I own a pair of those like in this video. Twenty years old and still like new. I also wore the black wing tip Doc's shoes to work for 15 years, inside and outside everyday and they still look great. These pairs were not made in England as I had no clue when I bought them. Now I did replace the factory insole with Dr Scholls and they became even more comfortable.
Back in the day, the trick to buying MIE DMs is to buy the surplus stock from the Royal Mail - they had a contract with DM to make boots for the staff, they are identical to the regular customer version except for the welt which was black instead of yellow - they came with commandos sole and most important of all, were MIE. I bought a bunch of them back in the day for about 70% off retail - in fact, I still have 2x box-fresh pair sitting around somewhere 😊😊😊
As a Brit I spent a lot of time wearing Doc Martens (or DMs as we call them over here). Even the Made in England shoes are not the same as the footwear they used to produce in the 70s, 80s and 90s. The leather was better and they included a wooden shank. Now they are very much a volume footwear producer and they are overpriced for what they are (They’re even more expensive here - £209 or $259 dollars at today’s exchange rate). I’d rather see your viewers wear a pair of Thursday boots than Doc Martens.
What are your thoughts on Solovair. I live in the US and I love my trusty pair, they’re made in England for 40 bucks less than made in England docs and they have the wooden shanks. I would say the only downside is that when it comes time to resole im going to have to ship them out to a cobbler in England.
@@alex_1036 I’ve no recent experience of Solovair. It looks like they’re better constructed than normal Doc Martens but there’s still a problem with the quality of the leather. If you have their high-shine leather you’ll find it’s impervious to conditioning and prone to cracking. Once it’s cracked there’s nothing you can really do about it. Trenton and Heath’s RUclips channel has shown them repairing Doc Martens. They trade as Potter and Sons in Nashville.
@@krisjonesuk I actually own a pair with greasy leather instead of high shine and I’ve found that the leather holds up excellently when waxed with carnauba wax,
@@kyle_vr Compared to Dr Martens - yes. They have much better leather and proper Goodyear Welt construction, which means it would be much easier to get the soles and heels repaired. Looked after properly a pair of Thursday boots should last many more years than a Dr Martens boot.
I hiked through Brazil, Cambodia, and the country side of Thailand finishing the trip in Hong Kong with a pair of new Doc Martins my feet were blessed, It was honestly the only time I wore them and I can’t say a single bad word about them.
Walk 8 hours a day for 5-7 months and I bet they won’t last. I had a pair of cherry red when I hit highschool and the leather split near my ankle. I bought a black pair and it split at a crease mark and the sole split also. I bought a pair of mie docs and they lasted me over 2 years and they are just now cracking in the leather. Moral of the story if you walk and want a pair of boot to last and you like docs then get mie.
The last two pairs of DMs I bought lasted approximately 18 months each before both pairs of boots split across the soles. I'm assuming they were both the ones made in Thailand, not that I even realised you could buy ones still made in the UK or that an online seller would even specify which ones you're getting. At almost £100 a pair, they're definitely not worth the money and are now more of a fashion statement. For the last couple of pairs of boots I've bought Dickies ones for about £20 a pair and last just as long or longer. I do tend to buy for purposes of utility rather than looks now though. I did hear that a company called Solovair make the original spec DMs, just unbranded, and they're supposed to be much better than anything branded Doc Marten, but for a price. Apparently Solovair used to make DMs years ago as a subcontractor for DM, and have a lot of the original tooling. Can anybody shed any light on that?
This is true. Solovair used to make Doc Martin's and where the original manufacturer of their boots and shoes. They are, in fact, built better for cheaper, and they are built in the UK. However, I wouldn't expect old school Doc's quality, though they are built significantly better and don't have a plastic coating. Rose Anvil has a video comparing Doc's to Solovair's
I have a pair of ''for life'' I got in 2017 wore them every day for 4 years with no problems, got a pair of ,solovairs 18months ago, wore them for 4 months and a rip appeared at the toe bend, so got a pair of DM 1460s off the missus, after 3 weeks the leather is creasing badly at the toe bend and is going to rip in the same place. Never had this problem before, had many DMs over 40 years but the quality really is terrible now and Solovair seems no better.
I've got 5 pairs of DMs, 3 of which are MIEs. You need to order 2 sizes smaller in the UK sizing i.e. If you are a US10, you need to order a UK8. The leathers are tanned differently in different countries. Nappa is softer and thinner than Quilon, and Pascal leather is even softer and thinner still. The MIE leather lasts longer. 2 pairs of mine are over 20 years old.
The only doc martens boot with plastic on the leather is the patent leather. The ones you have are just grain corrected drum dyed leather from Argentina.
My dr martens MIE lasted 2,5 years. I was wearing them every single day. My Thailand dr martens lasted 1,5 years and they were totally destroyed! Even the MIE are not made like they used to. You simply couldn’t destroy them. They could last 7-8+ years. I’m talking about docs made before 2000
It can also really depend on your feet. I can't wear the cheaper ones. I had a pair and they were absolutely ruinous on my feet. I took the time to break them in and I was still in pain. After a year of trying I ended up just giving them away. Then I had the opportunity to try a Made in England pair, and for me the difference was IMMEDIATELY noticeable. Breaking them in didn't feel like torture, and now they are 2nd only to my Blundstones for comfort.
Phenomenal videos man. I don't even really care that much about fashion but your videos are informative, well shot, and I really dig the "casual" nature of you going about some hike or cleaning your house. Make me feel like I'm hanging out with a much more fashionable buddy who's telling me about his cool stuff. You'll be 100k, 500k, 1m subs in no time.
