The Doc Marten Killers vs. Doc Martens.

[@TheIronSnail]

EDIT: I’m saying “insoles” when what I should be saying is “inserts” slip O’ DE OL’ TONGUE! All these boots have insoles as it’s structurally important for the boot! Sorry!

[@HeritageCast]

Huge opportunity for you to fly out to Spokane work with Nicks or JK and design you're own boots..... And even do a battle of a bunch of different PNW boot makers for the Snail Grail Boot.....

[@InGrindWeCrust2010]

Same difference. An insole can be synonymous with the footbed, even though sometimes the latter is used to distinguish the base insole layer that's attached to the boot's structure.

[@GianMelendres-if7ph]

I got a meme for this: Solovair: Solovair Dr. Marten’s: when you buy your Solovairs from Wish 😆🫡👍

[@guyfawkesuThe1]

In the end, they are US military combat boots with urethane soles. I should know, as I work combat boots for 4 years that looked just like these except for the soles and they were only worth $30 USD at the time at the military clothing store on base.

[@FODTony]

glad to see solovair getting the recognition they deserve finally.

[@katherinelangford981]

Omg I thought he was saying "solo bear".

[@AndrewKarpyszyn]

@@katherinelangford981 I really enjoyed your performance in "13 Reasons Why".

[@oskarnowicki7927]

NO. gatekeep. or they ruin it and they will suck too

[@guyfawkesuThe1]

In the end, they are US military combat boots with urethane soles. I should know, as I work combat boots for 4 years that looked just like these except for the soles and they were only worth $30 USD at the time at the military clothing store on base.

[@BarçaBoy8]

@@katherinelangford981 Brooooo it’s you

[@CarlMurawski]

You’re awesome Michael, I always love watching your videos bro!

[@heiner71]

And he didn't even make fun of you in this video 🙂

[@zekeyeager1458]

Epic

[@dscrappygolani7981]

He's quirky ....the proverbial man-child 😄 I mean, c'mon Carl doc martens are for .....🤷🏾‍♂️ Neophytes...babies...

[@Artaois13]

Just need Rose Anvil to show up and flirt too. 🤣

[@MaximSupernov]

@@Artaois13 Without a 20K+ down payment, he won't show up.

[@borjasaz6611]

One of the usual lemons of solovair is that the sole does not fit completely to the leather and leaves space, through which water can enter very easily

[@guyfawkesuThe1]

In the end, they are US military combat boots with urethane soles. I should know, as I work combat boots for 4 years that looked just like these except for the soles and they were only worth $30 USD at the time at the military clothing store on base.

[@stefanstrauss-aigner3221]

I bought Solovairs about a year ago and they are the best boots I owned so far. I choose them over Docs because I think they look classier without the yellow stitching. The quality is great and I liked that they came in a little cheaper than Docs.

[@9gloss]

Hows the sizing? True to size? Half size up or down?

[@stefanstrauss-aigner3221]

@@9gloss True to size in my case

[@justmeeagainn]

Without the yellow stitching, nobody will know you're a lesbian.

[@Chilam.]

​@@justmeeagainnwhat's the point of getting boots in the first place, then?

[@anthonyfrancis2374]

So when you'r out cruising the public toilets how do you yourself manage? @@justmeeagainn

[@artemikurski939]

Re: sizing - I have a pair of 11-eye derby boots in EU 42 (UK 8, US 9). For reference, my normal sneaker size is either EU 42.5 or 43 (UK 8.5/9, US 9.5/10), my Birkenstocks are EU 41 (UK 7, US 8), and my docs were the same size as Solovair. I bought them about two years ago and am extremely happy with the purchase. They're definitely showing signs of wear (in part because they've got a rub-off colour - that's a feature, not a bug) but are holding up just fine and I expect them to last for a number of years. For comparison, my docs (the overseas ones, bought in 2017 so around the time the quality went down) were in such a horrible shape by the ca. 2-year mark that I had to yeet them in the trash.

[@TheIronSnail]

TY for the insight!! If anyone else sees this please post your sizings here!

