Have a pair of Solovair Chelsea boots. A year and a half later despite being worn daily in poor conditions and with me not taking particularly good care of them they have held up fantastically. Super comfortable, sleek and they just look gorgeous. I really recommend Solovair.
They claim they are made to the same standards as they used to be. In NYC they actually had some really old pairs decorating the wall. If you pick up the older pair, you can tell right away the quality is so much better then the current models.
I have a pair from 1989. I saw a teenager wearing a pair and it made me laugh to think my boots were twice her age. Then, I realized that's exactly what every other old person thinks. Damn! They look the same. Not sure about the quality of course.
@@thedalillama You're genuinely lucky to get a year or two out of a new pair. It's really sad. Made that mistake for my first pair, but my second pair I got from Solovair cause I learned that they were the original manufacturer and they've held up great. 3 years on and they have held up way better than my Docs
Yeah I found some old ones in a thrift store when I was a teenager. I wore those things for years and years until they finally died on me. Didn’t know about shoe repair so I bought a new pair and they were….not the same. Real shit at a premium price. I hear the same thing happened to Redwing. These days I kind of prefer something like Palladiums for everyday wear, though.
I got Solovairs a few months ago, the soul split within six weeks and they refused to repair or replace. I wasn't using them for anything particularly active. No hiking, no rough terrain. I was literally just walking to and from work each day. Less than 10,000 steps most days. I found the aftercare really poor.
I soooo disagree with you. I got limited edition Doc Martens with both double zippers and shoe laces up to knees. I love them. It's currently their 10th winter with me. I wear them for 90% of outings between October and March. They endured both inside venues concerts as well as muddy festivals. I wore them religiously during my emo time in 2015/16 and they are still a staple in my dance covers/performances outfits. After all these years they are still in an amazing condition. Only recently the heel part broke a tiny bit and I had to stitch them up. One downside is that their sole is now nonexistent lmao Their so flat I can basically ice skate but it's okay, I love them the way they are
I have docs now, but they are very lightly used “made in england” ones that I bought second hand on ebay. I had one pair of the newer ones a while ago and I would never buy the new ones again 😭 they have the slipperiest soles known to man
Idk I bought my docs around 5 years ago and I’ve been wearing em every day and they’re in pretty good condition. The leather is scuffed in some areas but to be fair I don’t have any polish or anything and I put my boots through A LOT😅
In Austria we have "Waldviertler" most comfortable shoes,they have a big toebox, and wider sizes. They also have an online shop. Everyone I know who has these loves them. They can be worn for many years and they replace worn soles. That would be a little tricky if you are from abroad
I was an apprentice vehicle technician straight from school. My dad bought me a pair of 11 hole, steel toe cap DM’s which I wore from my first day in August 1987. Those boots lasted more than 10 years of daily use iuntil the sole was too slick to be safe. Those boots were tough as hell. Sorry, but nobody makes anything like that anymore, unless you buy rigger boots, but they are far too heavy and clunky for workshop use.
It’s a shame it seems like you don’t have them, I’m sure with them being good quality and not melted straight onto the sole they’d be a cobbler’s dream to repair for you. I hope you find another pair like this!
Red Wings, Perhaps? Whites or Nicks boots are the best that you can get, but they are beyond expensive. Even Red Wings is pushing the limit. But the quality is more than worth it. Today, things are made to be disposable. These are things you buy for life.
I got my DMs 8 years ago and have worn them almost every day since (even in summer). They’re still amazing. Crazy comfy. Sole barely worn down. Leather is healthy because I actually take care of it. Maybe mine were the last good batch but I genuinely don’t know what I would do without them. I do agree with the criticism on the half sizes. I’m a size 2.5-3 (uk size) and the boots only fit because they’re lace ups. All their other shoes don’t fit me right. But I love my DMs
I don't know, I got a pair and I can't wear them. They are super uncomfortable, I always get blisters, and even trying to wear them with their special socks only lead to the inner wear and insole being ripped apart. I don't know, maybe it really depends on the shoe itself but for the price point... Really disappointing.
I don’t wear them now, but used to wear them for several years while at secondary school in the 90s. All of the problems he outlines here would occur to every pair I owned back then.
Bullshit. There’s no fuckin way you own an 8 year old boot and the leather isn’t stretched to shit and the sole isn’t gone. I had a pair of $400 Ariats that lasted 12 years and then finally fell completely apart. You can’t tell me docs are made better than a standard cowboy boot.
my dad used to get issued them at work back when he started as an electrical apprentice and he said they used to last for ages. shame they’re not so tough anymore
They are not made in Asia I live in Northampton the shoe capital of the country and I work for a shoe company and doc Martin are still operating in the town of Wellingborough
@@SirSmurfalot they're probably referring to the original factory (that's just minutes away from solovair) that produces the made in england line, however, the cheaper docs are indeed from asia
What a sad and dark view you have of life if you think good quality boots makes you look like a serial killer lol. Go get martins that looks like emo 15yo girl shoes then @@yellowjackboots2624
I had a pair in the 90s that lasted me from 91 to 95, worn every day, and out clubbing almost every night (I was a goth so DMs didn’t get us kicked out), until eventually whilst walking home in the freezing rain one day, the sole snapped exactly where it’s shown in the video. Still, 4 years of daily wear is pretty solid.
If you are in london you can get the real ones from the flagship DM shop and they do half sizes. I think it’s more the international market that get the new manufactured
Slight disinfo in this video. Yes, most of Doc Martens production moved overseas, but I live in Northampton and know a few people who work at the original (as in the 𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡) Doc Martens factory here. While most of their production moved overseas, they did keep the very first original location open here - where they still produce a good amount of their boots. So, you can still get old school quality Docs that have been made recently, you’ve just gotta put some work in to figuring out exactly which ones are made in Northampton.
Look into the Made in England line. I don't know why but that series of boots and shoes are so completely underdiscussed. People are throwing shit at doc martens simply bc of the mainstream line of docs. Folks, the mainstream line of docs is what sucks, but if you're talking about MIE, that's a different beast. Not saying MIE is the superior of all docs that ever existed (ofc there is the vintage pre-2003 MIE, those exist, and those are a different kind of docs to the post-2003 MIE). Unless you want used, look into MIE (and yes, Solovairs exist, but that's not the focus of this comment).
