Solovair

Why r/BuyItForLife recommends Solovair

89 mentions from real owners

• #1Dec 28, 2025

  The 21st Century Ruined Everything 😭

  What you're looking for is Solovair. https://us.nps-solovair.com/collections/boots

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• #2Dec 28, 2025

  The 21st Century Ruined Everything 😭

  Do solivar i have been wearing their boots for almost 4 years daily and they are dope. They used to manufacture docs but then docs moved to manufacture elsewhere. I really like those boots

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• #3Dec 28, 2025

  The 21st Century Ruined Everything 😭

  Solovair is the replacement for doc martens. I would say look at used ll bean parkas for a coat

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• #4Dec 28, 2025

  The 21st Century Ruined Everything 😭

  Not northern; it’s about 50 miles from London. Solovair often have ‘[factory seconds](https://outlet.nps-solovair.com/collections/factory-seconds)’ on the website that can be reduced significantly; for instance, there’s currently a Union Jack 8-eye Derby boot, reduced by 57%.

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• #5Dec 28, 2025

  Comfy boots I can buy in the UK

  Try Altberg, Solovair, or Dr. Martens Made in England, all solid UK-made options built for comfort and long-term wear.

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• #6Dec 28, 2025

  The 21st Century Ruined Everything 😭

  If you like doc marten then look at Solovair. You’ll need to come up on that budget by about $100 bucks though.

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• #7Dec 20, 2025

  Need BIFL Recommendations as a Graduation Present!

  A few things that I would recommend: 1) If you expect to do a bunch of weekend trips - a Filson Duffel bag, 2) Not sure which 3D printer you already have, but a Bambu might be a great upgrade, 3) Full Cordless Tool Set, 4) Handmade boots or Solovair boots, 5) 2 year subscription for Cursor Pro or similar, 6) Nice professional jacket that you can use to level up your outfits for prof/faculty events or interviews. Anything you can do to invest in yourself is the best. Until you start making real money, I wouldn’t divert your money into savings. Keep your tools up to date so you are not limited by the tool.

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• #8Dec 19, 2025

  What's up with mens waterproof hiking boots and steeltoe boots lately? What's good?

  Redwing and solovair

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• #9Dec 7, 2025

  Which heritage brands are still good?

  forgot about solovair

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• #10Dec 6, 2025

  Which heritage brands are still good?

  Solovair is the brand you really want. They continue to make there boots like how doc martens used to be built in the UK before they became cheaply built. They actually used to make doc martens back when they where good quality

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• #11Dec 2, 2025

  any brand recs for fashionable leather boots?

  Seconding Solovair hard - got mine 3 years ago and they still look brand new despite daily abuse. Also check out vintage Frye on Poshmark, sometimes you can snag the older ones that were actually built to last instead of the new fast fashion versions

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• #12Dec 1, 2025

  any brand recs for fashionable leather boots?

  I totally get what you mean. Once you start searching for boots it feels like an endless spiral 😂. If you like the vibe of old-school Docs but hate the quality issues, you might actually like Solovair. They’re made in the original factory and feel way sturdier without losing that chunky look. I’ve also had good luck with Fluevogs for unique colors. They’re quirky but in a good way, and people swear they last forever. A.S.98 is another one that feels more “alternative” without being uncomfortable and their leather breaks in really nicely. Honestly, it sounds like you’re super close. Just avoid the newer Doc Martens and you’ll have way better luck finding something that actually lasts.

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• #13Nov 8, 2025

  Vagabond shoes are of horrible quality.

  My girlfriend has a bunch of pairs, and it’s been a mixed bag - some are totally decent/reasonably durable, but others seem much less so. To be honest while they look nice, I don’t personally really categorize them as high quality. I wonder if they used to be much better quality, as my girlfriend insists that in the past she had some really durable ones. To be honest I think you should look for older l shoe companies: i.e. Solovair if you want that Doc Martens or European look, or something like Danner or Hanwag if you want a more hiking style, or Red Wing for work boots. They also go on sales, so don’t balk at the initial price you see on their websites. If you want dress shoes there are a bunch of good suggestions on the subreddit - I have a pair from Glein in Vienna that I really like.