[@therevan7288]

Yeah I myself went down half size from my true size. For example I wear a US 9 D in sneakers but in my Solovair Dealer Boots I wear an US 8.5 D and they're easily the best fitting boots I own in my collection.

[@kostyakost1]

Sizing - my usual footwear size is USA 8.5 and I have really wide feet. Solovair 11 Eye Derby Boots (Last Shape 409) is true to size for me, USA 8.5 / UK 7.5 fits snug with zero wiggle room. Recently bought Solovair Dealer Boots (Last Shape 493) half a size bigger USA 9 / UK 8 to accommodate arch support insoles - and they where a little lose without insoles and perfect fit with medium volume insoles. Also should mention awesome delivery times from Solovair and DHL! My boots arrived from Birmingham, UK to WA, USA in 3 days with free shipping option.

[@001blackmax]

Magic spoon sucks and they are a lie. Check down below the ingredients and you’ll see…BIO ENGINEERED FOOD INGREDIENT google search then you too will know it’s BAD.

[@habl00pep]

My pull tabs on my brogue solovairs burst immediately, laces broke quickly and winter moisture stained them within a week 😢. I had thoroughly bought into their history researching and gutted. Sold the. For buttons afterwards

[@purpleguy3000]

I got a pair of Made in England DMs a while ago and within the first 8 months the leather had developed holes. A little while after this on a trip to Camden, I found a boot shop where the man behind the counter was trying to persuade some tourists to give Solovair a go, lamenting the poor quality of DMs. Decided to get a pair and about 5 years later they're still going strong but I did have problems with the eyelets too (one wasn't secured in properly so I had to re-attach it with a pair of pliers).

[@aaronminkenberg8386]

I need to correct you on the statement on the insoles 2:45 You were talking about the sock liners. The Solovair have a half sock liner, the Dr Martens a full length. Insoles and their materials are one of the most important parts in the construction of footwear. And high quality footwear has in most cases vegetable tanned insoles that are 2-5mm thick. Cheap footwear has somestimes just fabric or in many cases texon insoles, that are not as durable as leather insoles.

[@seth_5394]

You are confusing the sock liner (insole) with the footbed. A sock liner is in no way structural to a shoe and is put in place with a little to no glue just so it doesn't slide around. The structural part to which the gemming is glued in the case of these boots or other Goodyear welted boots is the footbed.

[@UnknownUser-rb9pd]

Wooden shanks are used by Crockett and Jones, Trickers, Cheaney, Loake and most British boot makers. If you're standing on ladders all day then get a steel shank but for normal use... All of these boots are are low end budget boots and the UK has high labour costs so there inevitably will be compromises of quality control AND leather quality. Don't expect the same quality and consistency as other budget brands like Loake ( their made in England boots cost £290 though) Be aware that Solovair has a lot of heavily finished leather in their boot ranges. All their glossy offerings are plastic coated leather as are their rub off offering (though the latter use a thinner synthetic pigment than the glossy offerings). Crazy Horse leather is a form of nubuck (buffed surface) . It should also be noted that even "full grain leather" is often heavily finished to cover up cosmetic flaws in the leather. At this price point it is necessary to use as much of the hide as possible and that will include less desirable areas. Having said that, I've owned four pairs of their premium Solovair boots including two Chromexcel leather pairs and two have had surprising good leather quality. The other two ( 1 CXL, 1 calf leather) had some issues.

[@markr2616]

I bought a pair of Solovairs because they made them in a bright colour that Dr Martens don't make. Aside from the obvious improvement in quality over Docs (Even made in England Dr Martens are a bit naff, thin tears bleeding leather), they just offer better variety 😊

[@ezrahaskard3527]

bought a pair of solovair cheleas, theyve become my daily shoe. i wear them to work almost every day, and im on my feet all day. ive owned them for nearly a year and outside of expected sole wear and a few leather creases caused by simply having feet, there are literally no signs of damage.