@@agustinarcusa7696that may be true, but they’re also cheaply made, use inferior materials and tear apart easily. It’s definitely over priced entirely because it got popular now
I’ve had 1460 monos for roughly 8 years, and they still fit well, only slightly cracked at the top back of my ankle, and some creasing. Overall I have been happy with them
Growing up in the UK in the ‘70s DM’s we’re the weapon of choice for Skinheads, Punks and Police Officers. $170 is hilarious never mind €260. Cool boots though
I heard that they used to be a subcontractor for the original DMs and that the ones they still produce are the best version you can get. Do you know much about them?
Nailed it. This middle dude has been wearing docs for 30 years. Two pairs worn on the daily were purchased in 1997. Only replaced the laces. I do have a made in Thailand and just bought a made in England. They could not be more different. The size, the leather, the color, the soles. All different. I will say if someone just wants instant comfortable docs…buy made in Thailand. If you want to flex on your friends…buy made in England… but be warned you’ll have to mink oil the shit out of them.
Lug sole doc marten are the best. I own a pair that is almost 15 years old. May be in these 15 years, I have worn the boot for 3 or four years daily. The sole is still there but the leather has cracked at the creases. Also, the footbed has disintegrated. Still it would be good for another 2, 3 years.
I have had a pair of Dr. Marten English made steel cap toe 101's I've had for over 12 years. I dont wear them every day but damn love them. Bought them from Zappo's for $70 on clearance. Plus, online they go on sale all the time...
I have an ancient pair of MIE 1561 4-eye Gibsons, I haven't worn them as much in recent years but I used to wear them all the time. They've held up better than any other shoe or boot I've owned. I also have a pair of early Chinese 1460s, they're not particularly comfortable and while they aren't absolutely trashed yet, they don't seem to be holding up as well as some of the vintage MIE 1460s I've seen despite not being worn much.
I was just about to say this! I’m sure the significantly better leather finish (and the dozens of finish choices) and wooden shank make a huge difference in the long run,
@@PocketUau I would say it’s the best version of that boot but it’s still not great. For me it’s purely a fashion statement. When I want to work I’m grabbing my redwings or thorogoods.
@@Winford.Studios the Solovair brand exists because the factory that made Docs was a cooperative and when Docs didn't renewed their deal they started selling under their own brand.
Well, I get that you simply don't get it; and it's fine. I've been using Martens boots and shoes since I was in my teens, in the 90s. They were really well constructed, shank and everything!!! my boots lasted nearly a decade of abuse. In 2013 I purchased another Martens, maybe it was nostalgia, but these weren't made in England, and they didn't last long. Another pair come and go, it wasn't the same, the quality wasn't there. Finally in 2019 my wife surprised me with a Made in England shoes. Everything that I love was there, I still have them and wear them in regular basis and they are not showing signs of determination. Almost 3 years ago I got myself another Made in England shoes, and still have them. Is not just the myth or nostalgia, they are good and quality shoes. If you want to set the real deal go for the Made in England, it's a well invested money since they going to give you years and years of joy. The other ones are a "good" choice if you don't care, as I, if your shoes are not lasting at least a year of love. Greetings from Seattle.
Totally agree with you. Same experience but I am a bit older and started in the mid-eighties. I have many Docs and only buy MIE as Asian made just aren’t good enough IME.
My Vietnam black monos purchased in 2023 have the same felted material that MIE ones have, they also have "Heritage Fit" on the box while my Crazy Horse ones have "Standard Fit".
you are probably the best product review guy ever! i can see there is so much effort and creativity in producing this episode! thanks for a fun and very informative review!
I love my made in England 1461 shoes. Leather, comfort, break-in period, looks, it's night and day. Best thing is - they are a little slimmer which makes them suitable as all-occasion autumn/winter shoes - not just subculture symbols. Just a pair of great, stylish waterproof warm shoes.
Doc Marten's made in England are fine boots. I wore a pair for twenty years and they are still OK and I'm a very heavy man. They are great for heavy people because they cushion each footstep and reduce knee pain. They were originally a German design for soldiers with foot injuries from the first World War. They were also standard issue for poorer punks and Goths in the 90s and early 2000s.
Finally man , give it more wear time and youll love the made in England🎉, also Try to get a Sidnaw Company 20oz wax Jacket , I have one of their brown jacket and I would like to see your take on It. 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼
Had of pair of DMs in the 90s. The UK ones and they were nothing special back then. Leather cracked rather than creased, gave away to a charity store. Just get a pair of GPs(army boots) so much better quality and longevity
i discovered this video my complete chance-- the algorithm showing good stuff for once and im hooked HAHA you're hilarious ! the ribbed for your pleasure killed me--
I have pair of made in Lao docs I wear for work. Generally speaking they are robust enough that if I get a few years out of them I’ll be happy. Unfortunately nowadays it seams nothing lasts very long, wether it’s a pair off boots or a washing machine
People buy Dr. Martens for style and fashion. In the style and fashion category, you are buying an iconic product. Dr. Martens were made for comfort. That's what the AirWair sole is all about. You are getting the softest step from technology of the 1950's. They began selling in 1960. It's still the same light, soft, rubber sole with air pockets. This is not the boot that you buy when you want Alden, Viberg, Red Wing, 1000 Mile Boots, Trickers, etc. Everyone knows that it's cheap leather, with a PVC welt, melted to a rubber sole, with a synthetic lasting board and pieces of foam. Everyone knows that you're not getting Seidel, CF Stead, or Horween leather, a leather footbed insole, a leather welt, a leather midsole, etc. Nobody is pulling the wool over anyone's eye. It's a shoe with an MSRP of $170, that discounts to under $100 on sale, and with the right coupon codes. The Made in England model is more expensive to pay for production in England. You get to pay for the factory overhead and labor. Worth it if you believe that you are supporting that factory and it's workers. Nobody is buying Dr. Martens as a work boot. Dr. Martens were never made to be a "forever" boot. These boots do not compare to higher priced heritage boots. They are somewhat better than shoes that are simply glued together. I would much rather have stitched and heat welded, than cemented construction. When you look at other footwear under $200, none of them are offering high quality leather either. Some have true Goodyear welts, like Johnston & Murphy, Florsheim, and Stacy Adams, but these aren't really dress shoes. A lot of work boots under $200 have Goodyear welts, but these aren't really work boots. Timberlands are also a mass marketed fashion boot, but they have a different look to appeal to a different sense of style.