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• #14Nov 6, 2025

  starting to care more about buy it for life stuff

  Pan: cast iron as people have said or carbon steel Shoes: a nice pair of leather boots/shoes (Solovair, Redwing, will last you decades if you take care of them). Sneakers will need to be replaced but having a few on rotation help them each last longer

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• #15Oct 8, 2025

  Good quality boots that will last me a decade?

  The name was bought out but as far as I’m concerned Solovair still makes the genuine article.

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• #16Oct 8, 2025

  Good quality boots that will last me a decade?

  I’d recommend Solovair boots instead, they are the original manufacturer of Doc Martens and still make the same style boot just by a different name. Quality materials, hand made in England.

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• #17Oct 8, 2025

  Good quality boots that will last me a decade?

  I'm still wearing my Doc Martens from 2002. Light construction work, maintaining 3 acres with a tractor. I've been told, however, that the new ones are not the same quality. Some say the original manufacturer was spun off into Solovair and is still good. That's probably what I'll buy when I'm in need again.

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• #18Oct 8, 2025

  Good quality boots that will last me a decade?

  maybe Solovair with wool socks?

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• #19Oct 8, 2025

  Winter Boots for a Lot of Walking (France)

  Im now between Solovair and all out Redwings. Yesterday I went to a store that had Solovairs and they were beautiful.

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• #20Oct 8, 2025

  Winter Boots for a Lot of Walking (France)

  Solovair has more styles, so they might fit your look better. Just note that they require a good bit of wearing in. Most of the leathers are not comfortable out of the box. Blundstones usually have a blobby shape, so they might not be your thing. They’re wearable out of the box, and they’re my go to for trips with a lot of walking, like theme parks.

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• #21Oct 6, 2025

  Winter Boots for a Lot of Walking (France)

  I just searched Solovair and seems to be a match. Goodyear-welted boots and affordable.

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• #22Oct 6, 2025

  Winter Boots for a Lot of Walking (France)

  I can walk 15,000 steps with my Solovair boots. I would walk 15,000 steps with my vivobarefoot boots if it's cold enough outside.

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• #23Oct 4, 2025

  My favourite shoes are discontinued!! Alternative suggestions?

  Yeah I've heard that too, my first pair of DM from 2018 also basically disintegrated within a year. Solovair all the way!😂😂

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• #24Oct 2, 2025

  My Docs are nearly 35 years old, and still comfortable as ever.

  Solovair bought the docs factory equipment when docs moved production to china and quality tanked.

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• #25Oct 1, 2025

  My Docs are nearly 35 years old, and still comfortable as ever.

  I heard Solovair boots are a better alternative to vintage docs

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• #26Sep 7, 2025

  Brands That Used to Be BIFL — But Aren't Anymore?

  Solovair are the proper dr martens, still made in the old factory etc

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• #27Sep 6, 2025

  Brands That Used to Be BIFL — But Aren't Anymore?

  Look up solovair. The factory in Britain that made doc Martin shoes now makes Solovair shoes. They're almost as good as the old Doc Martin's.

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• #28Sep 4, 2025

  Brands That Used to Be BIFL — But Aren't Anymore?

  Doc Martens for sure, Solovairs are still good though

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• #29Sep 4, 2025

  Brands That Used to Be BIFL — But Aren't Anymore?

  Check out [solovair](https://us.nps-solovair.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoprB_rNRQXjkk3PXEtMTxp0C3d7sqmHwQKoEdJDQB5Yh_0zOzw7). I bought a pair of docs thinking they'd be like the pair I had in the 90s that my younger brother appropriated when I left for college. They were falling apart in a year or so. The solovair boots I bought were pricier, but are an order of magnitude greater in quality.