[@jayvis123111]

I love how every ad for this cereal doesn't include someone actually opening a sealed box, putting the cereal in their mouth, chewing, and swallowing all in one cut.

[@Artaois13]

Have greasy black, toe cap Solovairs and they're awesome. The gray thread and smoke gray sole is definitely preferred for me. Only gripe is that I'm not small by any means and the boots still touch towards the top when tying them up.

[@Qambar44]

When I first watched a couple of your videos, I thought you might’ve had a half million or more subs with your level of writing and production. I was dumbfounded when I discovered you had less than 50k. I have no doubt you’ll get there👏🏽

[@lephishe6271]

In solovair sizing, I'm a full size smaller for the steel toe models (I'm a UK7, I purchased a UK6 and used a memory foam insole) and usually a half-size smaller for standard (UK7, I purchased a UK6.5. They are slightly roomy, but not enough to warrant the use of an insole.

[@roboen]

I normally wear EU size 44 in sneakers. Got the 6eyed Solovairs in 42 ½. For the 8eyed it would have been a 43. Try em on if you get the chance.

[@aravindvinayakan]

Another interesting boot worth considering if you want Docs is the Thursday Stomper. They even come in a Cherry color that they only offer with one other boot :)

[@markopolo9936]

I have the same greasy derby boots from solovair. I got them at an outlet for less than half price, they are very dependable boots, even if the upper is a bit floppy

[@Vivi-sama]

Thanks for this video and all the research. Solovair simply deserves more recognition. I would tend to say that the only reason someone will choose Doc Martens over Solovair nowadays is the yellow stitching. It's such a fashion statement recognized globally. If you got the yellow stitching, you're "in the tribe" you know. If you're more interessed in quality and durability, choose Solovair. I have pairs of loafers, boots and chelsea from Solovair and I'm very happy with it. The leather, even after months of use, is still astonishing if you treat it well (clean and nourish) and I got no issues with them whatsoever. For the Sizing, I would tend to recommend to size down just from a half size; that's what I did with all my purchases and it fit me very well ; but I guess it depends if you got large feets or not, so beware.

[@devinhurt7698]

Grandma at 11 seconds🤣

[@b.e.e.l.i]

i have two pairs of solovair's greasy black dealer boots (their chelseas) and love them. one regular pair and the other the gripfast brand steel toes. absolutely love them both, i get a lot of compliments at work about them. I typically wear a size 9, but sized down to 8.5 US (7.5 UK) and they fit perfectly. The only uncomortable part of the break in was the top of the foot for about a month, but now they're the most comfortable boots I've ever owned.

[@guyfawkesuThe1]

In the end, they are US military combat boots with urethane soles. I should know, as I work combat boots for 4 years that looked just like these except for the soles and they were only worth $30 USD at the time at the military clothing store on base.

[@superbanana9639]

I recently discovered your channel and I have to say that you produce content of high quality. I appreciate a lot the touch of humour you put in your videos and the "cinematography". Thank you very much 🕺

[@user-qk5ft8eo8t]

Finally a Solovair video! :)

[@bobbyQQ]

I only wear Solovair shoes after I found them about 5years ago. I would highly recommend them to anyone who is looking for this style of shoe. I own a number of pairs now and enjoy each one every time I wear them. Lots of compliments on them. They wear great and look great with very minimal maintenance.

[@scarsbrb]

I was just searching dr Martin vs solovair and your video just popped up 2 minutes after upload

[@xxth.legion]

Last lot of Solovair boots I owned lasted 8 months. Quality wasn’t great. One of the tags on the top ripped off within the first few weeks. Soles split in the end. This was the second pair I’d owned and the last sadly.

[@dan12pax]

As an Aussie, I’d love to see you review a pair of RM Williams boots. They’re a staple for every urban cowboy over here .

[@TheNunakun]

I can't wait to get a pair myself, just matter of time and place.... But I'm surprised it's such an icon with the high price point. Guess people just save up.

