being poor is expensive, still you should save to spend more on the things you typically wouldn't/couldn't, shopping for fresh food rather than fast etc.., either way good luck man, get those solovairs, dont settle fore mediocrity, its not predestined you can shape what you are
@@ladder85if you’re in the uk and have a car I’d recommend going to the solovair factory outlet, I got mine literally half price cause they’d been worn once
The Captain Samuel Vimes’ “boot” theory of socio-economic fairness has become how I break this down (Thanks to Terry Pratchett). $50 is absolutely a lot of money for some- I got Docs when I needed something with more coverage while in art school and was only able to do that by getting a “big kids’” size.
I'm glad you appreciated that! I cut out a LOT from this video (I can talk for an hour straight about anything boot related) but I really wanted to emphasize the money thing because a lot of boot guys don't think to address it
It doesn't matter where they are made. Any country, can make anything, and at different levels of quality. People tend to scoff at items made in China. Yet, some of the best quality consumer goods are from China.
I switched to Solovair years ago. I love them. The older ones have yellow and black stitching with blue labels. I’m lucky I still have some vintage Dr Martens - the ones with nipples at the rear of the shoe. 15 years ago, I had to buy a pair of made in China Docs. They are really good. Go figure.
I agree about comparing boots in a similar price zone is the right way to do it because then you can compare "value". I have 2 pairs of Trickers boots (gorgeous but not in this price bracket so unfair to compare). For everyday wear I choose from two Solovair boots (albeit a dealer and brogue). Made in England (I'm English) is very important. I've had DMs 1460s (and still own a couple of shoes) but the Solovairs are just all round "better" for less money than made in England DMs - , half sizes, better construction, resoleable according to the manufacturer and the brand is a talking point
I first saw Dr Martens in London when I was 16 years old. I really wanted to buy some! I didn't have any money. Credit cards weren't heard of. The boots I saw cost 7 pounds and 15 shillings! I only earned 4 pounds 10 shillings per week--before deductions! Happy days in 1968.
Avoid any high-shine footwear. Another name for it is book binder leather. The poor quality leather is covered in a lacquery plastic (a polyurethane/acrylic solution) that will crack and peel over time. It's like patent leather, and once these flaws appear they can't be remedied with shoe polish.
Hello, I live and am from the UK. I am 50, I wore Docs years ago, as they were affordable and TBH, part of the scene being grunge. This video is good, if you have MONEY, if not that king of money, check out Grinders, now these are more industrial, but they are a good boot. PS i am not sponsored by the company
Grinders kinda went the way of Docs and moved manufacturing to China. From everything I've read, the quality nose dived they even abandoned the custom soles, I had a pair of those but the soles ripped off.
It should be noted that MOST Doc Martens were made by R Griggs (The UK brand holder) themselves in a factory which employed a couple of thousand people at its peak. Solovair are a tiny company by comparison with around 80 employees I believe. So Solovair used to make a fairly small number of Doc Martens for R Griggs under contract and certainly were not the main manufacturer. My guess is that they made some of the more speciality versions that didn't fit into the regular production lines as, despite some internet myths, Doc Martens main lines were always made of cheap leather or plastic coated leather. You only need to see punks were wearing back in the day. They were always a cheap, utilitarian boot.
@@4thinternational283 About 170 quid on the UK site. Online inflation calculators say £12 in 1981 = £57 today, and £36 in 1996 = £84 today. My Docs cracked and gave me blisters in just a year of wear when I got them about 10 years ago now, they were oversized because of the lack of half sizes, and the treads essentially completely wore out.
@@4thinternational283 Based on average wages (which is complicated due to different rates of pay for men and women and for different age groups, overtime and bonuses etc.) I'd estimate that those boots that cost you £12 in 1981 would be the equivalent of £70 to £75 now. Those boots that cost you £36 in 1996 would be in the £90 to £95 range now. I've obviously no idea if those were sales bargains (1981 in particular was a pretty bad year for the economy) but going to the Doc Marten site and the outlet page, you can certainly get some models for around £70 though the more popular styles are much more expensive. It's possible that the non sale prices will fall substantially in the January sales (there's no "Black Friday" sale) or in the summer when boot sales decline significantly and you can get good bargains from many brands in my experience.
I love my Solovairs. I’ve had them for about 5 years now, and wear them fairly regularly. Also, if for some reason you want the yellow stitching you can use wax pencils, aka China Markers, to color the stitches or to brighten up the stitches on your Docs.
One of the reasons why I exclusively wore Doc Martens for around ten years (yes, year round, with wool socks over cotton socks, it was great) was that a pair lasted me two years (I weighed next to nothing, that's why) and once a pair started falling apart, I could just buy a new one in five seconds and never ever think about shoes, look for shoes, try on shoes, decide for shoes, it was so sweet and nice. I switched to a more durable brand uh... around flve years ago, boots for cold weather, sandals for warm weather, and those are still doing well (granted, I rarely leave the House, so....)
I have an odd (and OLD) pair of England-made Docs that have translucent green soles with a deep tread design, leather insole material and an external toecap that just are so much better quality than any of the other Docs that I ever had. Still going strong! Also enjoy my John Fluevogs with the Angelic soles (resoleable), but all I have is loafers from them (multiple pairs, though - in crazy colors!). My recent purchases have been from Jim Green - African Rangers and then a pair of Houston Green Barefoot models - really love them.
I had a pair of Doc Marten high heeled boots that I got about 10 years ago. I hadn’t worn them for a while, and I pulled them out to wear and the rubber on the sole had turned to goo! It was as if they were melting, and they weren’t kept near anything hot.
The leather you mentioned as crappy isn’t the only leather in DM’s catalogue tho. True, the ones mentioned that are prone to cracking are from their 1460 smooth line, because they are very corrected forms of leather. But they also have crazy horse, greasy and waxed full grain leathers that are very sturdy, supple, does not crack and definitely would stand the test of time, with the minimum amount of care. Still not heavy duty work boots, but for $170(and sometimes lower when on sale), and used as an everyday casual boot, and in rotation with other boots and shoes like most people, I’d say you’re getting your money’s worth.
@@josephc4119 yeah, i was hesitating between the made in england 1460 or the nappa and i choose the nappa. Heard the made in england 1460s have problems with the coating.
That British boot shop in Camden is the biggest scam to rip off gullible tourists. They mainly sell grinders and solovair. For the full RRP + around 40% on top. Their shop is also filled with china made grinders , despite them claiming everything they sell is UK made.
