I Sold My Doc Martens And Bought These Boots Instead | Solovair Astronaut

Instagram: / james.clo
Contact: [e-mail]
The laces I bought: bit.ly/49RojbF
Solovair Astronaut Boots: bit.ly/40qNWLT
Levi's Vintage 501: bit.ly/49oveZK
Vintage Harley Davidson Tee: bit.ly/3smbqp4
Uniqlo Cardigan: bit.ly/3MvTXS1 (similar)
=My Equipment=
The camera I use: amzn.to/37aXrrk
The lens I use: amzn.to/3DApNHn
Microphone 1: amzn.to/3e0lBIM
Microphone 2: amzn.to/3rupLLT
FTC: This video is not sponsored. Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning that I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Music by Lukrembo

[@HarryHas]

The Astronaughts are my fave from Solovair! As you know, I am more of a greasy/matte man haha but these don't look too shiny. Wish they did them in a matte in the 11 eye but I am very tempted to pick these up. Really nice boot mate!

[@euwerehere]

do it. buy the boots!!!!

[@JamesLeung]

I’m seriously surprised they don’t at least do a grainy version, unfortunately the ones they do all look kinda the same! The silhouette is lush though, get them!!

[@jonathanjonathan7386]

@@JamesLeung me too, i asked them a week ago if they had plans to do 11 eye non hi shine versions and they said no, i really think there is a pent up demand for 11 eye gaucho/greasy

[@wildertmarte4131]

hey bro i know you prolly wont respond but how long did you buy the laces?

[@martro_]

Thank you for touching on not trying to buy as much, investing in quality, and buying at discount. Means a lot coming from a content creator and reminds viewers to be conscious consumers.

[@JamesLeung]

Yes for sure! I know I still buy too much, but I’ve cut down significantly and always try to get quality stuff at a lower price if possible. Thanks for watching!

[@tenfootalice]

I find it refreshing to see someone showcasing some Solovairs, and to see that DMs doesn't have a monopoly on that style of leather boots. I've been wearing DM 1460's since I was a teenager, and have noticed that the later pairs I had didn't last as long as my 1st ever pair (which lasted ages with almost-daily wear). Fab boots btw!

[@JamesLeung]

Yeah I think a lot of people are starting to realise that other brands make better quality boots for the same price or less! I still love the style of Doc Martens but like you said it’s great to have some alternatives. Thanks for watching!

[@NPSSolovair]

Enjoy your Black Hi-Shine 11 Eye Astronaut Boots. Thank you for the feature, it is greatly appreciated.

[@JamesLeung]

Love them!! Thanks for dropping by.

[@kenwatanabe2864]

I have had a pair of boots from Solovair for two years now and although I don't wear them everyday, they seem to be holding up fairly well. Initially I was skeptical of the durability of the leather and especially the rubber sole but it doesn't wear out as fast as I thought it would. (Obviously they don't compare to my boots with chromexcel leather and vibram sole) Because I liked it so much, I recently got a second pair. (both MHL x Solovair collabs) I can't wait to wear them this fall!

[@JamesLeung]

Nice! Which leather did you go for? I’ve heard the Solovair soles are far better than the Doc Martens even though they look the same. Sounds like you made some great pickups!!

[@a2n131]

I just got mine some days ago, after thinking of buying those FOR YEARS. Totally worth it, no comparison at all in all categories to docs ( and I owned the made in England 1914 some years back). Docs are expensive garbage, which I never bought again. In fact I got a pair of leather Doc Clones from Wrangler. I got them for 20 Bucks in an Outlet and the funny thing is, that even those are more comfy and easy to break in then Docs.

[@DMorgan77]

Great video, James. I’ve enjoyed Weston’s videos on Solovair, but don’t have any. I’m also into boots and have too many as it is lol.

[@JamesLeung]

Thank you!! Haha my collection is growing rapidly, I can’t help myself!! 🤣

[@euwerehere]

i've had mine for two years you're going to love them. the toe IS going to crack immediately but I like it cause boots should have some scuffs. I would love for you to compare these with your Anne D boots as i am curious to the similarities/differences from someone who owns both.