[@dan12pax]

@@TheNunakun they’ve had a big price increase over the past 5-10 years. I’ve got two pairs, purchased 8-10 years ago. cost me $350(chestnut with rubber sole) & $400 (suede with leather sole) aud respectively. Just had them both re-soled. both look pretty good considering they’ve had a lot of use put on them. Admittedly they’ve turned into more of a dress shoe than a real work boot, but still interested in Michael’s opinion.

[@thenewyearsgrinch]

They can be seen all over the rugged plains of vaucluse. 😂😂😂

[@ckf36]

Magic spoon sounds great in theory until you realize it’s 10 dollars a box lmao

[@Quanic2000]

And it tastes like shit 😂

[@joewellfair8238]

My only hesitation with solovair is that there are way way way too many "lemons" stories online. It seems like a bit of a QC lottery.

[@borjasaz6611]

I had many "lemons" because I have bought many of them.their quality has dropped since they had to make a rebrand because the Dr Martens lawsuit. They changed materials and their producing standards.

[@peterharman4141]

I have worn Dr Martens since school days back in the 1970s. I find the newer non British made ones just fine. When the soles get worn down I have them replaced at The Key Cobbler who do a fine job. I do look after them well with polish and Wonder Balsam and I never pay full price for them but wait for sale prices.

[@gameloozer731]

I’ve had a pair of dealer boots in greasy black for almost three years. They were too tight at the beginning but now are like comfy slippers. I wear them just about as my only shoe in the colder 6 months of the year. They get wet, they get dirty, I wipe them off. I condition them a couple times a year. For the money, I couldn’t be happier. I want another pair in the crazy horse brown

[@momo-hs5jn]

Next Video: The Solovair Killers vs. Solovair and its gonna be a Video about Trickers Boots?

[@kombuchamushroomppl]

the thing i like sbout dm is the black and yellow theme the yellow stitches and grip thingy

[@pooolish334]

Thank you for this video, i want to get the same Solovair boots but had a tough time looking for a good in depth review. And I'm glad to say this was a lot more than what I was looking for. I enjoyed the video very much!

[@asieasie7654]

I bought a pair of Gripfast boots in 2000 when i lived in Georgia. Gripfast cost me 400 british pounds, (500-600 american) were handmade and it took about 6 months to arrive after ordering. Back then you could only order from the factory. Fastforward 24 years, ive worn the same boots when i lived in Germany (2004-2008), visited England, Switzerland, and still have them in 2024. The only thing i have added or changed is the insole/padding. The rubber on bottom is about halfway worn down, and there is now a small crack on top just above where the big toe bends. Dr. Martins i owned in 1996-2000 were far worse condition after just 4 years with same type of abuse if not less. Cant speak about Solovair, but if ur going to buy a boot, go with Gripfast, they have lasted 1/4 of a lifetime with zero repairs needed.

[@Rolex-eu5vp]

Useful video, but also major side note, Daytona on wrist?!?!? * in the Magic Spoon ad

[@jamesgreer9748]

Interesting to be watching this as the Dr Martens share price collapses another 10% percent today. I used to buy these when I younger, I thought that they were fantastic, although I never understood why I always had sore heals until I started to buy more sophisticated shoes. It was the Docs. Check out the video of Rose Anvil cutting a pair of Docs apart, they are just junk.

[@nicolasDR103]

Very informative... So.... i cannot get boots like the Dr Marthens that i bought in the 90's and lasted me 15 years of very frequent use, even if i try solavair...

[@KimlongPham1stGamer]

Wish I saw this video sooner, I am new to boots and someone recommended me to get docs so I did. I am seething rn.

[@m.f.3347]

don't worry, my first pair of boots were docs and i loved them. I have solovairs now but only because I love the style so much I could justify paying twice as much (i got my original docs on sale). I say just wear your docs through and once they're at the end of life, get solovairs if you still want that style of boot.

[@AqueousYT]

I bought docs too, literally less than a week ago. I've done loads of research online and talked to a lot of my family + coworkers about them, they've all said they're absolutely brilliant, except they all bought them over 8 years ago, and they're all the better quality made in England versions. I bought a pair of the 1460 smooths and they feel so cheap it's unreal. It's like wearing a boot made of plastic. They're horrible. I doubt they'd last more than a year to be honest.