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• #30Sep 4, 2025

  Brands That Used to Be BIFL — But Aren't Anymore?

  Solovair is what Doc Marten used to be.

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• #31Sep 1, 2025

  Clothing and footwear brands that hold up over time

  Solovair boots. More authentic Dr. Martens made in England than what Dr. Martens makes today. I’ve had a pair for almost 9 years that still look like new

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• #32Aug 12, 2025

  Baxter Goulburn - how long lasting are they

  Hi, I bought a pair of Baxter Goulburn chelsea boots (black) through Everything Australian May 2025 - saved money rather than buying through Baxter site. I have never owned a pair of chelsea boots - I needed them for work, so I cannot compare to RM Williams, Rossi or Harold boots (the latter two are Australian but make their boots in India/Vietnam). The Goulburn fits me true to size (UK 8) - they're a good fit with thick socks, I have however put in thin insoles (from a pair of near new Doc Martens) this allows me to wear the boots with thinner socks and provide extra support when walking. The boots are comfortable and probably would be difficult to tell the difference between these and a pair of RM Williams. I don't consider these boots to be a knock off either - the quality is brilliant and they have worn in quite easily, I bought some dubbin and applied to the boots before wearing. I also bought a pair of Solovair chelsea boots (brown/grain) in July (was in the UK), these are sleeker than they look online and have a better profile than Docs - I'm glad I tried them on in store because i got a size UK 7 - one size smaller, and this pair also has inserts and they fit really well, probably the most comfortable boots I have bought - my tip if considering Solovair boots is to try them on, they run large.

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• #33Aug 11, 2025

  Asolo is garbage and their customer service sucks donkey d!ck; what's my next boot brand?

  Check out solovair. They are the company that made doc martens when doc martens were BIFL.

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• #34Aug 11, 2025

  Asolo is garbage and their customer service sucks donkey d!ck; what's my next boot brand?

  I’ve heard danners are great. I am a red wing diehard. For if you want something that looks like doc martens, but aren’t crap, solovair bought their uk factories.

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• #35Aug 2, 2025

  Docs vs. Solovair vs. AllSaints

  Never having tried Solovairs while vouching so hard for them pretty much describes half this sub. I’ve tried them, owned 2 in fact. They’re ok. If you can get them, get them. If they’re not accessible to you but Docs are, get Docs if you like the style. You either wear them out or get tired of the style, but I don’t see myself owning them for life.

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• #36Aug 2, 2025

  What products used to be well built back in the day but now are low quality?

  And that brand still has the lifetime guarantee that Doc’s quietly discontinued a few years ago. If I had know. This in 2019 when I bought my last docs I would have purchased Solovair instead.

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• #37Aug 1, 2025

  What products used to be well built back in the day but now are low quality?

  They moved production to the Far East but the original factory is still operating under the Solovair brand.

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• #38Aug 1, 2025

  Docs vs. Solovair vs. AllSaints

  I am 100% living in your brain. I'm there. Inside it. But.....Docs are Docs. Some love the look. You get that translucent Solovair sole which 0 other places have for slight look and comfort differentiation. You get the yellow stitches which no one else has. To some, they will repair them to new condition. Not my circus, not my monkeys. But, we, as humans, often do seemingly ignorant shit. I spent $6000 repainting my shitbox car. That was dumb as shit. But I did it. It was worth it to me. To everyone else, it was dumb as shit. I'm sure you have similar dumb as shit moves. :)

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• #39Aug 1, 2025

  Docs vs. Solovair vs. AllSaints

  All Saints ain't got boots like that unless I missed them. And based on looks and pricing and lack of website detail, zero of them are of a repairable construction method, so not BIFL. And I can't find those exact ones on the Dr. Martens website but Solovair has [https://us.nps-solovair.com/collections/boots/products/s8-551-bk-zip-g](https://us.nps-solovair.com/collections/boots/products/s8-551-bk-zip-g) which are similar but don't have a laces zipper and are high shine which most would say is less appealing from a BIFL standpoint as the shine wears/cracks. If you like the look of the Dr. Martens, get them. They, like Solovair, are bottom tier BIFL boots so set your expectations there. They can be resoled and repaired by a cobbler, but you have to find a specialty cobbler which means shipping them off which is not ideal for some....and some don't mind. Sadly, most of the asshats here think that unless you are buying $600 Nick's logging boots, every boot sucks. But either Dr. Martens or Solovair should be fine unless you plan on using these at your oil rig job. Are they Nick's quality? Nope. Are they better than a similar find on the shelf at Target? Yep.