[@JamesLeung]

Nice!! Did you get hi-shine as well? Yes that could be a really good video idea, thanks for the suggestion 😀

[@euwerehere]

Yes the astronaut boot only comes in high shine as far as I know. They still look amazing and are my daily wear even in the summer if I can get away with it.

[@LonGi3]

Great video as always! Would it be possible to tell us the length of these waxed laces?

[@JamesLeung]

Thank you! They are 240cm. To be honest they might be a bit too long haha maybe 210cm would be better

[@lolaphearse3688]

Over a period of about 5 years,my daughter wore down her 1460 Docs heels and actual holes in 5 places in the leather-big enough for snow/water to get in. Tried to patch with black electrical tape so she could wear them till she could break in her new pair,but kept peeling off! She is rough in her boots!

[@JamesLeung]

Wow she must have worn them A LOT! What new boots did she get?

[@lolaphearse3688]

@@JamesLeung EXACTLY the same!!! She’s obviously just a tad goth,so…..

[@user-wx1sb1ve4s]

Oh man. I felt that you would post a video. I will have a wonderful and informative time.😁

[@JamesLeung]

Glad you liked it, thanks for watching! 😀

[@steviej3256]

Hi James great video! Ive always assumed the solovair were limited pieces from doc marten. Always been a fan of doc martens because of the shape of the boot, but always become a little dissapointed on the quality. Defintely going to have to give a solovair a try! Also what is that arm chair in back called looks amazing. (Im looking for something like that for my room)

[@Fatally]

Google lens tells me they go by housemaster. They are often from G Plan

[@lastschicker]

Going back to early 70s a couple of my mates had Hawkins Astronauts but I could never find them in my size .... until now

[@JamesLeung]

Nice!

[@nikekid009]

Dude I missed your vids. Awesome review as always! 💪🏾

[@JamesLeung]

Thanks so much bro! 🙏

[@ferngullllllly7637]

hey bro can you link the specific laces you bought? just picked up a pair and agree the laces could be longer, love how they look on yours!

[@JamesLeung]

Sorry for the late reply - I’ve just linked them in the description!

[@yankiozagac3359]

Hi james love your brown cardigan, where is it from ?

[@JamesLeung]

Thank you! It’s an old one from Uniqlo, they no longer stock is any more unfortunately 😭

[@EuqinimodArt]

I would LOVE to have bought my solovair from the outlet site but sadly they don't ship to the US, so I have to buy regular priced. I too am buying a new solovair to replace my everyday black Doc Martens but I hope to keep these Solovairs for YEARS to come.

[@JamesLeung]

Ahh that sucks! I guess I’m lucky that they are made here in the UK. Hope you enjoy them!!

[@TT-nl9fl]

Hi James, I want to ask about your hair, because I'm also considering getting a korean perm after you made that video. Your hair still looks nice and textured, but not at all curly. After having it for a bit longer now, would you say you still enjoy it as much? Are you going to be doing it again?

[@JamesLeung]

Hey man, I will definitely do it again but I think I need to go curlier. Because like you said, the curls disappeared really fast as it grew out. It’s still has a nice wave to it but not as much as I would like. I’ll probably get another one next month!

[@jma7776]

I got these boots cause this video and I have to say they are amazing. Do agree on switching the laces, 210 cm

[@JamesLeung]

Awesome man, hope you love them!!

[@Uno.minimalist]

Dope pick - am waiting for Navigates as we speak ❤

[@JamesLeung]

Dangggg you got some?? I did look but the prices were crazy!

[@Uno.minimalist]

@@JamesLeung i know mayte but I found a perfect half size 9/10 pair so thought to put the money in !! Its crazy but I know it will retain value & give me the satisfaction hopefully!!! Really love your vids we do share the Wyatts in common another amazing boot so I know you understand!!