I had a pair of Docs nearly 30 years ago, I pretty much lived in them as my primary footwear for the best part of 4 years they were brilliant they survived motorbike usage (a few tumbles), the moshpit every weekend, college, work, out and about in all weather they were simply fantastic, i stopped wearing them mostly due to my career (They didn't quite go with the business casual aesthetic nor were they great boots to do the work day drive). Got a new pair of 1460s about a year ago. Can't say the quality is on the same level as they used to be, as they started to show wear and tear after about 8 months of 2 - 3 times a week of light usage for a few hours. They simply wouldn't survive the life style I lived at 17/18
Ooh I'm very interested in this topic! Docs are cute but I have permanent scars on my heels/ankles from them. On the other hand, I absolutely LOVE my Fryes (Veronica lace up combat). They have a different look (the docs are more trendy, while the fryes look more old-timey), but boy are they comfy. Even though they don't have cushioning in the sole, I can wear them to work and walk all day without any discomfort. I still would like a boot with more platform just for the style, but just about every boot out there is excessively stiff (which is how I got the heel scarring) and has a stupidly narrow toe box 😭
Shoutout to Sanders from the UK. Bought their Kelso boot while on a visit to London. Probably better build than the ones mentioned in this video, similar look to the 1460 albeit more refined. The black has been on sale for around £200 or so for some time.
that's so funny i had never heard of Sander's until yesterday and now here you are in the comments telling me about them. I might be visiting their factory next month, I'll tell them you sent me Edgar
I own both Solovairs and Docs. Love both. Got the solovairs in 2021, breaking them in took a lot less time than I remember from the Docs. They are allaround lovely, my only gripe is that they are much skinnier than Docs and don't have a removable in-sole. I gotta say tho, I bought my Docs, classic black 1460s, in 2014 - and they are still holding up beautifully!! Got some scratches and worn down soles and they recently started to develop some wrinkling, but overall I am amazed at how well the held up. Been wearing them a lot, gone to a quite a few different countries, often went hiking and to festivals in them.
I agree on the comfy but not the wearing well; I've had two pairs and both completely wore out (big holes in the soles, straps falling off etc) after about a year of wear.
@saphirefoxirl that's a shame. I've a pair I've had since I was 18. I'm 37 now. I've a pair of the military platform ones on the go a year now and I've worn them to festivals and all. Sorry that happened
From what I remember, back in the 70’s and early 80’s Doc Martens were just cheap boots we were bought to wear for school. Also, Punks/Skinheads bought them as they were cheap, and probably wasn’t much alternative to DM back then. By the mid 80’s most of us were wearing Puma and Adidas black leather trainers. Much more comfortable for a kid playing football on the playground or the street.
The best alternatives are actually vintage german army boots (readily availible for unter 100 Euros) and Austrian Bundesheer Feldstiefel leicht (arround 100-150 Euros). Much better construction and leather (german: 2,8-3mm leather, norwegian stitch, leather insole) then these alternatives or at least much cheaper if you live in Europe.
is the norwegian stitch better than the goodyear welt? Also i just got the austrian fieldboot brand new and i was wondering. Do you need to condition the leather insole?
@@gezujapan1473 «Norwegian welt» is just a variant of Goodyear welt, I believe. It looks like Doc Martens, actually: It’s when you have a Goodyear welt, but then also stitch the (extra large) welt «sideways» into the upper. It’s called a «storm welt» if you just have the extra large welt, without the stitches. It’s a bit more weather proof. Heschung makes a lot of shoes with Norwegian welts.
@@gezujapan1473 Conditioning the insole is adviseable for vintage shoes or shoes after a lot of wear, but not heavily to not losen the gemming. A little bit of e.g. leather oil on a sponge and wipe the whole insole. Again, do not overdo it. A quick rinse beforehand with diluted vinegar will take care of many salts etc from sweat.
I bought a pair of Doc Martins years ago and it felt like i was wearing flimsy, floppy trash-bags on my feet. Absolutely zero arch support and the thinnest leather Ive ever experienced.
I think I am going to dive in on a pair of Solovair's. I had a pair of DM's but the oxford style shoes 'Made in england". They would rub the back of my heel so badly I had to get rid of them. I love the glossy look of the boots though. They look like combat boots to me.
Can you do a video about the best socks and your sock collection? What are the best brands to buy socks. Nordic socks. Work socks. Plain socks. Cotton socks. Wool socks. No show socks. All about socks. I find socks frustrating. I hate all my socks. And I don't know where to buy them.
it's hard to find one I want to put more than $200 into. Thanks for the Thursday recommendation. Where does Redwings Blacksmith fit? I haven't paid $300 for boots (one time, rough job) Dr. Marten's are usually half price $70-$100 online. There's limited prints and 40 some colors. Insane hardware...MIGHT NOT BE HALF PRICE, you gotta get them if you love them, they disappear in days sometimes. Nappy suede, butter soft suede, crazy horse ❤oil tanned, analine vegetable tanned leather, I don't recommend black patent w/ 20 colors...leather is cheaply made on lots of the Earth 🌍 There's BEN (bouncy grip), Original (everyday), Pascal (soft), BEX (durable harder), platforms, giant platforms, &Wintergrip soles. The half size....just walk on the heel for a week or 2. It stretched perfectly for half size. Boot stretchers, lots of people swear buy them. I COMPARE DOCS TO CONVERSE....UNISEX FOOTWEAR....both are famous for being comfortable, cheap, & colorful. Hi-tops for ankle support low-tops for less laces.
Thank you for this! I have had around 6 pairs of Martens now. Like you mentioned all of these problems. It sucks because they are expensive but I really like the look and of course wearing them everywhere and to any occasion
Goral makes nice footwear. Somewhat pricey, but you pay for quality. Thursday I think would be the better boot for the money. Just in the terms of style and comfort and how they are built. Can't wait to see your video on the new Challenger boots from them. I already ordered a pair of them in the Stone Rambler leather from C F Stead in England. Thanks for another good video..
I have some vintage work style Docs, short and chunky which are my favorite Doc's of all. They are thick, cozy and so sturdy. Docs make you feel really special when you wear them.
I bought 3 pairs of boots over the past year and the Solovair soles have held up the best of any of the boots I've purchased. I went for the gaucho crazy horse browns are really love them. I have a pair of Thursday loggers in waxed cacao and the leather is much thicker but they were a genuinely tough break-in. Overall both of the boots are stellar but I have already had to resole the heels and the wear on the front part of the Thursday storm soles is very noticeable. I live in CC Philadelphia and mostly walk on concrete and asphalt and was surprised how quickly the Thursday boots soles wore down. I walk probably 6-8 miles daily and cycle my boots to keep the wear minimized but the Solovair soles just last. I bought a pair of gripfast (also solovair) for a more punk look but they are less water resistant than my Derby style boots. once these soles wear out I will probably just have the boots re-welted because of how much I like the uppers. I think I accidentally became a bit of a Solovair superfan but I think it's really neat how they were a workey Co-Op and have carried on making really nice punk footwear despite losing the Dr. Martens license
I love Dr. Martin boots have severl pair in different colors. I have some for work some for church some for casual. Also have Red Wings Tony Lamas and Justin boots.
