500,000 Steps Dr. Martens vs Solovair (4 Things I Hate) 

You should make a video like "Top 5 boots that look like Doc Martens, but are much better!" and I'd watch that

martens is just following the old business philosophy....build a reputation and brand loyalty with good product then cheap out for maximum profit.

Had Docs in the early 90s that took a long time to break in and were really tough. They lasted so long the rubber sole dried out and broke. I saw new ones the last few years and WTF they're thin and cheap, but still expensive. You can tell they're not going for the same customer.

You can also send Solovairs back to be resoled, or you can buy replacement soles from them and have them repaired by your own cobbler. The Solovairs are so much nicer, just like the original 1980's Docs.

U have to respect the balls that it takes to tell people that an expensive brand is trash and actually prove it

I literally just bought my first pair of doc martens yesterday and this video pops up in my recommended lmao

Solovair actually were the original manufacturers of Doc Martens before DM decided to go to Asia, that’s when the cooperation split up and Solovair continued to produce on their own and keep up the original quality

As someone who had to wear Doc Martens as part of their high school uniform for 5 years, I’ve never seen kids go through shoes as quickly as we went through those docs. The laces were garbage, as the aglets would always come off. The midsole on the last two pairs I owned split in half on the toe box (see talking shoes). I was walking around with them stapled back together because my mom was fed up with paying $180 for a new pair every year. So as you can see, I have a healthy dislike of these shoes.

After 20-some years of daily wearing, I bailed on Docs after three pairs in a row blew up on me. Tried Solovair and they are exactly was Docs used to be.

I would love to see you compare an actual vintage doc boot (made before 2000s) and their current Made in England line to showcase the difference in quality. (I own a pair of the 11-eye steel toe derby Solovairs, and they're still rocking 6 years later! I love 'em.)

I actually had quite the opposite experience, my docs were hell to get used to. They only became comfortable after around two weeks, but for about 6 years now they’re still the most comfortable shoes I own

i made my first shoe mistake at 15 buying a pair of these for $110. thought that was way too much money and well it was. the sealing ontop of the leather completely peeled off and they look a wrinkled ballsack 5 years later (with a period of not being worn consistently for a few years in between) im happy that you made this video featuring this other brand!

I remember when doc Martin's used to be

No joke, I clicked on the thumbnail because it said "Why I hate Doc Martens" and the first ad that played was for Doc Martens.

I found a vintage pair of docs at a thrift store for like $10-$15 I don’t remember exactly bc it was like 5 years ago. They’re great I love them. I was going to buy a new pair bc I loved my other ones so much, I went to the store to get some and I was surprised how different they were in quality. I would never buy them for the price they selling them

I'm a long time Docs wearer, but bought my first pair of Solovairs after watching your comparison video. Sure enough, the Solovairs are old school to break in, but the build is in a different league from modern DMs. The replaceable soles are a huge plus because I cover a lot of miles

This really surprised me, my dad has a pair of docs that he's had since before I was born and they're still going strong so it's sad that a trusted brand is cheaping out now they have good brand recognition

Well, as a DMs fan I have worn all the generations. I realized several things: 1) Only greasy leather will last, all the shiny coating leather will crease and crack within a season. No matter when the boots were manufactured. No matter how you care. 2) DMs used to have thicker outsole with better protector, not the modern flat-profiled. I have 1461 in black with this protector and they last for 5 years with a lot of life left. 3) Save your nerves and money and prefer Solovair or Timb made in USA with vibram outsole. Way better. Though I really love DMs style and yellow stitch, as you can see it is simply not worth it. Best,

Solovair used to be one of the main factories producing Docs when they were all made in the UK. They made them under contract. When Docs got bought by as an investment by a capital firm and most production shipped to a China Solovair just adapted and started producing boots under their own brand. They are basically what Docs used to be in the 1960’s to 1990’s period.

I honestly love my docs and find them very comfortable. I’m a server and I’m on my feet 6-10 hours a day walking constantly, and they are my go to. Sometimes I’ll wear a different shoe to go with a different outfit, but my docs are literally so comfortable lol. And they’re the made in China ones.

I’m just here to give the algorithm what it wants.