[@Harry_iwnt]

The “one more thing” with wayyy darker lighting in your room took me out lmfao, winter is close 😭

[@JamesLeung]

Hahaha. The lighting was crazy when I was filming this it was so annoying!!!

[@jen.h]

Hi James! How is the high shine holding up after two months? Any cracking or visible wear so far?

[@JamesLeung]

Hey there! I haven’t worn them too much to be honest due to the bad weather. I’ve been wearing my Danner boots. But as we go into spring I’m going to be wearing these a lot more so I’ll keep you updated!

[@jen.h]

@@JamesLeung thanks for your reply! Keep us posted! I’m going to Italy this Summer, so I’m hoping to swing by their Verona store and get a pair. I also have an old pair of 1460 MIE Docs that I’m planning to sell (after 12 years 🥲); they were awesome for the years I wore them and are still pretty solid honestly, but I’m ready to let it go. I’m from California and I usually wear boots in the Fall/Winter - hope it holds up to all the good reviews! Thanks again!!

[@jonathanjonathan7386]

i found the astronaut shallow toe box leads to more creases in the leather

[@JamesLeung]

Yeah that makes sense! Hopefully it won’t look too bad

[@murrayisarobot]

How does the footbed feel to you? I got their tassel loafers a few months ago and they're almost fully broken in but i do find it's quite hard in there there's this pain point on the ball of my foot in the left shoe in particular which just won't go away. I think it's the welt, because of the way it tucks under the footbed, but I still really feel it several months in and by the end of the day I'm begging to get them off. I'm hoping it eventually goes away because they look so sweet, even better than the DM Adrians.

[@JamesLeung]

Yeah the way some of them are put together makes a pinch point, I saw that on Rose Anvils video. To be honest I haven’t noticed any issues, but I think my feet are quite slim. Have you tried any insoles to see if they help?

[@murrayisarobot]

@@JamesLeung unfortunately most insoles I've tried leave the toe box too cramped and by the end of the day you can still feel the welt coming through. In hindsight, although I did the same as you and size down to an 8 when I'm usually 8.5-9, maybe I should have got an 8.5 to allow room for a thicker insole.

[@aurska4061]

They look great, I bought a pair of the « shorter » solovair boots but sold them straight away, they were too painful to break in for me 😅. Solovair is clearly superior to docs. 👍

[@JamesLeung]

Oh no, that’s a shame to hear! I think with some of the higher quality and thicker leather the break in can be bad 😭

[@ilhamrahmat8231]

i hope solovair were available on my country

[@rushton4069]

Id suggest you look at somewhere like Cheaney if you like British military boots

[@JamesLeung]

They look great! Do you have any?

[@rushton4069]

@@JamesLeung not currently but I have in the past. I only wear g&g these days

[@Domaister420]

I actually never buy Dr.Martens again after my first pair of Solovair Boots. Reasons for that are: The Pricing. During the last 12 Years i had around 6 Pairs of Dr.Martens Boots. Over these Years the Price went up from 70€ in early 2012 to now over 200€ for the same boot. There is really NO particular reason why the price should go up that way. Imo that just comes down to the increase of interest/hype (over a yellow stitching lol). Okay, Solovairs are actually a bit more expensive, but they were made in england, not like the usual DM you get from China, Taiwan, Indonesia or India f.e. . Especially considering the Quality of the material, Dr.Martens seems to have lower demands nowadays. The material. Nowadays it doesnt take long for the most pairs - considering you wear these a lot/on a daily basis, to have significant damage done to the boot by just walking it. Especially the side of the boot often cracks and gets holes in it pretty quick up until the point where you end up getting wet feet just by watching a puddle lol. Also they are way more stiff, beven though the leather is thinner than the solovair boots leather. The insole gets damaged pretty quick and you cant even get it repaired from official side. The outer sole of DM's is also less robust than the Solovair ones. Objective rewievers and shoemakers also found that the Dr.Martens Quality is definitely lower than the other Brand. Breaking In Process. Ok this is maybe a more subjective thing, but while the BreakingInProcess on all my DMs was horrible i had little to actually no problems with Solovair. I actually never got any blisters and my feet are feeling way better in these boots from day one.