I think doc martens changed a lot when they started trying to be fashionable. Also, when they changed manufacturing. I have some doc martens that are 40ish years old. I was given them by a friend who had barely worn them. I've had a couple of minor repairs made to them. I wear them every winter. They are extremely comfortable and have held up very well. They get basic care. For free shoes, I've barely spent anything on upkeep.
If you're looking for working/stomping boots, have a look at Bata KL M90 . They're the old Dutch military boots, which enjoy a cult following. They're about a hundred euros and last for years.
I wear orthopedic insoles and I love my docs(genuinely one of a few street shoes I've been comfortable in) but the high sides of my insoles mess up the leather wayy too quickly and because they don't do half sizes I don't fit any of their harder leather models. I've been looking for alternatives for a while. Might look more into these thank you for the video
Replaced my much loved martens with Fly (emergency economy replacement). Amazing buy. Very comfy. Great leather and beautifully made, even down to the pics of flies printed inside 😂. Also do 1/2 sizes. Recommend if you're looking to save cash and want something well made and durable!!
I still have pair of DMs my parner bought for me in 1998. Made in England and very well made with high grade leather. I have walked 1000s of miles in these boots and only now are the soles wearing thin. The leather has cracked in places but has not split thru. These were built to a standard. Today they are built down to a price.
Ive been wearing Dr Nartens fir 40 years. I wore akternate Doc Narten lines tgat Solovair produced for them back i. The mid/ late 80s. I boyght the Sokovair Oxblood 6 eye astronaut boot and it us one if the very best boots that can be purchased. The quality is incredible ,the fit us much better than DMs and the silhouette just acreams that Spirut of 69 early Skinhead fashion aesthetic . I highly recommend the Solivair 6 hokes. Sharp looking and quality through and through
#1: Gripfast (Best pair of brit combat boots ive ever owned i walked the soles off 2 pair over 4 years) #2: Solovair (as mentoned in the video) #3: Neverminds (had a pair that lasted a long time leather broke a hole in the ankle of all places) #4: Steel Boots (budget boot) #5: Underground london (overpriced and not the most comfortable wear) #6: Grinders (lowest quality)
I have Steel boots for a few years now and they are still going strong! Thrifted new ones for 40 euros. So I would recommend them to anyone who has smaller budget and doesn't mind more aggressive look. My sister got docs and the sole cracked after one season of wear.
I have no idea why this video popped up in my feed cause I’ve never had a problem with my docs. I’ve worn them almost every day for about 7-8 years, and they are still the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. No cracking in the leather or soles, soles haven’t worn down, as great as the day I bought them. Before I got them I always heard that they were a pain to wear in, but I never had a problem with that either.
I have a pair of suede, lace up Thursdays that i got maybe four years ago, and i have to say i was sorely disappointed to find that the outsoles didn’t even last one year before they started separating. I got them resoled and they’ve been great boots ever since. So….I don’t know. Maybe their boots are better now?
A few years back I got plain toe Wolverine 1000 Mile boots with a lugged vibram sole. For the higher price point boot, I think it is closer aesthetically to the docs.
Solovairs are essentially the original Doc’s, minus the yellow stitching. I know it’s a constant struggle for fashionistas being torn between iconic pieces versus higher quality. But if you observe history, you’d go for the one that started it all, whilst not sacrificing quality. Also, while I’m not really a fan of Thursday’s footwear, being made in Mexico doesn’t negate the quality of their products. Grant Stone’s boots for example are made in China, but both their facilities have very stringent regulations in their productions. Mexico is also known for their western style boots, so you know they don’t play!
When I was about 10yrs old I noticed it was always a particular type of person wearing these type of boots. My innocent observation of them was that they looked unhappy with an air of distain about them. I promised myself I would never wear those boots because I don’t wanna end up being one of those people. Probably about 18 by the time I figured out who the boot people were. Glad I listened to my gut for all those years. It’s surprising how much you can read about a situation by what people decide to wear.
i replaced my need for a kickass boot with a matte black timbaland. very cool and sexy looking and i've had them since 2017. only let down is the laces
I managed to wear a hole through the sole of two separate pairs of doc’s within a year each. So they’re not really cheaper at that point. Vs my redwings that yeah, I had to get on ebay to afford them, but I’ve had them for 5 years with almost no signs of wear on the sole at all. I did end up with a pair of docs chelsea boots from the thrift because they make them so wide in the toe box they’re basically slippers- so if they’re slipper priced I’m ok with it 🙂
I still have my well loved Solovairs from 2014. They're still in great condition even if I wore them almost every day for 5 years (I still wear them but only on special ocassions).
I’m new to boots. I have on pair of Thursdays that I’ve had for a couple years. How often do people actually resole their boots? I know there are a lot of factors, but I have lots of other shoes and don’t wear these in the summer.
Altberg in Yorkshire make the best boots. I have two pairs comfortable all day all year round from blistering heat in summer to deepest coldest days of winter adjust as necessary with the right socks.
Even as a Brit, I’d opt for the Thursdays every time. Easily resoled anywhere and longer lasting is an easy choice. I see that you’re edging closer to 100k subscribers. Anything planned for such a milestone?
I'm getting there so damn slowly I wouldn't know when to schedule it but I guess I could do a Q&A? How do people do that I just do a 'tell me your questions' post in the YT community tab and on instagram and read them out, right
I got the Solovair black greasy 10 eye steel toe capped derby boot in a 9.5. They are way more comfortable than Docs, the break in time was easier and the are holding up better. They even have screws at the bottom of the soles!
I bought a pair of White's black moc toes and took a page from Wyatt and Dad and blacked out the stitching on the boot black and tried to use yellow dye on the sole stitching but it didn't take...wanted to make my own "Moc Dartens". When these need a resole I'll try to find a cobbler that can do them with yellow stitching. Wanted to go with either Solovair (for a true Doc Marten replacement) or Goral (I do like that side bumper and CMX leather but no half sizes) but not working right now so the boot quest is on standby. Besides I already have Stompers in side zip (makes doffing/donning much easier) but will check out the Hero.
I’ve been looking for a good quality boot that doesn’t have the yellow stitching of docs - I want a boot that’s going to be more versatile, and just about fitting into dress codes is a lot easier when you have a plain black boot than one with bright yellow on it
I personally don’t use leather for ethical reasons but I got the Airseal Boulder Boot from Vegetarian Shoes about a year ago now, they use the same sole as the Solovairs and also look a lot like the original DM’s, and I absolutely love them! They still look pretty much brand new even though I’ve wear them basically every day, and I work as a mechanic.
