EDIT: I’m saying “insoles” when what I should be saying is “inserts” slip O’ DE OL’ TONGUE! All these boots have insoles as it’s structurally important for the boot! Sorry!
Huge opportunity for you to fly out to Spokane work with Nicks or JK and design you're own boots..... And even do a battle of a bunch of different PNW boot makers for the Snail Grail Boot.....
Same difference. An insole can be synonymous with the footbed, even though sometimes the latter is used to distinguish the base insole layer that's attached to the boot's structure.
In the end, they are US military combat boots with urethane soles. I should know, as I work combat boots for 4 years that looked just like these except for the soles and they were only worth $30 USD at the time at the military clothing store on base.
I bought Solovairs about a year ago and they are the best boots I owned so far. I choose them over Docs because I think they look classier without the yellow stitching. The quality is great and I liked that they came in a little cheaper than Docs.
In the end, they are US military combat boots with urethane soles. I should know, as I work combat boots for 4 years that looked just like these except for the soles and they were only worth $30 USD at the time at the military clothing store on base.
One of the usual lemons of solovair is that the sole does not fit completely to the leather and leaves space, through which water can enter very easily
In the end, they are US military combat boots with urethane soles. I should know, as I work combat boots for 4 years that looked just like these except for the soles and they were only worth $30 USD at the time at the military clothing store on base.
Re: sizing - I have a pair of 11-eye derby boots in EU 42 (UK 8, US 9). For reference, my normal sneaker size is either EU 42.5 or 43 (UK 8.5/9, US 9.5/10), my Birkenstocks are EU 41 (UK 7, US 8), and my docs were the same size as Solovair. I bought them about two years ago and am extremely happy with the purchase. They're definitely showing signs of wear (in part because they've got a rub-off colour - that's a feature, not a bug) but are holding up just fine and I expect them to last for a number of years. For comparison, my docs (the overseas ones, bought in 2017 so around the time the quality went down) were in such a horrible shape by the ca. 2-year mark that I had to yeet them in the trash.
Yeah I myself went down half size from my true size. For example I wear a US 9 D in sneakers but in my Solovair Dealer Boots I wear an US 8.5 D and they're easily the best fitting boots I own in my collection.
Sizing - my usual footwear size is USA 8.5 and I have really wide feet. Solovair 11 Eye Derby Boots (Last Shape 409) is true to size for me, USA 8.5 / UK 7.5 fits snug with zero wiggle room. Recently bought Solovair Dealer Boots (Last Shape 493) half a size bigger USA 9 / UK 8 to accommodate arch support insoles - and they where a little lose without insoles and perfect fit with medium volume insoles. Also should mention awesome delivery times from Solovair and DHL! My boots arrived from Birmingham, UK to WA, USA in 3 days with free shipping option.
Magic spoon sucks and they are a lie. Check down below the ingredients and you’ll see…BIO ENGINEERED FOOD INGREDIENT google search then you too will know it’s BAD.
I recently discovered your channel and I have to say that you produce content of high quality. I appreciate a lot the touch of humour you put in your videos and the "cinematography". Thank you very much 🕺
i have two pairs of solovair's greasy black dealer boots (their chelseas) and love them. one regular pair and the other the gripfast brand steel toes. absolutely love them both, i get a lot of compliments at work about them. I typically wear a size 9, but sized down to 8.5 US (7.5 UK) and they fit perfectly. The only uncomortable part of the break in was the top of the foot for about a month, but now they're the most comfortable boots I've ever owned.
In the end, they are US military combat boots with urethane soles. I should know, as I work combat boots for 4 years that looked just like these except for the soles and they were only worth $30 USD at the time at the military clothing store on base.
My pull tabs on my brogue solovairs burst immediately, laces broke quickly and winter moisture stained them within a week 😢. I had thoroughly bought into their history researching and gutted. Sold the. For buttons afterwards
When I first watched a couple of your videos, I thought you might’ve had a half million or more subs with your level of writing and production. I was dumbfounded when I discovered you had less than 50k. I have no doubt you’ll get there👏🏽
I bought a pair of Solovairs because they made them in a bright colour that Dr Martens don't make. Aside from the obvious improvement in quality over Docs (Even made in England Dr Martens are a bit naff, thin tears bleeding leather), they just offer better variety 😊
I love how every ad for this cereal doesn't include someone actually opening a sealed box, putting the cereal in their mouth, chewing, and swallowing all in one cut.
I can't wait to get a pair myself, just matter of time and place.... But I'm surprised it's such an icon with the high price point. Guess people just save up.
@@TheNunakun they’ve had a big price increase over the past 5-10 years. I’ve got two pairs, purchased 8-10 years ago. cost me $350(chestnut with rubber sole) & $400 (suede with leather sole) aud respectively. Just had them both re-soled. both look pretty good considering they’ve had a lot of use put on them. Admittedly they’ve turned into more of a dress shoe than a real work boot, but still interested in Michael’s opinion.
Thanks for this video and all the research. Solovair simply deserves more recognition. I would tend to say that the only reason someone will choose Doc Martens over Solovair nowadays is the yellow stitching. It's such a fashion statement recognized globally. If you got the yellow stitching, you're "in the tribe" you know. If you're more interessed in quality and durability, choose Solovair. I have pairs of loafers, boots and chelsea from Solovair and I'm very happy with it. The leather, even after months of use, is still astonishing if you treat it well (clean and nourish) and I got no issues with them whatsoever. For the Sizing, I would tend to recommend to size down just from a half size; that's what I did with all my purchases and it fit me very well ; but I guess it depends if you got large feets or not, so beware.