Solovair (literally sole of air) WAS Dr. Martens. Solovair invented the 'bouncing soles' but Dr. Martens eventually branched away. Up to the point when Dr. Martens sourced out their manufacturing to keep up with demand, both brands were made in the same facility in England. Of course, they are in direct competition with Steel and Gripfast, but they all share that "MIE pride."

The older Docs of my youth were way better made than the ones you can buy today - the soles were thicker and they just lasted way longer. They've gotten shittier as time as gone on, as they've become more fashionable. The shoe version was a common school shoe when I was in secondary school because they were considered hard-wearing - I've seen parents complaining about how fast the modern equivalent wears out. Solovair is pretty much everything that Doc Martens used to be.

I have learned so much just by watching several of your videos. Keep'em coming 👍

The reason Docs went to shit is pretty simple. They’re now “trendy” again. They’re looking to maximize profit, but can’t raise the cost enough to build a decent boot. Nobody is going to spend Danner money on Doc Martens.

I’ve owned several pairs of Docs and I’ve loved all of them. I’ve always just bought their cheap line from Journeys and then I don’t feel cheated when they wear out. The style is classic and that yellow thread is like the Nike swoosh - iconic. Just would NEVER trust this brand to compete with the serious boots of the world. They’re a fashion brand, full stop.

I got my first pair of Docs in the early 90s and they seemed pretty good, but they ended up cracking over time despite my best efforts to keep them nice. My next pair was in the early 2000s and I thought I was going crazy when I felt like they were poorly made. Like, I couldn't wear them all day (standing and walking) like I had before. Now I know why. My next pair will be Solovair, for sure now.

Jeez...the Solovairs are just what I was looking for and had no idea they existed until this video. Thank you!

My first pair of DM was 1987, since then I had around 15 pairs of DM. The quality has gone from good to bad to really bad. I found Solovair about 10 years ago and never look back.

I’ve now switched from dm’s to Solovair. I’ve worn dm’s for most of my life and agree with the video. I live in the UK and solovairs are more expensive but marginally when you consider how much your spending anyway. The solovairs are much better quality and more sturdy. I think they look smarter too if that’s something that your into. Also think it’s better to support Solovair as they’re more independent and are still authentic whereas dm’s are a big brand that are very focused on making money.

Thank you for this video. It is a very good representation of what happens when Private Equity companies take over a business.

I've had a pair of docs since 1999, got them after a Kosovo deployment. I only wear them during the fall/winter time nowadays, but they have held up really well and I'm still on the original soles and I do maintain them well, even take them on hiking trips. For me, they were a good purchase.

Loved how you backed your opinion with facts and a solution on how to fix it!! Definitely solidifies it to me

I don't know why I watch these I've never worn a pair of boots in my life

As an Englishman who wore Docs most of my teens and 20s I totally agree with your video. The old Docs were way better made. Solovair is actually the original beginnings of Doc Martin and are made by hand I small batches. They had to change them slightly due to copyright even though they are more original than the modern Docs. They was also a variant of the Docs called Hawkins, a lot of Skins and Rudeboys would wear these. Lock into the history of the Hawkins and Solovair actually make a Hawkins style boot and shoe

I was planning on getting Docs for my birthday so I'm glad I saw this before May!

Am I the only one who’s never had an issue with docs? Reading through the comments and I wear mine in the winter all the time and have never slipped or fallen on ice and where I am we get a lot of ice. I also have managed to step in pretty deep puddles and never have my feet gotten soaking wet. I’ve had mine for almost a full year and they’ve held up pretty well for me. With that being said, I will not stop buying docs because I have had a good experience with them but I also would not be opposed to trying out solovairs as they seem to be the older version of what docs used to be. This is in no way a hate comment just my opinion! I appreciate that you shared this with us as it does give everyone a view of the difference of quality between docs and solovairs

The lack of shank is what really puts me off from wearing my Docs, it just doesn't have the support of my other boots.

This channel is so satisfying!