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• #40Aug 1, 2025

  Docs vs. Solovair vs. AllSaints

  Made in England Docs are decent but around 99% are now produced in China and Vietnam, where the quality has significantly declined. Solovair still manufactures in England, in the original Dr. Martens factories, so their quality is much closer to what Dr. Martens used to offer. I haven’t had experience with AllSaints boots, but they lean more towards fashion forward designs, so I wouldn’t expect them to match Solovair in terms of quality or durability.

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• #41Aug 1, 2025

  Docs vs. Solovair vs. AllSaints

  Damnit, I'd like to try a pair of solovairs I might just bite the bullet with my standard size. The zip on my fucking johnston and murphys ripped out after security at the airport and I looked like a tool trying to put it back on.

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• #42Aug 1, 2025

  Docs vs. Solovair vs. AllSaints

  Snap, I've also owned a pair of solovair Chelsea boots for 4 years and they've been fantastic

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• #43Aug 1, 2025

  Docs vs. Solovair vs. AllSaints

  Solovair and it’s not even close. Solovairs should be reasolable. All saints is just h and m with drapery clothing.

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• #44Aug 1, 2025

  Docs vs. Solovair vs. AllSaints

  long time boot aficionado here. solovair are the superior manufacturers of the classic doc style sole, hands down. the soles last at several times longer than modern docs. i’ve worn my solovair chelsea boots for the past 3-4 years and they’ve still got grip and look sharp enough. i typically get a year tops out of dr martens branded soles, they’re trash

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• #45Aug 1, 2025

  Docs vs. Solovair vs. AllSaints

  Docs are not even close to the same quality they were in the 90s and 00s. Solovair is the company that made the og doc martens, and they split off from them in 03. The current Solovair offerings are closest to what Docs used to be. Idk anything about Allsaints.

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• #46Jul 7, 2025

  Doc Martens vs army surplus boots

  > Since you are in Britain check out Solovair as they were an original Docs Contractor, if you can go to a physical shop nearby they would have a wider variety of boots to try on. Even a used boot shop might have more options that you ahould be physically trying on first. I just got a pair of last 409 solovairs and they're a similar fit to what OPs describing (tight on calf and loose on foot). I'd recommend they either get a lower cut of 409 or maybe try 493 (narrower on the foot itself). That said, solovair will allow you to keep returning shit until you get the right size, so they're pretty safe to find your fit with, even internationally.

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• #47Jul 6, 2025

  Doc Martens vs army surplus boots

  It sounds like the Docs you have do not fit your legs. Traditional boots use a bunch of different foot shapes for different foot models (called a "last"), it sounds like you did not pick one that matches your feet. Docs are also not waterproof outdoor boots, they are moreso traditional western work boots for factory workers. Surplus boots would likely have molded themselves to another person's feet, you really need to try on a bunch to make sure they actually fit and not be surprised if many do not. Military grade also means "as cheap as legally possible", so many newer ones will fall apart fairly quickly. If you want true BIFL boots, you would need custom ones from a cobbler, though those cost a lot more than it sounds like you are willing to spend.  Since you are in Britain check out Solovair as they were an original Docs Contractor, if you can go to a physical shop nearby they would have a wider variety of boots to try on. Even a used boot shop might have more options that you ahould be physically trying on first. Otherwise all you can do is order whatever online, try them on, and not be afraid to return them if they do not fit properly, we cannot guess your specific legs versus brands.