It is similar with Barbour and Barbour Made in South Shields. You get better fit and finish with the English-made stuff. But the cost savings is worth it for most people.
It's funny I still have my first pair of dr. Martin's Boots. They are 20 whole steel toed boots. I didn't wear them that often so they're in pretty good shape. My feet have grown since then so they don't fit that well anymore. I'm going to have to find them a good home
Quick note on Bradley Mountain: I’ve spoken to the owner Tyler a few times and he’s a really nice guy. They make all of their bags and jackets in their workshop in the USA. They recently moved to TN and are opening up a store there. I have a ton of Filson and other competitor brands and honestly I like Bradley Mountain the most. Maybe it’s because they’re a smaller brand but they’re jacket and backpack designs have so much thought and are feature packed. A really cool brand that I think deserves more attention.
I gave up on DMs once they went overseas - same when Converse stopped making the All Star in USA (it's a long list of embargo stuff i set up for myself) Also, Blundstone boots are a notch above DM in terms of ease of use / quality/ comfort.
@@danieloneill1279 that I know, i bought them when they were made there, and received a new pair as a gift and they were very good. Lasted longer than the Oz pairs.
You touched on the labor, but you skimmed over the welt. The welt on a MiE boot is a full Goodyear welt, where the stitching you see on the edge is actually sewing the welt to the boot itself with that addition of the glued and melted seal of the sole to the bottom. It is MUCH more secure and just lasts longer than the Asian-made boots which are only glued on the bottom. I can't argue that on the materials alone they are worth $90 more, but they are better made than the imports and I think look better overall with the untreated leather on the inside. EDIT - Another point is that they actually make the soles in the factory in England as well - they use raw PVC pellets and heat them up and mold the soles. There is a cost to this as well.
If you want real Doc’s or DMs, save some money and get Solovair. The shape of the boot is now different. The original Doc Martens had a more bulbous toe box - ie the last was different. Also original Docs had the Bex outer soles - if memory serves me right. Lastly, original DMs have a shank - solovair that used to make DMs until 1990 still has the same wooden shank. The thing you wont get with Solovair is the ribbed outer bit of the sole as it has been sanded off and the yellow stitches.
Agreed. I have different leather MIE. The Horweens are the best, 2nd are the suede ones. I have to constantly treat the iconic black boots and still have small superficial cracks (yet they look great!)
I get that people want the finished look, but the top coat doesn’t have to be shit. Back in the 40s and 50s people were fascinated with top coats on leather because they didn’t have to take care of it. It was widely used on military and work boots because those had to be functional. In Czechoslovakia where I come from, the military started using boots with shiny waterproof plastic coating in the 90s. It was durable and beautiful like on Dr. Martens but it wasn’t as thick so it would not flake off in chunks, but rather develop micro-cracks along the creases that would allow you to condition the leather underneath (which would be around the time you have to condition your leather anyway). The same form of coating is used in our boots today and is used also by Norwegian army and funnily enough Solovair on their greasy models (although that is matt and not shiny). My point being, the plastic coating is as dirt cheap as the rest of the boot and that’s exactly why it looks awful after a few years.
The England ones still feel better than the non versions. I been wearing them since the 90's Black,Cherry,Oxblood , steel caps n non . All of em. I have Oxblood Englands i got bout 4 years ago . Wear em all the time and the leather stands up way better than the Asian versions of which i have a few of. The price i high on Englands but it's not that bad. The real crime is the bottoms wear faster than the leather. The trendy hipsters won't shell out for em so that's a plus in my book... D.M.'s boots are not for everyone and that's the way i like it.
The can charge it for exactly the same reason Viberg can charge $800. Because they sell. Made in England boots are made as much as for marketing and publicity as to make any actual money.
I have a pair of ''for life'' I got in 2017 wore them every day for 4 years with no problems, got a pair of ,solovairs 18months ago, wore them for 4 months and a rip appeared at the toe bend, so got a pair of DM 1460s off the missus, after 3 weeks the leather is creasing badly at the toe bend and is going to rip in the same place. Never had this problem before, had many DMs over 40 years but the quality really is terrible now and Solovair seems no better.
i recently bought a pr. of made in england 3 eyelet docs from e bay for 60 bucks. cleaned them a bit, then hit them with 2 coats of mink oil. they are great!!!!