Wooden shanks are used by Crockett and Jones, Trickers, Cheaney, Loake and most British boot makers. If you're standing on ladders all day then get a steel shank but for normal use... All of these boots are are low end budget boots and the UK has high labour costs so there inevitably will be compromises of quality control AND leather quality. Don't expect the same quality and consistency as other budget brands like Loake ( their made in England boots cost £290 though) Be aware that Solovair has a lot of heavily finished leather in their boot ranges. All their glossy offerings are plastic coated leather as are their rub off offering (though the latter use a thinner synthetic pigment than the glossy offerings). Crazy Horse leather is a form of nubuck (buffed surface) . It should also be noted that even "full grain leather" is often heavily finished to cover up cosmetic flaws in the leather. At this price point it is necessary to use as much of the hide as possible and that will include less desirable areas. Having said that, I've owned four pairs of their premium Solovair boots including two Chromexcel leather pairs and two have had surprising good leather quality. The other two ( 1 CXL, 1 calf leather) had some issues.
I need to correct you on the statement on the insoles 2:45 You were talking about the sock liners. The Solovair have a half sock liner, the Dr Martens a full length. Insoles and their materials are one of the most important parts in the construction of footwear. And high quality footwear has in most cases vegetable tanned insoles that are 2-5mm thick. Cheap footwear has somestimes just fabric or in many cases texon insoles, that are not as durable as leather insoles.
You are confusing the sock liner (insole) with the footbed. A sock liner is in no way structural to a shoe and is put in place with a little to no glue just so it doesn't slide around. The structural part to which the gemming is glued in the case of these boots or other Goodyear welted boots is the footbed.
Very informative... So.... i cannot get boots like the Dr Marthens that i bought in the 90's and lasted me 15 years of very frequent use, even if i try solavair...
Have greasy black, toe cap Solovairs and they're awesome. The gray thread and smoke gray sole is definitely preferred for me. Only gripe is that I'm not small by any means and the boots still touch towards the top when tying them up.
I had many "lemons" because I have bought many of them.their quality has dropped since they had to make a rebrand because the Dr Martens lawsuit. They changed materials and their producing standards.
I have the same greasy derby boots from solovair. I got them at an outlet for less than half price, they are very dependable boots, even if the upper is a bit floppy
bought a pair of solovair cheleas, theyve become my daily shoe. i wear them to work almost every day, and im on my feet all day. ive owned them for nearly a year and outside of expected sole wear and a few leather creases caused by simply having feet, there are literally no signs of damage.
Another interesting boot worth considering if you want Docs is the Thursday Stomper. They even come in a Cherry color that they only offer with one other boot :)
I got a pair of Made in England DMs a while ago and within the first 8 months the leather had developed holes. A little while after this on a trip to Camden, I found a boot shop where the man behind the counter was trying to persuade some tourists to give Solovair a go, lamenting the poor quality of DMs. Decided to get a pair and about 5 years later they're still going strong but I did have problems with the eyelets too (one wasn't secured in properly so I had to re-attach it with a pair of pliers).
In solovair sizing, I'm a full size smaller for the steel toe models (I'm a UK7, I purchased a UK6 and used a memory foam insole) and usually a half-size smaller for standard (UK7, I purchased a UK6.5. They are slightly roomy, but not enough to warrant the use of an insole.
I only wear Solovair shoes after I found them about 5years ago. I would highly recommend them to anyone who is looking for this style of shoe. I own a number of pairs now and enjoy each one every time I wear them. Lots of compliments on them. They wear great and look great with very minimal maintenance.
I actually work for doc Martens, the insoles will probably never rip because of the welting and the leather from the made in England is of much better quality than the made in Thailand, it is selected from England and I think it is known to the public, nevertheless I didn’t know solovair existed and they look pretty cool, glad to learn something new, you have a new subscriber. Greetings from Valencia, Spain
don't worry, my first pair of boots were docs and i loved them. I have solovairs now but only because I love the style so much I could justify paying twice as much (i got my original docs on sale). I say just wear your docs through and once they're at the end of life, get solovairs if you still want that style of boot.
I bought docs too, literally less than a week ago. I've done loads of research online and talked to a lot of my family + coworkers about them, they've all said they're absolutely brilliant, except they all bought them over 8 years ago, and they're all the better quality made in England versions. I bought a pair of the 1460 smooths and they feel so cheap it's unreal. It's like wearing a boot made of plastic. They're horrible. I doubt they'd last more than a year to be honest.
Docs are trash if you're looking for a quality long lasting boot, but as far as fashion and comfort go they're fine. Comfort varies with foot shape of course. I'd still buy Docs at a thrift store if I see them, but I won't pay retail anymore. There's just too much markup for a brand name where the quality is barely better than something you could find at Walmart
I want more casual black boots, for a second I considered Solofair instead of Red wings moc toe, because I like the classic styling of the Doc Martins but they are in different planets in terms of quality.
I have worn Dr Martens since school days back in the 1970s. I find the newer non British made ones just fine. When the soles get worn down I have them replaced at The Key Cobbler who do a fine job. I do look after them well with polish and Wonder Balsam and I never pay full price for them but wait for sale prices.
Last lot of Solovair boots I owned lasted 8 months. Quality wasn’t great. One of the tags on the top ripped off within the first few weeks. Soles split in the end. This was the second pair I’d owned and the last sadly.