Ya the made in England ones are made by hand with quality materials. Just like the opposite of everything he said. They're more expensive but worth it.
The English ones are really good my brother gave me his pair and they lasted a long time but I got a new pair and they are uncomfortable and feel cheap
I got DMs back when I was in highschool. That was over 12 years ago now and they're still going strong. I have not experienced any of the issues mentioned here. I love them. They're crazy comfy and they still look great!
I've got 4 pairs too, the oldest is 10+ years old and gone through some serious wear and tear. I've worn them in all conditions, including flooded workspace, snow and a batbroom remodel... The boots survived it all.
Good luck getting them resoled…but since you made the choice to get FOUR pairs of Doc Martens I guess you’re probably good for a bit longer if you’re rotating them.
My suede doc martens have lasted me through 3 years of high school. 5 days a week, thousands of steps a day. They still look great and are now molded to my foot shape as well.
Whats wrong with the company being named after him ? He created the product ... I also think its extremely ignorant to pull faces about an individual who was in the German army, he was a doctor and basically every healthy adult male at the time would have been conscribed. Being in the German army is no evidence of holding extreme beliefs.... just evidence of someone not wanting to be shot by firing squad for refusing to join.
Please take a look at the vile things America, other European countries and parts of every continent were doing in the 1900s before you get too judgemental.
I still have four pair, 1 steel, all from 89-92. Lasted through zero temp winters. They look great, never been resoled. I've given them to my kids. They're still being worn. It's sad they aren't constructed the way they were. I loved those boots.
There are 2 versions of Docs. The good original styles and the cheaper fashion styles. The good ones that last and are still made in the UK are about $390. The fashion ones are about $170.
I got some original docs about 20 years back, and they lasted me 15 years of almost daily usage. Got new docs about 5 years back, and they broke down within a few years of occasional use.😢
I’ve had my solovairs for a couple years now and they are still some of my favorite shoes! So comfortable and I’d recommend their brown leather as it ages really well and gains a beautiful patina over time
I bought solovair gripfast boots this year, they are more expensive but they seem much high quality, durable are 100% with the half size fits more comfortably too, definitely recommend
If you’re worried about him being a German soldier in WW2, then never support Puma, Adidas, Porsche, BMW, Audi, Hugo Boss, Chanel, Fanta, and quite a lot more because they were all supporters, and made things for the German army during WW2
I had a pair in the 90’s they lasted me forever and had the steel toe for work and compared them to the new ones and they wore out after 3 years the fkn heel
Solovair also has a line of boots that are coated in plastic so even tho the materials justify the price tag they practically manipulated the end of the process that will inevitably lead to 2-300 hundred dollars down the drain. Countless people have gotten those and the leather cracks in less than a year because there’s no care or maintenance you can do that will reach the leather.
Serving in the German army in WW2 isn’t inherently bad or evil. Klaus served for his country as did others for theirs. He in fact should be praised for his innovation. It’s incredibly shallow to use his military service as a way to illegitimize his legacy because of what the company is currently doing. Do you also tell people not to by anything from BMW, VW, Porsche, Audi, Mercedes, Toyota and Mitsubishi. All those companies actively manufactured equipment for the war. Klaus was a doctor ffs
@@92madskWhile I don't agree with not using the boot because it has origins in Nazi Germany (or driving a Mitsubishi, Subaru etc.), the Wehrmacht were absolutely complicit in mass war crimes and assisting in the holocaust.
I was told by my boot guy. There are two types of DM out there. The ones with the glue on the sole are from Asia roughly $130. And the ones still made in the UK are around 300.
@@tonylaugier3854disappointed in the “made in the UK” ones, or disappointed in the regular ones so you bought the made in UK ones? Just clarifying since I think I stuffed my pair of docs up and might need to replace them
@@danielsimmich1858 got disappapointed by the "made in the UK" ones and by the limited edition Chinese new year wich are beautifull but quality wise saddly disapointing. Next time I'll go to the shop to touch it before even though I'm not sure I'll be buying any more docs :(
Agreed, my docs lasted me about 5-6 years before the leather had cracked, the soles flattenen in olaces and one even got a hole between the upper and the sole. I used them a lot but I also put in time to care for them. Even then, they fell apart
Will never buy another pair again. I have a pair that well over 20 years old and they are good to go. Bought a newer pair about 4 years ago and they didn’t even last a year. The sole fell off of them and the stitching came undone. Not sure what happened to the legendary brand but they can go ……. GF’d
Bought my pair in 2001 and I still have them. Didn’t wear them very often, passed them down to my daughter and some how they ended up back in my closet. Steel toe a little roughed up but they still work.
The lack of a shank is a real issue for me. Also I'm pretty sure being made by a ww2 German vet was a major selling point for a huge customer base for those boots fron the late 60's to the 90's
If you're talking about the Na*I Punks (fuck off), yes but also no. DMs were initially worn by Mods, which were essentially the 'dirty youths' of the 60s in the UK. Ben Sherman, Scooters, Ska, integration with the Jamaicans and an adoption of African American music in London at the time, that sort of stuff. From there, they split into two categories, smooth mods, which were the less aggressive ones, and 'peanuts' which are photo Skinheads who then became the start of the punk scene in the 70s. From there, they became common in the initial Skinhead scene of the 70s, which didn't really have a political stance or affiliation outside of 'we're poor and we live in south east London'. As the 70s rolled through into the 80s the Racist Neo Nazi Skins started to split off, and then in the 80s the apolitical skinheads kinda turned into punks, the left leaning skins turned into 'Redskins' and the Fascist Skinheads stayed skinheads with neo nazi motifs. All of them wore docs. In the 80s you started to have the punks and the RedSkins start to fight back against the Neo Nazi Skinheads and their adoption of the coding and appearance of leftist punks which gave rise to groups such as the S.H.A.R.Ps (SkinHeads Against Racial Prejudice) and the concept of the 'trad' Skinhead, which were people who identified with the revival of the 60's version of the Skinhead. From there into the 90s it kinda turned grungy and more into metal, punk stuck around and whatever, but then it gets back into the groups you know today. So in summary, DMs were worn on both sides, and to say it was Nazi Punks wearing them the whole time is a tad far fetched.