[@yahway666]

Docs are trash if you're looking for a quality long lasting boot, but as far as fashion and comfort go they're fine. Comfort varies with foot shape of course. I'd still buy Docs at a thrift store if I see them, but I won't pay retail anymore. There's just too much markup for a brand name where the quality is barely better than something you could find at Walmart

[@NDB469]

How do the solovair’s fit? True to size? Or do you need to buy a half size down?

[@baberoot1998]

Solovair...used to make boots for Dr Marten's, back in the 60's and 70's and 80's. Back when Docs were actually well made.

[@BestKiteboardingOfficial]

If you've got waxy solitaire get their own brand boot wax. I use it on my Scarpa walking boots, it's way better than any other wax I've used, including wrens dubbing

[@Daffitt]

Had two pairs of Solovairs, and while they are very pretty boots, the uppers creased, cracked, and finally ripped on both pairs to a degree that no other boots have for me.

[@hollyirvin5030]

Love my Solovairs… also I’ve been told Made in England Docs are only stitched in England

[@edwardbelcher8612]

on the cheap Docs you can condition the leather from the inside with either leather conditioner or baseball glove oil and that will help keep them from drying out and cracking too bad

[@PaulKaiser42]

Great stuff and thanks for the tips about docs 👍🏻

[@christianfreed]

It is incredible that the marketing teams were able to sell y'all on "air" as a benefit. They're selling air which is free instead of filling that space with quality materials. A+ Marketing department. Ya fooled em

[@baje6215]

Solovair are more comfortable .Bought three pairs from Solovair factory shop and never thought about buying any other boots.

[@atomiclizzard288]

There is also grinders boots. That make similar as well.

[@hervemasson5976]

i own a pair of Solovair from 2015/2016 with yellow stitch .

[@HCproductionsss]

How can i prevent getting blisters on the back of my heel? Doc martens is known for hurting the back of the heel.

[@xtelevisionset]

Get the correct size and wear the correct socks. Tie and lace correctly.

[@yahway666]

Get the correct size and wear better socks. I've never had a problem with that on either my Docs or my Solovairs. Sometimes it's just like that if your foot shape is wrong for the boot, and you can get heel pads until they break in

[@pogogogo1]

I had a pair of solovair chelsea boots. Both soles split horizontally within two weeks. Very disappointed with them.

[@archeewaters]

thanks for the info. video on docs with steel toe versus others?

[@lordexcellent5610]

I have their derby boots in greasy leather (just like the ones in the video). I’ve went a half size down with my first Solovair purchase (same derby boots in green gaucho leather) and the boots were too tight. With the greasy ones I went true to size and they fit much better, my feet are 27,8 and 28 cm long and the toes of my longer foot touch the front of the boot when I’m walking (it’s no big deal and I wouldn’t consider sizing up). I also have their 6 eye derby boots which have slimmer and longer last (similar to one used on their astronaut boots) and those fit perfectly.

[@Nephi895]

Personal Sizing Experience: I usually wear US mens 8.5 in sneakers and 9 in welted shoes. Solovair said they run large for welted boots, so I went with UK 7.5/US 8.5. I got the 8 eye derbies They were a very close fit, almost too small. Once they leather warmed up and broke in, it was more comfortable. The insole compressing probably helped too. I used wooden shoe trees while I wasn't wearing them, which I think helped the leather keep its stretched shape. Now, they fit quite well but I still don't have enough vertical room too add an insert. If I were going to buy any Solovairs on a smaller/narrower last, I would definitely go up to UK8/US9 and add an insert. One other thing, I've seen a lot of people post pictures of the heat seal failing after a few days or weeks of use. Hasn't happened to me, and I've put some miles and rough use on mine. Sounds like they have a QC issue. On top of that, their factory resole service is "temporarily unavailable" and has been for a while. If the seal failed on my outsole, I don't know if my local cobbler would try and re-melt it or just glue it.