I bought a pair of Gripfast boots in 2000 when i lived in Georgia. Gripfast cost me 400 british pounds, (500-600 american) were handmade and it took about 6 months to arrive after ordering. Back then you could only order from the factory. Fastforward 24 years, ive worn the same boots when i lived in Germany (2004-2008), visited England, Switzerland, and still have them in 2024. The only thing i have added or changed is the insole/padding. The rubber on bottom is about halfway worn down, and there is now a small crack on top just above where the big toe bends. Dr. Martins i owned in 1996-2000 were far worse condition after just 4 years with same type of abuse if not less. Cant speak about Solovair, but if ur going to buy a boot, go with Gripfast, they have lasted 1/4 of a lifetime with zero repairs needed.
Personal Sizing Experience: I usually wear US mens 8.5 in sneakers and 9 in welted shoes. Solovair said they run large for welted boots, so I went with UK 7.5/US 8.5. I got the 8 eye derbies They were a very close fit, almost too small. Once they leather warmed up and broke in, it was more comfortable. The insole compressing probably helped too. I used wooden shoe trees while I wasn't wearing them, which I think helped the leather keep its stretched shape. Now, they fit quite well but I still don't have enough vertical room too add an insert. If I were going to buy any Solovairs on a smaller/narrower last, I would definitely go up to UK8/US9 and add an insert. One other thing, I've seen a lot of people post pictures of the heat seal failing after a few days or weeks of use. Hasn't happened to me, and I've put some miles and rough use on mine. Sounds like they have a QC issue. On top of that, their factory resole service is "temporarily unavailable" and has been for a while. If the seal failed on my outsole, I don't know if my local cobbler would try and re-melt it or just glue it.
I know docs aren’t the best quality boots in the world far from it yet no one ever complains about trainers being over priced for what they really are which is basically shit!
Get the correct size and wear better socks. I've never had a problem with that on either my Docs or my Solovairs. Sometimes it's just like that if your foot shape is wrong for the boot, and you can get heel pads until they break in
I have their derby boots in greasy leather (just like the ones in the video). I’ve went a half size down with my first Solovair purchase (same derby boots in green gaucho leather) and the boots were too tight. With the greasy ones I went true to size and they fit much better, my feet are 27,8 and 28 cm long and the toes of my longer foot touch the front of the boot when I’m walking (it’s no big deal and I wouldn’t consider sizing up). I also have their 6 eye derby boots which have slimmer and longer last (similar to one used on their astronaut boots) and those fit perfectly.
You are so right on the eyelets. They are the Achilles heals of Solovairs. I’ve owned many pairs and on every single one the eyelets have ripped out on the outside where the boot bends. However this is an easy fix and any cobbler will replace them with better riveted eyelets for $10. If you really want a strong boot that has the same attitude I’d recommend NPS’s other line of Gripfast. Those boots are something solid. All the important stitching is done either twice or three times over. Their soles are solid rubber and are Goodyear welted along with being attached to the upper with 22 screws.
It is incredible that the marketing teams were able to sell y'all on "air" as a benefit. They're selling air which is free instead of filling that space with quality materials. A+ Marketing department. Ya fooled em
Anybody have recommendations for a boot that works for the desert? I live in the American southwest and I want something that is breathable but still looks good for the office… I was leaning toward Jim Green but I’m not certain yet
Oh man I got some solovairs and they sent me the correct size but on the inside they were gigantic. It was weird. Easy to send them back though. Haven’t tried to buy again
I have had many of those "lemons" on solovair,specially on high demand times of the year. They have a good customer service because they have a lot of flaws on the shoes they make.
Nice video, but i dislike Solovairs. I have 40 Docs and 10 solovairs. What i dislike is the shape of solovairs. Some say Docs and solovair look and feel the same. No they don't. Docs just feel better for me on the foot. I only wear docs with that hard cardboard insole. Those Docs with the cushioned insole are often of less quality. And in the last years i had solovair pairs which aged pretty quickly or were defect. 10 years ago i really liked both brands. I went back to wearing Docs with all their imperfections. I think you have to know what pair of Docs you are buying. For example : I bought the Horween leather docs. = fantastic boots with beautiful patina. Thats no diss to Solovair, i think they are really okay and good boot.
100%. Take this with a pinch of salt because my partner works for DMs, but I was team Solovair for a while, but recently I've started appreciating DMs again after getting some Horween and SF Stead MIE pairs. They fit me way better and have a nicer shape than Solovairs too. If you're comparing the nicest DMs with the nicest Solovairs, DM's are definitely better quality. I think the real problem with DMs is that they sell low and high quality shoes side by-side without really making it clear which is which, so you have to make sure you're buying the right pair.
re: the eyelets i personally have a pair of solovair 11 eyelet boots and for the first 6 months of wearing them, i would accidentally slice my hand open on one of the sharp back of an eyelet while lacing them up about 12 times. Now I've had them for a year the sharp backs of the stamped eyelets have sort of been blunted with time and i love them, but that's my experience with quality control.
@@marklane6121agreed,they sent me some pairs badly welt and I had to send them back, first they said that It was normal,but I have seen pictures of how It can evolve with time,so I insisted to send them back
they are not at all comfortable for me, I came specially to London to the store where they sell them and it was a disaster, not a convenient form, of any model, for me. I tried on everything that was my size and nothing, a nightmare, it all depends on the leg. i bought two new vintage martins😂
I know the solovairs are better, but i love how beaten up the doc marts look. I just got a pair of Jadens from Doc Marts and I hope i'll wear them in and it'll look like yours one day!
