490s Thailand docs for 2 years and the sole is completely gone with a small crack forming, an eyehole coming out and the tongue ripped in half. Not to mention all the cracks. Really the only thing that was holding me back was the yellow stitching and groves on the sole. But the fact that the soles can be replaced sold me.
How have the solovairs held up now? I have a pair of docs that lasted me only 8 months! The inside is shredding and the grip on the bottom is completly gone! I want go supportive boots that will last!
I bought my first pair of Solovairs in 2013 and they're still in excellent condition. They're very comfortable, they took some time to break in but they're top quality.
Did you buy the hi shine leather? I am hesitant because my Doc Martens Made in England look terrible after only 2 years because of severe cracks in the toe area despite regular care...
Yes! Been avidly waiting for this update and I am totally in agreement, thanks to you I bought my solivairs and I bloody love them, soon to order a second pair in ox blood
Been going a year in on my Solovair 8 eye Derbies. If they make it passed February, they'll officially have held up longer than any pair of Docs I've ever had.
Thanks so much for the reviews. Been wanting to get a solid pair of boots to last, so this has been super helpful research. Tired of buying new shoes every couple years after very normal daily wear.
I am seriously considering buying a pair of solovairs when they come back in stock. They look really good quality but then again for the guts of €200 they would want to be.
Thank you for this. I just bought a made in england pair of docs, after having given up on docs in the early 90s when the quality fell off a cliff, and as soon as I walked out of the store had buyers remorse, thinking of the times I've been burned by the doc. Haven't worn them yet. Did some reading. Learned about solovair. My solovairs showed up today, and now I just can't decide which pair to return. Good to know the Made in england docs are quality again, and I love the yellow stitching and how wide the sole sticks out beyond the stitching to give that sort of 'floating' look when you walk. I just read an article that says the made in england line of docs are actually made by solovair. I haven't figured out if there's truth to that yet, but if so, I'd probably just keep the docs, as I'm just a sucker for the aesthetics of docs. Good to know about the soles. Thanks for doing this.
Been looking for a replacement for my Docs. I've had them for only four years but the tread is almost completely gone which is understandably dangerous in the wintertime. So glad I discovered these boots, these are a genuine consideration now, thank you.
I still have a pair of Ox Blood Docs i bought in 1989. the sole is coming up on the heel on one but still look amazing. I think i am sold on the Solovair.
Enjoyed all reviews regarding Doc Martens boots, last few pairs I've owned have been the 7 eyelet steel toed one and I've found the soles at much more hard wearing than both the 1460 and 1914 I've had in the past. Keep the videos coming 😁
I used to be a Doc Marten retailer 1980- 1995 and was never happy with the DM soles. Their advert was "cool in summer warm in winter" while in reality it was the other way around. There used to be a police version which never had the stitching around the welt, the beat "bobbies" used to wear them out completely in six months.Also the soles were so bad in ice, they were useless. They did come out with commando grip soles which I loved and they looked cool. Dunno if they still do them but I would recommend them.
Good job on reviewing those! But I think I'll still go with another pair of BW2007 once mine finally break down (which they have already started after four years of wearing all year round). They might be less fancy, but they are also much more practical and half the price.
Thanks so much for this detailed review! I have bought my THIRD pair since you started this review because of this! I hope Solovair sends you a pair as a courtesy. The only complaint I have about them is that they are truly a "traditional" fit, so I have a slightly high arch and this means my foot is pressed up against the stitch between the tongue and the toe cap, and that's REALLY painful for break in. I have a pair of Docs with a softer leather and those broke in perfectly at Size 10, these ones are going to be super painful for a while. Also because I'm in the US, returns aren't really an option if you order from the UK, which I did.
I had a problem breaking in a pair of Docs recently, discovered new ways to tie shoes and boots, found a style that didn't cross where it was hurting the top of my foot, and used thick socks. Almost immediately I stopped having pain.
I like that your only complaint is so minimal. I have been really been torn between which boot to start out with and I think you answered the question for me. thx
Thank you very much for sharing, this is a very valuable information. Could you please let me know if these Solovair Derby boots you mentioned are similar quality to the Solovair boots you reviewed, or they are too different to be compared?
Great review! Thank you! I recently found out about Solovair. I'm definitely ordering a pair of Derby boots. I'm glad you mentioned that it's possible to have them re-soled when/if the need should arise
Thank you for this video! I was so close to buying Docs but this convinced me that Solovairs are the way to go and I have a pair on the way. The sole wear on the MIE Docs is shocking and not what I would have expected from them!
Thanks for your time to review both these iconic boots.Even though I already have 2 pairs of solovair boots,I've found their sizing to be a nightmare especially if you have narrower feet,plus their toebox felt much roomier and longer which I don't really like.Therefore I must have been among the very few lately who went back to Doc Martens.I never had a problem finding my size and a perfect fit with Docs.I still have 1919 steel toed ones and 1460 that fit perfectly.One other thing I ve found is that the Commander type of sole pattern on some Docs is equally durable to solovair and definately more durable than the waffle one.
I feel u on the solovair sizes, if I didn't go in store and try them on myself I never would've known to go down 2 sizes. Funnily enough I fit true to size in docs
I am ever so glad that I did some research before buying new boots. I've just received two pairs of knee high Solovair boots as a birthday present and will pretty much never buy any more DMs. The two pairs of DMs that I have I bought many years ago and to all intents and purposes it appears to be that DM's standards have slipped but Solovair's have not and so I know who I wish to support.
Aw... what a shame. I so much wanted the MIE DM's to win because I grew up with them from the early 70's. It makes little difference to me now though at my age. Sad to see a legend die all the same... :(
In the early nineties I used to own two pairs of Dr Martens, with a Solovair label. Steel toe. Good leather, the tongues were made of non leather though.
I agree, I have compared the two boots side by side just like this. But I did not wear the Solovair because they did not fit.I wish there was somewhere I could try these on because I don't want to pay shipping again if they don't fit. Bottom line, I do like the Solovair better.
Thank you for creating and sharing! This is very helpful, I appreciate you giving a six month review showing the wear in the soles. Definitely will go with Solovair, already have a vegan pair chosen. Cheers!✌ This is the third video I've watched comparing the two, and only ads for Dr. Martens come up, no Solovair. Someone's trying to save face.😋
One more thing that makes Solovair better is that the stitching you can see on the welt is decorative, the actual stitching holding the welt to boot is a blind stitch, witch is way way more protected from damage than the side stitch, the leather would fail before the blind stitch, also Solovair sell replacement soles, 3 types - 1 the one you have on your 8 hole derby, 2 a slightly thinner style for their comfort/lifestyle line of boots & shoes, 3 the classic Dr Martens style they call Commando, with a much more thick aggresive tread design that is much more slip resistant. I will be getting a few pairs of the Commando to fix my vintage Dr Martens and for when the Solovair 8 hole greasy derby boots I will be getting eventually wear out. Solovair have a lot more style boots and shoes than I thought, not as many as Dr Martens but most of them are the cheapo China/Thia made, The for Life pair I have are nice leather but the soles are not lasting and of corse the whole for life thing only lasted 3 years, also have the mono black, the left boot is tighter than the right even though label says same size for both, the leather is thin and feels like plastic plus the soles wore out in two months of light walking. Very sad Dr martens got so bad, I still have a pair from 1996 that if my feet didn't grow I'd still wear, soo comfy. My next boots will 100% be Solovair
honestly the stiching on my docs started coming apart after 3 months (and I wasn't walking all that much since this was in early corona times)... and at about 6 months my heel cap started disintegrating and crumbling out of my boots (which the fabric that holds the heel in place was worn through). The same with the toe cap... so yeah basically the boots have no support anymore... very disappointing judging by the fact I paid over 200 Euros for them on the online store...