Late to the video but what makes them worth it for me is the ethics of it, I don't mind paying extra if I know the people that are making are being treated ethically and making at minimum a living wage vs workers that are probably working in sweatshops and probably aren't making enough to maintain themselves
Wore Docs in the 80s and 90s when everyone wore them. Have a pair of MIT shoes from 2008ish. Still going strong. Have a pair of MIE blue smooth (MIE has had different leathers and formulations over the years) boots that are 10+ years old and are fantastic - except that the rollover piping at the top of the shaft isn’t real leather and the synthetic coating has worn off. Other than that they have really good longevity. My rain and foul weather boots.
Dr Martens aren't for me, but for people who are fans of Dr Martens, paying a little extra for Made in England ones and them having more pleasure when they're wearing them, I can get behind. Stuff is meant to be enjoyed, and if being a little better quality and also being properly Made in England on the old machines gives people that fizz when they wear them, then the item has done its job.
IMO don’t waste your money on new Doc Martens. You’re better off putting your money into a higher quality pair of boots. Look at Franks, Nicks, Red Wing, etc. Pacific Northwest boots are the way to go
@@lachlantula yeah, but a black pair of derby boots made with full grain calf, a storm welt and a rubber sole doesn't look that different. Any European shoemaker will have something like that.
I have 3 pairs of Docs, 2 of which my father gave me he bought them in the 90s, i bought myself a pair last year and gotta say the older pair have better leather
I have that same Bradley Mountain jacket, love it. Fits like it was tailored for me, albeit I wear it as a work jacket and I put it through it’s paces working at a farm.It’s holding up well and starting to patina nicely.
The smooth leather is uncomfortable plastified s....But in Pascal Virginia they are really comfortable and beautiful shoes. Weak point are the soles they are not resistant enough. I would not buy the english ones in the heavy leather, prefer not to suffer….
You do know that companies make profit, right? They don't sell products at the price of the manufacturing cost like the kind of articles we used to see about iPhones for years "the iPhone 4 costs $153,46 to make!!!!". Well you have to take into account on top of manufacturing, labour/assembly, R&D (when it applies), operational costs, transportation, marketing, then the margin of the distributor and the one of the retailer (even when sold through a brand own channel). Operation, rent, transportation (again), storage, etc, etc. And all these cost a higher price in England, it's not only about raw materials.
Being British and wearing DMs since the 1970s I can testify the new foreign ones are nothing like the old ones; cheaper leather, no arch support and lacking the 'quality' feel. In my opinion they are overpriced. I have not tried the 'Made in England' variety but if I risk my cash on another pair I am tempted to try out the Solovair alternative which uses the original techniques in the factory they were made in back in the day.
You run funny.
Run forest run
@@adamsmiths3016 LOL, yeah kinda of.
That’s all you got
your mother juarez
Funny is good!
I own a pair of those like in this video. Twenty years old and still like new. I also wore the black wing tip Doc's shoes to work for 15 years, inside and outside everyday and they still look great. These pairs were not made in England as I had no clue when I bought them. Now I did replace the factory insole with Dr Scholls and they became even more comfortable.
You've got a bloody good pair then because the new ones don't last 2 years.
Back in the day, the trick to buying MIE DMs is to buy the surplus stock from the Royal Mail - they had a contract with DM to make boots for the staff, they are identical to the regular customer version except for the welt which was black instead of yellow - they came with commandos sole and most important of all, were MIE. I bought a bunch of them back in the day for about 70% off retail - in fact, I still have 2x box-fresh pair sitting around somewhere 😊😊😊
My two favorite YT channels, The Iron Snail and Rose Anvil, doing a collab would be the internet ribbing itself for my pleasure.
Rose Anvil who’s a leather maker who gets a lot of stuff wrong about leather and footwear building? Lol
@@GoufinAround_ where your videos lmao 🤣
Would be great!
As a Brit I spent a lot of time wearing Doc Martens (or DMs as we call them over here). Even the Made in England shoes are not the same as the footwear they used to produce in the 70s, 80s and 90s. The leather was better and they included a wooden shank. Now they are very much a volume footwear producer and they are overpriced for what they are (They’re even more expensive here - £209 or $259 dollars at today’s exchange rate). I’d rather see your viewers wear a pair of Thursday boots than Doc Martens.
What are your thoughts on Solovair. I live in the US and I love my trusty pair, they’re made in England for 40 bucks less than made in England docs and they have the wooden shanks. I would say the only downside is that when it comes time to resole im going to have to ship them out to a cobbler in England.
@@alex_1036 I’ve no recent experience of Solovair. It looks like they’re better constructed than normal Doc Martens but there’s still a problem with the quality of the leather. If you have their high-shine leather you’ll find it’s impervious to conditioning and prone to cracking. Once it’s cracked there’s nothing you can really do about it. Trenton and Heath’s RUclips channel has shown them repairing Doc Martens. They trade as Potter and Sons in Nashville.
@@krisjonesuk I actually own a pair with greasy leather instead of high shine and I’ve found that the leather holds up excellently when waxed with carnauba wax,
Do Thursday make good boots?
@@kyle_vr Compared to Dr Martens - yes. They have much better leather and proper Goodyear Welt construction, which means it would be much easier to get the soles and heels repaired. Looked after properly a pair of Thursday boots should last many more years than a Dr Martens boot.
I hiked through Brazil, Cambodia, and the country side of Thailand finishing the trip in Hong Kong with a pair of new Doc Martins my feet were blessed, It was honestly the only time I wore them and I can’t say a single bad word about them.
I walked on not much more than pavements for less than a couple of years and mine were fucked.