That useless bouncing sole is the reason I am looking new shoes... Wonder how many people die from trying to use Martens in winter climates every year?
I've got some solovairs theyre pretty good boots, i wouldn't work in them and i have so i know what I'm talking about. personally i think the comfort is a bit of an exaggeration. i feel like the comfiest boots ive ever worn are my Thorogoods but thats ok I've got differnt boots for different things. thorogoods for work, red wings for literally anything and when im feeling like a punk i grab my solovairs. they aren't really water proof/resistant but ive worn them to the range when it as pretty much a mud field and they do the job, theyll definitely fend of the rain better than any shoe will
I gotta say I'm a big fan of boot content wherever I can get it, but only if it presents new information. In my opinion, while this was a well edited video that was fun and informative to watch, the channel @RoseAnvil covered everything in this video in a more original way, and watching the original videos from the clips you used gives an even better explanation and comparison of these brands. No hate, towards these brands or this channel, and still excited to see what's next.
debate around the origin of the leather is a non sense, either south american, or asian, or european, cows are basically the same breeds; a cow is a cow and leather is leather. What's problematic, is that neither Solovair or Doc's really communicate around the stiffness of their leather. Doc's does (a little) by saying it's smooth or greasy or full grain but that's pretty much it. Owning solovairs and doc's myself, i can say that solovair's full grain leather is incredibly stiff and hard to break in.The creasings at the ankle and upper foot look more natural and beautiful just like quality leather should wear over time. But does that makes it the Doc's killer, certainly not. Doc's have their own stiff leather like the waxed full grain and the crazy horse. and construction of the boot are a little different. I happen to have a very large footing, the sole's stitching is a little higher on Doc's that's giving me much more comfort when walking. Even if Solovair's tend to feel more durable, i can tell you that my 5 years old crazy horse 1490 are still up for quite a few walks. Doc's brand lost itself with these "iconic" coated leather, i don't know why, maybe production method has changed, but they are not as durable as they were back in the 90's. As weird as it sound, stiff full grain crazy horse or waxed leathers built in vietnam are more durable than the coated MIE, just because of that plastic coating tending to peel off from their leathers. My point is that both brands have their pros and cons, depending on what you need. just don't go for coated, glossy, or fake leather. they are not worth their price. and if you want your leather to be durable, take care of it with the appropriate methods and products.
EDIT: I’m saying “insoles” when what I should be saying is “inserts” slip O’ DE OL’ TONGUE! All these boots have insoles as it’s structurally important for the boot! Sorry!
Huge opportunity for you to fly out to Spokane work with Nicks or JK and design you're own boots..... And even do a battle of a bunch of different PNW boot makers for the Snail Grail Boot.....
Same difference. An insole can be synonymous with the footbed, even though sometimes the latter is used to distinguish the base insole layer that's attached to the boot's structure.
I got a meme for this:
Solovair: Solovair
Dr. Marten’s: when you buy your Solovairs from Wish
😆🫡👍
In the end, they are US military combat boots with urethane soles. I should know, as I work combat boots for 4 years that looked just like these except for the soles and they were only worth $30 USD at the time at the military clothing store on base.
You’re awesome Michael, I always love watching your videos bro!
And he didn't even make fun of you in this video 🙂
Epic
He's quirky ....the proverbial man-child 😄 I mean, c'mon Carl doc martens are for .....🤷🏾♂️ Neophytes...babies...
Just need Rose Anvil to show up and flirt too. 🤣
@@Artaois13 Without a 20K+ down payment, he won't show up.
I bought Solovairs about a year ago and they are the best boots I owned so far. I choose them over Docs because I think they look classier without the yellow stitching. The quality is great and I liked that they came in a little cheaper than Docs.
Hows the sizing? True to size? Half size up or down?
@@9gloss True to size in my case
Without the yellow stitching, nobody will know you're a lesbian.
@@justmeeagainnwhat's the point of getting boots in the first place, then?
So when you'r out cruising the public toilets how do you yourself manage? @@justmeeagainn
glad to see solovair getting the recognition they deserve finally.
Omg I thought he was saying "solo bear".
@@katherinelangford981 I really enjoyed your performance in "13 Reasons Why".
NO. gatekeep. or they ruin it and they will suck too
In the end, they are US military combat boots with urethane soles. I should know, as I work combat boots for 4 years that looked just like these except for the soles and they were only worth $30 USD at the time at the military clothing store on base.
@@katherinelangford981
Brooooo it’s you
One of the usual lemons of solovair is that the sole does not fit completely to the leather and leaves space, through which water can enter very easily
In the end, they are US military combat boots with urethane soles. I should know, as I work combat boots for 4 years that looked just like these except for the soles and they were only worth $30 USD at the time at the military clothing store on base.
Re: sizing - I have a pair of 11-eye derby boots in EU 42 (UK 8, US 9). For reference, my normal sneaker size is either EU 42.5 or 43 (UK 8.5/9, US 9.5/10), my Birkenstocks are EU 41 (UK 7, US 8), and my docs were the same size as Solovair.
I bought them about two years ago and am extremely happy with the purchase. They're definitely showing signs of wear (in part because they've got a rub-off colour - that's a feature, not a bug) but are holding up just fine and I expect them to last for a number of years. For comparison, my docs (the overseas ones, bought in 2017 so around the time the quality went down) were in such a horrible shape by the ca. 2-year mark that I had to yeet them in the trash.