My oldest pair of docs, not mie, are almost 20 years old. I have 24 pairs of docs now. The most comfortable pair of shoes I’ve ever owned. I have plantar fasciitis in both of my feet and I can wear them all day with no problems at all.
Recently I finally buckled down and decided that I finally wanted to get myself some Dr. Martens, 'cause I grew up watching my sister wear them constantly all the time. My sister adores the shoes, she's had like three pairs or more over her lifetime. So I wanted some too, because I think the overall design and profile is just super neat. It fits my vibe. But now that I have done my own research... I went ahead and ordered myself a pair of Solovairs instead. I really hope that they work out for me, size wise, since I had to order online; you just never know with that. But I am very excited to give them a shot. Thank you for your thoughts on the brands after 6 months of use, it really helped me decide between the two. Ultimately, I value durability and longterm comfort over any kind of brand loyalty. (Can't really be all that loyal when I myself never owned the shoes though, just admired DMs from afar).
@Devonreviewer Thanks for your review. I was thinking about buying DM's and came across Solovair ( and your video) while doing that. Your videos were really helpful. I got my boots a couple of days ago and, so far, am very happy with them.
I've worked security for 3.5 years and I'm looking at moving to a trade as a pipe fitter. For the last 3 years I've used 511 tactical and Bates tactical boots. In that time I had to use a composite toe which has limited my options. With as much as I've walked which is approximately 1000 to 2000 miles a year give or take the soles of these boots has been my biggest gripe with every pair I've used they wear down really fast and have foam in the mid sole and with as much as I walked the outsole will wear right into the midsole. I'm thinking about buying a pair of solovair steel toe derby boots and I'm hoping that these will serve me better than the Bates or 511 tactical. This review has been very helpful.
This is a very good video review, thank you. I bought a pair of greasy black Dr Martin boots the 1919 version. I was not happy with my purchase. The were made in Vietnam. I wanted the made in England version. In watching the real time review l am looking at the Solovair. More research is in my future. I always add a arch support insole as well. Thanks again for the info.
I have a pair of 1460 smooth Docs and I've been wearing them almost everyday for the past 8 years. The past month or so the leather has began to crack quite drastically in the toe crease and the soles have only just wore down to the air cushion sections. Considering my feet usually ruin shoes after a few months I'm surprised my Docs lasted this long! Of course there are better boots out there but I think Docs are still a good option.
I think Docs' quatity started to noticeably go down in the last five years or so. I bought a pair of Docs in 2012 and they're just now starting to show some real wear and tear. Anyone I talked to who had bought a pair of Docs more recently has complained about their durability and overall quality, though
Thank you for your amazing coverage! Watched your 2 month review a couple of weeks ago then I decided to pull the trigger. Just received my Greasy 8-Hole Derby boots this past Friday. Was pretty paranoid if I got the right size cuz my feet are slightly bigger than a size 11 based on their chart, so I went for 11.5 and they fit perfectly. Always wanted a pair of DM's but after watching your videos and reddit, gave me confidence in solovair. I'm from Malaysia and oddly enough the price of a pair of Made in England DM 1460s is much more expensive compared to Solovair's best seller. Suffice to say I love my new boots. (Plus I get to nerd out about the history of this company, when people ask if what I'm wearing are a pair of Doc Martens)
I have the same Solovair eight hole derby boot. They are excellent and I’ll never go back to DM’s ever again. The soles on my last pair of DM’s split across the ball of the foot after six months. Very poor wear and tear. Solovair is the winner by far and they are still going strong.
Thank you for this series of reviews -- love your SKX by the way. Would you put Grinders Cedric in the same league as these Solovairs since they are both made by NPS?
I was able to have a pair in 1978, not sure if it was a Christmas present. It was the Red pair. My first memories where a lot of pain for the first 6 weeks wearing them in. The crease of the toes, very uncomfortable, so I think I may have alternated at the beginning between what I wore to School. When they were worn in they were great and very comfortable, my best boots. However I did see excessive wear on the souls like in your video, I do remember that for sure. The Airwear at the beginning was interesting but it was shortly lived and I think they wore through on the heal. I cannot remember how long I had them for but it wasn't years that's for sure , my overall thoughts were disappointing because the soul wore out. The worst thing was at School, some people thought I wasn't " Hard enough" to have docs, it's true it was the Punk era. But deep down I was hard enough I just didn't show it.
Based largely on your videos I took a trip to a boot shop in Camden Town yesterday and picked up a pair of Solovair Chelsea boots. I've had bad luck with shoes and these are the most expensive pair I've ever bought, so I'm hoping that they last me a good while!
Foomandoonian Hey… You’re luckier than 99.9% of the people who watch these videos who can’t simply just drop by the shop in Camden though! :) If they fuck you over they are right there to get a new pair.
So glad I chose the 8 Hole Solovair Derby over the MIE. I My feet are quite wide across the toes. My Asian DMs are five years old and still hurt unless I loosen the lower laces a bit. My Solovairs are fine and I can cinch the laces up snug with no discomfort. I also assumed the cracking on the toes was a non issue with the MIEs due to the higher quality leather. I believe you can re-sole Solovairs as well. Not sure about the DMs. Pro tip. Next time wear one of each boot, you can cut your test time in half 🤣HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Is the solovair toe box even bigger than the Asian DMs toe box? I have the MIE Docs which fit me perfectly, and worried that the Solovairs will be too roomy for me.
Have to say, I got my first pair of Thailand Docs in 2018 and up until now they were my most worn shoes since I bought them and the soleprofile still looks really good. BUT sadly the mid sole just cracked on the left boot. I wonder if it made a difference in the quality that those were limited edition joy divisions/new order ones 🤔 But after a lot of research I will really consider getting solovairs now
I had some green Docs, I got 6-9 months out of them before the soles were worn and upper was cracked/split so not the best experience. I couldn't get them resoled locally either. They weren't the UK made ones either. Think I'll go for the Solovairs. Thanks for a great review!
@@fatal_goose4017 I actually got the burgundy rub off Dealer boots at Christmas 2022 - they're still in a much better way than the DMs were 8 months in. Highly recommended.
Docs split on the crease and takes ages to break in. Solovair boots last a very long time and you can resole when.they wear down they are comfortable from day one.
Last year I purchased a pair of Dr. Martens Abandon's MIE, I have worn them a lot and that includes Canadian winter. They still look amazing and the soles are fine, the one different thing about mine than a lot of the ones I have see reviewed is mine are stamped with noth "The Original" and "Made In England" on the sole which seems to be more common on vintage doc's that were better built. Does anybody know if maybe that could be the sole to look for? I would love to try a pair of Solovair's but they charge extra shipping to Canada and once you add that to the US exchange and duty/tax it's considerably more than buying MIE Dr. Martens in person here, maybe next time I am in the UK but for the time being I would spend that sort of money on Red Wings or the new Boulet Casual line.