@@FlyboyHelosim lmao
Walk 8 hours a day for 5-7 months and I bet they won’t last. I had a pair of cherry red when I hit highschool and the leather split near my ankle. I bought a black pair and it split at a crease mark and the sole split also. I bought a pair of mie docs and they lasted me over 2 years and they are just now cracking in the leather. Moral of the story if you walk and want a pair of boot to last and you like docs then get mie.
Would love to see a vid on Solovair, I absolutely love my trusty pair.
The last two pairs of DMs I bought lasted approximately 18 months each before both pairs of boots split across the soles. I'm assuming they were both the ones made in Thailand, not that I even realised you could buy ones still made in the UK or that an online seller would even specify which ones you're getting. At almost £100 a pair, they're definitely not worth the money and are now more of a fashion statement. For the last couple of pairs of boots I've bought Dickies ones for about £20 a pair and last just as long or longer. I do tend to buy for purposes of utility rather than looks now though. I did hear that a company called Solovair make the original spec DMs, just unbranded, and they're supposed to be much better than anything branded Doc Marten, but for a price. Apparently Solovair used to make DMs years ago as a subcontractor for DM, and have a lot of the original tooling. Can anybody shed any light on that?
This is true. Solovair used to make Doc Martin's and where the original manufacturer of their boots and shoes. They are, in fact, built better for cheaper, and they are built in the UK. However, I wouldn't expect old school Doc's quality, though they are built significantly better and don't have a plastic coating. Rose Anvil has a video comparing Doc's to Solovair's
I have a pair of ''for life'' I got in 2017 wore them every day for 4 years with no problems, got a pair of ,solovairs 18months ago, wore them for 4 months and a rip appeared at the toe bend, so got a pair of DM 1460s off the missus, after 3 weeks the leather is creasing badly at the toe bend and is going to rip in the same place. Never had this problem before, had many DMs over 40 years but the quality really is terrible now and Solovair seems no better.
I've got 5 pairs of DMs, 3 of which are MIEs. You need to order 2 sizes smaller in the UK sizing i.e. If you are a US10, you need to order a UK8. The leathers are tanned differently in different countries. Nappa is softer and thinner than Quilon, and Pascal leather is even softer and thinner still. The MIE leather lasts longer. 2 pairs of mine are over 20 years old.
The only doc martens boot with plastic on the leather is the patent leather. The ones you have are just grain corrected drum dyed leather from Argentina.
My dr martens MIE lasted 2,5 years. I was wearing them every single day. My Thailand dr martens lasted 1,5 years and they were totally destroyed! Even the MIE are not made like they used to. You simply couldn’t destroy them. They could last 7-8+ years. I’m talking about docs made before 2000
It can also really depend on your feet. I can't wear the cheaper ones. I had a pair and they were absolutely ruinous on my feet. I took the time to break them in and I was still in pain. After a year of trying I ended up just giving them away. Then I had the opportunity to try a Made in England pair, and for me the difference was IMMEDIATELY noticeable. Breaking them in didn't feel like torture, and now they are 2nd only to my Blundstones for comfort.
Phenomenal videos man. I don't even really care that much about fashion but your videos are informative, well shot, and I really dig the "casual" nature of you going about some hike or cleaning your house. Make me feel like I'm hanging out with a much more fashionable buddy who's telling me about his cool stuff. You'll be 100k, 500k, 1m subs in no time.
We wore DMs in the 70s and 80s because they were functional and cheap. Sadly they’re neither of those things now.
Salaries have stagnated, that is the underlying problem here
@@agustinarcusa7696that may be true, but they’re also cheaply made, use inferior materials and tear apart easily. It’s definitely over priced entirely because it got popular now
I get the price issue but why are they not functional anymore ?
@@123evanda the materials are poorer quality, they now lack a shank, the soles do not last and they slip more on wet surfaces now.
We wore them in the 90s because Kurt Cobain wore them.
I’ve had 1460 monos for roughly 8 years, and they still fit well, only slightly cracked at the top back of my ankle, and some creasing. Overall I have been happy with them
I love my Solovairs. Made in England, 50 bucks cheaper, great quality and I think they look classier.
yeah, 100%
I don’t agree with you. I bought solovair boots and they lasted exactly the same like MIE docs. They are not made like they used to… both of them
Can’t believe I had to scroll so far to find this comment. Why isn’t everyone saying “forget it, just get Solovairs”?
Growing up in the UK in the ‘70s DM’s we’re the weapon of choice for Skinheads, Punks and Police Officers. $170 is hilarious never mind €260. Cool boots though
Now we need a Solovair comparison lol
I heard that they used to be a subcontractor for the original DMs and that the ones they still produce are the best version you can get. Do you know much about them?
@@FlyboyHelosim they are DM’s original manufacturer
Nailed it. This middle dude has been wearing docs for 30 years. Two pairs worn on the daily were purchased in 1997. Only replaced the laces. I do have a made in Thailand and just bought a made in England. They could not be more different. The size, the leather, the color, the soles. All different. I will say if someone just wants instant comfortable docs…buy made in Thailand. If you want to flex on your friends…buy made in England… but be warned you’ll have to mink oil the shit out of them.
Lug sole doc marten are the best. I own a pair that is almost 15 years old. May be in these 15 years, I have worn the boot for 3 or four years daily. The sole is still there but the leather has cracked at the creases. Also, the footbed has disintegrated. Still it would be good for another 2, 3 years.
I have had a pair of Dr. Marten English made steel cap toe 101's I've had for over 12 years. I dont wear them every day but damn love them. Bought them from Zappo's for $70 on clearance. Plus, online they go on sale all the time...