TY for the insight!! If anyone else sees this please post your sizings here!
Yeah I myself went down half size from my true size. For example I wear a US 9 D in sneakers but in my Solovair Dealer Boots I wear an
US 8.5 D and they're easily the best fitting boots I own in my collection.
Sizing - my usual footwear size is USA 8.5 and I have really wide feet. Solovair 11 Eye Derby Boots (Last Shape 409) is true to size for me, USA 8.5 / UK 7.5 fits snug with zero wiggle room. Recently bought Solovair Dealer Boots (Last Shape 493) half a size bigger USA 9 / UK 8 to accommodate arch support insoles - and they where a little lose without insoles and perfect fit with medium volume insoles.
Also should mention awesome delivery times from Solovair and DHL! My boots arrived from Birmingham, UK to WA, USA in 3 days with free shipping option.
Magic spoon sucks and they are a lie.
Check down below the ingredients and you’ll see…BIO ENGINEERED FOOD INGREDIENT google search then you too will know it’s BAD.
I recently discovered your channel and I have to say that you produce content of high quality. I appreciate a lot the touch of humour you put in your videos and the "cinematography". Thank you very much 🕺
i have two pairs of solovair's greasy black dealer boots (their chelseas) and love them. one regular pair and the other the gripfast brand steel toes. absolutely love them both, i get a lot of compliments at work about them. I typically wear a size 9, but sized down to 8.5 US (7.5 UK) and they fit perfectly. The only uncomortable part of the break in was the top of the foot for about a month, but now they're the most comfortable boots I've ever owned.
In the end, they are US military combat boots with urethane soles. I should know, as I work combat boots for 4 years that looked just like these except for the soles and they were only worth $30 USD at the time at the military clothing store on base.
My pull tabs on my brogue solovairs burst immediately, laces broke quickly and winter moisture stained them within a week 😢. I had thoroughly bought into their history researching and gutted. Sold the. For buttons afterwards
When I first watched a couple of your videos, I thought you might’ve had a half million or more subs with your level of writing and production. I was dumbfounded when I discovered you had less than 50k. I have no doubt you’ll get there👏🏽
I bought a pair of Solovairs because they made them in a bright colour that Dr Martens don't make. Aside from the obvious improvement in quality over Docs (Even made in England Dr Martens are a bit naff, thin tears bleeding leather), they just offer better variety 😊
I love how every ad for this cereal doesn't include someone actually opening a sealed box, putting the cereal in their mouth, chewing, and swallowing all in one cut.
Grandma at 11 seconds🤣
As an Aussie, I’d love to see you review a pair of RM Williams boots. They’re a staple for every urban cowboy over here .
I can't wait to get a pair myself, just matter of time and place.... But I'm surprised it's such an icon with the high price point. Guess people just save up.
@@TheNunakun they’ve had a big price increase over the past 5-10 years. I’ve got two pairs, purchased 8-10 years ago. cost me $350(chestnut with rubber sole) & $400 (suede with leather sole) aud respectively.
Just had them both re-soled. both look pretty good considering they’ve had a lot of use put on them. Admittedly they’ve turned into more of a dress shoe than a real work boot, but still interested in Michael’s opinion.
Thanks for this video and all the research. Solovair simply deserves more recognition.
I would tend to say that the only reason someone will choose Doc Martens over Solovair nowadays is the yellow stitching. It's such a fashion statement recognized globally. If you got the yellow stitching, you're "in the tribe" you know. If you're more interessed in quality and durability, choose Solovair.
I have pairs of loafers, boots and chelsea from Solovair and I'm very happy with it. The leather, even after months of use, is still astonishing if you treat it well (clean and nourish) and I got no issues with them whatsoever. For the Sizing, I would tend to recommend to size down just from a half size; that's what I did with all my purchases and it fit me very well ; but I guess it depends if you got large feets or not, so beware.
Wooden shanks are used by Crockett and Jones, Trickers, Cheaney, Loake and most British boot makers.
If you're standing on ladders all day then get a steel shank but for normal use...
All of these boots are are low end budget boots and the UK has high labour costs so there inevitably will be compromises of quality control AND leather quality. Don't expect the same quality and consistency as other budget brands like Loake ( their made in England boots cost £290 though)
Be aware that Solovair has a lot of heavily finished leather in their boot ranges. All their glossy offerings are plastic coated leather as are their rub off offering (though the latter use a thinner synthetic pigment than the glossy offerings). Crazy Horse leather is a form of nubuck (buffed surface) .
It should also be noted that even "full grain leather" is often heavily finished to cover up cosmetic flaws in the leather. At this price point it is necessary to use as much of the hide as possible and that will include less desirable areas.
Having said that, I've owned four pairs of their premium Solovair boots including two Chromexcel leather pairs and two have had surprising good leather quality. The other two ( 1 CXL, 1 calf leather) had some issues.
I need to correct you on the statement on the insoles 2:45
You were talking about the sock liners.
The Solovair have a half sock liner, the Dr Martens a full length.
Insoles and their materials are one of the most important parts in the construction of footwear.
And high quality footwear has in most cases vegetable tanned insoles that are 2-5mm thick.
Cheap footwear has somestimes just fabric or in many cases texon insoles, that are not as durable as leather insoles.