[@bryanl64]

I wear 9.5 US for vans so should I size down to a 9 US in men?

[@Nephi895]

@@bryanl64 I dunno, I don't wear vans. Do they run wide? I'd be more worried about the solovairs running smaller than your sneakers.

[@albertoaleo3348]

I actually work for doc Martens, the insoles will probably never rip because of the welting and the leather from the made in England is of much better quality than the made in Thailand, it is selected from England and I think it is known to the public, nevertheless I didn’t know solovair existed and they look pretty cool, glad to learn something new, you have a new subscriber. Greetings from Valencia, Spain

[@justinholding02]

You work for Dr Martens and you don't know about Solovair? How is that possible?

[@grocerylist]

Did i miss the part where you said you'd let us know which Solovair to buy, that has full grain leather with no plastic coating?

[@yahway666]

Greasy and gaucho are both full grain. High shine and rub offs have some plastic

[@Victor-kh5rh]

I want more casual black boots, for a second I considered Solofair instead of Red wings moc toe, because I like the classic styling of the Doc Martins but they are in different planets in terms of quality.

[@takashimizutani1808]

Any recommendations for these aesthetic gothish shoes that are good quality and also wide toe box

[@chrismackay8314]

Thanks for the comparison. Are the Solovair boots' soles thermally welded on, like the Dr. Martens?

[@marklane6121]

Yes they are, with the same risk of the weld splitting.

[@borjasaz6611]

​@@marklane6121agreed,they sent me some pairs badly welt and I had to send them back, first they said that It was normal,but I have seen pictures of how It can evolve with time,so I insisted to send them back

[@boot_boy_6945]

You are so right on the eyelets. They are the Achilles heals of Solovairs. I’ve owned many pairs and on every single one the eyelets have ripped out on the outside where the boot bends. However this is an easy fix and any cobbler will replace them with better riveted eyelets for $10. If you really want a strong boot that has the same attitude I’d recommend NPS’s other line of Gripfast. Those boots are something solid. All the important stitching is done either twice or three times over. Their soles are solid rubber and are Goodyear welted along with being attached to the upper with 22 screws.

[@UnimportantAcc]

what shades are ya reppin

[@mikewinston8709]

As a Brit I’m deeply ashamed of both Dr Martens and Solovair…….each were very good up to about 40 years ago. Production values today are terrible. America, please do not waste your money…..🇬🇧

[@aayotechnology]

So what do you suggest instead?

[@TheNunakun]

Trickers, Crockett and Jones, even Loake's But they're all priced a higher tier.

[@mikewinston8709]

@@aayotechnology if you have between $500 and $1500 to spare then…..Cheaney….Crockett and Jones….Trickers….Edward Green (if you’re feeling very rich)……I have Cheaney ….the Coniston….I would guess $650 in Dollars. Mine are 22 years old…re soled and heeled at the factory once. An incredible boot.

[@mikewinston8709]

@@TheNunakun …correct…plus I’d add Cheaney too

[@baje6215]

@@mikewinston8709 can't get wrong with pair of Solovair boots from factory shop. I have always bought seconds for third of price.

[@chriskarras2418]

"and hopefully I will be showing you..." the mammoth???

[@JB-1138]

Try using Obenauf's leather oil. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@there_is_nothing_here]

It's been 24 years and I still regret throwing away my old MIE boots. I think that's mostly nostalgia talking to me but I still kind of do lol

[@kof867]

If you want a pair of doc like boots that aren’t terrible quality you’re better off just buying second hand army surplus boots. I bought a pair of second hand Austrian army feldschuh leicht by steinkogler for 40 euro and they’re my favorite boots I’ve ever owned

[@nathana.2913]

Anybody have recommendations for a boot that works for the desert? I live in the American southwest and I want something that is breathable but still looks good for the office… I was leaning toward Jim Green but I’m not certain yet

[@franzb69]

you can have the metal rings fixed up by a shoemaker

[@armoredsponge]

why have I seen 3 solovair ads today with seemly no connection .In the bio it makes no mention of the brand he is promoting

[@Victor-kh5rh]

Allen Edmonds don’t use shanks at all, well at least for their classic models, that’s one of their defining characteristics.