Similar in Germany. During my teenage days (80s/90s) they were worn on both sides. We used to go by the „shoelace“ rule if the rest of the outfit wasn’t telling you right away with what you were dealing with. White shoelaces were used by the Neonazis, red ones by Antifa.
I bought a pair on my trip to England back in ‘96. Still going strong. I also have a pair of “Indianas” from the early 2000s. Those are still in mint condition. Sucks new pairs can’t even meet par.
Yeah that makes sense. Like if you personally choose to wear mediocre and cheaply made boots then that’s your decision. Still facts though, 30 year old docs were made much better than they are made today.
Thanks for letting us know your anecdotes, which lack any comparison or expertise, invalidate all these these objective truths. Academic genius at work fr
I've had my DMs for almsot 8 years now and they're still going strong. I've only had to replace the laces and the insoles about 2-3 times in those 8 years. Once they eventually wear out though I'll definitely invest in Solovair
they had a doc martins factory in my village in the UK years ago i remember going in and they where not made like that where all hand stitched amazing quality, my mum worked at the griggs factory a few miles away but factory shut down and she was made redundant after griggs cut cost by out sourcing to china. Then he sold the company Altogether.. they have never been the same since.. we had a doc shop in Wollaston but that shut down in 2022 i think.. i still live in the village and always think of the leather smell as i walk past, its been a house for years now though
That is very true since solovairs did produce them under licence for Doc Martin for a long time. When Doc Martin decided to outsource to Asia solviar kept making the boots under their own name. They are, as far as i know, what Doc Martins were 30 years ago. Although i tend to just prefer military surplus boots since they cost a lot less and generally out proform both.
I had a pair, in 1991. Finally tossed them in 1996 (everyday wear). Bought a second pair of doc's four years ago. Wore them twice them gave them away. They are TRASH now
@@kenyapressley6706 indeed as they are cost cut to within an inch of their life. A very common problem you find with older brands once they've made a name for themselves.
I’ve had my pair for five winters now, it’s turned out skin so it doesn’t break. i have worn them in rain, deep snow in the mountains , during summer, to concerts.. the only issue i ever had was having to reglue the inner sole but that’s when i stopped wearing them over summer and now theyre fine. and repairs are guaranteed for the first two years
I noticed their quality had taken a dive years ago. I found out they were making them in Asia using cheap materials. I believe they've pulled out of the European safety boot market too, which may not be true. But they're definitely not what they used to be.
Doc's were great when they were made in the UK and Europe back in the 70's & 80's, they lasted for a long time and the soles were sticked not melted. I would rather but New Rocks!
@@DerekDerekDerekDerekDerekDerek the original brand is german, but the license was sold to a guy in Britain who changed the design of the shoes everyone knows today
I have had my pair for 6 years now and they’re still brand new, none of these problems have occurred for me. I have also barely maintained them aside from getting mud off of them.
Too bad there aren’t Solovair retailers in the US. They use DHL for shipping, you WILL have nothing but trouble with receiving your package. Returns through DHL? You’ll be keeping the boots to avoid the hassle and cost. I recall when DHL was reasonably reliable. I had to use them from Europe because there was no other choice from these vendors. DHL won’t get the chance to mess up an order from me again.
Just so you know, soldiers in the Wehrmacht were not party members, not usually. They were an entity unto themselves that even Hitler was skeptical of. They fought as the German army, not the political government/party. It just so happened that the leaders of the time were, well you know
Even the rabbid nazis weren't rabbid nazis. Which country bombed innocent women and children in WW2? I know England did, I know the US did, not sure about Germany.
My best friends parents used to work in the factory making these in the 90’s in the UK. The samples came in sizes 4 and 7 so we used to get some really wacky pairs that never made it to production
As a german i dont see the issue with serving in the german army. All these dudes who survived the war had their luggage with them. Mostly war scars.. But they are still human
There is nothing wrong with a german man who served in the german army in wwii. It would be convenient to say that your enemy is always purely evil but it is dishonest. But yeah, don’t buy bs clothing
Well prior to them being outsourced from England, I bought a second hand pair over 30 years ago. They've been in multiple countries worn almost daily and only had to replace the 3 inch sole because I didn't want them that chunky anymore. So maybe this is correct for today but back in the day Docs were where it was at.
been wearing my doc martin’s through hella and back. wore them on a 11 mile hike one time. They never once failed and and i’ve had them for 2 years now
I fell in love with Doc Martens when I was around 12. The first pair I got split within a year. At first we thought it was just the shop that sold them. But for my second pair and all the other pairs after that we got them from doc Martin themselves from The shop in London. The leather and the soul split within a year. The only reason I keep buying from them is that they have kind of cool designs and my uncle Buys them for me
I think the point was that Dr Martens is seen as something very patriotic and British but they are made abroad and they were founded in Germany by a German. I don't know if you are British but I cannot stress how much Dr Martens are seen as British icons. Funny, after writing that I googled it and Dr Martens actually advertise themselves as "British icons".
I've had my docks for over six years now (i thought i was so cool when i bought them in ninth grade) and they still look great.. occasionally i have to use blackening stuff to make them shine again but other than that they're crazy durable
What's the issue with the German Army ? Maybe you're getting them mixed up with the Nazi party and the SS. Not all Germans were Nazis. German army were no different to any other army.
I mean, they were still fighting on behalf of Hitler and the Nazis. But I don't think anyone really blames Klaus Märtens for having been part of the German Army during WWII; it was more a joke than anything else.
BMW made engines for NAZI planes, and Volkswagen was designed by the third Reich to be an affordable car for everyday Germans. This is just selective outrage.
Quality went way down after they started making them aboard, you could still buy old doc martins in 2010 at vintage places. Easy way to spot a pair of authentic ones is the stitching, the yellow stitching is something they began to do once production was outsourced.
I used to wear Docs all the time, but the new ones I bought broke within months. I just bought pair of solovair shoes, excited to see how long they last…
You have convinced me. I'm going to check out Solovair. I wore Dr Materns when I was younger and recently bought a pair of DM canvas shoes. I've not worn them yet as I bought them in the last summer sale on a whim and put them away. You cannot wear canvas shoes in a Scottish winter.