[@SheshkuDeiwe]

I have the patent Solovairs and abuse them quite badly - we have wet, snowy winters, the boots get exposed to -15C, sand and salts. Yet they still look quite decent

[@JamesLeung]

That’s good to know!! I think patent and hi-shine are slightly different? Do they crack at all?

[@SheshkuDeiwe]

Quite likely, patent are heavily covered. Some marks are visible where the shoe bends and they scuff on themselves at the sides, but cleaning all the winter dirt off is a breeze compared to any other shoes I own@@JamesLeung

[@user-th7pk8du4i]

Are these boots was good in -15C weather?

[@SheshkuDeiwe]

@@user-th7pk8du4i for me, they are fine if I am walking, the sole is thick and does not let cold through. I did not try standing still for long periods of time tho

[@zombis89fisto]

Nice pick I got a pair of their 14i derby boots before they put the zipper on them. Definitely better than docs when they cheapen out their quality.

[@JamesLeung]

Nice! How old are they?

[@zombis89fisto]

@@JamesLeung like 2 years old so far and they are holding well though I wear them some of the time.

[@jonathanjonathan7386]

yeh the zipper looks crap, dunno what they were thinking of to phase out the 14 hole non zippers for zippers

[@zombis89fisto]

@@jonathanjonathan7386 I’m pretty sure it’s to save time on tying your boots because after all it is a hassle when it’s taller especially when you lace them straight. But I think it’s worth the effort if you are willing to do it.

[@KRTLyfe]

I love the shape and the look of the astronaut boots, was going to keep them but I noticed two things wrong with them that were deal breakers for me. 1. That long tongue wouldn’t stay centered for anything! Very annoying. 2. Water leaks directly into the toe box. For those reasons I returned them, but they fit perfectly and Solovair customer service was on point! I wear Austrian Feldschuh light boots now and they are amazing, but some days I still go back to my good old 1460s. When I don’t feel like dealing with all the lacing and weight of a taller heavier boot. Having both types of boots makes me appreciate the 1460 that much more.

[@JamesLeung]

Ah yes I’ve heard a few people have the same problem. It doesn’t happen to me thankfully, the tongue stays centred! The leaky toe box sounds annoying though - I haven’t worn mine in the rain yet so will have to see what happens. Yes I agree the 1460s are still great boots and I love them!

[@big_mellerman7622]

As someone that’s only 5’5 and wears a 8.5US in Nike shoes, would this type of boot be too big looking or, you think I could rock it with a good pair of clothing. Genuinely asking. Great videos as always

[@JamesLeung]

I don’t think it would to be honest because it is quite a slim silhouette. The derby is a different story. Thanks for watching!

[@robertbox5399]

Go to the shop in Wollaston and get them half-price like he says!

[@JamesLeung]

If I lived anywhere near there I'd be in the shop all the time haha

[@robertbox5399]

@JamesLeung 40 mile trip for me. Worth it. Going back next month to get some birthday presents.

[@the_CHAR_official]

I have an original pair or dr martens called "black burn" and the insole says astronaut hahah that's cool they still make them

[@JamesLeung]

Haha Nice! Do you know what year they are from? Do they have a flatter toe box like these?

[@the_CHAR_official]

@@JamesLeung they are from the 80s unsure of the exact year. They definitely have a slimmer toe much like yours! I really liked them but they are patient leather and have cracked really badly.

[@pt257]

Do an update video one day. All my Docs cracked, even when applying wonder balsam regularly. : / If I save for a pair, it will definitely be the Oree Infantry boots.

[@JamesLeung]

I definitely will! Did you have hi-shine Docs? The Oree boots are absolutely stunning!!

[@pt257]

They are all hi-shine. That coating cracks quickly! Still wearable with jeans of course, if you don't mind the grungy look!@@JamesLeung

[@bradly9044]

Someone check in on James Leung, that thumbnail got me concerned 😂 (great video as always though!)

