Alternatives to Doc Martins

[Kazzydeyna]

Fans of Doc Martens may already be aware of course but for any that are not, just wanted to share that I have discovered a boot manufacturer that makes Derby boots very much like the Docs of old (pre-early 90s).

Solovair.

Oxblood 8 Eye Derby Boot | Solovair | Handmade in England

Oxblood 8 Eye Derby Boot made of leather using Goodyear welted construction with a signature soft suspension sole. Handmade in Wollaston, Northamptonshire, England.

uk.nps-solovair.com

Proper thick leather, very sturdy sole, need breaking in properly (my last few pairs of docs were flimsy and thin with thin soles). Absolutely perfect.
Made on the original Lasts of the original Doc Marten 1460 boots.

If you’re a fan of Docs, get yourself a pair. You won’t regret it.

 

[roman totale]

I don’t have a pair of Solovair, but the ones I’ve handled looked very good. Might sound daft, but for me the yellow stitching is a must-have, so when I replaced my old docs a few years ago, I bought the Made in England DMs. They’re still solid and leagues ahead of the crap Asian ones. They might still be made for DM by Solovair. Or maybe not. The internet seems split on who actually makes them. All a bit sad really.

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

Prince Charles is heavily into Homoeopathic Medicine. But I bet he still calls the Docs when he's poorly.

 

[Kazzydeyna]

I don’t have a pair of Solovair, but the ones I’ve handled looked very good. Might sound daft, but for me the yellow stitching is a must-have, so when I replaced my old docs a few years ago, I bought the Made in England DMs. They’re still solid and leagues ahead of the crap Asian ones. They might still be made for DM by Solovair. Or maybe not. The internet seems split on who actually makes them. All a bit sad really.

I get the yellow stitching thing. It’s iconic but I’ve got used to the grey/white coloured stitching now I’ve had them for a few days.
Might sound daft but I actually enjoyed having to break a pair of boots in again. It’s well worth a couple of weeks discomfort to end up with ten years of real comfort afterwards.
The MIE docs are a step above the ‘normal’ ones for sure, but Solovair just edge them for me.

 

[stonerblue]

Fans of Doc Martens may already be aware of course but for any that are not, just wanted to share that I have discovered a boot manufacturer that makes Derby boots very much like the Docs of old (pre-early 90s).

Solovair.

Oxblood 8 Eye Derby Boot | Solovair | Handmade in England

Oxblood 8 Eye Derby Boot made of leather using Goodyear welted construction with a signature soft suspension sole. Handmade in Wollaston, Northamptonshire, England.

uk.nps-solovair.com

Proper thick leather, very sturdy sole, need breaking in properly (my last few pairs of docs were flimsy and thin with thin soles). Absolutely perfect.
Made on the original Lasts of the original Doc Marten 1460 boots.

If you’re a fan of Docs, get yourself a pair. You won’t regret it.

Nice boots.
Solovair generally have a stiff midsole unlike DM's but going off the pic they could be ''air wear'' and should take less breaking in.

 

[JASR]

Disappointed, thread turns out not to be IT related.

 

[BimboBob]

I don’t have a pair of Solovair, but the ones I’ve handled looked very good. Might sound daft, but for me the yellow stitching is a must-have, so when I replaced my old docs a few years ago, I bought the Made in England DMs. They’re still solid and leagues ahead of the crap Asian ones. They might still be made for DM by Solovair. Or maybe not. The internet seems split on who actually makes them. All a bit sad really.

The Dr Martins shop/ factory is a few miles from me. They have spent quite a bit recently on upping production. They also have a seconds shop which is a fantastic place to buy stuff. As far as I can tell seconds means a wonky stitch or a slight scuff.

 

[Pedestrian]

I prefer red wings.

 

[bluethrunthru]

I don’t have a pair of Solovair, but the ones I’ve handled looked very good. Might sound daft, but for me the yellow stitching is a must-have, so when I replaced my old docs a few years ago, I bought the Made in England DMs. They’re still solid and leagues ahead of the crap Asian ones. They might still be made for DM by Solovair. Or maybe not. The internet seems split on who actually makes them. All a bit sad really.

Isn't the problem that quality in DM's declined when 95% of production was moved to Asia and the Far East?

 

[bluethrunthru]

btw - watched this list night - warmed the cockles of me heart pet - for anyone under 40 years old this was bog standard up and down the land up to the end of the 70's - its called manufacturing.

Loved the repair aspect I didn't know existed - you buy a proper - sorree a propper - wax jacket and you can wear it for life

BBC One - We Are England, Series 1, Our Northern Jacket Empire

On the factory floor inside a waxed jacket business which is over 100 years old.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Marklr]

I thought it was a thread about the alternatives to seeing your doctor. Seriously. I was going to advise, even though it's difficult right now, stick with your qualified GP and avoid witch doctors, faith healers and such.

 

[roman totale]

Isn't the problem that quality in DM's declined when 95% of production was moved to Asia and the Far East?

I’ve been wearing Docs since the early 80s and as far as I can tell, the Made in England ones are the same quality as they’ve always been. The ones made in Asia are noticeably worse, with thinner leather and poorer stitching and finishing.

 

[bluethrunthru]

I’ve been wearing Docs since the early 80s and as far as I can tell, the Made in England ones are the same quality as they’ve always been. The ones made in Asia are noticeably worse, with thinner leather and poorer stitching and finishing.

You wanna watch that Barbour documentary if you can - its really uplifting and good news