I got a pair 1460 slip resistant coated full grain made in China. Not a fan of China but these boots appear very well made,the stitching is perfect,the leather seems very nice. First impression is good so we’ll see. Glad I didn’t let guys like this talk me out of it. Also I can tell these need to break in but I got my usual size and they are just right. Any time you mass produce something you will have quality control issues at times. I don’t see it in this case
I’ve had my first pair of docs for three years now. The first year the finger tag was pulled off by me trying to get a shoe on. By the second year the tread was gone and there were real bad scuff marks on it. And just recently, I got a hole in it. Which gave me gauge on how thin the leather was.
I dunno man, I’ve had a pair for 5 years now that I wear both in the street and out in the woods. A bit of cleaning and polish brings them to life. No issues with cracking or peeling etc. I’ve had them in harsh Colorado and Canadian winters.
Mine didn't survive russian winters though lol. I had them for 5 years too, by the 2nd year the sole split, got glued fine, and recently I've discovered that a leather crack/crease became a see-through hole. Used them in a city, did not hike or work or do anything harsh to them🫥🫥
Old School Doc's from the late 80's early 90's where solid AF . I still have my old boots from my high school days they are 35 years old have never cracked the soles have seen better days but i've worn them alot. i look at getting new ones but you can tell the quality is nowhere near the same as it was back then.
I bought my daught little girl docs, vegan leather, leopard rainbow print on sale for $50. She wore them in kindergarten everyday. Then my younger daughter inherited them when she was in kindergarten and became her favourites. When they were to small for her, her friend wore them ( even though i think they were a bit small), now they are passed onto another little person to enjoy. I don't regret buying them at all.
I had a pair of docs made in Thailand the soles seperated a good trick is super glue. The vintage line is made in England better leather and last for very long time. I have the red Oxford and 10 years still good like new.
Redwing is where you want to buy leather boots. My husband has a pair for 20 years and they are in a very good condition. He took them over to the shop for sole repairs
I’ve had my DM’s for three years. Probably more comfy now then ever and not a lot of wear on the sole. I have never polished them so the brown leather has some scuff marks or character but no cracking. Even if they did fall apart tomorrow I wouldn’t be upset about. Three years wear for a couple of hundred bucks isn’t bad compared to a lot of other things I’ve bought in my life.
Solovair made the boots for Doc Martens until DM outsourced them somewhere else. So get your boots from the OG.
Have a pair of Solovair Chelsea boots. A year and a half later despite being worn daily in poor conditions and with me not taking particularly good care of them they have held up fantastically. Super comfortable, sleek and they just look gorgeous. I really recommend Solovair.
I love my solovairs❤ they are great quality🤟🏾
Doc Martens are still made in England. Check your sources.
nope there not docs but same makers who make them before@@zimzimzalabim
@@zimzimzalabimfalse
They claim they are made to the same standards as they used to be. In NYC they actually had some really old pairs decorating the wall. If you pick up the older pair, you can tell right away the quality is so much better then the current models.
I have a pair from 1989. I saw a teenager wearing a pair and it made me laugh to think my boots were twice her age. Then, I realized that's exactly what every other old person thinks. Damn!
They look the same. Not sure about the quality of course.
@@thedalillama You're genuinely lucky to get a year or two out of a new pair. It's really sad. Made that mistake for my first pair, but my second pair I got from Solovair cause I learned that they were the original manufacturer and they've held up great. 3 years on and they have held up way better than my Docs
Yeah I found some old ones in a thrift store when I was a teenager. I wore those things for years and years until they finally died on me. Didn’t know about shoe repair so I bought a new pair and they were….not the same. Real shit at a premium price. I hear the same thing happened to Redwing.
These days I kind of prefer something like Palladiums for everyday wear, though.
It’s because it’s leather, pleather isn’t durable or sustainable ironically.
@@rtsiii5404 I’m still wearing a pair of thrifted docs from the early 90s.
I got Solovairs a few months ago, the soul split within six weeks and they refused to repair or replace. I wasn't using them for anything particularly active. No hiking, no rough terrain. I was literally just walking to and from work each day. Less than 10,000 steps most days. I found the aftercare really poor.
Haha W comment L video
Had the same experience unfortunately
@@dougchjg2753do you have a proper recommendation ?
I have heard this about them, they are also more money correct?
@@mood1676yep, more expensive and with worse customer care? I think I’ll just take the L.
I soooo disagree with you. I got limited edition Doc Martens with both double zippers and shoe laces up to knees. I love them. It's currently their 10th winter with me. I wear them for 90% of outings between October and March. They endured both inside venues concerts as well as muddy festivals. I wore them religiously during my emo time in 2015/16 and they are still a staple in my dance covers/performances outfits. After all these years they are still in an amazing condition. Only recently the heel part broke a tiny bit and I had to stitch them up. One downside is that their sole is now nonexistent lmao Their so flat I can basically ice skate but it's okay, I love them the way they are
Some of the limited edition ones were made with higher quality in the UK.
so you admit they're a costume item and not a day to day shoe for you. You have your own logic warped if you can't see why they're lasting this long.
@@braqudark6217 did you miss the part where I said "I wear them for 90% of outing between October and March"?
"Limited Edition"... So can we assume the regular ones are still ass? Because limited edition is just that; limited.
I've had crazy horse leather docs for 7 years with no problems 🤷♂️
I got mine in 1988 and still going strong, new ones are ridiculously sad...
My wife bought hers sometime in the late 80s and she still wears them. Grandma rocking the Docs
I have docs now, but they are very lightly used “made in england” ones that I bought second hand on ebay. I had one pair of the newer ones a while ago and I would never buy the new ones again 😭 they have the slipperiest soles known to man
yes man even my dad had in those days and after 30 years I am using it! it's still fire 🔥
That is a Dr martens 939 boot made in england
Idk I bought my docs around 5 years ago and I’ve been wearing em every day and they’re in pretty good condition. The leather is scuffed in some areas but to be fair I don’t have any polish or anything and I put my boots through A LOT😅
Okay, but now give me a shoe like that but with a footshaped toe box.
Try Mongrel Boots?
In Austria we have "Waldviertler" most comfortable shoes,they have a big toebox, and wider sizes. They also have an online shop. Everyone I know who has these loves them. They can be worn for many years and they replace worn soles. That would be a little tricky if you are from abroad
Jim Green makes wider toe boxes. Might be worth checking them out. I love mine.
yea, I want a bigger toe box with better looking boots. Currently wearing vivobarefoot but too technical looking.