You are confusing the sock liner (insole) with the footbed. A sock liner is in no way structural to a shoe and is put in place with a little to no glue just so it doesn't slide around. The structural part to which the gemming is glued in the case of these boots or other Goodyear welted boots is the footbed.
Michael is the kind of guy to build up a wooden set so he can explain what a shank is. That's commitment. No way he found that randomly.
Very informative... So.... i cannot get boots like the Dr Marthens that i bought in the 90's and lasted me 15 years of very frequent use, even if i try solavair...
Have greasy black, toe cap Solovairs and they're awesome. The gray thread and smoke gray sole is definitely preferred for me. Only gripe is that I'm not small by any means and the boots still touch towards the top when tying them up.
i own a pair of Solovair from 2015/2016 with yellow stitch .
My only hesitation with solovair is that there are way way way too many "lemons" stories online. It seems like a bit of a QC lottery.
I had many "lemons" because I have bought many of them.their quality has dropped since they had to make a rebrand because the Dr Martens lawsuit. They changed materials and their producing standards.
I have the same greasy derby boots from solovair. I got them at an outlet for less than half price, they are very dependable boots, even if the upper is a bit floppy
Magic spoon sounds great in theory until you realize it’s 10 dollars a box lmao
And it tastes like shit 😂
bought a pair of solovair cheleas, theyve become my daily shoe. i wear them to work almost every day, and im on my feet all day. ive owned them for nearly a year and outside of expected sole wear and a few leather creases caused by simply having feet, there are literally no signs of damage.
Another interesting boot worth considering if you want Docs is the Thursday Stomper. They even come in a Cherry color that they only offer with one other boot :)
I got a pair of Made in England DMs a while ago and within the first 8 months the leather had developed holes. A little while after this on a trip to Camden, I found a boot shop where the man behind the counter was trying to persuade some tourists to give Solovair a go, lamenting the poor quality of DMs. Decided to get a pair and about 5 years later they're still going strong but I did have problems with the eyelets too (one wasn't secured in properly so I had to re-attach it with a pair of pliers).
Next Video: The Solovair Killers vs. Solovair and its gonna be a Video about Trickers Boots?
In solovair sizing, I'm a full size smaller for the steel toe models (I'm a UK7, I purchased a UK6 and used a memory foam insole) and usually a half-size smaller for standard (UK7, I purchased a UK6.5. They are slightly roomy, but not enough to warrant the use of an insole.
Finally a Solovair video! :)
I was just searching dr Martin vs solovair and your video just popped up 2 minutes after upload
Docs for style, Solovair for durability.
the thing i like sbout dm is the black and yellow theme the yellow stitches and grip thingy
Solovair...used to make boots for Dr Marten's, back in the 60's and 70's and 80's. Back when Docs were actually well made.
I only wear Solovair shoes after I found them about 5years ago. I would highly recommend them to anyone who is looking for this style of shoe. I own a number of pairs now and enjoy each one every time I wear them. Lots of compliments on them. They wear great and look great with very minimal maintenance.
Useful video, but also major side note, Daytona on wrist?!?!? * in the Magic Spoon ad
I actually work for doc Martens, the insoles will probably never rip because of the welting and the leather from the made in England is of much better quality than the made in Thailand, it is selected from England and I think it is known to the public, nevertheless I didn’t know solovair existed and they look pretty cool, glad to learn something new, you have a new subscriber.
Greetings from Valencia, Spain
Wish I saw this video sooner, I am new to boots and someone recommended me to get docs so I did. I am seething rn.
don't worry, my first pair of boots were docs and i loved them. I have solovairs now but only because I love the style so much I could justify paying twice as much (i got my original docs on sale).
I say just wear your docs through and once they're at the end of life, get solovairs if you still want that style of boot.
I bought docs too, literally less than a week ago. I've done loads of research online and talked to a lot of my family + coworkers about them, they've all said they're absolutely brilliant, except they all bought them over 8 years ago, and they're all the better quality made in England versions.
I bought a pair of the 1460 smooths and they feel so cheap it's unreal. It's like wearing a boot made of plastic. They're horrible. I doubt they'd last more than a year to be honest.
Docs are trash if you're looking for a quality long lasting boot, but as far as fashion and comfort go they're fine. Comfort varies with foot shape of course.
I'd still buy Docs at a thrift store if I see them, but I won't pay retail anymore. There's just too much markup for a brand name where the quality is barely better than something you could find at Walmart
I want more casual black boots, for a second I considered Solofair instead of Red wings moc toe, because I like the classic styling of the Doc Martins but they are in different planets in terms of quality.
I have worn Dr Martens since school days back in the 1970s. I find the newer non British made ones just fine. When the soles get worn down I have them replaced at The Key Cobbler who do a fine job. I do look after them well with polish and Wonder Balsam and I never pay full price for them but wait for sale prices.
It's been 24 years and I still regret throwing away my old MIE boots. I think that's mostly nostalgia talking to me but I still kind of do lol
Last lot of Solovair boots I owned lasted 8 months. Quality wasn’t great. One of the tags on the top ripped off within the first few weeks. Soles split in the end. This was the second pair I’d owned and the last sadly.
I bought a pair of Gripfast boots in 2000 when i lived in Georgia. Gripfast cost me 400 british pounds, (500-600 american) were handmade and it took about 6 months to arrive after ordering. Back then you could only order from the factory.