[@JamesLeung]

Haha why did you it have you concerned?? 🤣 thanks man!

[@bradly9044]

Just don’t fall off that stool you’re standing on 😂

[@JamesLeung]

Hahaha it was quite dodgy to be fair!!@@bradly9044

[@SirFlibbertyJibbit]

technically you can get a high shine from genuine full grain leather. it will just take a bucket of shoe polish and lots of care to get them to that level

[@JamesLeung]

Fair enough! 👍

[@lv2465]

Great video, I've only recently purchased some Doc Martens trainer's they look great, but I'm now horrified by the feed back of KZbinrs and customers. So it looks like Solovair will be my next purchase both in trainer's and boots. I'm a 9.5 would i need to purchase a 9? As for Doc Martens i suggest an emergency senior staff meeting because customer feedback is far from good.

[@JamesLeung]

I have to admit my doc martens served me well for 10 years. I decided to try Solovair to see if there was a difference, and there definitely is. But I still think doc martens are good! Yes I’d go down half a size

[@lv2465]

@@JamesLeung Thank you sir.

[@MellowDTV]

Did you get the 180cm laces or the 210cm?

[@JamesLeung]

I went for 210!

[@user-lz6sq3mo6z]

Whats the lacing style you did on them called?

[@JamesLeung]

I’m not sure if it has a name but I first saw it on the Dior Navigate boots

[@drlessismore]

Look sick 👐🏼

[@JamesLeung]

Yesssss I love them!

[@silviacarvalho90]

Whatttt why did you sell your docs lol. These are nice too, the shiny leather definitely gives off a polished look which can elevate any outfit. I prefer matte leather, as they are less noticeable when scratched!

[@JamesLeung]

Yeah true, I’ll have to see how these hold up against scratching. But for now they look beautiful!!

[@jiaoshoupp]

Great video. Is solovair's sole harder than dr.martens?

[@jonathanjonathan7386]

much much harder

[@jiaoshoupp]

@@jonathanjonathan7386 Yeah, but wear thick socks or insole will be better

[@scubagooner367]

Where’s the necklace from mate? 🙂

[@JamesLeung]

It’s from CRAFTD 👍

[@scubagooner367]

@@JamesLeung Thanks bud, enjoying the content. Great to have you back! Have you ever thought about shopping vlogs, would be great to see. 😀

[@JamesLeung]

Thank you! To be honest I don't spend much time actually out shopping anymore which is sad. Plus I think I'd be super awkward in public haha!@@scubagooner367

[@omnipollo121]

wish i listened to this video and got half size smaller :(

[@TomSmith-yc5pt]

The original astronauts did nt have stitching at all which i wish solovair did

[@JamesLeung]

Yeah i think that would look amazing!!

[@Drownedinblood]

Even if this is basically an ad, don't care. Didn't know about the outlet, now I do. How comfy are they though? Only resoleable in the UK?

[@JamesLeung]

It’s not an ad (I wish it was 🤣). I am finding there’s a bit more of a break in compared to Docs, that might be because the leather is thicker. You can buy replacement soles from them for £15 and take them to a cobbler of your choice I guess!

[@for_nothing_important]

Oh no. I got size 7.5 in US size which is my true size. Might be too big for me.

[@JamesLeung]

You might still be ok. Especially if you wear thicker socks or an insole

[@akihito8247]

yummy

[@winniethemao3429]

That length guide is not excellent at all, I bet you never actually measured your feet, that's the length of the shoes instead of your feet.

[@user-yk2bu1en7f]

How shopould i use it? i got 28cm 3mm whiich is a uk size 9.5 with the added 5mm for comfort. Do i get the 9.5 or the 9? I find it very confusing.

[@winniethemao3429]

@@user-yk2bu1en7f I suggest to use Dr martens size, so size down half or a full size of your normal sizes, depends on the models.

[@nvvm_x5599]

I used to watch you years ago I thought you completely disappeared 🫢

[@JamesLeung]

I did for a bit! 🤣