Dont wear boots outside of work until i started wearing Thorogood moc toes i have wide feet and man they are comfy
I was an apprentice vehicle technician straight from school. My dad bought me a pair of 11 hole, steel toe cap DM’s which I wore from my first day in August 1987. Those boots lasted more than 10 years of daily use iuntil the sole was too slick to be safe. Those boots were tough as hell. Sorry, but nobody makes anything like that anymore, unless you buy rigger boots, but they are far too heavy and clunky for workshop use.
It’s a shame it seems like you don’t have them, I’m sure with them being good quality and not melted straight onto the sole they’d be a cobbler’s dream to repair for you. I hope you find another pair like this!
Red Wings, Perhaps? Whites or Nicks boots are the best that you can get, but they are beyond expensive. Even Red Wings is pushing the limit.
But the quality is more than worth it. Today, things are made to be disposable. These are things you buy for life.
@@pessimisticnihilist3691
Agreed 100%
White's, Wesco or Nicks.
For the cost of Red Wings I would add a little more and invest in a pair of Nicks.
I got my DMs 8 years ago and have worn them almost every day since (even in summer). They’re still amazing. Crazy comfy. Sole barely worn down. Leather is healthy because I actually take care of it. Maybe mine were the last good batch but I genuinely don’t know what I would do without them. I do agree with the criticism on the half sizes. I’m a size 2.5-3 (uk size) and the boots only fit because they’re lace ups. All their other shoes don’t fit me right. But I love my DMs
I don't know, I got a pair and I can't wear them. They are super uncomfortable, I always get blisters, and even trying to wear them with their special socks only lead to the inner wear and insole being ripped apart. I don't know, maybe it really depends on the shoe itself but for the price point... Really disappointing.
@@Staronat sounds like they are just not your fit. Not every foot can fit every shoe
I don’t wear them now, but used to wear them for several years while at secondary school in the 90s. All of the problems he outlines here would occur to every pair I owned back then.
Same man got mine around 2012 and they're fantastic still just make sure you treat the leather
Bullshit. There’s no fuckin way you own an 8 year old boot and the leather isn’t stretched to shit and the sole isn’t gone. I had a pair of $400 Ariats that lasted 12 years and then finally fell completely apart. You can’t tell me docs are made better than a standard cowboy boot.
my dad used to get issued them at work back when he started as an electrical apprentice and he said they used to last for ages. shame they’re not so tough anymore
They are not made in Asia I live in Northampton the shoe capital of the country and I work for a shoe company and doc Martin are still operating in the town of Wellingborough
There is a single manufacturing facility left in the UK, not all even a fraction of their total sales are accounted for here.
@@finnroberts753
@@finnroberts753 Are you sure it is not a Solovair factory?
@@SirSmurfalot they're probably referring to the original factory (that's just minutes away from solovair) that produces the made in england line, however, the cheaper docs are indeed from asia
@@SirSmurfalot You can still buy Made in England Docs.
Pro tip. Just get tactile military boots or hikers. Fraction of the price mega durable 😂
Not everyone wants to look like a mass murderer and/or serial killer.
What a sad and dark view you have of life if you think good quality boots makes you look like a serial killer lol. Go get martins that looks like emo 15yo girl shoes then @@yellowjackboots2624
@@yellowjackboots2624or torture their own feet.
Yeah those people hardly look like edgy teen poppers
Yeah those people hardly look like edgy teen poppers
I had a pair in the 90s that lasted me from 91 to 95, worn every day, and out clubbing almost every night (I was a goth so DMs didn’t get us kicked out), until eventually whilst walking home in the freezing rain one day, the sole snapped exactly where it’s shown in the video. Still, 4 years of daily wear is pretty solid.
4 years for a pair of leather boots is abysmal...
@@helmaschine1885so should we expect 10, 20, 30, 40 years durability?
Why would They get you kicked Out ?
Wait until he gets a load of Mitsubishi, you’re still using their washing machine tech.
😂😂
Whast the Story behind this ?
What does that even have to do with this video? Lol
They made the engines for the Japanese fighter planes that bombed Pearl Harbor
If you are in london you can get the real ones from the flagship DM shop and they do half sizes. I think it’s more the international market that get the new manufactured
The ones made in the UK are still really poor quality compared to the ones from the 80s and 90s.
Slight disinfo in this video. Yes, most of Doc Martens production moved overseas, but I live in Northampton and know a few people who work at the original (as in the 𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡) Doc Martens factory here. While most of their production moved overseas, they did keep the very first original location open here - where they still produce a good amount of their boots.
So, you can still get old school quality Docs that have been made recently, you’ve just gotta put some work in to figuring out exactly which ones are made in Northampton.
Any tips on what to look for?
Look into the Made in England line. I don't know why but that series of boots and shoes are so completely underdiscussed. People are throwing shit at doc martens simply bc of the mainstream line of docs. Folks, the mainstream line of docs is what sucks, but if you're talking about MIE, that's a different beast. Not saying MIE is the superior of all docs that ever existed (ofc there is the vintage pre-2003 MIE, those exist, and those are a different kind of docs to the post-2003 MIE). Unless you want used, look into MIE (and yes, Solovairs exist, but that's not the focus of this comment).
@@the_1drummajor Cheers! I’ll have a look at the MIE line
Ya the made in England ones are made by hand with quality materials. Just like the opposite of everything he said. They're more expensive but worth it.
So they kept the Wollaston factory ?
I used to live there and one of my first summer jobs was at that factory.
I’ve got a pair of Made in England ones, bought just before they went to shit. They’ve been great.
The English ones are really good my brother gave me his pair and they lasted a long time but I got a new pair and they are uncomfortable and feel cheap
Got a pair from the UK 7 years ago. Vegan leather, still good as new!
I got DMs back when I was in highschool. That was over 12 years ago now and they're still going strong. I have not experienced any of the issues mentioned here. I love them. They're crazy comfy and they still look great!
I have 4 pairs and they all have served me well over the years 👀
How much they paying you for this ?
I've got 4 pairs too, the oldest is 10+ years old and gone through some serious wear and tear. I've worn them in all conditions, including flooded workspace, snow and a batbroom remodel... The boots survived it all.
Good luck getting them resoled…but since you made the choice to get FOUR pairs of Doc Martens I guess you’re probably good for a bit longer if you’re rotating them.