I have an ancient pair of MIE 1561 4-eye Gibsons, I haven't worn them as much in recent years but I used to wear them all the time. They've held up better than any other shoe or boot I've owned. I also have a pair of early Chinese 1460s, they're not particularly comfortable and while they aren't absolutely trashed yet, they don't seem to be holding up as well as some of the vintage MIE 1460s I've seen despite not being worn much.
You should do a Solovair vid! Brilliant content, as usual.
Thank you! And I will in the not so distant future!
I was just about to say this! I’m sure the significantly better leather finish (and the dozens of finish choices) and wooden shank make a huge difference in the long run,
@@TheIronSnail exciting!
@@PocketUau I would say it’s the best version of that boot but it’s still not great. For me it’s purely a fashion statement. When I want to work I’m grabbing my redwings or thorogoods.
I love my trusty pair of a solovairs, the only downside is that when it comes time to resole I will have to ship them out to a cobbler in England
Super iconic boot no doubt! How does the made in England boot stack up to Solovairs?
They are made in the same factory I’m 99 percent certain
@@Winford.Studios the Solovair brand exists because the factory that made Docs was a cooperative and when Docs didn't renewed their deal they started selling under their own brand.
The editing for your videos is phenomenal
I don't remember my 70's ones having a plastic outer coating.
Maybe they did. Not had a pair since about 1985. I have as they say, moved on.
Well, I get that you simply don't get it; and it's fine.
I've been using Martens boots and shoes since I was in my teens, in the 90s. They were really well constructed, shank and everything!!! my boots lasted nearly a decade of abuse. In 2013 I purchased another Martens, maybe it was nostalgia, but these weren't made in England, and they didn't last long. Another pair come and go, it wasn't the same, the quality wasn't there.
Finally in 2019 my wife surprised me with a Made in England shoes. Everything that I love was there, I still have them and wear them in regular basis and they are not showing signs of determination.
Almost 3 years ago I got myself another Made in England shoes, and still have them.
Is not just the myth or nostalgia, they are good and quality shoes. If you want to set the real deal go for the Made in England, it's a well invested money since they going to give you years and years of joy. The other ones are a "good" choice if you don't care, as I, if your shoes are not lasting at least a year of love.
Greetings from Seattle.
Totally agree with you. Same experience but I am a bit older and started in the mid-eighties. I have many Docs and only buy MIE as Asian made just aren’t good enough IME.
My Vietnam black monos purchased in 2023 have the same felted material that MIE ones have, they also have "Heritage Fit" on the box while my Crazy Horse ones have "Standard Fit".
you are probably the best product review guy ever! i can see there is so much effort and creativity in producing this episode! thanks for a fun and very informative review!
I’ve been buying these since the 90’s and I’m happy with them! The cut leather in the back doesn’t cut my skin like the made in Thailand 😬
I feel like I get teleported to a different universe full of magic and wonder everytime I watch your videos. Such a treat!
I own the same MIE Doc Martens as shown in the video. I Like them, they are a great autumn/Winter Boot.
I love my made in England 1461 shoes. Leather, comfort, break-in period, looks, it's night and day. Best thing is - they are a little slimmer which makes them suitable as all-occasion autumn/winter shoes - not just subculture symbols.
Just a pair of great, stylish waterproof warm shoes.
What is that jacket you are wearing and that watch?
I do like the shoes.
Another great review… big love from Australia 😊😊😊
Doc Marten's made in England are fine boots. I wore a pair for twenty years and they are still OK and I'm a very heavy man. They are great for heavy people because they cushion each footstep and reduce knee pain. They were originally a German design for soldiers with foot injuries from the first World War. They were also standard issue for poorer punks and Goths in the 90s and early 2000s.
You are the personality of T&H. I’m happy your own channel randomly popped up…i don’t care about any of this but you’re a personality
Finally man , give it more wear time and youll love the made in England🎉, also Try to get a Sidnaw Company 20oz wax Jacket , I have one of their brown jacket and I would like to see your take on It. 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼
Bro I’m so excited for this video
I'm so glad you shouted out Rose Anvil cause he's a real one.
I have one pair of each. They are 8 to 9 years old. Their shape is defenitely different, but most importantly for me, they aged very differently.
Had of pair of DMs in the 90s. The UK ones and they were nothing special back then. Leather cracked rather than creased, gave away to a charity store. Just get a pair of GPs(army boots) so much better quality and longevity
i discovered this video my complete chance-- the algorithm showing good stuff for once and im hooked HAHA you're hilarious ! the ribbed for your pleasure killed me--
I have pair of made in Lao docs I wear for work. Generally speaking they are robust enough that if I get a few years out of them I’ll be happy. Unfortunately nowadays it seams nothing lasts very long, wether it’s a pair off boots or a washing machine
I just found your channel and i love your format so much! And now i wanna get a MIE Dr Martens
People buy Dr. Martens for style and fashion. In the style and fashion category, you are buying an iconic product. Dr. Martens were made for comfort. That's what the AirWair sole is all about. You are getting the softest step from technology of the 1950's. They began selling in 1960. It's still the same light, soft, rubber sole with air pockets.
This is not the boot that you buy when you want Alden, Viberg, Red Wing, 1000 Mile Boots, Trickers, etc. Everyone knows that it's cheap leather, with a PVC welt, melted to a rubber sole, with a synthetic lasting board and pieces of foam. Everyone knows that you're not getting Seidel, CF Stead, or Horween leather, a leather footbed insole, a leather welt, a leather midsole, etc. Nobody is pulling the wool over anyone's eye.
