@GregBirkin licensed sure, but solovair was still making the shoes, as soon as Martens moved overseas the quality plummeted, solovair has been making quality since day 1
As things get more and more expensive while also getting worse and worse, its nice seeing small businesses making something built to last and be repaired.
Glad they're getting the needed appreciation! Have 3 pairs and all of them just fitted instantly, went to dinner parties, forest raves and on hikes in these! Switched after I wore a same pair of Docs for 2.5 years and they still hurt after an hour of hours of walking. Props to NPS and Solovair for such a high quality product!
Do want a boot that works, or one that looks as tho it works? I have some Dr. Martens (made by Solovair/NPS) that I wore all through my time as a tram conductor. I still have them; they are good quality. I heard my niece complain that her Docs wore out in 6 months: leather cracked, soles separating. I showed her mine, and she went out and bought some Solovairs, and is still wearing them 2 years later.
I have several pairs of hiking boots not made nearly as well that cost more. The next sound you hear is me trying to find out where I can buy a pair. Great story.
Thank you @WSJ Style for bringing these boots to my attention. I am currently on their website ordering myself one....Additionally, I've "liked" and hit the "Subscribe" button. GREAT PIECE!
These are the best. I just spent six months in a village about 14 miles from Northampton. I discovered Solvair while there. I brought 9 pairs of boots. My favorites are Gripfast and Greasy Steel toes. They sell these online in the US on the Internet! Made in England! I probably will be buying more.
This was a great project to work on, and really eye opening and an incredible story of how a small business has managed to survive through all the ups and downs of British Industry.
I’ve got Solovair, GripFast, and DM’s. I had a pair of DM’s during the late 1980’s and the sole split in the front and peeled back lengthwise. 2 pairs of my Solovair boots the sole has split below the arch. Unfortunately getting these fixed in the states is near impossible. I’m hoping the rest of my pairs have no issues. Otherwise I do love Solovair and even have some older DM’s by Solovair.
I but a pair of Solovair about every 18months, hey are marginally better than the current docs but sadly the sole on mine always splits on both sole from the ball of my foot to the outer edge... i still have my docs from the 90s with original sole
I've heard of Solovair, looks cool, but I'm still a fan of DocMarts, been with them since the mid 90s But now I only buy UK made Docs, since I've proven it myself that their Asian-made 1461 is nothing compared to their OGs. I've moved to Red Wings these days, and still loving my boots, great video btw, thanks for sharing
Not necessarily, apparel and accessories can be made to high, medium or low standards in many countries. A conscious choice was made for costs to be cut by going with a lower quality and cost supplier
It's a popular misconception. You are outsourcing the production and setting the price point. People in the factory will make whatever you ordered. If you order high end product and pay for a high end product, they will make it. If you ordered a cheap boot, they will make you a cheap boot.
Very interesting video. I have both. I am more on the Doc Martens side because they fit me better but i really love both brands and i hope Solovair survives for a long time.
Build a product. Turn a profit. Make a living. THAT is business; not the disfigured abomination of greed that production has decayed into today. I will not wear Martens. Made that mistake once. They are trash. Well done Solivair.
To summarize, Doc Martens sold out: moved to Asia, using cheaper materials, semi-fake welt, inferior quality and just capitalizing on the brand recognition. Solovair still make them the way they used to be made: In the UK, with the original quality materials and good build quality.
Dr. Martens does have Made in UK line, so yeah... and Docs have way more interesting collabs, and leathers made by Horween, CFS. Solovairs are cool but every time I see their name, I see Dr. Martens taking blames.
ACTUALLY we were working class. rap culture end of 90's took the work boot Dr. martins then later real steal toes to be fashionable. all us grunge punk and skins were and are tradespeople. hard workers. go party in our work cloths. get it right kiddo. lol Docs became uncool as soon as hey sold out and went cheap. no one can do the cowboy methond to get em to fit, they are garbage now.