Funnily enough, I got a pair of Dr Martens boots and a pair of Solovair boots last week. Straight out the box Solovairs feel so premium compared to the Docs. Granted, they cost me a little more than Docs (£20) and were made in England vs Asia, but Dr Martens have increased their prices so much in the past several years I do not think they are worth purchasing anymore.
My 1999 Docs have the original vibram lug like tread pattern, and they are still going strong after 23 years of fall and winter use with many many more years to go.
On the basis of the previous review I decided to treat myself to some Solovairs. I visited their factory, where they have a factory shop, they sell the retail ones but also many well priced pairs in the factory shop side... I ended up buying a pair of their lovely leather desert boots too. Not only that a chum in the ‘States bought a pair each for himself and his wife, all extremely happy to support a traditional, small, English business. Thanks for putting me on to them!
Which solovair boots would everyone recommend (I would like them to look like the classic docs) so should I go for the greasy matte or the high shine? 😭
Do you polish your boots regularly? I'm not sure what the difference in the conditions of use are between us, mate but I've gotta tell you, my MIE Doctor Martens' soles show FAR less wear and I wear mine on the walk to & from work on the pavements + all day on the workshop floor. Also, I polish mine regularly and don't see that deterioration on the surface of the leather. I do agree, though...the Solovair boots are just a cut above in all respects. For reference, I have Black 8 hole MIE Doctor Martens boots and Oxblood 6 hole Astronaut Solovair boots.
Hey I love your videos! I ended up buying a pair of Made in England boots but I might end up going with the 11 eye derby’s down the road just to have a pair of each. Also you should check out Rose Anvil on UA-cam! He cut open a pair of Docs and Solovairs but also gave your channel a shoutout! Good stuff
I really think they need to use some real rubber compound instead of PVC or whatever that stuff is. Even the commando sole Solovairs I wear down too fast. I only weigh about 75kg so it's not like I'm super hard on them.
I want to get the docs as I found some MiE’s quite cheap. I plan on wearing them often but not daily, how long would you reckon they’d last for? Also I don’t plan on doing as much walking as you do. Cheers
I purchased the 1460 Made in England Boots 2 Years ago they were good but then I tried Solovair and I was very impressed they are so much more better quality and so much more softer on your Feet I also wear Gripfast as well which are now made by Solovair
I've finally found the Solovairs that Id like to try, but theres so much contradictory views on the sizing vs the sizing of Doc's. I'd rather not have to order 3 pairs just to return 2 😢 but looks like that's my only option.
When it comes to sole replacement could it be possible to have a solovair sole fitted to a DM boot? Both appear to be constructed very similarly but use different compounds when it comes to the rubber.
Not really. Solovairs soles are attached differently to DMs. The stitching you see on the outside of the Solovairs are for decoration only. Have a look on Rose Anvil's channel where he cuts in half a pair of Solovairs and shows you how they are constructed in comparison to a pair of 1440 DMs: ua-cam.com/video/0DzVq9RsMMQ/v-deo.html
@@BigHenFor that's the welt, not the sole, on both of the boots the sole and welt are heated together and adhere to each other, so i believe it should be possible to swap out the soles on docs
I remember as a kid the kudos of DM's was how many lace holes they had ….. I certainly remember 10 hole DM's and the ridiculous looking 18 holers ….. pretty sure there were 14 holers too.
Susanna Hellmuth I like them . They were stiff at first but now they are flexible and nice I do wear them at least once a week if not every day or every other day so yea I’m wearing them on a semi regular basis. They are ok comfortable so like my vans are way more comfortable but I’ve also worn those in and there molded to my foot so I don’t know if I need to wear them in more or not but they’ve never not been comfortable . Ok so I guess I’ve got more cons than pros which is a bummer but I’ll just explain. 1) my biggest problem is the lack of waterproofing these boots provide and I mean yea I can walk around the yard when it’s wet and be ok and even take my chances with a puddle but I don’t have the same confidence in those situations compared to other boots , for instance my redwing iron rangers have never let so much as a drop of water in , not when my yard flooded , not when I went hiking and walked through a creek and not when I drenched them In hose water to clean them off after work but it might not be fair to compare the two since those are a good $120 more than the solovairs but I got a pair of 6” Irish setter havocs which are in the same price range give or take $20 and again never had a problem with water in my four years of taking them hunting walking through wet grass ( worse than you think ) through creeks , flooded roads and one time I fell in a hole up to my knees in mud and water and I was still dry we’re the boot covered my foot and I’ve had those boots for four years and I worked In them too at a hardware store and I’d go out back and clean and help a family friend build his house so I definitely was going easy on them , that said it is important to clean your foot ware off and put nearsfoot oil on them occasionally. But even then boots that were significantly less expensive still out preformed them in the water issue , Cody James work boots the lace up square toes , nothing special between $110 and $130 . Those boots I got for a construction class when I was getting my osha safety card but anyway I directly compared these boots to my solovairs multiple times by dunking them in a bucket of water while still on my foot and every single time the solovairs would leak within 30 seconds or less but never with the cheap work boots regardless of how long they were there . But anyway if your wandering why they suck at keeping water out there’s two reasons the first being no Goodyear welt and second there are holes at the base of the gusset which let water in and this is not true on any other boot that I mentioned. 2) ok so I promise not to rattle on as much on the other issues but boots being waterproof to me is important because if it’s not waterproof it’s just a leather shoe and I can get a canvas shoe for cheaper and more comfortable. Now this is entirely my own fault and not really against the boot but I think they’re a little to hard to put on my first two examples the Irish setters and iron rangers are 6” ( inch ) and my solovairs are 8” and I personally don’t like the hassle but I have gotten used to it by latter lacing the bottom four laces and doing it cross cross like normal for the other four . 3) leather. Alright so the leather on these it kinda of meh like it’s easy the worst of all my boots but i wouldn’t say it’s like bad and this is especially true on what you want to do with it , just for fashion fine , yard work totally okay but maybe not construction or hiking. It’s either really thin full grain leather or it’s top grain but either way it still has a plasticity shell which I don’t love but it does make them really easy to clean so that’s a positive.4). Size . I’m 98% Shure they don’t sell these on shelves state side so I had to just wing it online and it’s a bummer they don’t have half sizes but hey that’s just what’s up so I got a half size bigger than normal and it’s roomy but nothing ridiculous . Well I guess that’s it sorry for rambling but I am opinionated so I got carried away I was obsessed with getting these for over a year and I loved the way they looked but now the magic is gone and there just a pair of old boots I throw on to kick around the yard so only get these if you love the style one reason I did was also because I’m a bit of a punk so I though these were cool and I still like them as a fashion piece but I don’t think I’ll replace these when they kick the bucket but who knows when that is maybe I’ll change my mind but i doubt it . I do want to give some recommendations should you decided these aren’t for you . 1) Thursday boots are in a similar price range and are apparently really good ( I don’t own these ) but they might not be your style if that’s what your after . 2) red wing iron rangers are a near perfect boot , the only thing about them is there brutally hard to break in even after four months of daily 8-12 hour abuse they still weren’t that comfortable so just get the $50 insole it sounds ridiculous but your already pay $320 so you might as well not cheap out at this point and just go for it and with the insoles it more than worth it . Do your own research here’s some good sources on UA-cam I like stridewise , rose anvil and Carl murawski and if for some reason your not a boot/work wear person frugal aesthetic dose good videos on streets wear . TLDR : not really worth it
By far the biggest factor in my preference for the Solovairs I have over previous Docs I've owned is *half-sizes*. I can get boots that fit better, before you even start on quality and durability.