My suede doc martens have lasted me through 3 years of high school. 5 days a week, thousands of steps a day. They still look great and are now molded to my foot shape as well.
Whats wrong with the company being named after him ? He created the product ... I also think its extremely ignorant to pull faces about an individual who was in the German army, he was a doctor and basically every healthy adult male at the time would have been conscribed. Being in the German army is no evidence of holding extreme beliefs.... just evidence of someone not wanting to be shot by firing squad for refusing to join.
Thank you I was looking for a comment like this
thank you for this comment
Please take a look at the vile things America, other European countries and parts of every continent were doing in the 1900s before you get too judgemental.
Hill Mcgraw say them evil, them did 6 gazillion people all german pipo bad knotsi
Defending nazis today
I still have four pair, 1 steel, all from 89-92. Lasted through zero temp winters. They look great, never been resoled. I've given them to my kids. They're still being worn. It's sad they aren't constructed the way they were. I loved those boots.
I would also recommend Grant Stone Diesel in black chromexcel leather
pretty different look but definitely better made
made in china 380$ ?
Yeah don’t buy grant stone and support Chinese bullshit. Do better
Bought my first pair of docs 1460 in 2010 and I still enjoy them!
I have some doc martens from 2007 or so. Still going great
There are 2 versions of Docs. The good original styles and the cheaper fashion styles. The good ones that last and are still made in the UK are about $390. The fashion ones are about $170.
I got some original docs about 20 years back, and they lasted me 15 years of almost daily usage. Got new docs about 5 years back, and they broke down within a few years of occasional use.😢
Buy Made in Englands, they’re still made in the same factory and the process is the same as it was 20 years ago
I’ve had my solovairs for a couple years now and they are still some of my favorite shoes! So comfortable and I’d recommend their brown leather as it ages really well and gains a beautiful patina over time
True! But Solovair boots are more narrow. For me that´s a problem. And they also dont sell half sizes.
I’m looking at the Solovair website right now and they do sell half sizes.
@@darthmuppet Cool!
I bought solovair gripfast boots this year, they are more expensive but they seem much high quality, durable are 100% with the half size fits more comfortably too, definitely recommend
I still have mine from the 90’s. Were they better produced then?
yes
If you’re worried about him being a German soldier in WW2, then never support Puma, Adidas, Porsche, BMW, Audi, Hugo Boss, Chanel, Fanta, and quite a lot more because they were all supporters, and made things for the German army during WW2
I had a pair in the 90’s they lasted me forever and had the steel toe for work and compared them to the new ones and they wore out after 3 years the fkn heel
Same. I had ones from the 90s and they were just made better back then.
Solovair also has a line of boots that are coated in plastic so even tho the materials justify the price tag they practically manipulated the end of the process that will inevitably lead to 2-300 hundred dollars down the drain. Countless people have gotten those and the leather cracks in less than a year because there’s no care or maintenance you can do that will reach the leather.
Serving in the German army in WW2 isn’t inherently bad or evil. Klaus served for his country as did others for theirs. He in fact should be praised for his innovation. It’s incredibly shallow to use his military service as a way to illegitimize his legacy because of what the company is currently doing. Do you also tell people not to by anything from BMW, VW, Porsche, Audi, Mercedes, Toyota and Mitsubishi. All those companies actively manufactured equipment for the war. Klaus was a doctor ffs
100% agree. German army in wwII ≠ SS
Exactly. The brain rot in this man must run deep.
@@joss4074dude read “doctor in ww2” and thought he was Mengele’s assistant 😂
@@92madskWhile I don't agree with not using the boot because it has origins in Nazi Germany (or driving a Mitsubishi, Subaru etc.), the Wehrmacht were absolutely complicit in mass war crimes and assisting in the holocaust.
Klaus Ma
I got steel toe Solovairs with White laces.
I was told by my boot guy. There are two types of DM out there.
The ones with the glue on the sole are from Asia roughly $130.
And the ones still made in the UK are around 300.
Bought it with the made in uk tag on their website I have been so disappointed by the quality you have no idea
@@tonylaugier3854disappointed in the “made in the UK” ones, or disappointed in the regular ones so you bought the made in UK ones? Just clarifying since I think I stuffed my pair of docs up and might need to replace them
@@danielsimmich1858 got disappapointed by the "made in the UK" ones and by the limited edition Chinese new year wich are beautifull but quality wise saddly disapointing. Next time I'll go to the shop to touch it before even though I'm not sure I'll be buying any more docs :(
Agreed, my docs lasted me about 5-6 years before the leather had cracked, the soles flattenen in olaces and one even got a hole between the upper and the sole. I used them a lot but I also put in time to care for them. Even then, they fell apart
Will never buy another pair again. I have a pair that well over 20 years old and they are good to go. Bought a newer pair about 4 years ago and they didn’t even last a year. The sole fell off of them and the stitching came undone. Not sure what happened to the legendary brand but they can go ……. GF’d
Bought my pair in 2001 and I still have them. Didn’t wear them very often, passed them down to my daughter and some how they ended up back in my closet. Steel toe a little roughed up but they still work.
The lack of a shank is a real issue for me.
Also I'm pretty sure being made by a ww2 German vet was a major selling point for a huge customer base for those boots fron the late 60's to the 90's
Except proper skinheads/suede heads are not racist you plum
Except proper skinheads/suede heads are not racist you plum
If you're talking about the Na*I Punks (fuck off), yes but also no.
DMs were initially worn by Mods, which were essentially the 'dirty youths' of the 60s in the UK. Ben Sherman, Scooters, Ska, integration with the Jamaicans and an adoption of African American music in London at the time, that sort of stuff. From there, they split into two categories, smooth mods, which were the less aggressive ones, and 'peanuts' which are photo Skinheads who then became the start of the punk scene in the 70s.
From there, they became common in the initial Skinhead scene of the 70s, which didn't really have a political stance or affiliation outside of 'we're poor and we live in south east London'.
As the 70s rolled through into the 80s the Racist Neo Nazi Skins started to split off, and then in the 80s the apolitical skinheads kinda turned into punks, the left leaning skins turned into 'Redskins' and the Fascist Skinheads stayed skinheads with neo nazi motifs. All of them wore docs.