As someone who has been wearing Docs and similar brands for over 35 yrs, and worked in the shoe industry, I think you should have mentioned Vegetarian Shoes. Yes, they are non-leather, but they're well made and made in the same factory, by the same union, that used to make Docs. Worn as casual boots, they last. (None of these boots mentioned are made for tough jobs.)
I’ve been wearing Docs since the late 80s but I’ve been buying Solovairs latetly , I have 4 pairs and I think they’re far superior,” Made in England” is important to me
I've tried Docs, just because they looked more 'classy' just to understand that Timberlands are so much better and comfy (but only the classic ones, theier sandals and chelseas are somewhat not-so-good).
Have worn Docs since the late 80's. Kids in Toronto used to roll each other for them - you got caught walking through a mall outside of your neigbourhood by yourself and you'd likely get jumped for your docs. I saved up the earnings from my grade 8 summer job for a pair of cherry 10 holes - my dream boot going into grade 9. Bought a pair a few years ago and just could not work them in - they hurt like hell every time I wore them. Took the plunge after 30+ years and bought Solovair 11 hole in red - put them on right out of the box and wore them around the house all day, they were like butter, so quality I almost shed a f*cking tear. Docs went in the bin. I haven't taken these Solovairs off since! #bunchofuckingoofs #untouchables
I live in Canada and got second hand cadet parade boots. Are they fantastic, not really and they definitely aren't meant to be worn to the extend I do or as long as I do, but I also was able to get a sturdy pair of shoes for 15$ amd that is so hard to find now. I try to take really good care of them and hope they last a long time, and would love to see more people have access to a sturdy, comfortable and long lasting pair of shoes
My docs tore at the creases in the front (2 holes per shoe) after 5 years but they were so "cool" and comfy... So I was gifted another pair. Already tearing after a year, the leather is so much worse, it's stiff despite MONTHS of wearing them and the fit is terrible, it's too tight even though it's the same size. My first pair at least had that wrinkling all around and got so soft and comfortable. The new ones... worst leather ever. I also had converse once. Literally fell apart after a few months. Never getting the "popular" brands again. Now I'm looking into getting Solovair but I'm so afraid of spending a heap of money only to find out after a year that maybe they aren't that good or comfortable either... I literally got a pair of sports shoes from Primark for uuuuh about $5 and they're the most comfortable thing. I need to evaluate my life at this point.....
I really wish Solovair would make a wide width, I think they're really the only ones that compare to Docs. The Goral and Thursday are great boots but they're not really comparable styles inmho. They're too good and too 'new' if that makes sense.
Have you tried Angry Itch? I thought they’d be on here. I wore DMs since the 90’s, but since the quality took a steep nosedive in the past decade, I tried Solovair, which were good, but for comfort and wear, I much prefer Angry Itch.
Just for info, I have a pair of Solovairs made with Horween CXL and they certainly used some higher quality leathers than the DM copies a few years ago.
I have two pairs of Docs (both from op shops). One of them printed leather (I presume) and the other covered in fabric (now faded in certain areas). I'd need to put insoles in them to wear as there's no arch support. I also have a pair of op-shopped black Baxter boots (Aussie brand founded in Goulburn, NSW) which specifies "leather qtr lining, leather sole" (which have been covered with grip soles); the sole is stamped with "R.A.N." so I'm wondering if they were originally navy issue (I bought a new pair on pull-on Baxters when I first started line dancing, lol)
Thank you for saying $50 is a lot of money for some. I get upset when people say just spend more.
being poor is expensive, still you should save to spend more on the things you typically wouldn't/couldn't, shopping for fresh food rather than fast etc.., either way good luck man, get those solovairs, dont settle fore mediocrity, its not predestined you can shape what you are
@@ladder85if you’re in the uk and have a car I’d recommend going to the solovair factory outlet, I got mine literally half price cause they’d been worn once
Any decent all black combat boots are usually new
The Captain Samuel Vimes’ “boot” theory of socio-economic fairness has become how I break this down (Thanks to Terry Pratchett). $50 is absolutely a lot of money for some- I got Docs when I needed something with more coverage while in art school and was only able to do that by getting a “big kids’” size.
I'm glad you appreciated that! I cut out a LOT from this video (I can talk for an hour straight about anything boot related) but I really wanted to emphasize the money thing because a lot of boot guys don't think to address it
I don’t mind boots made in México. My parents are from there and Mexico has a boot culture similar to the United States
It doesn't matter where they are made. Any country, can make anything, and at different levels of quality. People tend to scoff at items made in China. Yet, some of the best quality consumer goods are from China.
I've a pair of genuine, made in mexico boots. They do have excellent quality, for real.
I would kill for some authentic Mexican cowboy boots made from genuine cow hide.
@@kevinrox666 I have a pair of original, made in mexican boots - but now cowboy style, instead, looking more like Docs.
My❤@@kevinrox666
I wonder if anyone saw you with boots on ur hands walking down the street like that ?
😂
He's just New Boot Goofin! 😄
I switched to Solovair years ago. I love them. The older ones have yellow and black stitching with blue labels. I’m lucky I still have some vintage Dr Martens - the ones with nipples at the rear of the shoe. 15 years ago, I had to buy a pair of made in China Docs. They are really good. Go figure.
The made in vietnam DMs since at least 2012 aren't that good. Had 3 pairs of that. Nevermore. No quality like 80-90s for real.
I have just bought a pair of 1461s that are made in Bangladesh.
Solovair made the original DMs.
@@maureenlancaster1694 Exactly, then Dr. Martens closed the contract, and Solovair produced them on their own label...Solovair.
I agree about comparing boots in a similar price zone is the right way to do it because then you can compare "value". I have 2 pairs of Trickers boots (gorgeous but not in this price bracket so unfair to compare). For everyday wear I choose from two Solovair boots (albeit a dealer and brogue). Made in England (I'm English) is very important. I've had DMs 1460s (and still own a couple of shoes) but the Solovairs are just all round "better" for less money than made in England DMs - , half sizes, better construction, resoleable according to the manufacturer and the brand is a talking point
I first saw Dr Martens in London when I was 16 years old. I really wanted to buy some! I didn't have any money. Credit cards weren't heard of. The boots I saw cost 7 pounds and 15 shillings! I only earned 4 pounds 10 shillings per week--before deductions! Happy days in 1968.
Shillings?
Pirate money?
@@Apoc_Bone_Daddy There were twenty shillings to a pound pre decimilisation and twelve pennies to a shilling.