Hello, I have a pair of docs and the bellow tongue is really hurting my feet. Will this be broken in after time or should I ask a cobbler to cut them up and stich them to the side?
From what I have seen from reviews, the big things are: Solovair leather is thicker (harder to break in), Solovair have a shank (supports the midsole ahead of the heel, better long term comfort). The Doc Martens have a rubber insert under the ball of the feet (great for early comfort, but less longer lasting)
Compared to my 1994 Doc, the outsoles were much robust and deeper. I can believe the new Doc has so thin threads that worn out so easily. Frankly speaking, I would not recommend Doc nor similar because Doc took months to break in. Even after break-in, it is still not as comfortable as many other brands. I rather pamper myself with more comfortable shoes.
I own two pair of Solovair Classic Derby boots. They're awesome. Far better quality than the outsourced Dr Martens. You say in your video that I can get them re-soled. How do I go about doing that? Shoe repair stores here in SoCal say they can't replace the original sole . . .
I got a pair of new Solovair Monkey Boots in Oxblood (these were the only ones available in EU) but i really like them. I wait for my orthopedic soles and then im happy to wear them.
I've been looking for a solovair boot in size 12 US but they're very hard to find. Solovair website has zero size 12 boots. And it looks like drmartens are everywhere in every size.
I will probably never try either unfortunately, ( size 11 1/2 2E ), no half sizing or wide sizing avaiable that I could find on either site Will stick to my Red Wing boots or maybe I might try a pair of Thorougood boots here in the future It seem to be the same story though with alot of boot / shoe manufacturers anymore, prices just seem to keep going up and the quality is just not there anymore
Saat ini saya menggunakan Dr. Martens 1919 10 hole (yang ke-2) dari 2011 sampai sekarang, digunakan untuk bekerja dari jam 5 pagi hingga jam 9-10 malam, Senin hingga Jumat. Best for me Dr. Martens
Rose Anvil sent me here. Thank you very much for your great review.
Same. Only because Ive never heard of Solovair before! Im stunned!
Me too
yup
Same shit...and ill buy a Solovair pair soon as i can
@@gaboasis21 listen look at all the comments on all these dodgy videos the majority have bought doc martens for many years some have lasted for years and years one guy has same boots for 16 years , suddenly you tube is flooded with videos going on about another brand and comparing them to doc martens that’s because no one has heard of them that’s because they used to make doc martens under licence from doc martens , but people always go for the brand they know best and that’s doc martens not Solovair !! So now it’s a campaign by this firm to derail doc martens one of the main people behind this is Rose Anvil is he and everyone connected getting paid ? I have no proof I don’t know but judging by the sheer amount of videos slagging off doc martens I would really think about it ,
I'm so frustrated at how hard it is to find a decently made product anywhere anymore. Everything has gone down in quality and it's gone up in price. I wish I was around in the early 90's to buy a small stockpile of good vintage Doc Martins. I have a pair of vintage Levis jeans that are likely older than I am and they look brand new after a year of heavy wear and being second hand. My year old American Eagle jeans are trash, they look worn and not in a cool way.
My MIE docs (2 pairs) are great, my vintage (20 yo) Docs are as good and I have a pair of outsource docs that are not as good... you get what you pay for... so the reason for out sourcing was due to the company nearly going out of business when people were not buying them. They were bought and restructured to save the company...
I hear you buddy! Made in china docs are taxing hard and the quality is just sub par. In terms of sneakers my nike sb stefan janoskis are shit quality broke down after a few months. Its like companies are charging more for something that does not last. Now i either buy vintage from thrift shops, locally made goods, or if i buy name brand goods i make sure they are not made in asian factories. I found that i get more out of the money i spend. Hell my 2nd hand vintage docs lasted much longer than the ones not made in england.
Planned obsolescence is everywhere. Low quality products are taken as if they were good/average quality (so as the prices), while good/average quality products are now considered "luxury".
We all dance to the sound that consumerism imposes on us, paying obscene sums for having a name adorning our products; brands are no longer necessarily an indication of quality, as it used to be long time ago.
Have a look at William Lennon boots. Traditional british work and outdoor boots. Nothing fancy, but thick high quality leather and traditional construction.
IMO if you look at various clothing in the store, materials they use nowdays often look and feel worse than the material on my old trousers I have worn daily at work and washed weekly for last 2 years. It's fucking ridiculous. There are still some local brands where I live, that make clothes out of good quality materials but sadly they don't make what I like and getting stuff custom tailored is just too expensive.
I bought my Solovairs over 5 years ago, wore them daily as soon as it was cold enough, and they are still by far my favourite footware. I resently got some made in Thailand doc Martens. Compared to my comfy Solovairs they feel as if they were made by a carpenter with arthritis, an absolute travesty
Did you break in? I was sure I wanted dr martens but now I don't even know, I thought they were really high quality
Solovairs can have their soles repaired for £50 where Dr martens can't be repaired and you need to buy a new pwir
@@marianazh9117 The quality of Docs have unquestionably been going down for a while. They've cheaped out and begun coasting on the names reputation. I don't hate them, as they are still fashionable boots (hell, I've got a pair of Jadons coming in the mail), but if your just looking for a pair of standard 1460s, save your money, get solovairs.
@@grugg3108 thank you for this info, in the end I decided that it's not worth it and I looked into solovairs but I didn't like the green
i think u mean a cobbler with arthritis
I am not a brand snob , and I like quality , Solovair would be my choice . It is getting harder and harder to find decent quality products , even the expansive stuff can be really bad now .
I managed to get a pair of Solovair oxbloods 8-holers about 3-4 years ago - they look great and they are night and day compared to an appalling pair of Thailand-made DMs. The MiE DMs do look good, but would really think long and hard about getting a pair. Fatal mistake by DMs to outsource, lost their...ahem, soul. Solovair keeping the faith.
phil allan I am beginning to agree with this. I also am very disappointed with DM prices in 2020. They are selling for very high prices to get a stylish look. But my stylish DM platform boots have eyelets are coming out when I lace them up. The DM store will not return or fix them. Thanks for sharing
When you watch the guy cutting them in half, neither are very good.
Ay, as much as much as I've come to detest DMs as a company, I'd still buy a pair of cherry red MIE 1490s if theh still made them and sold them at a reasonable price.
Keep the faith!