It's a shoe with an MSRP of $170, that discounts to under $100 on sale, and with the right coupon codes. The Made in England model is more expensive to pay for production in England. You get to pay for the factory overhead and labor. Worth it if you believe that you are supporting that factory and it's workers.
Nobody is buying Dr. Martens as a work boot. Dr. Martens were never made to be a "forever" boot. These boots do not compare to higher priced heritage boots. They are somewhat better than shoes that are simply glued together. I would much rather have stitched and heat welded, than cemented construction. When you look at other footwear under $200, none of them are offering high quality leather either. Some have true Goodyear welts, like Johnston & Murphy, Florsheim, and Stacy Adams, but these aren't really dress shoes. A lot of work boots under $200 have Goodyear welts, but these aren't really work boots. Timberlands are also a mass marketed fashion boot, but they have a different look to appeal to a different sense of style.
Just check our Rose anvil. He cut a few pairs of Doc Martin’s and proved both the MIT and MIE are not worth the money.
Let me guess... only his own boots collabs are worth the money.
It is similar with Barbour and Barbour Made in South Shields. You get better fit and finish with the English-made stuff. But the cost savings is worth it for most people.
beautiful video as always xx
It's funny I still have my first pair of dr. Martin's Boots. They are 20 whole steel toed boots. I didn't wear them that often so they're in pretty good shape. My feet have grown since then so they don't fit that well anymore. I'm going to have to find them a good home
You should become a standup comedian. Great videos!
Quick note on Bradley Mountain: I’ve spoken to the owner Tyler a few times and he’s a really nice guy. They make all of their bags and jackets in their workshop in the USA. They recently moved to TN and are opening up a store there.
I have a ton of Filson and other competitor brands and honestly I like Bradley Mountain the most. Maybe it’s because they’re a smaller brand but they’re jacket and backpack designs have so much thought and are feature packed. A really cool brand that I think deserves more attention.
The quality of Your video is so good
As a huge Bradley Mountain fan I can honestly say I heard nothing you were talking about because I was just watching your jacket the whole time.
Highlight of my week as usual!
I gave up on DMs once they went overseas - same when Converse stopped making the All Star in USA (it's a long list of embargo stuff i set up for myself) Also, Blundstone boots are a notch above DM in terms of ease of use / quality/ comfort.
Blundstone's are not made in Australia anymore, better add them to the embargo list...
@@danieloneill1279 that I know, i bought them when they were made there, and received a new pair as a gift and they were very good. Lasted longer than the Oz pairs.
You touched on the labor, but you skimmed over the welt. The welt on a MiE boot is a full Goodyear welt, where the stitching you see on the edge is actually sewing the welt to the boot itself with that addition of the glued and melted seal of the sole to the bottom. It is MUCH more secure and just lasts longer than the Asian-made boots which are only glued on the bottom. I can't argue that on the materials alone they are worth $90 more, but they are better made than the imports and I think look better overall with the untreated leather on the inside.
EDIT - Another point is that they actually make the soles in the factory in England as well - they use raw PVC pellets and heat them up and mold the soles. There is a cost to this as well.
The OG last doesn’t fit me while the Thailand version fits nicely. Same with the MIT monos, which apparently use the slimmer last as well.
An ad almost as good as yogadude911?!? Well done!
Solovair!! So so much better than today's Dr Martens, highly recommended. You should try them Michael
Wait, Michael from Theo & Harris.. Doing shoes too!? Multitalented my man
If you want real Doc’s or DMs, save some money and get Solovair. The shape of the boot is now different. The original Doc Martens had a more bulbous toe box - ie the last was different. Also original Docs had the Bex outer soles - if memory serves me right. Lastly, original DMs have a shank - solovair that used to make DMs until 1990 still has the same wooden shank. The thing you wont get with Solovair is the ribbed outer bit of the sole as it has been sanded off and the yellow stitches.
I have my last 2 iPhone boxes in my desk draw, for what reason I have now just been made aware of 🤣 all makes sense
I have all my old phone boxes. But I also have all my old phones. 😅
The made in UK shoe box is designed to have the same color and texture as a UK passport, right down to the color of the lettering and font.
Skip both and buy a pair of Solovairs. Original DM boot-making quality and superior materials to current day DMs, English made or otherwise.
Thats why i ordered the horween leather mie love em totally worth it
Agreed. I have different leather MIE. The Horweens are the best, 2nd are the suede ones. I have to constantly treat the iconic black boots and still have small superficial cracks (yet they look great!)
I get that people want the finished look, but the top coat doesn’t have to be shit. Back in the 40s and 50s people were fascinated with top coats on leather because they didn’t have to take care of it. It was widely used on military and work boots because those had to be functional. In Czechoslovakia where I come from, the military started using boots with shiny waterproof plastic coating in the 90s. It was durable and beautiful like on Dr. Martens but it wasn’t as thick so it would not flake off in chunks, but rather develop micro-cracks along the creases that would allow you to condition the leather underneath (which would be around the time you have to condition your leather anyway). The same form of coating is used in our boots today and is used also by Norwegian army and funnily enough Solovair on their greasy models (although that is matt and not shiny). My point being, the plastic coating is as dirt cheap as the rest of the boot and that’s exactly why it looks awful after a few years.