All I know is Pirates of the Caribbean Shillings is money LMAO
That's the absolute extent of my knowledge
Sorry
@@tomconnor7786
I'm 16 now and in the same situation as you were in back then. Funny to think about how timeless certain things are
@@benjeiy7347 Ha ha! -and now I'd never want Dr Martins!
Avoid any high-shine footwear. Another name for it is book binder leather. The poor quality leather is covered in a lacquery plastic (a polyurethane/acrylic solution) that will crack and peel over time. It's like patent leather, and once these flaws appear they can't be remedied with shoe polish.
Hello, I live and am from the UK. I am 50, I wore Docs years ago, as they were affordable and TBH, part of the scene being grunge. This video is good, if you have MONEY, if not that king of money, check out Grinders, now these are more industrial, but they are a good boot. PS i am not sponsored by the company
Grinders kinda went the way of Docs and moved manufacturing to China. From everything I've read, the quality nose dived they even abandoned the custom soles, I had a pair of those but the soles ripped off.
I was hoping he was going to cover grinder boots as I like the look
It should be noted that MOST Doc Martens were made by R Griggs (The UK brand holder) themselves in a factory which employed a couple of thousand people at its peak.
Solovair are a tiny company by comparison with around 80 employees I believe. So Solovair used to make a fairly small number of Doc Martens for R Griggs under contract and certainly were not the main manufacturer.
My guess is that they made some of the more speciality versions that didn't fit into the regular production lines as, despite some internet myths, Doc Martens main lines were always made of cheap leather or plastic coated leather. You only need to see punks were wearing back in the day. They were always a cheap, utilitarian boot.
Thank you
utilitarian is quite a stretch. not uncommon for a doc to fall apart after a few months.
I had my first pair of DM boots around 1981, they coast around £12. The last pair I had was around 1996 costing £36. And they're now how much!??
@@4thinternational283 About 170 quid on the UK site. Online inflation calculators say £12 in 1981 = £57 today, and £36 in 1996 = £84 today.
My Docs cracked and gave me blisters in just a year of wear when I got them about 10 years ago now, they were oversized because of the lack of half sizes, and the treads essentially completely wore out.
@@4thinternational283 Based on average wages (which is complicated due to different rates of pay for men and women and for different age groups, overtime and bonuses etc.) I'd estimate that those boots that cost you £12 in 1981 would be the equivalent of £70 to £75 now. Those boots that cost you £36 in 1996 would be in the £90 to £95 range now.
I've obviously no idea if those were sales bargains (1981 in particular was a pretty bad year for the economy) but going to the Doc Marten site and the outlet page, you can certainly get some models for around £70 though the more popular styles are much more expensive. It's possible that the non sale prices will fall substantially in the January sales (there's no "Black Friday" sale) or in the summer when boot sales decline significantly and you can get good bargains from many brands in my experience.
I love my Solovairs. I’ve had them for about 5 years now, and wear them fairly regularly. Also, if for some reason you want the yellow stitching you can use wax pencils, aka China Markers, to color the stitches or to brighten up the stitches on your Docs.
6:04 looks like my sleep paralysis demon
Hahahah that’s what I said when I was filming it! I think I referenced either the exorcist stair walker or that faceless nightmare guy on Louie
😂😂😂😂
Makes me think of the Ghost Devil from CSM
One of the reasons why I exclusively wore Doc Martens for around ten years (yes, year round, with wool socks over cotton socks, it was great) was that a pair lasted me two years (I weighed next to nothing, that's why) and once a pair started falling apart, I could just buy a new one in five seconds and never ever think about shoes, look for shoes, try on shoes, decide for shoes, it was so sweet and nice. I switched to a more durable brand uh... around flve years ago, boots for cold weather, sandals for warm weather, and those are still doing well (granted, I rarely leave the House, so....)
I have an odd (and OLD) pair of England-made Docs that have translucent green soles with a deep tread design, leather insole material and an external toecap that just are so much better quality than any of the other Docs that I ever had. Still going strong! Also enjoy my John Fluevogs with the Angelic soles (resoleable), but all I have is loafers from them (multiple pairs, though - in crazy colors!). My recent purchases have been from Jim Green - African Rangers and then a pair of Houston Green Barefoot models - really love them.
Love my Derby Swirls!
I had a pair of Doc Marten high heeled boots that I got about 10 years ago. I hadn’t worn them for a while, and I pulled them out to wear and the rubber on the sole had turned to goo! It was as if they were melting, and they weren’t kept near anything hot.
Same. Got my hardly worn wedge heel boots out the box in the wardrobe, where they had been for years, and the soles had perished.
The leather you mentioned as crappy isn’t the only leather in DM’s catalogue tho. True, the ones mentioned that are prone to cracking are from their 1460 smooth line, because they are very corrected forms of leather. But they also have crazy horse, greasy and waxed full grain leathers that are very sturdy, supple, does not crack and definitely would stand the test of time, with the minimum amount of care. Still not heavy duty work boots, but for $170(and sometimes lower when on sale), and used as an everyday casual boot, and in rotation with other boots and shoes like most people, I’d say you’re getting your money’s worth.
i have the nappa 1460 and it doesnt have that plastic finish. Maybe its a better option than the smooth leather ones.
Came here to say this. Yes the smooth black is most popular, but it’s literally the worst leather they offer.
@@josephc4119 yeah, i was hesitating between the made in england 1460 or the nappa and i choose the nappa. Heard the made in england 1460s have problems with the coating.
Been wearing Docs since early 80s’, and I believe this guy is just a TAD bit jealous or at the least, envious of Doc Martens! lol!
…in reference to the guy in this video, that is…
they stopped making the steel toe docs. I've beeen wearing them to work for years. I needed this video!
My girlfriend wanted a pair of DMs, she was going to get them in Camden for £125, I took her to Blackman's and got the same boots for £45.
That British boot shop in Camden is the biggest scam to rip off gullible tourists. They mainly sell grinders and solovair. For the full RRP + around 40% on top. Their shop is also filled with china made grinders , despite them claiming everything they sell is UK made.