I've worn DM's every day for the last about 20 years. The last pair I bought 6 months ago I had to return for a manufacturing defect then the replacement pair just seem very poor quality compared to previous. I'm thinking about buying a different brand for the first time. It's a shame. I used to love them
buy red wings
Me too 👍🏻
Travis Spencer thx no Buy DM’s 👌🏻👍🏻
You may have bought the "cheaper" imports the video talks about. If I buy docs again, I will make sure they are full made in england/UK.
According to this video i ordered my first pair of solovairs just now.
😂😂😂
Hi, how long did your Solovair boots last? Would you recommend them?
This video literally came out as I was looking to buy new boots and was debating between these 2 pairs. I've had 1490s Thailand docs for 2 years and the sole is completely gone with a small crack forming, an eyehole coming out and the tongue ripped in half. Not to mention all the cracks. Really the only thing that was holding me back was the yellow stitching and groves on the sole. But the fact that the soles can be replaced sold me.
How have the solovairs held up now? I have a pair of docs that lasted me only 8 months! The inside is shredding and the grip on the bottom is completly gone! I want go supportive boots that will last!
I bought my first pair of Solovairs in 2013 and they're still in excellent condition. They're very comfortable, they took some time to break in but they're top quality.
Did you buy the hi shine leather? I am hesitant because my Doc Martens Made in England look terrible after only 2 years because of severe cracks in the toe area despite regular care...
Yes! Been avidly waiting for this update and I am totally in agreement, thanks to you I bought my solivairs and I bloody love them, soon to order a second pair in ox blood
Been going a year in on my Solovair 8 eye Derbies. If they make it passed February, they'll officially have held up longer than any pair of Docs I've ever had.
Did they make it? How are they holding up after a year and some change?
Answer, damn it!
That saddens me to think the docs haven't lasted a year for you. Docs should last a lot longer!
@@colinwiseman It depends on the environment you use your boots. For some professions, no boot will last more than 2 years regardless of price.
how are they now
Great! Now I can go and buy some Solovairs, I was waiting to see how this turned out first.
Thanks so much for the reviews. Been wanting to get a solid pair of boots to last, so this has been super helpful research. Tired of buying new shoes every couple years after very normal daily wear.
I am seriously considering buying a pair of solovairs when they come back in stock. They look really good quality but then again for the guts of €200 they would want to be.
Thank you for this. I just bought a made in england pair of docs, after having given up on docs in the early 90s when the quality fell off a cliff, and as soon as I walked out of the store had buyers remorse, thinking of the times I've been burned by the doc. Haven't worn them yet. Did some reading. Learned about solovair. My solovairs showed up today, and now I just can't decide which pair to return. Good to know the Made in england docs are quality again, and I love the yellow stitching and how wide the sole sticks out beyond the stitching to give that sort of 'floating' look when you walk. I just read an article that says the made in england line of docs are actually made by solovair. I haven't figured out if there's truth to that yet, but if so, I'd probably just keep the docs, as I'm just a sucker for the aesthetics of docs. Good to know about the soles. Thanks for doing this.
I used to wear Doc’s, both shoes and boots but I always found them hard to break in and the soles split on me.
Been looking for a replacement for my Docs. I've had them for only four years but the tread is almost completely gone which is understandably dangerous in the wintertime. So glad I discovered these boots, these are a genuine consideration now, thank you.
A most fair, thoughtful comparison. I'll spend extra for quality product. Respect!
I still have a pair of Ox Blood Docs i bought in 1989. the sole is coming up on the heel on one but still look amazing. I think i am sold on the Solovair.
Thank yous so much for this video! I got myself for Christmas a pair of solovairs and they are absolutely fantastic ❤️
Thank you,from Moscow.
Enjoyed all reviews regarding Doc Martens boots, last few pairs I've owned have been the 7 eyelet steel toed one and I've found the soles at much more hard wearing than both the 1460 and 1914 I've had in the past. Keep the videos coming 😁
I used to be a Doc Marten retailer 1980- 1995 and was never happy with the DM soles. Their advert was "cool in summer warm in winter" while in reality it was the other way around. There used to be a police version which never had the stitching around the welt, the beat "bobbies" used to wear them out completely in six months.Also the soles were so bad in ice, they were useless. They did come out with commando grip soles which I loved and they looked cool. Dunno if they still do them but I would recommend them.
Good job on reviewing those!
But I think I'll still go with another pair of BW2007 once mine finally break down (which they have already started after four years of wearing all year round). They might be less fancy, but they are also much more practical and half the price.
It is interesting how round the transition from the heel has worn in the Docs, showing how important even a wooden shank really is!
Thanks so much for this detailed review! I have bought my THIRD pair since you started this review because of this! I hope Solovair sends you a pair as a courtesy.
The only complaint I have about them is that they are truly a "traditional" fit, so I have a slightly high arch and this means my foot is pressed up against the stitch between the tongue and the toe cap, and that's REALLY painful for break in. I have a pair of Docs with a softer leather and those broke in perfectly at Size 10, these ones are going to be super painful for a while.
Also because I'm in the US, returns aren't really an option if you order from the UK, which I did.
get the Derby 8 eye Greasy Solovair...pre- broken in
I had a problem breaking in a pair of Docs recently, discovered new ways to tie shoes and boots, found a style that didn't cross where it was hurting the top of my foot, and used thick socks. Almost immediately I stopped having pain.
katie_incredible Just found the North America distributor solovairdirect.com. Have you tried them?
I like that your only complaint is so minimal. I have been really been torn between which boot to start out with and I think you answered the question for me. thx
I've purchased a couple new 1460s, outsourced. I probably won't again. I wish the made in England would make more feminine colors.
Thank you very much for sharing, this is a very valuable information.
Could you please let me know if these Solovair Derby boots you mentioned are similar quality to the Solovair boots you reviewed, or they are too different to be compared?
Cool, very interesting and fair comparison!
Great review! Thank you!
I recently found out about Solovair. I'm definitely ordering a pair of Derby boots. I'm glad you mentioned that it's possible to have them re-soled when/if the need should arise
Hi, did you ever end up buying the Solovair derby boots? I'd like to know how they were, and if they held up
@@Tom-ud8js no sir, unfortunately o haven't been able to just yet
This was informative and insightful. Thanks for doing the work you do.
excellent review, thanks!
Thank you for this video! I was so close to buying Docs but this convinced me that Solovairs are the way to go and I have a pair on the way. The sole wear on the MIE Docs is shocking and not what I would have expected from them!
What pair did you get?
@@podomuss Greasy black 8 eye derby boots. I wear them almost every day 👍
@@AlexB-LifeInStereo good to hear. I’m a first time buyer and am getting the black Hi-shine 8 eye derby on the 28th.
Copped a pair of Solovair a week ago, been loving them since 👍 thank you for your content
Thanks for your time to review both these iconic boots.Even though I already have 2 pairs of solovair boots,I've found their sizing to be a nightmare especially if you have narrower feet,plus their toebox felt much roomier and longer which I don't really like.Therefore I must have been among the very few lately who went back to Doc Martens.I never had a problem finding my size and a perfect fit with Docs.I still have 1919 steel toed ones and 1460 that fit perfectly.One other thing I ve found is that the Commander type of sole pattern on some Docs is equally durable to solovair and definately more durable than the waffle one.