Fastforward 24 years, ive worn the same boots when i lived in Germany (2004-2008), visited England, Switzerland, and still have them in 2024. The only thing i have added or changed is the insole/padding. The rubber on bottom is about halfway worn down, and there is now a small crack on top just above where the big toe bends.
Dr. Martins i owned in 1996-2000 were far worse condition after just 4 years with same type of abuse if not less.
Cant speak about Solovair, but if ur going to buy a boot, go with Gripfast, they have lasted 1/4 of a lifetime with zero repairs needed.
Personal Sizing Experience: I usually wear US mens 8.5 in sneakers and 9 in welted shoes. Solovair said they run large for welted boots, so I went with UK 7.5/US 8.5. I got the 8 eye derbies They were a very close fit, almost too small. Once they leather warmed up and broke in, it was more comfortable. The insole compressing probably helped too. I used wooden shoe trees while I wasn't wearing them, which I think helped the leather keep its stretched shape. Now, they fit quite well but I still don't have enough vertical room too add an insert. If I were going to buy any Solovairs on a smaller/narrower last, I would definitely go up to UK8/US9 and add an insert.
One other thing, I've seen a lot of people post pictures of the heat seal failing after a few days or weeks of use. Hasn't happened to me, and I've put some miles and rough use on mine. Sounds like they have a QC issue. On top of that, their factory resole service is "temporarily unavailable" and has been for a while. If the seal failed on my outsole, I don't know if my local cobbler would try and re-melt it or just glue it.
I wear 9.5 US for vans so should I size down to a 9 US in men?
@@bryanl64 I dunno, I don't wear vans. Do they run wide? I'd be more worried about the solovairs running smaller than your sneakers.
Solovair are more comfortable .Bought three pairs from Solovair factory shop and never thought about buying any other boots.
Allen Edmonds don’t use shanks at all, well at least for their classic models, that’s one of their defining characteristics.
you can have the metal rings fixed up by a shoemaker
Great stuff and thanks for the tips about docs 👍🏻
I know docs aren’t the best quality boots in the world far from it yet no one ever complains about trainers being over priced for what they really are which is basically shit!
How can i prevent getting blisters on the back of my heel? Doc martens is known for hurting the back of the heel.
Get the correct size and wear the correct socks. Tie and lace correctly.
Get the correct size and wear better socks. I've never had a problem with that on either my Docs or my Solovairs. Sometimes it's just like that if your foot shape is wrong for the boot, and you can get heel pads until they break in
I wish they made the 1460 leather boots in England in the smooth leather
As the made in England ones are a thicker sole
Did i miss the part where you said you'd let us know which Solovair to buy, that has full grain leather with no plastic coating?
Greasy and gaucho are both full grain. High shine and rub offs have some plastic
There is also grinders boots. That make similar as well.
I have their derby boots in greasy leather (just like the ones in the video). I’ve went a half size down with my first Solovair purchase (same derby boots in green gaucho leather) and the boots were too tight. With the greasy ones I went true to size and they fit much better, my feet are 27,8 and 28 cm long and the toes of my longer foot touch the front of the boot when I’m walking (it’s no big deal and I wouldn’t consider sizing up). I also have their 6 eye derby boots which have slimmer and longer last (similar to one used on their astronaut boots) and those fit perfectly.
Just think of them as sneakers and rotate them as much as possible with your other pairs 😂
You are so right on the eyelets. They are the Achilles heals of Solovairs. I’ve owned many pairs and on every single one the eyelets have ripped out on the outside where the boot bends. However this is an easy fix and any cobbler will replace them with better riveted eyelets for $10.
If you really want a strong boot that has the same attitude I’d recommend NPS’s other line of Gripfast. Those boots are something solid. All the important stitching is done either twice or three times over. Their soles are solid rubber and are Goodyear welted along with being attached to the upper with 22 screws.
Everything logical within me says "Get the Solovair's!", but the 90's kid in my says "YELLOW STITCHES! GOTTA HAVE 'EM!!" *sigh*
It is incredible that the marketing teams were able to sell y'all on "air" as a benefit. They're selling air which is free instead of filling that space with quality materials. A+ Marketing department. Ya fooled em
We need a boot like those but built well.
Once you go solovair you never go back to Drs
thanks for the info. video on docs with steel toe versus others?
Anybody have recommendations for a boot that works for the desert? I live in the American southwest and I want something that is breathable but still looks good for the office… I was leaning toward Jim Green but I’m not certain yet
And...no wide sizes. Moving right along...
Any recommendations for these aesthetic gothish shoes that are good quality and also wide toe box
How do the solovair’s fit? True to size? Or do you need to buy a half size down?
Try using Obenauf's leather oil.
👍🏼👍🏼
Oh man I got some solovairs and they sent me the correct size but on the inside they were gigantic. It was weird. Easy to send them back though. Haven’t tried to buy again
why have I seen 3 solovair ads today with seemly no connection .In the bio it makes no mention of the brand he is promoting
These are way more expensive than doc martens. What is everyone talking about?
I have had many of those "lemons" on solovair,specially on high demand times of the year. They have a good customer service because they have a lot of flaws on the shoes they make.
How about the obvious? Solovair made dr martens. Almost the same company. And solovair and docs can both be resoled because they are good year welt.