I had a pair of Docs nearly 30 years ago, I pretty much lived in them as my primary footwear for the best part of 4 years they were brilliant they survived motorbike usage (a few tumbles), the moshpit every weekend, college, work, out and about in all weather they were simply fantastic, i stopped wearing them mostly due to my career (They didn't quite go with the business casual aesthetic nor were they great boots to do the work day drive). Got a new pair of 1460s about a year ago. Can't say the quality is on the same level as they used to be, as they started to show wear and tear after about 8 months of 2 - 3 times a week of light usage for a few hours. They simply wouldn't survive the life style I lived at 17/18
Ooh I'm very interested in this topic! Docs are cute but I have permanent scars on my heels/ankles from them. On the other hand, I absolutely LOVE my Fryes (Veronica lace up combat). They have a different look (the docs are more trendy, while the fryes look more old-timey), but boy are they comfy. Even though they don't have cushioning in the sole, I can wear them to work and walk all day without any discomfort. I still would like a boot with more platform just for the style, but just about every boot out there is excessively stiff (which is how I got the heel scarring) and has a stupidly narrow toe box 😭
Shoutout to Sanders from the UK. Bought their Kelso boot while on a visit to London. Probably better build than the ones mentioned in this video, similar look to the 1460 albeit more refined. The black has been on sale for around £200 or so for some time.
that's so funny i had never heard of Sander's until yesterday and now here you are in the comments telling me about them. I might be visiting their factory next month, I'll tell them you sent me Edgar
I own both Solovairs and Docs. Love both. Got the solovairs in 2021, breaking them in took a lot less time than I remember from the Docs. They are allaround lovely, my only gripe is that they are much skinnier than Docs and don't have a removable in-sole.
I gotta say tho, I bought my Docs, classic black 1460s, in 2014 - and they are still holding up beautifully!! Got some scratches and worn down soles and they recently started to develop some wrinkling, but overall I am amazed at how well the held up. Been wearing them a lot, gone to a quite a few different countries, often went hiking and to festivals in them.
New Rocks need a shout-out here. Instantly comfortable and wear well.
I agree on the comfy but not the wearing well; I've had two pairs and both completely wore out (big holes in the soles, straps falling off etc) after about a year of wear.
@saphirefoxirl that's a shame. I've a pair I've had since I was 18. I'm 37 now. I've a pair of the military platform ones on the go a year now and I've worn them to festivals and all. Sorry that happened
From what I remember, back in the 70’s and early 80’s Doc Martens were just cheap boots we were bought to wear for school. Also, Punks/Skinheads bought them as they were cheap, and probably wasn’t much alternative to DM back then. By the mid 80’s most of us were wearing Puma and Adidas black leather trainers. Much more comfortable for a kid playing football on the playground or the street.
Also, love the natural leather color the Goral's have under the surface, reminds me of old combat boots
The best alternatives are actually vintage german army boots (readily availible for unter 100 Euros) and Austrian Bundesheer Feldstiefel leicht (arround 100-150 Euros).
Much better construction and leather (german: 2,8-3mm leather, norwegian stitch, leather insole) then these alternatives or at least much cheaper if you live in Europe.
is the norwegian stitch better than the goodyear welt? Also i just got the austrian fieldboot brand new and i was wondering. Do you need to condition the leather insole?
@@gezujapan1473 «Norwegian welt» is just a variant of Goodyear welt, I believe. It looks like Doc Martens, actually: It’s when you have a Goodyear welt, but then also stitch the (extra large) welt «sideways» into the upper. It’s called a «storm welt» if you just have the extra large welt, without the stitches.
It’s a bit more weather proof. Heschung makes a lot of shoes with Norwegian welts.
@@GrevMarkussen Thanks for the detailed reply.
@@gezujapan1473 Google has some easy to understand pictures of the construction vs goodyear welt.
Correct, more waterproof and looks cool.
@@gezujapan1473 Conditioning the insole is adviseable for vintage shoes or shoes after a lot of wear, but not heavily to not losen the gemming. A little bit of e.g. leather oil on a sponge and wipe the whole insole. Again, do not overdo it. A quick rinse beforehand with diluted vinegar will take care of many salts etc from sweat.
I bought a pair of Doc Martins years ago and it felt like i was wearing flimsy, floppy trash-bags on my feet. Absolutely zero arch support and the thinnest leather Ive ever experienced.
I think I am going to dive in on a pair of Solovair's. I had a pair of DM's but the oxford style shoes 'Made in england". They would rub the back of my heel so badly I had to get rid of them. I love the glossy look of the boots though. They look like combat boots to me.
this video came out on the perfect time! planning to buy new boots for the winter
Can you do a video about the best socks and your sock collection? What are the best brands to buy socks. Nordic socks. Work socks. Plain socks. Cotton socks. Wool socks. No show socks. All about socks. I find socks frustrating. I hate all my socks. And I don't know where to buy them.
Only one reason to wear Dr. Martens. The AirSole. Every step feels good.
I’m glad I made sure to call out that it is indeed a very nice soft cushy experience
it's hard to find one I want to put more than $200 into.
Thanks for the Thursday recommendation. Where does Redwings Blacksmith fit? I haven't paid $300 for boots (one time, rough job)
Dr. Marten's are usually half price $70-$100 online.
There's limited prints and 40 some colors. Insane hardware...MIGHT NOT BE HALF PRICE, you gotta get them if you love them, they disappear in days sometimes.
Nappy suede, butter soft suede, crazy horse ❤oil tanned, analine vegetable tanned leather, I don't recommend black patent w/ 20 colors...leather is cheaply made on lots of the Earth 🌍
There's BEN (bouncy grip), Original (everyday), Pascal (soft), BEX (durable harder), platforms, giant platforms, &Wintergrip soles.
The half size....just walk on the heel for a week or 2. It stretched perfectly for half size. Boot stretchers, lots of people swear buy them.
I COMPARE DOCS TO CONVERSE....UNISEX FOOTWEAR....both are famous for being comfortable, cheap, & colorful.
Hi-tops for ankle support low-tops for less laces.
It's so awful without a shank or rigidity. I donated them to the thrift immediately.
It’s so funny how different peoples opinions can be, I should do a video about this comment thread
@@Stridewise Opinions Vary. We are a polarized community.
Thank you for this! I have had around 6 pairs of Martens now. Like you mentioned all of these problems. It sucks because they are expensive but I really like the look and of course wearing them everywhere and to any occasion
Goral makes nice footwear. Somewhat pricey, but you pay for quality. Thursday I think would be the better boot for the money. Just in the terms of style and comfort and how they are built. Can't wait to see your video on the new Challenger boots from them. I already ordered a pair of them in the Stone Rambler leather from C F Stead in England. Thanks for another good video..
I have some vintage work style Docs, short and chunky which are my favorite Doc's of all. They are thick, cozy and so sturdy. Docs make you feel really special when you wear them.
I bought 3 pairs of boots over the past year and the Solovair soles have held up the best of any of the boots I've purchased. I went for the gaucho crazy horse browns are really love them. I have a pair of Thursday loggers in waxed cacao and the leather is much thicker but they were a genuinely tough break-in. Overall both of the boots are stellar but I have already had to resole the heels and the wear on the front part of the Thursday storm soles is very noticeable. I live in CC Philadelphia and mostly walk on concrete and asphalt and was surprised how quickly the Thursday boots soles wore down.