[@yar0607]

4:37 I'm crying 🤣🤣🤣

[@Ohkeh640]

I wish they made the 1460 leather boots in England in the smooth leather As the made in England ones are a thicker sole

[@tomycont]

Michael is the kind of guy to build up a wooden set so he can explain what a shank is. That's commitment. No way he found that randomly.

[@seanmaxwell3319]

Antony, is that a Daytona? How much is adult cereal company paying you?

[@TheIronSnail]

LOL! It’s a friend of a friends - he let me wear it in the video to see if anyone noticed

[@peanutarbuckle2879]

​@@TheIronSnail friend of a friend? Is that what we're calling Christian now? P.S. I like your Zenith better.

[@kentuckywindage9925]

Nice Rolex Daytona 🔥

[@Supcello]

can you do a video on fracap boots?

[@3dfer383]

Meanwhile, 7 years ago I got a pair of Iturri military boots at ebay for 36 euros and they are virtually indestructible, I just don't understand.

[@Ohkeh640]

I wish they made the made in England ones in the smooth leather As the made in England ones are a thicker sole

[@nathanmoreno846]

I thought the solovairs were cheaper? I checked and their prices are higher

[@m.f.3347]

They're cheaper than the "Made In England" Docs. The Asian-made ones are cheaper by about 30 bucks, but the Solovairs are so much better built that it's absolutely worth it

[@JJernqvist]

Hey, does anyone know a good alternative to the 1461, besides the Solovair Gibson?

[@GoodDredd]

Oh man I got some solovairs and they sent me the correct size but on the inside they were gigantic. It was weird. Easy to send them back though. Haven’t tried to buy again

[@dulifuli00]

We need a boot like those but built well.

[@justmeeagainn]

And...no wide sizes. Moving right along...

[@humphrey6630]

What watch are you wearing?

[@DEMODEMODEMODEMODEM]

re: the eyelets i personally have a pair of solovair 11 eyelet boots and for the first 6 months of wearing them, i would accidentally slice my hand open on one of the sharp back of an eyelet while lacing them up about 12 times. Now I've had them for a year the sharp backs of the stamped eyelets have sort of been blunted with time and i love them, but that's my experience with quality control.

[@rahvavaenlane]

what wrist watch is that?

[@jdmac44]

Everything logical within me says "Get the Solovair's!", but the 90's kid in my says "YELLOW STITCHES! GOTTA HAVE 'EM!!" *sigh*

[@GabrielsLogic]

Doc Martin boots are cheaper than the solovins now 😮

[@krisjonesuk]

None of the leather on either Doc Martens or Solovair is “full grain”. They’d be a lot more expensive if it was full grain because most of the leather hides would be rejected. To get around this they use corrected grain where the surface is lightly sanded to get the smooth surface. In the case of Solovair a lot of their boots are produced using “high shine” leather, which like the standard leathers on Doc Martens has a plastic coating. These coatings make the leather largely impervious to conditioning and will eventually crack. The greasy leather’s don’t suffer from the same problem. All welted shoes have an insole. In making such shoes an insole is temporarily attached to a last and then the upper is stretched over the last and attached to the insole. The idea is that when it comes to repair, the cobbler should be able to remove the outsole, any midsoles and indeed the welt without disturbing the shape and form of the upper. Good quality shoes and boots tend to have an insole made of vegetable-tanned leather, whereas cheaper ones like Doc Martens, have fibreboard insoles. Leather is more durable and will better conform to the shape of your foot. What you are seeing in that image of the interior of the Solovair boot is a sock liner, which is typically glued to the heel end of the insole. In good quality boots if you peel back the sock liner you are likely to see the nails used to fix the heel to the shoe.