Great review, thanks. I'm a product designer and I think your review is spot on. Those improvements would be great, especially the replaceable sole because my search to figure out how to re-sole Docs led me here. Thanks again. But I would like to see if the sealed cell foam suspension pad could be retained with a replaceable sole.

that feel when straight guys are scared of a piece of yellow thread

So I'm 54 years old and I bought my first pair of Docs when I was 22. I have only owned two pair and i still wear the second pair. I wish I could remember when I bought the second pair. They are definitely the old Made in England boots ... probably bought in the mid to late 90's. I bought my first pair in 86/87. The pair I have now have some issues just because they are old and I abuse my boots. One of the lace eyelets has ripped out and the sole is all worn out. Oh and the loop in the back is pulled apart. But all in all the leather is nicely worn in and still comfortable. And I'm up in New Hampshire and I wear these things in the winter when I'm out shoveling snow so over the years they have been caked in road salt and dirt! Still great boots. If I were to replace them I would definitely go for the Solovairs! I can instagram you some pictures if you like! Anyway thanks for these super informative videos!!

Great reviews, I never would have thought I would subscribe to a shoe review 😉. One little remark is that, when you watch from a smartphone (which I think most people do, the subtitling takes in so much space, that the boots being reviewed are most of the time covered with the subtitling. Apart from that: great in depth reviews!

I love that i got a ad for docs on this video

Came in to check on the progress of Toaster's new bed...

Little detail about the shape of the toe box mentioned at 3:00 Solovair also makes what they call the "astronaut" boot (as opposed to the "derby" boot shown here), which features this slim and low toe box ! They really do it all, great brand

I have a pair of 90’s docs that I wear from time to time and are in great shape. I’ve also owned new docs and two years so bought my first pair of solovairs. In my opinion, this video is spot on.

OH Ya! I totally agree as a wide foot long distance user. I love fashion yet never cut comfort, THANK YOO for your HARD WORK!

I havent visited this channel in awhile now, but it's a night and day difference in how comfortable you seem in front of the camera! You also seem much happier, thanks for keeping up the great content!

Going on 6 years in my Solovair boots and they're still in great shape. I go through phases of wearing them everyday and then to wearing them once a month so they have lasted me. I bought a pair of Docs around the same time in a different color and ended up reselling them because I just didn't prefer to wear them when I had the choice of the Solovairs.

I wore a pair of Dr Martin boots when posted to Northern Ireland. in the 1970s for four months. We were out patrolling every day. I didn't have any problems, they lasted the whole tour. I wore them long after the tour until the sole wore through. . They were comfortable through out. I have a pair of Doc Martins shoes at present and they are brill.

This is incredibly interesting. Worn Dr Martens for years, yet never heard of Solovair. Obviously I'll have to look them up.

Curious to try some Solovairs when my Docs die out now. Interesting how Solovair are supposedly more like Docs than Docs nowadays.

I appreciate your due diligence in breaking down the structure of the boots / shoes. I work hard and I want my gear to work hard too. I don't have the resources to try out 10 different types of boots to get a great pair. I have your channel to narrow the selection down for me. Thank you. Keep up the good work.

Feel very validated by this review. I really had wanted a pair for years, and then when I bought them I thought perhaps it was something wrong with me. I wore them to go see The Bouncing Souls in Philly a couple months ago, and my feet, legs, and back were on fire after only a couple hours. I'm learning a lot!

I love my old docs and you’re 💯 right!

I used to be so set on getting Docs for my next pair of everyday boots (I currently wear Blundstones and they've been great for the last three years though the elastic side has started to fray on one). But seeing how they're constructed, your vids have convinced me to get Solovairs instead - thank you!

When I spend 200€ or + on shoes/boot I want to be able to Resole them.

To your point about the leather being floppy in Doc Martens, I have three different pairs, with one having a thinner, more floppy leather as you described here. I find that pair is not as comfortable and sturdy as the other two, so I would think that it really depends on the pair/style of docs that you get that would make the difference in overall comfort.

Quality review man thanks so much man

Had Docs for years. Earlier this year I bought Solovairs. Never gonna buy Docs again...

I really appreciated that you took side on a product because I felt in your previous videos the standard of good quality was a thing of opinions and not of actual facts. Really like this one, a lot!

I've repaired 100 of boots over the years. Dr Martin's were always off very good quality but that was many years ago it seems from your comments they have lowered their standards. It's a shame because they were a great boot once upon a time. I think you are right in what you say. Get in touch with Dr Martin's and show them your video. It's a crying shame how something that was the standard bearer has been cheap out.