In the 80s you started to have the punks and the RedSkins start to fight back against the Neo Nazi Skinheads and their adoption of the coding and appearance of leftist punks which gave rise to groups such as the S.H.A.R.Ps (SkinHeads Against Racial Prejudice) and the concept of the 'trad' Skinhead, which were people who identified with the revival of the 60's version of the Skinhead.
From there into the 90s it kinda turned grungy and more into metal, punk stuck around and whatever, but then it gets back into the groups you know today.
So in summary, DMs were worn on both sides, and to say it was Nazi Punks wearing them the whole time is a tad far fetched.
@@Dazt4r didn't know I'd read a history on Skinheads & Punks in the UK befote bed today but was pretty interesting....
Similar in Germany. During my teenage days (80s/90s) they were worn on both sides. We used to go by the „shoelace“ rule if the rest of the outfit wasn’t telling you right away with what you were dealing with. White shoelaces were used by the Neonazis, red ones by Antifa.
I bought a pair on my trip to England back in ‘96. Still going strong. I also have a pair of “Indianas” from the early 2000s. Those are still in mint condition. Sucks new pairs can’t even meet par.
Solivairs 🔛🔝
solovair darby boot 7 eye- $220
doc 1460- $170
not as egregious a different as i was expecting
All down to personal choice I’ve had mine for yrs never had a problem with my Docs 👍
Yeah that makes sense. Like if you personally choose to wear mediocre and cheaply made boots then that’s your decision. Still facts though, 30 year old docs were made much better than they are made today.
Thanks for letting us know your anecdotes, which lack any comparison or expertise, invalidate all these these objective truths. Academic genius at work fr
Sounds like you doing a lot of not working in them
I've had my DMs for almsot 8 years now and they're still going strong. I've only had to replace the laces and the insoles about 2-3 times in those 8 years. Once they eventually wear out though I'll definitely invest in Solovair
So then my guy just ignores Porsche, BMW, Mercedes and thousands of other German brands that made military equipment for Germany
they had a doc martins factory in my village in the UK years ago i remember going in and they where not made like that where all hand stitched amazing quality, my mum worked at the griggs factory a few miles away but factory shut down and she was made redundant after griggs cut cost by out sourcing to china. Then he sold the company Altogether.. they have never been the same since.. we had a doc shop in Wollaston but that shut down in 2022 i think.. i still live in the village and always think of the leather smell as i walk past, its been a house for years now though
That is very true since solovairs did produce them under licence for Doc Martin for a long time. When Doc Martin decided to outsource to Asia solviar kept making the boots under their own name.
They are, as far as i know, what Doc Martins were 30 years ago.
Although i tend to just prefer military surplus boots since they cost a lot less and generally out proform both.
I had a pair, in 1991. Finally tossed them in 1996 (everyday wear). Bought a second pair of doc's four years ago. Wore them twice them gave them away. They are TRASH now
@@kenyapressley6706 indeed as they are cost cut to within an inch of their life. A very common problem you find with older brands once they've made a name for themselves.
I’ve had my pair for five winters now, it’s turned out skin so it doesn’t break. i have worn them in rain, deep snow in the mountains , during summer, to concerts.. the only issue i ever had was having to reglue the inner sole but that’s when i stopped wearing them over summer and now theyre fine. and repairs are guaranteed for the first two years
I noticed their quality had taken a dive years ago. I found out they were making them in Asia using cheap materials.
I believe they've pulled out of the European safety boot market too, which may not be true. But they're definitely not what they used to be.
Didn’t know the docs were named after a German in WW2. It makes me want to wear them more now
This is why history is a important subject 😅 people serving in the army is not the guys running the show..
Served as a doctor, so he has to be an terrible person😅
so true, will be checking out those boots! they wear down quick and can be uncomfortable due to how thin they are
Doc's were great when they were made in the UK and Europe back in the 70's & 80's, they lasted for a long time and the soles were sticked not melted.
I would rather but New Rocks!
My DM’s have lasted me 6 years . Wear them everyday in crazy Canadian weather. 40C in the summer, -20C in the winter. No problem with them at all!
They’re not named after, he invented them.
Both can be true neither of those facts negate the other.
Think about what you just said…
He invented / created them and therefor, they were named after him.
So they are German? Not british? Why he saying they have to be made in Britain?
@@DerekDerekDerekDerekDerekDerek the original brand is german, but the license was sold to a guy in Britain who changed the design of the shoes everyone knows today
I have had my pair for 6 years now and they’re still brand new, none of these problems have occurred for me. I have also barely maintained them aside from getting mud off of them.
Damn you. Now I have another set of boots on the way.
at your service!
Too bad there aren’t Solovair retailers in the US.
They use DHL for shipping, you WILL have nothing but trouble with receiving your package. Returns through DHL? You’ll be keeping the boots to avoid the hassle and cost. I recall when DHL was reasonably reliable. I had to use them from Europe because there was no other choice from these vendors. DHL won’t get the chance to mess up an order from me again.
Just so you know, soldiers in the Wehrmacht were not party members, not usually. They were an entity unto themselves that even Hitler was skeptical of. They fought as the German army, not the political government/party. It just so happened that the leaders of the time were, well you know
While true, it's equally easy to fall into the "Innocent Wehrmacht/Just following Orders" myth/problem.
I have had my Dr martens for 6 years now and they still look amazing
Austrian paratroopers for me
Strongest Doc Martins wearer Vs Kommandostore’s weakest warrior
This guy knows what's up, don't let the secret out though haha. I want to be able to still find them.
The flower buttons look so cute 🥰 but the other ones looked good too
He was a army doctor.. not a rabbid nazi
Some of those doctors for the nazis did some of the worst things imaginable. Means nothing
Even the rabbid nazis weren't rabbid nazis. Which country bombed innocent women and children in WW2? I know England did, I know the US did, not sure about Germany.
@@dw4270 well Germany did as well, so...... lol
@dw4270 this is the hill you're going to die on?
@@Thekulprit92 When?
My best friends parents used to work in the factory making these in the 90’s in the UK. The samples came in sizes 4 and 7 so we used to get some really wacky pairs that never made it to production
As a german i dont see the issue with serving in the german army. All these dudes who survived the war had their luggage with them. Mostly war scars.. But they are still human
There is nothing wrong with a german man who served in the german army in wwii. It would be convenient to say that your enemy is always purely evil but it is dishonest. But yeah, don’t buy bs clothing
Having served in the German army isnt inherently bad, depends if they were actually a party member or SS.
explain that to the tiktok generation in less than one minute; that's as far as their attention span will go.