[@TheIronSnail]

Hey Kris! Both Solovair and Doc on their sites say when they use full grain leather and both brands do use full grain leather in some models (greasy leather is one of those leathers) Good catch on the insole section! I ofc mean inserts but like many people sometimes use insoles for both terms. My bad on that, lazy wording!

[@krisjonesuk]

@@TheIronSnail It does appear Solovair now offer a “premium collection” that they say contain full grain leather. The boots you reviewed are not in that range. Elsewhere I can see a reference to “grain” leather, which is a bit like Scotch grain leather used by some other shoemakers. That too, is corrected grain that is then embossed with a grain pattern. It does appear that Dr Martens has started doing some full grain styles. However, just because the leather is greasy doesn’t mean it’s full grain. If it has a smooth finish it’s corrected grain.

[@TheIronSnail]

@@krisjonesuk The description of greasy leather on Solovair’s site says it’s full grain w/ wax applied

[@krisjonesuk]

@@TheIronSnail I’ve used your Carrot link and I can see no reference to full grain leather for those particular boots. All it says is “Black Greasy Leather Upper”.

[@martinsmith1525]

Ok. Just to clear up some wrong info with some comments above. Solovair greasy, gaucho and some other leathers on the derby boots are full grain. The high shine leather is corrected grain and pu covered. Modern mie docs, wear out a LOT quicker then solovair, i have walked a lot in both pairs, miles and the modern mie docs are in the recycle bin where as the solovair are still going strong. Just my experience on the whole matter. 👍

[@CokeWithIceAndLemon]

Dear Mr. Kristy kindly do a review on a Viberg boot thank you.

[@SumukhDhawade]

they don't ship to canada?

[@Marcus_Berger1701]

Nice video, but i dislike Solovairs. I have 40 Docs and 10 solovairs. What i dislike is the shape of solovairs. Some say Docs and solovair look and feel the same. No they don't. Docs just feel better for me on the foot. I only wear docs with that hard cardboard insole. Those Docs with the cushioned insole are often of less quality. And in the last years i had solovair pairs which aged pretty quickly or were defect. 10 years ago i really liked both brands. I went back to wearing Docs with all their imperfections. I think you have to know what pair of Docs you are buying. For example : I bought the Horween leather docs. = fantastic boots with beautiful patina. Thats no diss to Solovair, i think they are really okay and good boot.

[@Jacorpes]

100%. Take this with a pinch of salt because my partner works for DMs, but I was team Solovair for a while, but recently I've started appreciating DMs again after getting some Horween and SF Stead MIE pairs. They fit me way better and have a nicer shape than Solovairs too. If you're comparing the nicest DMs with the nicest Solovairs, DM's are definitely better quality. I think the real problem with DMs is that they sell low and high quality shoes side by-side without really making it clear which is which, so you have to make sure you're buying the right pair.

[@nikeisagreekgoddess4135]

Just think of them as sneakers and rotate them as much as possible with your other pairs 😂

[@KseniaTLV]

they are not at all comfortable for me, I came specially to London to the store where they sell them and it was a disaster, not a convenient form, of any model, for me. I tried on everything that was my size and nothing, a nightmare, it all depends on the leg. i bought two new vintage martins😂

[@hollyirvin5030]

Got to go to British boot company in Camden… that guy knows everything about boots and has a ton of both brands

[@teddybear9029]

I know docs aren’t the best quality boots in the world far from it yet no one ever complains about trainers being over priced for what they really are which is basically shit!

[@classicbassmen9796]

Once you go solovair you never go back to Drs

[@sutats]

That's a terrible lace-fraying design with the lace holes on the Solovairs. Also the fake outer welt and stitching. Well, the general rule is true in life, you get what you pay for.

[@m.f.3347]

There is a real Goodyear welt hidden underneath the decorative stitch. and for what it's worth I've been wearing my 8-eye Solovairs for over 2 years now without any lace damage

[@shawnflynn1713]

How about the obvious? Solovair made dr martens. Almost the same company. And solovair and docs can both be resoled because they are good year welt.