Thanks for the review. I get a new pair of Docs about once a year I'll check out these Solovair guy's next time. I'm more about the style than the brand so it's nice to know there are options.

Dude, I just tripped upon your channel and watched my first video. I never imagined that boot science would be such an addictive subject. This channel goes on the subscription list! Great videos!

I had Doc Martens when I was in college in the late 90's in MA. Great for getting through the huge snowfalls. Those DMs lasted 6 or 7 years until they sprang a leak along the thread line. The old soles had MUCH thicker, deeper treads on them. The pair in the video is almost a joke - those treads wouldn't work on the ice -you'd slip easily. Wasn't impressed with the newer ones in the late 2000's so switched to Skechers. Skechers boots used to be good quality. I have a 13 year old pair that needs replacing. Wore them to the Skechers outlet and WOW what a difference - huge drop in quality between my old Skechers and their new ones. Maybe Solovair is the next buy.

Thank you!. I used to swear by Docs when I was a teenager but for years now they have just felt off for me. I stopped buying them years ago. I'm going to look out for those other boots for my bar work.

Totally agree! I had an older pair, an original run “vintage” pair that were broken in and used to death before I bought them second hand. I’d still be wearing them today if my dad hadn’t gotten sick of seeing them falling apart on my feet. Even though they were super old and learher cracking in folds in places, they were still SOOOO MUCH sturdier than the new pair I was gifted!!? So disappointed. I know production/manufacture went downhill around late 90s to mid 2000s but this further solidifies that docs are OUT in my mind lol. Also thanks for the solovair suggestion! Can’t wait to break them in 👌🏼

I learned more about what makes a good boot/shoe in this video than I knew before. Thank you for making this video & dropping FACTS. Never heard of Solovair before. Thanks for that too! Respect!

now Solovair is the Made in England Docs, and Docs is almost made oversea. So if you want better quality, go for Solovair

Super helpful video. Thanks!

Well reasoned and well presented. I have issues with DM toe boxes and the height of the instep of their boots. The usual DMs just don't fit on my feet. I had one pair, I think the model name was "Grizzly", that worked quite well at first and I wore them for years day in and day out. I've not found another pair that will fit since then. The absence of a shank is a problem.

Im a child of the 70s and 80s from the uk. Back then there was only one type of doc marten boot of this style, and they were cheapish and not really considered a fashion item in the mainstream. Suddenly they became fashionable and expensive. The thing I always hated about doco’s was they wore out quickly which was ok when they were relatively inexpensive but $230 for this? I totally agree with you

When I clicked on this video the first ad was for doc martens

Ok I am returning my doc Martens Adrian loafers and buying the solovair version. Your video makes a compelling case against dm vs solovair, thanks!!

Thank you for the video. Pre-Covid I would walk three miles at least a day in Boston. I wear a suit and want a nice boot/shoe for work. Solovair sounds like a better option for when I return to Boston.

Where tf is toast...

Docs have sold out. Everyone with amazing memories of docs basically means all of that about the solivair boots

I have had my Doc martins low tops for over 20 years and I still walk all day in them with no issues, just spent the two days walking the NAMM show in Anaheim, California. Shooting video of the show! I could be a bit biased as I am from the UK!

Shank you very much for the video!

I just bought a pair of solovairs today and I totally agree with you. Although I haven’t put in the miles on my solovairs like I have my docs, I can definitely tell a difference in quality. Thanks for the video!

Bought Docs semi recently for looks only (occasionally I hike in them) and didn’t realize there was such a similar pair that might be better! Really goes to show how they rely on their pop culture image more than quality. I’m a little intimidated by the way you describe how hard the Solovairs are to break in. I thought breaking in the Docs was difficult.

Wow, what a great point by point review--100%!

I wore a pair of Doc Martens for about 4 years straight while in highschool back in the 90s. The leather on the inside disintegrated after a year and a half, my big toe wore/pushed a hole into the sole, and the soles themselves cracked across the bend underneath - I bet due to not having a shank. Forget walking in the rain with them, wet feet was assured. Despite all that I loved them, even though they were uncomfortable after worn in. Solovair's look like a definite step up.