Actually they are! The stitch that you see on Solovairs are actually fake for the aesthetic. Under/behind that, they are actually Goodyear welted using a hidden welt. The stitch you see on Docs is real, since they aren’t truly Goodyear welted. Solovairs are much easier to resole, and even sell replacement soles on their website that you can take to a local cobbler.
Would wear Solovair over Doc Martens but neither are easily resoled, the leather is cheap and super coated and the fit is meh. There are much better options at the same price point, still made by adults making a living wage.
Solovair are not Lookalikes, theyre the original makers
seriously, calling them lookalikes is lowkey disrespectful 🥲
Why are you lying? Solovair had a license to make Docs and after licensing was over, they made the same shoe without the yellow stitching…
@GregBirkin licensed sure, but solovair was still making the shoes, as soon as Martens moved overseas the quality plummeted, solovair has been making quality since day 1
ayo it's our man weston
As things get more and more expensive while also getting worse and worse, its nice seeing small businesses making something built to last and be repaired.
Good to see Weston from Rose Anvil here
Glad they're getting the needed appreciation! Have 3 pairs and all of them just fitted instantly, went to dinner parties, forest raves and on hikes in these! Switched after I wore a same pair of Docs for 2.5 years and they still hurt after an hour of hours of walking. Props to NPS and Solovair for such a high quality product!
Solovair and Jim Green out here doing it right 🫡 much respect
Love how functional and comfortably my JG rangers are.
Do want a boot that works, or one that looks as tho it works? I have some Dr. Martens (made by Solovair/NPS) that I wore all through my time as a tram conductor. I still have them; they are good quality. I heard my niece complain that her Docs wore out in 6 months: leather cracked, soles separating. I showed her mine, and she went out and bought some Solovairs, and is still wearing them 2 years later.
Depends on how old your Doc Martens are. If they're from decades ago, they're probably of good quality but modern Doc Martens are bad quality.
I have several pairs of hiking boots not made nearly as well that cost more. The next sound you hear is me trying to find out where I can buy a pair. Great story.
Okay I thought the DocMartins looked far cheaper and poorly made compared to the older ones aww makes sense now. These I want ❤
Got my first pair of Solovairs two weeks ago. Aside from my Red Wing Iron Rangers, they are the best boots I've ever purchased.
I’m buying! Gotta support ❤
You’ll have them for years ! Good investment
Thank you @WSJ Style for bringing these boots to my attention. I am currently on their website ordering myself one....Additionally, I've "liked" and hit the "Subscribe" button. GREAT PIECE!
I bought a pair of Docs .. within a year and a half the sole cracked... just gave up on them.. might try Solovair now
super cool video, very interesting
These are the best. I just spent six months in a village about 14 miles from Northampton. I discovered Solvair while there. I brought 9 pairs of boots. My favorites are Gripfast and Greasy Steel toes. They sell these online in the US on the Internet! Made in England! I probably will be buying more.
I got the greasy Gripfast, they are solid as fk! I reckon they will last the rest of my life
Crazy this video got only 2 comments so far. Superb content
This was a great project to work on, and really eye opening and an incredible story of how a small business has managed to survive through all the ups and downs of British Industry.
Great video & information. I enjoyed this, ty!!
I’ve got Solovair, GripFast, and DM’s. I had a pair of DM’s during the late 1980’s and the sole split in the front and peeled back lengthwise. 2 pairs of my Solovair boots the sole has split below the arch. Unfortunately getting these fixed in the states is near impossible. I’m hoping the rest of my pairs have no issues. Otherwise I do love Solovair and even have some older DM’s by Solovair.
Yet another reason to support privately owned businesses.
Solovair boots are so good. I have a pair of their vegan boots and they are basically indestructible
everything good turns bad once "private equity" gets invoked
😒
It gets worse: the owners of Doc Martens as a company are Tories and Tory supporters.
Roseanvil with the Charley Crockett T gains this video 10 pts instantly.