I walk probably 6-8 miles daily and cycle my boots to keep the wear minimized but the Solovair soles just last. I bought a pair of gripfast (also solovair) for a more punk look but they are less water resistant than my Derby style boots. once these soles wear out I will probably just have the boots re-welted because of how much I like the uppers. I think I accidentally became a bit of a Solovair superfan but I think it's really neat how they were a workey Co-Op and have carried on making really nice punk footwear despite losing the Dr. Martens license
I love Dr. Martin boots have severl pair in different colors. I have some for work some for church some for casual. Also have Red Wings Tony Lamas and Justin boots.
I think doc martens changed a lot when they started trying to be fashionable. Also, when they changed manufacturing.
I have some doc martens that are 40ish years old. I was given them by a friend who had barely worn them. I've had a couple of minor repairs made to them. I wear them every winter. They are extremely comfortable and have held up very well. They get basic care. For free shoes, I've barely spent anything on upkeep.
wtf, in Europe, 1460 made in China drMartens cost 200eur ....thats cca 225 usd
Made in Thailand actually
If you're looking for working/stomping boots, have a look at Bata KL M90 . They're the old Dutch military boots, which enjoy a cult following. They're about a hundred euros and last for years.
So genuinely glad you're staying in a similar price point!!
my feet hate dr martens 😭
I wear orthopedic insoles and I love my docs(genuinely one of a few street shoes I've been comfortable in) but the high sides of my insoles mess up the leather wayy too quickly and because they don't do half sizes I don't fit any of their harder leather models. I've been looking for alternatives for a while. Might look more into these thank you for the video
Excellent presentation 👏👏👏👏👏👍🏼
Replaced my much loved martens with Fly (emergency economy replacement). Amazing buy. Very comfy. Great leather and beautifully made, even down to the pics of flies printed inside 😂. Also do 1/2 sizes. Recommend if you're looking to save cash and want something well made and durable!!
Wish you could've mentioned something like MIE Grinders or other alternatives with steel toes, boots like these ought to have em
I’d buy Thursday boots but the shipping to my country costs 104$ , so that’s not happening 😀
You're not missing anything.
I still have pair of DMs my parner bought for me in 1998. Made in England and very well made with high grade leather. I have walked 1000s of miles in these boots and only now are the soles wearing thin. The leather has cracked in places but has not split thru. These were built to a standard. Today they are built down to a price.
Ive been wearing Dr Nartens fir 40 years. I wore akternate Doc Narten lines tgat Solovair produced for them back i. The mid/ late 80s. I boyght the Sokovair Oxblood 6 eye astronaut boot and it us one if the very best boots that can be purchased. The quality is incredible ,the fit us much better than DMs and the silhouette just acreams that Spirut of 69 early Skinhead fashion aesthetic . I highly recommend the Solivair 6 hokes. Sharp looking and quality through and through
#1: Gripfast (Best pair of brit combat boots ive ever owned i walked the soles off 2 pair over 4 years)
#2: Solovair (as mentoned in the video)
#3: Neverminds (had a pair that lasted a long time leather broke a hole in the ankle of all places)
#4: Steel Boots (budget boot)
#5: Underground london (overpriced and not the most comfortable wear)
#6: Grinders (lowest quality)
I have Steel boots for a few years now and they are still going strong! Thrifted new ones for 40 euros. So I would recommend them to anyone who has smaller budget and doesn't mind more aggressive look. My sister got docs and the sole cracked after one season of wear.
I think another great alternative from Thursday is the women's combat boot it's a little chunkier and just $180
I have no idea why this video popped up in my feed cause I’ve never had a problem with my docs. I’ve worn them almost every day for about 7-8 years, and they are still the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. No cracking in the leather or soles, soles haven’t worn down, as great as the day I bought them. Before I got them I always heard that they were a pain to wear in, but I never had a problem with that either.
Hi Nick! Any chance you can do a review of the new Red Wing Beckmans? That would be awesome
I have a pair of suede, lace up Thursdays that i got maybe four years ago, and i have to say i was sorely disappointed to find that the outsoles didn’t even last one year before they started separating. I got them resoled and they’ve been great boots ever since. So….I don’t know. Maybe their boots are better now?
I’ve been wearing a pair of DM Tobias boots for the last 5 years and other than a worn down tread they are perfect.
A few years back I got plain toe Wolverine 1000 Mile boots with a lugged vibram sole. For the higher price point boot, I think it is closer aesthetically to the docs.
Solovair only !
Solovairs are essentially the original Doc’s, minus the yellow stitching. I know it’s a constant struggle for fashionistas being torn between iconic pieces versus higher quality. But if you observe history, you’d go for the one that started it all, whilst not sacrificing quality.
Also, while I’m not really a fan of Thursday’s footwear, being made in Mexico doesn’t negate the quality of their products. Grant Stone’s boots for example are made in China, but both their facilities have very stringent regulations in their productions. Mexico is also known for their western style boots, so you know they don’t play!
When I was about 10yrs old I noticed it was always a particular type of person wearing these type of boots. My innocent observation of them was that they looked unhappy with an air of distain about them. I promised myself I would never wear those boots because I don’t wanna end up being one of those people. Probably about 18 by the time I figured out who the boot people were. Glad I listened to my gut for all those years. It’s surprising how much you can read about a situation by what people decide to wear.
i replaced my need for a kickass boot with a matte black timbaland. very cool and sexy looking and i've had them since 2017. only let down is the laces
My solovairs are great. My decision was made becauce they are able to be re-soled in the future as well so its a better investment long term.
I managed to wear a hole through the sole of two separate pairs of doc’s within a year each. So they’re not really cheaper at that point. Vs my redwings that yeah, I had to get on ebay to afford them, but I’ve had them for 5 years with almost no signs of wear on the sole at all.
I did end up with a pair of docs chelsea boots from the thrift because they make them so wide in the toe box they’re basically slippers- so if they’re slipper priced I’m ok with it 🙂
I still have my well loved Solovairs from 2014. They're still in great condition even if I wore them almost every day for 5 years (I still wear them but only on special ocassions).
I have Grinders, UK made and no fucked up heel in the breaking in period, love them.
Thank you! I need to replace my Dr Martens so this is coming handy!
Could you please do this for the doc marten chelsea boots
You’re getting close to 100k subscribers!! Hope you get it soon and get your silver play button!!
my 10+ years solovair works just fine today
I prefer my Derby Swirl Fluvogs. Had them for over 10 years still so comfortable.
I’m new to boots. I have on pair of Thursdays that I’ve had for a couple years. How often do people actually resole their boots? I know there are a lot of factors, but I have lots of other shoes and don’t wear these in the summer.
Altberg in Yorkshire make the best boots. I have two pairs comfortable all day all year round from blistering heat in summer to deepest coldest days of winter adjust as necessary with the right socks.