Well said Sir. DM's are trading on historic brand. Waaaay over priced.

I grew up wearing DM's. After they decided to start making them in China with cheaper materials, I gave up on them. I was a little reluctant to pay $220 for Solovair but I did, thank God! Better made, more comfort, over all a better boot! Cheers & Oi! Bootboys!

I agree with you. I definitely wanna try those other boots.

i bought my solovairs after watching your Videos and i am so Happy with my decision. i used to have Docs that died after 2 years. my solovairs are 1 year now, i wear them everyday and they Show almost No use so far. they're super comfortable and i can actually feel the difference in leather thickness which is wild. i Like them alot

Very valid review. I started wearing Docs in the 90's when I was 16. Those were a pain to break in but once you did that, they were molded to your feet. The crappy sole with the stripey pattern were a good sign that you got the bad Doc in the early 2000's. I am a huge fan of the Doc look, but they are wayy to expensive to be shitty. We teenagers didn't know what had changed - we just knew SOMETHING had changed. This is a very interesting video on why my friends had bad experiences with their stripey sole pattern Docs.

I bought into the Solovair hype and purchased a pair of Solovair crazy horse 11 eyes iron tip, (expecting quality) a month after my made in England Martens. Now less than a year later, the Solovair boot has / is completely falling apart (started happening about 2 months after purchase), I don't even use em often! Here's the summary of Solovair: Critical stitching came undone, the leather insole started flopping around, bad cracks in leather, heel completely collapsed... The solovair also hurt my feet really badly... They never broke in properly. (Don't get me started on the squeeky noise when walking). Never buying Solovair, or Docs again, period! My Docs wore through after a year, and BAD cracks in the plastic cover of the leather don't make them worth resoling either. Threw them out. The Solovair just sit in the closet. Save yourself the trouble and buy some Redwings. Edit: 2021 Wore my Redwing Iron rangers for a year now, and they just keep getting better!

Great content!

Ive been wearing dr. martins steel toe industrial boots for the past 5 years and they always last for 2-3 years before the bottoms start losing tread. great cushioning and very sturdy with great leather quality.

In ought my first pair of docs in 1980. Grrrreat boot. Slowly through the years they have gotten worse & worse. About 10 years ago I read about Solovair on a forum in England. Everyone said they loved them because they were made better and on the original machines that Docs USED to be made on. I’m on my third pair of Solovairs. I agree, I wish docs were made as well !

It all depends on the docs that you buy. Like you said, docs used to have a stronger midsole and much better leather. I used to have doc sandals that took forever to wear out, and I still have docs in a steel toed work shoe. Both can not be bent in half like the boots you showed. In fact, barely any bend at all, but very comfortable.

Great video. Just ordered a pair of Solovairs to feel the difference.

this is the comparison I needed. I wore doc Martens everyday in the 90s. I switched to solovair when doc switched manufacturing to asia.

My first pair of boots as a teenager in the 90's were Docs. They were knee high black leather, had heavy steel toes and big old chunky soles. I wore them nearly every day of my junior year. Broke my heart when the shanks both snapped, the soles wore into the air pockets and the heel finally separated on one boot. I walked into my local cobbler's shop, hoping against hope for a resole. After talking with him, I settled on throwing my hopes...and those boots into the trash. I didn't leave empty-handed though. I was now armed with the wise instructions to look for something with a "Vibram Sole" and a "Goodyear Welt". He also looked at the wear pattern on the docs, noticed the popped over pinky toe and finally clued me in that I had extra wide feet that actually needed to be ordered in that special size. I spent my next paycheck on an actually decent pair of boots and the next on a decent pair of shoes. I donated everything else in my closet to the DI and never looked back. Even back in the "Made in UK" days, Docs were only really good for teaching you the value of getting something better.

Totally agree. My doc's I had as a kid were second hand when we got them and were probably from sometime in the 70 or 80s and they were the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn, but the new doc's are absolutely horrible. They are so uncomfortable it's unreal. I would personally stay away from doc Martin shoes.

Great video :) thank you. Very useful

Damn!!!!!! Bud I lived in doc's 20 years ago and loved em. Now I feel like they bent me over.