Doc Martens v Solovair

[karhu21]

Have heard that modern DMs are now made in the far east and that sadly, quality has suffered as a result.
Does anyone have any views on this?

Also, Solovair shoes are said to be superior and would welcome any opinions regarding this.

Cheers

 

[ButteMT61]

Have heard that modern DMs are now made in the far east and that sadly, quality has suffered as a result.Does anyone have any views on this?Also, Solovair shoes are said to be superior and would welcome any opinions regarding this.Cheers

They still make some models in the UK - they just cost more. My son and his GF love them, and they only buy the UK models - either online, or sometimes vintage from swap meets...

 

[Interbak]

I don't know about the Solovair, I've never owned a pair, but the DM work boots that are now made in China are uncomfortable and don't last, absolute crap. My first pair of steel toe DM work boots were excellent, legendary comfort, and lasted quite well. When they wore out the replacements I bought at the same place just didn't feel the same, and the lining fell out in a month. They were replaced under warranty, but still were not comfortable, that's when I noticed the Made in ROC. Never again!

Brian

 

[Worf]

Same thing happened with Red Wings years ago. Though the I must admit that the Chinese Red Wings aren't "total crap" they just don't last like the American made models.

Worf

 

[Edward]

I don't know about the Solovair, I've never owned a pair, but the DM work boots that are now made in China are uncomfortable and don't last, absolute crap. My first pair of steel toe DM work boots were excellent, legendary comfort, and lasted quite well. When they wore out the replacements I bought at the same place just didn't feel the same, and the lining fell out in a month. They were replaced under warranty, but still were not comfortable, that's when I noticed the Made in ROC. Never again!

Brian

ROC? Was that the exact label on them? "Made in China" usually means the state of the People's Republic of China - PRC. ROC Republic of China usually refers to Taiwan, though normally on products it is rendered as "made in Taiwan". Not deliberately being a pedant, just curious!

Back when I had DMs, I think they would have been Made in England. I had my first pair from September 1993 to April 1995. Wore pretty much nothing else for those eighteen odd months, then they cracked over the top of the toe, where it bends. Very comfortable. Second pair lasted a little longer - they were waxed leather rather than the shiney stuff. Thereafter I moved onto British Squaddie boots, which were tougher and last longer. My last pair, not quite worn as much as daily, but still three or four times a week, lasted about seven years. Didn't feel much difference in the newer DMs in the shop, but never bought so can't speak as to durability. These days I much prefer a leather or halfleather / half rubber sole over the DM style of sole, so. I did get the impression that the Chinese product was made to a cheaper pricepoint and was about keeping the brand available at a certain price which simply wasn't viable any longer with English production. Last I looked it was still possible to buy the basic DM (though now MIC) for about what I paid in 1993. It'd be impossible to do that without cutting corners somewhere.

 

[wdw]

I've had several pairs of DMs over the years and am now down to 2, which will be my last.

The vintage 10-holers normally go for around twice the price, like £150 to £70, with standard resoling costing a whopping £60, so my vintage ones from amazon for about £75 looked a great deal. Anyway, they turned out to be the worst shoes I've ever owned, being slightly smaller than the equivalent cheaper version they replaced which wasn't good, with the slightly thicker leather creasing really badly over my toes, giving large blisters which lasted for weeks. Then a heel cup came away and one of the tongues lay to the side instead of behind the laces. I really wish I'd never bought them and think DM's glory days are well behind them.

I also looked at the "DMs for life" offer, but by the time you pay the 50% premium over the cheaper ones and a £20 return fee for the free resoling, you'd be better off buying another cheap pair - or better still buying something decent.

DM rant over

I really like the look of these White's boots, the semi-dress and the big boots as well, but it doesn't look like they're available in the UK.

 

[ButteMT61]

If you know what you're looking for, you can find good, used ones. My son likes the low three-hole shoes and the UK boots. Not my thing, but I'm not 19...

 

[svennex]

I've had several pairs of DMs over the years and am now down to 2, which will be my last.

The vintage 10-holers normally go for around twice the price, like £150 to £70, with standard resoling costing a whopping £60, so my vintage ones from amazon for about £75 looked a great deal. Anyway, they turned out to be the worst shoes I've ever owned, being slightly smaller than the equivalent cheaper version they replaced which wasn't good, with the slightly thicker leather creasing really badly over my toes, giving large blisters which lasted for weeks. Then a heel cup came away and one of the tongues lay to the side instead of behind the laces. I really wish I'd never bought them and think DM's glory days are well behind them.

I also looked at the "DMs for life" offer, but by the time you pay the 50% premium over the cheaper ones and a £20 return fee for the free resoling, you'd be better off buying another cheap pair - or better still buying something decent.

I had the same set of problems whit the "vintage" boots. Mine also had poorly finished soles and stained my socks.