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• #48Jul 5, 2025

  Goth/Punk-style combat boot recommendations?

  Grenson is another option for the styles you’re looking for. Some of their shoes have been moved to the manufacturing lines in India, however. Solovair is still all made in UK.

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• #49Jul 5, 2025

  Goth/Punk-style combat boot recommendations?

  BIFL boots are goodyear welt construction. Blowfish, Demonia and New Rocks are not unless you find a pair that specifically states so. Dr. Martens and Solovair are recraftable for years of use....know that this style of boot does not lend itself to durability, so you kinda are at a loss out the gate.

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• #50Jul 5, 2025

  Goth/Punk-style combat boot recommendations?

  Ooh, I love the Hi-Shine finish on the Solovair boots, thank you! And thank you as well for the tip, I'll check out that subreddit.

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• #51Jul 5, 2025

  Goth/Punk-style combat boot recommendations?

  You could get some [solovair](https://us.nps-solovair.com/collections/boots) boots. They’re the OG Doc Martins and still made in England.

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• #52Jun 12, 2025

  Very sad to say Blundstones are no longer BIFL. I had a pair in my youth that lasted me a decade. Now after a few short months the soles of this pair has literally turned to dust!

  Try a pair from Solovair. https://us.nps-solovair.com/ They’re the company that used to make Doc Martens when Docs were BIFL.

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• #53Jun 12, 2025

  Very sad to say Blundstones are no longer BIFL. I had a pair in my youth that lasted me a decade. Now after a few short months the soles of this pair has literally turned to dust!

  Buy Solovairs. they're the original UK doc martin producer before china bought the name.

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• #54Jun 11, 2025

  Very sad to say Blundstones are no longer BIFL. I had a pair in my youth that lasted me a decade. Now after a few short months the soles of this pair has literally turned to dust!

  Buy yourself a pair of Solovairs. Have lasted me about 6 years and only just resoled recently, proper quality that.

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• #55May 10, 2025

  How are the mighty fallen

  I came here to say Doc Martens. They were infamously long wearing. Posties here in the UK would be issued them and they'd last for years. Then they moved production outside the UK (for the most part), and changed the process as well. Solovair are rumoured to be a good replacement for them. Also, because you mentioned Demonias, New Rock boots. Used to be amazing kickers back in the day that lasted forever, but I'd say after 2005/2010, they became low quality.

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• #56May 6, 2025

  Honest reviews of solovair? Any other options for doc-like boots?

  It is approaching 6 years that I’ve had them, and they’re still great. I’m wearing my Monkey boots right now.

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• #57Apr 12, 2025

  Boots that will last a long time

  +1 for Solovair. When I decide to invest in a new pair of lug-sole boots I’m buying from there.

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• #58Apr 12, 2025

  Boots that will last a long time

  In NZ it’s pretty difficult sorry! I have a few pairs of red wings which I love but I bought them all overseas. And you’re right Docs aren’t worth the money. Instead maybe look into Solovair but you’ll have to import them. Or yeah red wings ideally but locally you’re looking at $6-700.

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• #59Apr 12, 2025

  Boots that will last a long time

  I'd recommend jim greens, but i think youd like the style of solovair. I've never owned a pair but a coworker does, seem legit, made by the people who founded doc martens. They have quite a few designs similar to the one you posted and we'll under your price range.

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• #60Apr 10, 2025

  Boots of this style that aren’t made in China ?

  Solovair makes shoes which last a lifetime! https://eu.nps-solovair.com/

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• #61Apr 10, 2025

  Boots of this style that aren’t made in China ?

  Got some of their shoes a few weeks ago - lovely quality. I grew up near the DM factory, family and friends worked there and I always wore DMs as a kid (I hated them at the time). Solovair are doing a really good job of keeping the original brand alive.

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• #62Apr 10, 2025

  Boots of this style that aren’t made in China ?