Loake make a similar boot called the Niro with a heat sealed PVC sole which is probably closer to DMs than the Thursday boot.
Even as a Brit, I’d opt for the Thursdays every time. Easily resoled anywhere and longer lasting is an easy choice.
I see that you’re edging closer to 100k subscribers. Anything planned for such a milestone?
I'm getting there so damn slowly I wouldn't know when to schedule it but I guess I could do a Q&A? How do people do that I just do a 'tell me your questions' post in the YT community tab and on instagram and read them out, right
look up jadd boots very similar, made in Northampton fairly cheep, horween options...
LOVE this breakdown. thank you!
I'd go for a pair of thursday next year, just out of curiosity. Even my combat boots are holding up very well.
Good video, it was very informative. Thank You
I got the Solovair black greasy 10 eye steel toe capped derby boot in a 9.5. They are way more comfortable than Docs, the break in time was easier and the are holding up better. They even have screws at the bottom of the soles!
I bought a pair of White's black moc toes and took a page from Wyatt and Dad and blacked out the stitching on the boot black and tried to use yellow dye on the sole stitching but it didn't take...wanted to make my own "Moc Dartens". When these need a resole I'll try to find a cobbler that can do them with yellow stitching.
Wanted to go with either Solovair (for a true Doc Marten replacement) or Goral (I do like that side bumper and CMX leather but no half sizes) but not working right now so the boot quest is on standby. Besides I already have Stompers in side zip (makes doffing/donning much easier) but will check out the Hero.
I’ve been looking for a good quality boot that doesn’t have the yellow stitching of docs - I want a boot that’s going to be more versatile, and just about fitting into dress codes is a lot easier when you have a plain black boot than one with bright yellow on it
I personally don’t use leather for ethical reasons but I got the Airseal Boulder Boot from Vegetarian Shoes about a year ago now, they use the same sole as the Solovairs and also look a lot like the original DM’s, and I absolutely love them! They still look pretty much brand new even though I’ve wear them basically every day, and I work as a mechanic.
I never hear anyone mention Dr. Marten’s not making half sizes. THANK YOU. You’re a shoe company. You had ONE job. 😂😂
As someone who has been wearing Docs and similar brands for over 35 yrs, and worked in the shoe industry, I think you should have mentioned Vegetarian Shoes. Yes, they are non-leather, but they're well made and made in the same factory, by the same union, that used to make Docs. Worn as casual boots, they last. (None of these boots mentioned are made for tough jobs.)
What model of Thursday boot is this? I see lots on their website that have capped toe. I'd prefer the model in this video.
Stormking. They have both zipper and non zippered version.
I’ve been wearing Docs since the late 80s but I’ve been buying Solovairs latetly , I have 4 pairs and I think they’re far superior,” Made in England” is important to me
You could have mentioned the Jim Green AR8 in black or brown; those are about $200 US.
I did in the article as an 8-inch alternative! stridewise.com/doc-marten-alternatives/
I've tried Docs, just because they looked more 'classy' just to understand that Timberlands are so much better and comfy (but only the classic ones, theier sandals and chelseas are somewhat not-so-good).
Have worn Docs since the late 80's. Kids in Toronto used to roll each other for them - you got caught walking through a mall outside of your neigbourhood by yourself and you'd likely get jumped for your docs. I saved up the earnings from my grade 8 summer job for a pair of cherry 10 holes - my dream boot going into grade 9. Bought a pair a few years ago and just could not work them in - they hurt like hell every time I wore them. Took the plunge after 30+ years and bought Solovair 11 hole in red - put them on right out of the box and wore them around the house all day, they were like butter, so quality I almost shed a f*cking tear. Docs went in the bin. I haven't taken these Solovairs off since! #bunchofuckingoofs #untouchables
Ecco are my most comfortable and best quality. Prefer them over my Timberlands
I live in Canada and got second hand cadet parade boots. Are they fantastic, not really and they definitely aren't meant to be worn to the extend I do or as long as I do, but I also was able to get a sturdy pair of shoes for 15$ amd that is so hard to find now. I try to take really good care of them and hope they last a long time, and would love to see more people have access to a sturdy, comfortable and long lasting pair of shoes
I own a pair of Stompers and a pair of Titans - what Hero's were called before Thursday changed the name - and I like the Titans/Hero's better.
My docs tore at the creases in the front (2 holes per shoe) after 5 years but they were so "cool" and comfy... So I was gifted another pair.
Already tearing after a year, the leather is so much worse, it's stiff despite MONTHS of wearing them and the fit is terrible, it's too tight even though it's the same size.
My first pair at least had that wrinkling all around and got so soft and comfortable. The new ones... worst leather ever.
I also had converse once. Literally fell apart after a few months.
Never getting the "popular" brands again.
Now I'm looking into getting Solovair but I'm so afraid of spending a heap of money only to find out after a year that maybe they aren't that good or comfortable either... I literally got a pair of sports shoes from Primark for uuuuh about $5 and they're the most comfortable thing.
I need to evaluate my life at this point.....
I would buy the hell out of a Doc Marten alternative that came in a 4E-6E width. Haven’t found one yet.
I really wish Solovair would make a wide width, I think they're really the only ones that compare to Docs. The Goral and Thursday are great boots but they're not really comparable styles inmho. They're too good and too 'new' if that makes sense.
Solovair are great, but I actually prefer Gladiators - they're a little bit stompier, festival proof and have lasted me for a long time now :)
Good info here . Gave up on docs in 90s they just got cheaper when it went to China.
Have you tried Angry Itch? I thought they’d be on here. I wore DMs since the 90’s, but since the quality took a steep nosedive in the past decade, I tried Solovair, which were good, but for comfort and wear, I much prefer Angry Itch.
Having wide sizes all the way like 4E is super important!! If a boot doesn’t have that I’m out😱
Just for info, I have a pair of Solovairs made with Horween CXL and they certainly used some higher quality leathers than the DM copies a few years ago.
I have my recrafted Thursday captains I got done by Wyatt and Dad .. I’m looking to try some of Thursdays new models
I have two pairs of Docs (both from op shops). One of them printed leather (I presume) and the other covered in fabric (now faded in certain areas). I'd need to put insoles in them to wear as there's no arch support. I also have a pair of op-shopped black Baxter boots (Aussie brand founded in Goulburn, NSW) which specifies "leather qtr lining, leather sole" (which have been covered with grip soles); the sole is stamped with "R.A.N." so I'm wondering if they were originally navy issue (I bought a new pair on pull-on Baxters when I first started line dancing, lol)
I bought a pair of Docs in high school and I still have them. I bought a new pair just over a year ago and the soles are splitting already.
If I were looking for a DM alt and I chose one of these I’d go for Goral and resoles with Goods and Services for sure