I feel u on the solovair sizes, if I didn't go in store and try them on myself I never would've known to go down 2 sizes. Funnily enough I fit true to size in docs
Great video propably gonna buy a pair of solovairs now greetings from Switzerland
i own Dr. Marten made in Thailand which i bought in 2008 in UK. I wear rarely amd its still rocking .
I am ever so glad that I did some research before buying new boots. I've just received two pairs of knee high Solovair boots as a birthday present and will pretty much never buy any more DMs. The two pairs of DMs that I have I bought many years ago and to all intents and purposes it appears to be that DM's standards have slipped but Solovair's have not and so I know who I wish to support.
Great review. I'm going for the Solovair. Those Docs look beat to hell.
Aw... what a shame. I so much wanted the MIE DM's to win because I grew up with them from the early 70's. It makes little difference to me now though at my age. Sad to see a legend die all the same... :(
In the early nineties I used to own two pairs of Dr Martens, with a Solovair label. Steel toe. Good leather, the tongues were made of non leather though.
I agree, I have compared the two boots side by side just like this.
But I did not wear the Solovair because they did not fit.I wish there was somewhere I could try these on because I don't want to pay shipping again if they don't fit.
Bottom line, I do like the Solovair better.
Thank you for creating and sharing! This is very helpful, I appreciate you giving a six month review showing the wear in the soles. Definitely will go with Solovair, already have a vegan pair chosen. Cheers!✌
This is the third video I've watched comparing the two, and only ads for Dr. Martens come up, no Solovair. Someone's trying to save face.😋
One more thing that makes Solovair better is that the stitching you can see on the welt is decorative, the actual stitching holding the welt to boot is a blind stitch, witch is way way more protected from damage than the side stitch, the leather would fail before the blind stitch, also Solovair sell replacement soles, 3 types - 1 the one you have on your 8 hole derby, 2 a slightly thinner style for their comfort/lifestyle line of boots & shoes, 3 the classic Dr Martens style they call Commando, with a much more thick aggresive tread design that is much more slip resistant. I will be getting a few pairs of the Commando to fix my vintage Dr Martens and for when the Solovair 8 hole greasy derby boots I will be getting eventually wear out. Solovair have a lot more style boots and shoes than I thought, not as many as Dr Martens but most of them are the cheapo China/Thia made, The for Life pair I have are nice leather but the soles are not lasting and of corse the whole for life thing only lasted 3 years, also have the mono black, the left boot is tighter than the right even though label says same size for both, the leather is thin and feels like plastic plus the soles wore out in two months of light walking. Very sad Dr martens got so bad, I still have a pair from 1996 that if my feet didn't grow I'd still wear, soo comfy. My next boots will 100% be Solovair
honestly the stiching on my docs started coming apart after 3 months (and I wasn't walking all that much since this was in early corona times)... and at about 6 months my heel cap started disintegrating and crumbling out of my boots (which the fabric that holds the heel in place was worn through). The same with the toe cap... so yeah basically the boots have no support anymore... very disappointing judging by the fact I paid over 200 Euros for them on the online store...
My oldest pair of docs, not mie, are almost 20 years old. I have 24 pairs of docs now. The most comfortable pair of shoes I’ve ever owned. I have plantar fasciitis in both of my feet and I can wear them all day with no problems at all.
Recently I finally buckled down and decided that I finally wanted to get myself some Dr. Martens, 'cause I grew up watching my sister wear them constantly all the time. My sister adores the shoes, she's had like three pairs or more over her lifetime. So I wanted some too, because I think the overall design and profile is just super neat. It fits my vibe. But now that I have done my own research... I went ahead and ordered myself a pair of Solovairs instead. I really hope that they work out for me, size wise, since I had to order online; you just never know with that. But I am very excited to give them a shot. Thank you for your thoughts on the brands after 6 months of use, it really helped me decide between the two. Ultimately, I value durability and longterm comfort over any kind of brand loyalty. (Can't really be all that loyal when I myself never owned the shoes though, just admired DMs from afar).
How have the Solovairs held up so far?
@Devonreviewer Thanks for your review. I was thinking about buying DM's and came across Solovair ( and your video) while doing that. Your videos were really helpful. I got my boots a couple of days ago and, so far, am very happy with them.
Hi, are you still wearing the Solovairs? I am thinking of purchasing a pair. Would want to know how they hold up. Thanks.
Greetings from Greece nice video you helped me choose
I've worked security for 3.5 years and I'm looking at moving to a trade as a pipe fitter. For the last 3 years I've used 511 tactical and Bates tactical boots. In that time I had to use a composite toe which has limited my options. With as much as I've walked which is approximately 1000 to 2000 miles a year give or take the soles of these boots has been my biggest gripe with every pair I've used they wear down really fast and have foam in the mid sole and with as much as I walked the outsole will wear right into the midsole. I'm thinking about buying a pair of solovair steel toe derby boots and I'm hoping that these will serve me better than the Bates or 511 tactical. This review has been very helpful.
This is a very good video review, thank you. I bought a pair of greasy black Dr Martin boots the 1919 version. I was not happy with my purchase. The were made in Vietnam. I wanted the made in England version. In watching the real time review l am looking at the Solovair. More research is in my future. I always add a arch support insole as well. Thanks again for the info.
I have a pair of 1460 smooth Docs and I've been wearing them almost everyday for the past 8 years. The past month or so the leather has began to crack quite drastically in the toe crease and the soles have only just wore down to the air cushion sections. Considering my feet usually ruin shoes after a few months I'm surprised my Docs lasted this long! Of course there are better boots out there but I think Docs are still a good option.
I think Docs' quatity started to noticeably go down in the last five years or so. I bought a pair of Docs in 2012 and they're just now starting to show some real wear and tear. Anyone I talked to who had bought a pair of Docs more recently has complained about their durability and overall quality, though
Thank you for your amazing coverage! Watched your 2 month review a couple of weeks ago then I decided to pull the trigger. Just received my Greasy 8-Hole Derby boots this past Friday. Was pretty paranoid if I got the right size cuz my feet are slightly bigger than a size 11 based on their chart, so I went for 11.5 and they fit perfectly. Always wanted a pair of DM's but after watching your videos and reddit, gave me confidence in solovair. I'm from Malaysia and oddly enough the price of a pair of Made in England DM 1460s is much more expensive compared to Solovair's best seller. Suffice to say I love my new boots. (Plus I get to nerd out about the history of this company, when people ask if what I'm wearing are a pair of Doc Martens)
Great video!
One thing I know is solovair sell their soles on their shop, £15 for a pair. Maybe you could buy a pair of them, and take your old docs to a cobbler?
I bought my 8 eye Derby Solovair in November 2016 and they're still going strong now!!
@WrathSeasonShow very, you won't be disappointed
I have the same Solovair eight hole derby boot. They are excellent and I’ll never go back to DM’s ever again. The soles on my last pair of DM’s split across the ball of the foot after six months. Very poor wear and tear. Solovair is the winner by far and they are still going strong.
Hi. Great update. How are they shaping up now? Are they still going strong, the soloviars? Thanks.
Thank you for this series of reviews -- love your SKX by the way.
Would you put Grinders Cedric in the same league as these Solovairs since they are both made by NPS?