  Head over to r/PNWbootmakers or r/goodyearwelt. Short answer, off the top of my head — U.S. -> Wesco, White’s, Drew’s, JK’s, Truman’s, Nick’s, Carter’s Boots, Oak Street, etc. (Wolverine and Red Wing are the lowest tier I’d go, personally, if they’re made in the U.S.) Canada -> Dayton, Canada West, Viberg Japan -> rolling dub trio, wheel robe, countless options UK / EU -> Tricker’s, Grenson, Cheaney, Crockett and Jones, Vass, Solovair, Iron Boots Australia -> R.M Williams, Redbacks

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• #63Apr 9, 2025

  Anyone has experience with Doc Martens or Solovair?

  The Solovair 8-eye Derby boot is pretty much identical to the DM 1460 and they come in all the classic DM colours (black, oxblood, cherry red). The boots themselves are made - I believe - on the same lasts that old DMs were made on back in the day, so what you're getting is basically "real" DMs with a different name on them.

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• #64Apr 9, 2025

  Boots of this style that aren’t made in China ?

  The factory that USED to make Doc martens in the UK, rebranded to solovair. It's the same factory... And the same quality as what Doc Martens were before they switched to china. So no, the factory isn't closed ... It's just called Solovair now

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• #65Apr 9, 2025

  Boots of this style that aren’t made in China ?

  Solovair

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• #66Apr 9, 2025

  Boots of this style that aren’t made in China ?

  Solovair

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• #67Apr 1, 2025

  Men's shoes Uk, which long lasting brands?

  Solovair

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• #68Mar 11, 2025

  What's the most expensive item you've bought with the intention of keeping it for life?

  A nice pair of solovair's

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• #69Mar 10, 2025

  A list of BIFL not made in the USA

  Seconding these guys. They seem pretty up and up and decent prices

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• #70Mar 9, 2025

  Breathable work boots for someone with flat feet?

  Breathable and waterproof are contradictory requirements in my experience. I do find leather to be better than nylon for letting my feet get some air. I'd suggest Solovair if you're on your feet all day. They have a gummy sole and no steel shank, which a lot of boots have. You'll want a steel shank if you're standing on a ladder, but if you're not it makes for a less flexible sole. You'll want to find a nice insert for your flat feet. I also have flat feet, and no shoe/boot is really great without adding an insert.

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• #71Mar 7, 2025

  Ladies, what are the MOST comfortable boots you’ve worn for walking 10k+ steps a day?

  Solovair boots are the original Doc Martens and are still made in the original British factory, whereas Docs are now made in China. Like the old Docs they are stiff at first but really sturdy and have a great foot bed. My favorites though are Taos boots. Stylish, comfortable from the start and I wear them for everything from motorcycle riding to walking and standing all day at work and still look brand new.

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• #72Mar 7, 2025

  Ladies, what are the MOST comfortable boots you’ve worn for walking 10k+ steps a day?

  If you like the look of doc martens, look into solovair. Solovair is through doc martens original manufacturer in England, and is much higher quality than what doc martens now produces. The trick to breaking in leather shoes is conditioning the leather, which you should be doing periodically to keep the shoes nice as it protects the leather from cracking or drying out.

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• #73Mar 4, 2025

  Looking to replace a pair of chunky Chelsea boots (m)

  Check out Solovair. I bought a pair of lace ups about two years ago, they seem indestructible.

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• #74Feb 10, 2025

  Honest reviews of solovair? Any other options for doc-like boots?

  Really well. Bit of surface cracking as one would expect from finished leather but nothing major. Will be getting the greasy leather next time. Expect to resole in maybe a year. Worn at least 4 days a week.

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• #75Feb 1, 2025

  Going to Europe, suggestions for comfortable, not-ugly walking shoes that will last?

  Sounds weird, but bear with me. Soloviars. They are the original maker of Doc Martens and are better quality. Put solid orthotic insoles in them and you're set. I did 2 weeks in Europe in them and my feet never felt achy.

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• #76Feb 1, 2025

  Anyone has experience with Doc Martens or Solovair?