 

[sinatra66]

I have only worn Doc Marten "brogues" for well over 25 years. The quality has slipped like every thing else in the past half dozen years. Obviously made off shore. To bad loved them but I no longer buy them, you can get just as nice shoes made in Canada/U.S.

 

[garzo]

I've never owned Solovair but I understand they are made at the old Doc Martin factory in England using the same materials and equipment used in the production of Doc Martin boots. They look identical to Doc Martins and Solovair had always been involved in the manufacture of the Doc Martin shoes. Apparently the original Doc Martin sole was made by Solovair back in the early 60s. Solovair is one of the few shoemakers still producing in the U.K.
www.solovairdirect.com

 

[John Lever]

I read somewhere that they are about to be bought out by one of the huge multinational brands. I have had several pairs as work and casual shoes/boots. They are very comfortable but to some still echo of bovver boots. Hence the newer tag DM rather than the original Doc's.

 

[Edward]

I remembered I have a pair of shoes I bought as Royal Mail surplus a few years ago.... identical to 3 hole DMs, except that the sole sides are black rather than the lighter, brownish hue, and the soles appear to be glued on in some very waterproofed way rather than the typical DM yellow/orange stitching. They have an embossed "Royal Mail" logo on the heel, though you'd be hard pressed to spot it if you didn't know to look. Never been sure whether they were DMs or Solovair, but they do feel of a higher quality than any of the DM shoes I wore as school uniform shoes back in the late 80s / early nineties. Cost me a tenner.

 

[DJH]

From the History page on the Solovair site, it would appear that their parent company, NPS had always made the Dr Marten products until the mid-90's.

When that relationship ended they continued to make them under the Solovair brand, while DM production moved to China.

I must admit, I was totally unaware of Solovair until I saw some of their products on William Lennon Co's site. Nice that they are available in the US - when I need some new boots, I know where to go now!

 

[MrAcheson]

Grinders are another option. Same air sole technology and UK roots. I think they're made in China, but my ten-hole boots seem to be holding up ok.

 

[nabottle]

I've been wearing Dr, Martens for 20 years or more now. Mainly the 1461 and the 1460. It just about broke my heart when I learned they were being made in China and Thailand. I did buy a pair made in Thailand and they were OK. However, since then I have only bought UK made Docs. Yes, some of their models are still made in the UK. They just cost a little more. I love each and every pair I've ever owned,and would never say a cross word about them. Other than, "Please go back to only making them in England." By the way, I'm 43 years old and have worn many brands of shoes. I just prefer Dr. Martens. But my pair of Wolverine 1000 Mile gets high marks as well!

 

[ButteMT61]

I remembered I have a pair of shoes I bought as Royal Mail surplus a few years ago.... identical to 3 hole DMs, except that the sole sides are black rather than the lighter, brownish hue, and the soles appear to be glued on in some very waterproofed way rather than the typical DM yellow/orange stitching. They have an embossed "Royal Mail" logo on the heel, though you'd be hard pressed to spot it if you didn't know to look. Never been sure whether they were DMs or Solovair, but they do feel of a higher quality than any of the DM shoes I wore as school uniform shoes back in the late 80s / early nineties. Cost me a tenner.

Those are the ones I have Edward. Only issue after a few years is one sole is splitting, horizontally. Probably could get it glued. Good shoes - like a light work boot, but rather heavy for a shoe. We get them from a place in UK where we get my sons gear (Ben Sherman's, etc).

 

[Smithy]

Although I haven't worn Docs for about 17 years now I was sad when I heard they are making them in Asia. Docs were/are an English icon and the fact they've moved them offshore does take something away from the brand.

My first pair - a pair of 8 up black boots I got in 1988- lasted many years and a really rough time. Sounds like the new incarnations wouldn't possibly stand up to the punishment of the old ones.

If I was on the lookout for some Docs now, sounds as if Solovair are the way to go.

 

[ButteMT61]

Although I haven't worn Docs for about 17 years now I was sad when I heard they are making them in Asia. Docs were/are an English icon and the fact they've moved them offshore does take something away from the brand.My first pair - a pair of 8 up black boots I got in 1988- lasted many years and a really rough time. Sounds like the new incarnations wouldn't possibly stand up to the punishment of the old ones.If I was on the lookout for some Docs now, sounds as if Solovair are the way to go.

Remember, they still make some models in the UK. Just more £

 

[Smithy]

Remember, they still make some models in the UK. Just more £

But are they still the same quality as the old grey tags?

 

[ButteMT61]

But are they still the same quality as the old grey tags?

I'm no DM expert at all, but when in Durham, I saw some in the shoppe and they looked nice. Someone more familiar with the history should, answer. I just saw they were nicer than the Asian-made units.