Well prior to them being outsourced from England, I bought a second hand pair over 30 years ago. They've been in multiple countries worn almost daily and only had to replace the 3 inch sole because I didn't want them that chunky anymore. So maybe this is correct for today but back in the day Docs were where it was at.
Just thinking about the number of people saying "punch a Nazi" while wearing these boots is making me die laughing😂😂😂😂
been wearing my doc martin’s through hella and back. wore them on a 11 mile hike one time. They never once failed and and i’ve had them for 2 years now
You had me until the end, now I love Doc Martens.
Im glad there were subtitles or Id still be wondering where all that gerbil leather comes from.
made with fresh guinea pigs
Yep solovairs they’re worth the money.
I fell in love with Doc Martens when I was around 12. The first pair I got split within a year. At first we thought it was just the shop that sold them. But for my second pair and all the other pairs after that we got them from doc Martin themselves from The shop in London. The leather and the soul split within a year. The only reason I keep buying from them is that they have kind of cool designs and my uncle Buys them for me
Being a doctor in the German Army is nothing like being an officer in the SS. Learn some history. Plenty of good people in the German Army.
I think the point was that Dr Martens is seen as something very patriotic and British but they are made abroad and they were founded in Germany by a German.
I don't know if you are British but I cannot stress how much Dr Martens are seen as British icons.
Funny, after writing that I googled it and Dr Martens actually advertise themselves as "British icons".
I've had my docks for over six years now (i thought i was so cool when i bought them in ninth grade) and they still look great.. occasionally i have to use blackening stuff to make them shine again but other than that they're crazy durable
Shaming someone for being a medic in the wehrmacht has to be the cringiest thing I've seen all year.
IKR??? This guy must have gotten paid to trash Dr Martens. He's catering to a woke audience all of a sudden.
Watching this wearing my 5 year old Solovair boots I wear almost daily and are still in excellent shape!
What's the issue with the German Army ? Maybe you're getting them mixed up with the Nazi party and the SS. Not all Germans were Nazis. German army were no different to any other army.
I mean, they were still fighting on behalf of Hitler and the Nazis. But I don't think anyone really blames Klaus Märtens for having been part of the German Army during WWII; it was more a joke than anything else.
BMW made engines for NAZI planes, and Volkswagen was designed by the third Reich to be an affordable car for everyday Germans. This is just selective outrage.
The Clean Wehrmacht excuse has been thoroughly debunked. Especially on the Eastern Front, the atrocities weren’t confined to the political zealots.
@@Muscovy7wait til you hear about the US, British, and Soviet armies lmao
what side of the war were they on again
I've had my Solovairs for 10 years. Still going strong❤
still got my 23 year old docs and they still look great!
Quality went way down after they started making them aboard, you could still buy old doc martins in 2010 at vintage places. Easy way to spot a pair of authentic ones is the stitching, the yellow stitching is something they began to do once production was outsourced.
My old pair of DM's lasted me from 2008 until 2017 wearing them almost everyday.
I used to wear Docs all the time, but the new ones I bought broke within months. I just bought pair of solovair shoes, excited to see how long they last…
I got mine 7 years ago, I wear them almost every day and they still look brand new.
You have convinced me. I'm going to check out Solovair. I wore Dr Materns when I was younger and recently bought a pair of DM canvas shoes. I've not worn them yet as I bought them in the last summer sale on a whim and put them away. You cannot wear canvas shoes in a Scottish winter.
I got a pair 1460 slip resistant coated full grain made in China. Not a fan of China but these boots appear very well made,the stitching is perfect,the leather seems very nice. First impression is good so we’ll see. Glad I didn’t let guys like this talk me out of it. Also I can tell these need to break in but I got my usual size and they are just right. Any time you mass produce something you will have quality control issues at times. I don’t see it in this case
Angry Itch is amazing as well
Still running my thorogood, had them for 3 years, wear them for sub to workplace really often and still solid tho ..
I’ve had my first pair of docs for three years now. The first year the finger tag was pulled off by me trying to get a shoe on. By the second year the tread was gone and there were real bad scuff marks on it. And just recently, I got a hole in it. Which gave me gauge on how thin the leather was.
I dunno man, I’ve had a pair for 5 years now that I wear both in the street and out in the woods. A bit of cleaning and polish brings them to life. No issues with cracking or peeling etc. I’ve had them in harsh Colorado and Canadian winters.
Mine didn't survive russian winters though lol. I had them for 5 years too, by the 2nd year the sole split, got glued fine, and recently I've discovered that a leather crack/crease became a see-through hole. Used them in a city, did not hike or work or do anything harsh to them🫥🫥
I bought the Reiker version . Comfortable and don't rip your feet to bits like DMs.
Old School Doc's from the late 80's early 90's where solid AF . I still have my old boots from my high school days they are 35 years old have never cracked the soles have seen better days but i've worn them alot. i look at getting new ones but you can tell the quality is nowhere near the same as it was back then.
the one thing they have is that translucent sole which means theyre only worth it if you just care about that fashion element in particular
I bought my daught little girl docs, vegan leather, leopard rainbow print on sale for $50. She wore them in kindergarten everyday. Then my younger daughter inherited them when she was in kindergarten and became her favourites. When they were to small for her, her friend wore them ( even though i think they were a bit small), now they are passed onto another little person to enjoy. I don't regret buying them at all.
I had a pair of docs made in Thailand the soles seperated a good trick is super glue. The vintage line is made in England better leather and last for very long time. I have the red Oxford and 10 years still good like new.
Hell ya my man! Thank you for saying what I've been thinking for years!
And if you prefer a Tactical style boot. Buy Grafters. They’re a Workmen’s brand. I had my previous pair from 16 to 23
Redwing is where you want to buy leather boots. My husband has a pair for 20 years and they are in a very good condition. He took them over to the shop for sole repairs
I’ve had my DM’s for three years. Probably more comfy now then ever and not a lot of wear on the sole. I have never polished them so the brown leather has some scuff marks or character but no cracking. Even if they did fall apart tomorrow I wouldn’t be upset about. Three years wear for a couple of hundred bucks isn’t bad compared to a lot of other things I’ve bought in my life.