The England ones still feel better than the non versions. I been wearing them since the 90's Black,Cherry,Oxblood , steel caps n non . All of em. I have Oxblood Englands i got bout 4 years ago . Wear em all the time and the leather stands up way better than the Asian versions of which i have a few of. The price i high on Englands but it's not that bad. The real crime is the bottoms wear faster than the leather. The trendy hipsters won't shell out for em so that's a plus in my book... D.M.'s boots are not for everyone and that's the way i like it.
The can charge it for exactly the same reason Viberg can charge $800. Because they sell.
Made in England boots are made as much as for marketing and publicity as to make any actual money.
I have a pair of ''for life'' I got in 2017 wore them every day for 4 years with no problems, got a pair of ,solovairs 18months ago, wore them for 4 months and a rip appeared at the toe bend, so got a pair of DM 1460s off the missus, after 3 weeks the leather is creasing badly at the toe bend and is going to rip in the same place. Never had this problem before, had many DMs over 40 years but the quality really is terrible now and Solovair seems no better.
Great video. Welcome the perspective that isn't seemingly built on melanin. Safe and happy travels in Denmark.
This guy is amazing. So charismatic
Do they have any steel inside? Do you know if they trigger the alarm in airport security check?
i recently bought a pr. of made in england 3 eyelet docs from e bay for 60 bucks. cleaned them a bit, then hit them with 2 coats of mink oil. they are great!!!!
Late to the video but what makes them worth it for me is the ethics of it, I don't mind paying extra if I know the people that are making are being treated ethically and making at minimum a living wage vs workers that are probably working in sweatshops and probably aren't making enough to maintain themselves
As a Scot, I Love Buying German Products, Little england = Poor Finish and made on the Cheap v Germany = Qaulity Craftsmanship and German Efficiency.
Wore Docs in the 80s and 90s when everyone wore them. Have a pair of MIT shoes from 2008ish. Still going strong. Have a pair of MIE blue smooth (MIE has had different leathers and formulations over the years) boots that are 10+ years old and are fantastic - except that the rollover piping at the top of the shaft isn’t real leather and the synthetic coating has worn off. Other than that they have really good longevity. My rain and foul weather boots.
How do you like the reebok club c now that they have aged a bit? Very underrated channel btw, super entertaining!!
The add at the front of this video has “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” as the soundtrack. It was an ad for a bank.
Dr Martens aren't for me, but for people who are fans of Dr Martens, paying a little extra for Made in England ones and them having more pleasure when they're wearing them, I can get behind.
Stuff is meant to be enjoyed, and if being a little better quality and also being properly Made in England on the old machines gives people that fizz when they wear them, then the item has done its job.
IMO don’t waste your money on new Doc Martens. You’re better off putting your money into a higher quality pair of boots. Look at Franks, Nicks, Red Wing, etc. Pacific Northwest boots are the way to go
Grant Stone is the best value on the market at this point.
not wrong, but I do think a lot of people buy into docs/solovairs for the aesthetic, too.
@@lachlantula yeah, but a black pair of derby boots made with full grain calf, a storm welt and a rubber sole doesn't look that different. Any European shoemaker will have something like that.
I have 3 pairs of Docs, 2 of which my father gave me he bought them in the 90s, i bought myself a pair last year and gotta say the older pair have better leather
The made in Englands docs are UK size so if you order a US11 they will send you a UK10 🤙🏼
it depends on where you buy them
I have that same Bradley Mountain jacket, love it. Fits like it was tailored for me, albeit I wear it as a work jacket and I put it through it’s paces working at a farm.It’s holding up well and starting to patina nicely.
The smooth leather is uncomfortable plastified s....But in Pascal Virginia they are really comfortable and beautiful shoes. Weak point are the soles they are not resistant enough. I would not buy the english ones in the heavy leather, prefer not to suffer….
Still wear my 1990 DMs and they still feel better on my feet then the new ones
I recently bought the 1461 made in England for half the price on sale £90, but they hurt so bad, how the hell am I supposed to break them in
Great stuff man
Are these boots you can pull off after 30?
Extra slim sounds like a nightmare to somebody with extra extra wide feet.
I have problem with Made in England. Size 9 was too small, and 9 1/2 was too big. Clearly they have some issues with sizing
You do know that companies make profit, right?
They don't sell products at the price of the manufacturing cost like the kind of articles we used to see about iPhones for years "the iPhone 4 costs $153,46 to make!!!!".
Well you have to take into account on top of manufacturing, labour/assembly, R&D (when it applies), operational costs, transportation, marketing, then the margin of the distributor and the one of the retailer (even when sold through a brand own channel). Operation, rent, transportation (again), storage, etc, etc.
And all these cost a higher price in England, it's not only about raw materials.
Being British and wearing DMs since the 1970s I can testify the new foreign ones are nothing like the old ones; cheaper leather, no arch support and lacking the 'quality' feel. In my opinion they are overpriced. I have not tried the 'Made in England' variety but if I risk my cash on another pair I am tempted to try out the Solovair alternative which uses the original techniques in the factory they were made in back in the day.
What about solovairs? They seem to be so much better quality and cheaper
I would really like a video to see if guidi shoes are worth the price
It’s worth the upgrade to me 😊
All handmade premium boots should come in packaging like those MIE Doc’s.
Worst most uncomfortable yoke to ever break in. Then the ball is worn out just as they brake in and stop crippling you
I had a pair of Dr Martens in the 90s and they were so smelly! I’d like another pair but I’m afraid I’ll have the same problem.
I killed a pair of docs, took about a year for the uppers to separate from the soles. not bad boots, but they're not made to last.