I don't think you mentioend at any point....EVERY Solovair is MADE IN ENGLAND.... They also do a Premium line
Nice video, but i dislike Solovairs. I have 40 Docs and 10 solovairs. What i dislike is the shape of solovairs. Some say Docs and solovair look and feel the same. No they don't. Docs just feel better for me on the foot. I only wear docs with that hard cardboard insole. Those Docs with the cushioned insole are often of less quality. And in the last years i had solovair pairs which aged pretty quickly or were defect. 10 years ago i really liked both brands. I went back to wearing Docs with all their imperfections. I think you have to know what pair of Docs you are buying. For example : I bought the Horween leather docs. = fantastic boots with beautiful patina. Thats no diss to Solovair, i think they are really okay and good boot.
100%. Take this with a pinch of salt because my partner works for DMs, but I was team Solovair for a while, but recently I've started appreciating DMs again after getting some Horween and SF Stead MIE pairs. They fit me way better and have a nicer shape than Solovairs too. If you're comparing the nicest DMs with the nicest Solovairs, DM's are definitely better quality. I think the real problem with DMs is that they sell low and high quality shoes side by-side without really making it clear which is which, so you have to make sure you're buying the right pair.
4:37 I'm crying 🤣🤣🤣
Hey, does anyone know a good alternative to the 1461, besides the Solovair Gibson?
Solovair boots are 40-60 dollars more.
re: the eyelets
i personally have a pair of solovair 11 eyelet boots and for the first 6 months of wearing them, i would accidentally slice my hand open on one of the sharp back of an eyelet while lacing them up about 12 times. Now I've had them for a year the sharp backs of the stamped eyelets have sort of been blunted with time and i love them, but that's my experience with quality control.
I am curious about your opinion on the Polish company Steel, which offers leather footwear strongly "inspired" by classic Martens
Dear Mr. Kristy kindly do a review on a Viberg boot thank you.
Still love dr.martens. Look nicer and i love yellow stitch.
Jet fuel melts steel shanks. I’ve never seen a wood shank melt.
can you do a video on fracap boots?
Thanks for the comparison. Are the Solovair boots' soles thermally welded on, like the Dr. Martens?
Yes they are, with the same risk of the weld splitting.
@@marklane6121agreed,they sent me some pairs badly welt and I had to send them back, first they said that It was normal,but I have seen pictures of how It can evolve with time,so I insisted to send them back
they are not at all comfortable for me, I came specially to London to the store where they sell them and it was a disaster, not a convenient form, of any model, for me. I tried on everything that was my size and nothing, a nightmare, it all depends on the leg. i bought two new vintage martins😂
Got to go to British boot company in Camden… that guy knows everything about boots and has a ton of both brands
I know the solovairs are better, but i love how beaten up the doc marts look. I just got a pair of Jadens from Doc Marts and I hope i'll wear them in and it'll look like yours one day!
That useless bouncing sole is the reason I am looking new shoes... Wonder how many people die from trying to use Martens in winter climates every year?
I wish solovair made nonslip work boots
Idk, kinda still more sold on Thursday
I've got some solovairs theyre pretty good boots, i wouldn't work in them and i have so i know what I'm talking about. personally i think the comfort is a bit of an exaggeration. i feel like the comfiest boots ive ever worn are my Thorogoods but thats ok I've got differnt boots for different things. thorogoods for work, red wings for literally anything and when im feeling like a punk i grab my solovairs. they aren't really water proof/resistant but ive worn them to the range when it as pretty much a mud field and they do the job, theyll definitely fend of the rain better than any shoe will
they don't ship to canada?
Good video but thats not how,you lace DMs or Solos
£245 English pounds!!! A bargain, guvnor. That’s only £100 more than the Dr Martens. 🏴☕️
Solitaire 229.00 dr martens 150.00
Not made in England Docs. Made in Thailand Docs vs Made in England Solivair
Why don't you straight lace your boots?
7:42 idk why but you sounded like dr nick from the Simpsons
I gotta say I'm a big fan of boot content wherever I can get it, but only if it presents new information. In my opinion, while this was a well edited video that was fun and informative to watch, the channel @RoseAnvil covered everything in this video in a more original way, and watching the original videos from the clips you used gives an even better explanation and comparison of these brands. No hate, towards these brands or this channel, and still excited to see what's next.
I love docs bc of the yellow stitch
debate around the origin of the leather is a non sense, either south american, or asian, or european, cows are basically the same breeds; a cow is a cow and leather is leather. What's problematic, is that neither Solovair or Doc's really communicate around the stiffness of their leather. Doc's does (a little) by saying it's smooth or greasy or full grain but that's pretty much it. Owning solovairs and doc's myself, i can say that solovair's full grain leather is incredibly stiff and hard to break in.The creasings at the ankle and upper foot look more natural and beautiful just like quality leather should wear over time. But does that makes it the Doc's killer, certainly not. Doc's have their own stiff leather like the waxed full grain and the crazy horse. and construction of the boot are a little different. I happen to have a very large footing, the sole's stitching is a little higher on Doc's that's giving me much more comfort when walking. Even if Solovair's tend to feel more durable, i can tell you that my 5 years old crazy horse 1490 are still up for quite a few walks.
Doc's brand lost itself with these "iconic" coated leather, i don't know why, maybe production method has changed, but they are not as durable as they were back in the 90's. As weird as it sound, stiff full grain crazy horse or waxed leathers built in vietnam are more durable than the coated MIE, just because of that plastic coating tending to peel off from their leathers.
My point is that both brands have their pros and cons, depending on what you need. just don't go for coated, glossy, or fake leather. they are not worth their price. and if you want your leather to be durable, take care of it with the appropriate methods and products.
what wrist watch is that?
Steel shank hurt!!