I was able to have a pair in 1978, not sure if it was a Christmas present. It was the Red pair. My first memories where a lot of pain for the first 6 weeks wearing them in. The crease of the toes, very uncomfortable, so I think I may have alternated at the beginning between what I wore to School. When they were worn in they were great and very comfortable, my best boots. However I did see excessive wear on the souls like in your video, I do remember that for sure. The Airwear at the beginning was interesting but it was shortly lived and I think they wore through on the heal. I cannot remember how long I had them for but it wasn't years that's for sure , my overall thoughts were disappointing because the soul wore out. The worst thing was at School, some people thought I wasn't " Hard enough" to have docs, it's true it was the Punk era. But deep down I was hard enough I just didn't show it.
Based largely on your videos I took a trip to a boot shop in Camden Town yesterday and picked up a pair of Solovair Chelsea boots. I've had bad luck with shoes and these are the most expensive pair I've ever bought, so I'm hoping that they last me a good while!
Foomandoonian
Hey… You’re luckier than 99.9% of the people who watch these videos who can’t simply just drop by the shop in Camden though! :) If they fuck you over they are right there to get a new pair.
So glad I chose the 8 Hole Solovair Derby over the MIE. I My feet are quite wide across the toes. My Asian DMs are five years old and still hurt unless I loosen the lower laces a bit. My Solovairs are fine and I can cinch the laces up snug with no discomfort. I also assumed the cracking on the toes was a non issue with the MIEs due to the higher quality leather. I believe you can re-sole Solovairs as well. Not sure about the DMs. Pro tip. Next time wear one of each boot, you can cut your test time in half 🤣HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Is the solovair toe box even bigger than the Asian DMs toe box? I have the MIE Docs which fit me perfectly, and worried that the Solovairs will be too roomy for me.
Have to say, I got my first pair of Thailand Docs in 2018 and up until now they were my most worn shoes since I bought them and the soleprofile still looks really good. BUT sadly the mid sole just cracked on the left boot. I wonder if it made a difference in the quality that those were limited edition joy divisions/new order ones 🤔
But after a lot of research I will really consider getting solovairs now
I had some green Docs, I got 6-9 months out of them before the soles were worn and upper was cracked/split so not the best experience. I couldn't get them resoled locally either. They weren't the UK made ones either. Think I'll go for the Solovairs. Thanks for a great review!
Exact same problem as me! did you end up getting the solovairs? If so how did they hold up?
@@fatal_goose4017 I actually got the burgundy rub off Dealer boots at Christmas 2022 - they're still in a much better way than the DMs were 8 months in. Highly recommended.
Docs split on the crease and takes ages to break in.
Solovair boots last a very long time and you can resole when.they wear down they are comfortable from day one.
Last year I purchased a pair of Dr. Martens Abandon's MIE, I have worn them a lot and that includes Canadian winter. They still look amazing and the soles are fine, the one different thing about mine than a lot of the ones I have see reviewed is mine are stamped with noth "The Original" and "Made In England" on the sole which seems to be more common on vintage doc's that were better built. Does anybody know if maybe that could be the sole to look for? I would love to try a pair of Solovair's but they charge extra shipping to Canada and once you add that to the US exchange and duty/tax it's considerably more than buying MIE Dr. Martens in person here, maybe next time I am in the UK but for the time being I would spend that sort of money on Red Wings or the new Boulet Casual line.
Funnily enough, I got a pair of Dr Martens boots and a pair of Solovair boots last week. Straight out the box Solovairs feel so premium compared to the Docs. Granted, they cost me a little more than Docs (£20) and were made in England vs Asia, but Dr Martens have increased their prices so much in the past several years I do not think they are worth purchasing anymore.
Dr Martens would be decent boots between -40%, half the price they sell for even for the MIE ones.
My 1999 Docs have the original vibram lug like tread pattern, and they are still going strong after 23 years of fall and winter use with many many more years to go.
Those had much deeper treads compared to the regular soles.
On the basis of the previous review I decided to treat myself to some Solovairs. I visited their factory, where they have a factory shop, they sell the retail ones but also many well priced pairs in the factory shop side... I ended up buying a pair of their lovely leather desert boots too. Not only that a chum in the ‘States bought a pair each for himself and his wife, all extremely happy to support a traditional, small, English business. Thanks for putting me on to them!
Which solovair boots would everyone recommend (I would like them to look like the classic docs) so should I go for the greasy matte or the high shine? 😭
definitely hi shine
Any chance we could get one more update? Bought solovairs because of this review among others.
I will definitely provide more Solovair content, but not in direct comparison as I have stopped wearing these in equal rotation.
Thanks for sharing from Australia 🇦🇺
Do you polish your boots regularly? I'm not sure what the difference in the conditions of use are between us, mate but I've gotta tell you, my MIE Doctor Martens' soles show FAR less wear and I wear mine on the walk to & from work on the pavements + all day on the workshop floor. Also, I polish mine regularly and don't see that deterioration on the surface of the leather. I do agree, though...the Solovair boots are just a cut above in all respects. For reference, I have Black 8 hole MIE Doctor Martens boots and Oxblood 6 hole Astronaut Solovair boots.
Rose Anvil sent me here. Great video
Yay for Solovair. When you are on a good thing stick to it.
Hey I love your videos! I ended up buying a pair of Made in England boots but I might end up going with the 11 eye derby’s down the road just to have a pair of each.
Also you should check out Rose Anvil on UA-cam! He cut open a pair of Docs and Solovairs but also gave your channel a shoutout! Good stuff
very useful. thank you!
I really think they need to use some real rubber compound instead of PVC or whatever that stuff is. Even the commando sole Solovairs I wear down too fast. I only weigh about 75kg so it's not like I'm super hard on them.
I want to get the docs as I found some MiE’s quite cheap. I plan on wearing them often but not daily, how long would you reckon they’d last for? Also I don’t plan on doing as much walking as you do. Cheers
I purchased the 1460 Made in England Boots 2 Years ago they were good but then I tried Solovair and I was very impressed they are so much more better quality and so much more softer on your Feet I also wear Gripfast as well which are now made by Solovair
Are the 1460 Made in England boots the same sizing as the Solovair, or do you think the Solovair run larger?
Been waiting for this video!
I've finally found the Solovairs that Id like to try, but theres so much contradictory views on the sizing vs the sizing of Doc's. I'd rather not have to order 3 pairs just to return 2 😢 but looks like that's my only option.
When it comes to sole replacement could it be possible to have a solovair sole fitted to a DM boot? Both appear to be constructed very similarly but use different compounds when it comes to the rubber.
I was wondering the same thing ...
The Solovair soles are for sale on the Solovair website in various treads too for £15/20 a pair.
Not really. Solovairs soles are attached differently to DMs. The stitching you see on the outside of the Solovairs are for decoration only. Have a look on Rose Anvil's channel where he cuts in half a pair of Solovairs and shows you how they are constructed in comparison to a pair of 1440 DMs: ua-cam.com/video/0DzVq9RsMMQ/v-deo.html
@@BigHenFor that's the welt, not the sole, on both of the boots the sole and welt are heated together and adhere to each other, so i believe it should be possible to swap out the soles on docs
ua-cam.com/video/EatME6K387I/v-deo.html
I remember as a kid the kudos of DM's was how many lace holes they had ….. I certainly remember 10 hole DM's and the ridiculous looking 18 holers ….. pretty sure there were 14 holers too.