I but a pair of Solovair about every 18months, hey are marginally better than the current docs but sadly the sole on mine always splits on both sole from the ball of my foot to the outer edge... i still have my docs from the 90s with original sole
You mean the REAL doc's
wow weston cut in half guy
iirc, 15 years ago they were still using the yellow stitching.
This explains why docs aren’t the same anymore
Rose Anvil peak
Mine still look brand new after 8 years
DR. Martens IS the lookalike
Love solovair own 5 boots one being gripfast 1 dress shoe want more customer service is great
Did he say "moist people"?
I've heard of Solovair, looks cool, but I'm still a fan of DocMarts, been with them since the mid 90s
But now I only buy UK made Docs, since I've proven it myself that their Asian-made 1461 is nothing compared to their OGs.
I've moved to Red Wings these days, and still loving my boots, great video btw, thanks for sharing
Please call them Docs, not DocMarts. All the best from London.
Um…not DocMarts 😂 where are you from?
The real problem with Dr. Martens is that overseas factories do not have the same manufacturing standards.
Not necessarily, apparel and accessories can be made to high, medium or low standards in many countries. A conscious choice was made for costs to be cut by going with a lower quality and cost supplier
@SABILI_VIDEO That is the point. Dr. Martens' overseas factories do not have the same manufacturing standards. They could. But they don't.
It's a popular misconception. You are outsourcing the production and setting the price point. People in the factory will make whatever you ordered. If you order high end product and pay for a high end product, they will make it. If you ordered a cheap boot, they will make you a cheap boot.
I buy my kids Doc Martens. I buy myself Solovairs. When my kids feet get done growing they can get some solvairs.
Rose anvil
Very interesting video. I have both. I am more on the Doc Martens side because they fit me better but i really love both brands and i hope Solovair survives for a long time.
I tried Doc Martens once and they were so uncomfortable…
Champagne is not made in the south of France
0:43 Is that what it takes to be a "good reporter" these days? "Kind of" googling something?
ROSE ANVIL SWAG
know history
Build a product. Turn a profit. Make a living.
THAT is business; not the disfigured abomination of greed that production has decayed into today. I will not wear Martens. Made that mistake once. They are trash. Well done Solivair.
Mogguh
To summarize, Doc Martens sold out: moved to Asia, using cheaper materials, semi-fake welt, inferior quality and just capitalizing on the brand recognition. Solovair still make them the way they used to be made: In the UK, with the original quality materials and good build quality.
Dr. Martens does have Made in UK line, so yeah... and Docs have way more interesting collabs, and leathers made by Horween, CFS. Solovairs are cool but every time I see their name, I see Dr. Martens taking blames.
ACTUALLY we were working class. rap culture end of 90's took the work boot Dr. martins then later real steal toes to be fashionable. all us grunge punk and skins were and are tradespeople. hard workers. go party in our work cloths. get it right kiddo. lol Docs became uncool as soon as hey sold out and went cheap. no one can do the cowboy methond to get em to fit, they are garbage now.
A shame solovairs arent a true "goodyer welt" and arent easily resolable.
Actually they are! The stitch that you see on Solovairs are actually fake for the aesthetic. Under/behind that, they are actually Goodyear welted using a hidden welt. The stitch you see on Docs is real, since they aren’t truly Goodyear welted. Solovairs are much easier to resole, and even sell replacement soles on their website that you can take to a local cobbler.
*I can see how they are look alikes. I'd get Solovairs over Doc Martens!*
How much Solovair paid WSJ for this infomercial?
The only thing I'll remember from that video is that Champagne is made in the South of France and I think it's beautiful
I'd buy these but why really, a pair of 200 dollar running shoes is always gonna be more comfy 😂
Would wear Solovair over Doc Martens but neither are easily resoled, the leather is cheap and super coated and the fit is meh. There are much better options at the same price point, still made by adults making a living wage.
Redwings are better 😊
Solovair is a dying breed