  This was very informative, thank you! I can see from reviews that Solovair, while not a very popular brand, makes shoes that reflect what a proper Doc Martens once was, and what it should be. Here in Germany DMs are of course more popular, and you can find it in many stores, but when I held it in my hand to check ot out, I really had an impression that it's brittle and cheap. It felt the same as my regular 50-60 euro boot that I buy every year and destroy it annually. Sad that there are no Solovairs found in stores here, you can only buy them online and get shipped to you.

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• #77Jan 10, 2025

  Comfortable boots that'll last?

  I just love my Solovair boots. They used to make Doc Martens. You would have to add waterproofing, but this set of boots fits me like none other.

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• #78Jan 10, 2025

  32 years and still going strong…

  They still make the good ones in the original factory, the brand is called solovair.

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• #79Jan 9, 2025

  32 years and still going strong…

  I've had about three pairs over the past few years and that hasn't happened to me. I did try and have one of them resoled and it wasn't done very well. The replacement soles did fall off but the cobbler just used adhesive to keep them on. Leads me to believe it wasn't resoled properly. I had a couple of pairs of Docs prior to them and Solovair is much better. From having thicker leather to actually having a shank I'm enjoying these boots much more.

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• #80Jan 9, 2025

  32 years and still going strong…

  Back when Docs were made with quality. I’ve gone through 3 pairs in less than 10 years. Never buying them again. Looking at Solovair as my next boot.

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• #81Jan 9, 2025

  32 years and still going strong…

  Yes, but there is also the actual Docs factory in that city down the street, where they make the "made in UK" Docs today. They always made them there as well, but they used NPS to keep up with the demand. The "crazy horse" leather is probably the best leather you can get these boots in from Solovair (or DM, but Solovair is better). It will absorb conditioners and won't crack as the typical shiny plastic-topped leathers. The Astronaut boot style from NPS is a much better design than the derby style, but the latter is the iconic one. If one is interested in something different than the derby style, I'd have a much easier time recommending something like the Jim Green Numzaan boot which is on a completely different level of quality for that price range, plus what the company does and stands for is awesome...

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• #82Jan 9, 2025

  32 years and still going strong…

  solovairs aren't good shoes either.

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• #83Jan 9, 2025

  32 years and still going strong…

  Docs in US are made in China now. If I'm not mistaken, my last pair wasn't even stitched. The sole was simply glued on. Apparently the boots from solovair are more representative of Docs from before. 

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• #84Jan 9, 2025

  32 years and still going strong…

  >Also, Solovair did not "buy the old factory". They were making boots before Docs and they kept on making boots after Docs got outsourced. Docs were made in a few places in that same city. I stand corrected! Although, doing a little research, it looks like Dr. Martens was making shoes through the NPS factory, and after outsourcing away from NPS, NPS decided to keep producing shoes in a style very similar to Docs under their own factory label brand? At any rate, Solovair makes a great shoe at the same UK factory where Docs were once made

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• #85Jan 9, 2025

  32 years and still going strong…

  The ones made in England are definitely not the same as the classic ones Rose Anvil did a breakdown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GynkH-6IHrc If you want original docs you gotta look at solovairs

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• #86Jan 9, 2025

  32 years and still going strong…

  Docs back then are genuinely BIFL. Modern docs are fast fashion crap :( At least solovairs still exist

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• #87Jan 9, 2025

  32 years and still going strong…

  A lot of people don't know this, but Solovair bought the old UK Docs factory, and continues to make similar shoes in the UK at a reasonable price. They're way higher quality than the Chinese DMs

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• #88Jan 9, 2025

  32 years and still going strong…

  I mean technically they do. There are still some made in England with the same process and Solovairs are the same company who made them back then. Most are made in China though now.

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• #89Jan 8, 2025

  32 years and still going strong…

  Thats why you buy solovairs instead Original factory in the UK and the only difference AFAIK is grey instead of yellow stitching

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