Haha I was one of them
Bought a pair of solovairs in oxblood yesterday expecting them Friday 😄
Blake Davis hey! How happy are you with your boots? I’d be happy to hear about your experience!
Susanna Hellmuth I like them . They were stiff at first but now they are flexible and nice I do wear them at least once a week if not every day or every other day so yea I’m wearing them on a semi regular basis. They are ok comfortable so like my vans are way more comfortable but I’ve also worn those in and there molded to my foot so I don’t know if I need to wear them in more or not but they’ve never not been comfortable . Ok so I guess I’ve got more cons than pros which
is a bummer but I’ll just explain. 1) my biggest problem is the lack of waterproofing these boots provide and I mean yea I can walk around the yard when it’s wet and be ok and even take my chances with a puddle but I don’t have the same confidence in those situations compared to other boots , for instance my redwing iron rangers have never let so much as a drop of water in , not when my yard flooded , not when I went hiking and walked through a creek and not when I drenched them In hose water to clean them off after work but it might not be fair to compare the two since those are a good $120 more than the solovairs but I got a pair of 6” Irish setter havocs which are in the same price range give or take $20 and again never had a problem with water in my four years of taking them hunting walking through wet grass ( worse than you think ) through creeks , flooded roads and one time I fell in a hole up to my knees in mud and water and I was still dry we’re the boot covered my foot and I’ve had those boots for four years and I worked In them too at a hardware store and I’d go out back and clean and help a family friend build his house so I definitely was going easy on them , that said it is important to clean your foot ware off and put nearsfoot oil on them occasionally. But even then boots that were significantly less expensive still out preformed them in the water issue , Cody James work boots the lace up square toes , nothing special between $110 and $130 . Those boots I got for a construction class when I was getting my osha safety card but anyway I directly compared these boots to my solovairs multiple times by dunking them in a bucket of water while still on my foot and every single time the solovairs would leak within 30 seconds or less but never with the cheap work boots regardless of how long they were there . But anyway if your wandering why they suck at keeping water out there’s two reasons the first being no Goodyear welt and second there are holes at the base of the gusset which let water in and this is not true on any other boot that I mentioned. 2) ok so I promise not to rattle on as much on the other issues but boots being waterproof to me is important because if it’s not waterproof it’s just a leather shoe and I can get a canvas shoe for cheaper and more comfortable. Now this is entirely my own fault and not really against the boot but I think they’re a little to hard to put on my first two examples the Irish setters and iron rangers are 6” ( inch ) and my solovairs are 8” and I personally don’t like the hassle but I have gotten used to it by latter lacing the bottom four laces and doing it cross cross like normal for the other four . 3) leather. Alright so the leather on these it kinda of meh like it’s easy the worst of all my boots but i wouldn’t say it’s like bad and this is especially true on what you want to do with it , just for fashion fine , yard work totally okay but maybe not construction or hiking. It’s either really thin full grain leather or it’s top grain but either way it still has a plasticity shell which I don’t love but it does make them really easy to clean so that’s a positive.4). Size . I’m 98% Shure they don’t sell these on shelves state side so I had to just wing it online and it’s a bummer they don’t have half sizes but hey that’s just what’s up so I got a half size bigger than normal and it’s roomy but nothing ridiculous . Well I guess that’s it sorry for rambling but I am opinionated so I got carried away I was obsessed with getting these for over a year and I loved the way they looked but now the magic is gone and there just a pair of old boots I throw on to kick around the yard so only get these if you love the style one reason I did was also because I’m a bit of a punk so I though these were cool and I still like them as a fashion piece but I don’t think I’ll replace these when they kick the bucket but who knows when that is maybe I’ll change my mind but i doubt it . I do want to give some recommendations should you decided these aren’t for you . 1) Thursday boots are in a similar price range and are apparently really good ( I don’t own these ) but they might not be your style if that’s what your after . 2) red wing iron rangers are a near perfect boot , the only thing about them is there brutally hard to break in even after four months of daily 8-12 hour abuse they still weren’t that comfortable so just get the $50 insole it sounds ridiculous but your already pay $320 so you might as well not cheap out at this point and just go for it and with the insoles it more than worth it . Do your own research here’s some good sources on UA-cam I like stridewise , rose anvil and Carl murawski and if for some reason your not a boot/work wear person frugal aesthetic dose good videos on streets wear .
TLDR : not really worth it
By far the biggest factor in my preference for the Solovairs I have over previous Docs I've owned is *half-sizes*. I can get boots that fit better, before you even start on quality and durability.
I missed a review of the inside of the shoes because lot of the times the inside rips apart for me
Hello, I have a pair of docs and the bellow tongue is really hurting my feet. Will this be broken in after time or should I ask a cobbler to cut them up and stich them to the side?
I much prefer the styling of the Docs in this video with the rounded edge at the top and a lack of crappy edging.
From what I have seen from reviews, the big things are: Solovair leather is thicker (harder to break in), Solovair have a shank (supports the midsole ahead of the heel, better long term comfort). The Doc Martens have a rubber insert under the ball of the feet (great for early comfort, but less longer lasting)
3:58 That's closer to oversupination.
Overpronation causes wear on the inside of the soles
Which laces do you have on the red ones ?? I can’t seem to find that color
Make a video after wearing them for 12 months!
Compared to my 1994 Doc, the outsoles were much robust and deeper. I can believe the new Doc has so thin threads that worn out so easily. Frankly speaking, I would not recommend Doc nor similar because Doc took months to break in. Even after break-in, it is still not as comfortable as many other brands. I rather pamper myself with more comfortable shoes.
Does anyone know where I can find the red and brown colorway of docs in this video?
I own two pair of Solovair Classic Derby boots. They're awesome. Far better quality than the outsourced Dr Martens. You say in your video that I can get them re-soled. How do I go about doing that? Shoe repair stores here in SoCal say they can't replace the original sole . . .
I got a pair of new Solovair Monkey Boots in Oxblood (these were the only ones available in EU) but i really like them. I wait for my orthopedic soles and then im happy to wear them.
Hope you enjoy the Solovairs!
I've been looking for a solovair boot in size 12 US but they're very hard to find. Solovair website has zero size 12 boots. And it looks like drmartens are everywhere in every size.
I will probably never try either unfortunately, ( size 11 1/2 2E ), no half sizing or wide sizing avaiable that I could find on either site
Will stick to my Red Wing boots or maybe I might try a pair of Thorougood boots here in the future
It seem to be the same story though with alot of boot / shoe manufacturers anymore, prices just seem to keep going up and the quality is just not there anymore
Saat ini saya menggunakan Dr. Martens 1919 10 hole (yang ke-2) dari 2011 sampai sekarang, digunakan untuk bekerja dari jam 5 pagi hingga jam 9-10 malam, Senin hingga Jumat. Best for me Dr. Martens
Hi buddy, are both these boots true to size, meaning if I wear size 7, should I order 7 or up in size...???