Solovair или dr martens что лучше
Dr. Martens Vs Solovair: Which One Better?
If you are a boots aficionado, then at some point, you must have picked sides in Dr. Martens vs. Solovair’s debate. Both companies manufacture quality boots that fit the daily needs of users. A good boot should be comfortable and fit on most occasion
Dr. Marten and Solovair competition has been around for generations. The beauty of this competition is that the two companies have been forced to do comprehensive research in the footwear industry. As a result, the biggest beneficiaries are the boot lovers who can’t settle for anything less.
These two boot companies discussion has a long history. But which company offers the best boots?
Well, this article seeks to address the pros and cons of each brand so that you can choose for yourself. This piece will also give you a brief history of the two companies as well the strides that they’re making to appease boot lovers.
Dr. Martens Leonore Burnished Wyoming Boot for Men and Women is our top pick due to its unmatched quality of features that fit both men and women. Read on to learn more about Solovair vs Dr. Martens.
Beginning of Dr. Martens Vs Solovair
Dr. Martens is very common amongst the working class in Britain. The brand started out in post-war Germany in 1945 when Dr. Klaus Maertens returned from the Second World War while nursing his broken foot.
During his recovery process, Maertens invented an idea that changed the footwear industry forever; the air-cushioned sole. He then presented his prototype idea to Dr. Herbert Frunk, his former classmate, who doubles up as a mechanical engineer. The duo formed a partnership, and in 1947, the formal production of their innovative footwear begun.
In the 1800s, the shoemaking business lacked a proper structure. Most artisans worked from their homes, and shoes were only made on order. Five shoemakers in Wollaston, teamed up to form Northamptonshire Productive Society (NPS).
Together, they pulled their resources and begun the large-scale shoe production without any advanced technology.
Their efforts bore fruits almost immediately as they received a one-year contract to manufacture boots for the English army. After 20 years of operation, NPS moved its headquarter factory to where it is today due to its enormous growth. NPS then developed Solovair to compete with Dr. Martens.
1. Dr. Martens Leonore Burnished Wyoming Boot
When winter knocks, you have to be ready without boots without sacrificing the fashion look. Dr. Martens Leonore Burnished Wyoming leather fashion boot is the most comfortable and beautiful winter boots you can get.
You don’t need to take time to break into the boosts as your legs will get used to them right from the first day.
You will not slip in the wet winter snow because the boots are made with good abrasion and slip-resistant sole. They also keep warm with the warm faux fur lining in the inside.
As such, you can walk on them for a long distance on snow and icy pavements. To ensure it retains the Doc DNA, the beautiful boots retain the yellow stitching, heel loop, and the grooved sides.
Pros
Cons
Dr. Martens Leonore Burnished Wyoming leather fashion boot ensures you get value for your money thanks to the durable synthetic leather materials.
The air-cushioned sole is carefully crafted for comfort. It’s a Goodyear-welted boot meaning its upper and the sole are sewn with Dr. Martens heat-sealed z-welt stitch.
2. Dr. Martens – Jadon 8-Eye Leather Platform Boot
It is not hard to realize that these are the best boots you can get this winter. The features are incredible, and the comfort you’ll feel when on these shoes is more than you’ve ever experienced with other boots.
While you protect yourself from the cold winter, you will still maintain an elegant look because you can wear the Jadon 8-Eye with anything.
Dr. Martens Jadon boot is versatile and comfortable. Get the elegant 1.75 inches height without straining or experiencing foot pain. Jadon 8-Eye is one of the most durable work boots made by Dr. Martens. The boots are weather-resistant and wearable both in the rain and in the sun.
Pros
Cons
If you like walking in the snow, don’t worry because your feet will remain warm and comfortable. They are slip-resistant thanks to the excellent traction.
These are boots you’re going to wear for years thanks to their durable synthetic materials. If you are looking for winter boots that will keep your feet warm, look no further.
3. Solovair Men’s 11 Eye Steel Toe Englander
Solovair Men’s 11 Eye Steel Toe Englander arrives with the bang introducing you to a style steel boot. The boot proudly displays its steel toe credentials with a chunky commando-style sole, triple stitch toe cap, and tread. Its beauty and toughness are what every boot lover is looking for.
These boots are Goodyear welted with rubber suspension sole and 100% handmade with love in England. The upper is made with Hi-Shine Leather of EU origin.
The sole is air-cushioned to provide underfoot comfort and ensure it is durable enough. The material is oil and fat resistant. The sole is tough, with good abrasion and slip-resistant.
Pros
Cons
This is a Goodyear product handmade to last longer. The upper and the sole are sewed together, not glued. The outsole is also sewn, and welt on the edges and heat-sealed to give it a sturdy and complex construction. Wear these boots for the first time, and you’re welcomed with comfort and sturdiness.
4. Solovair Men’s 6 Eye Hawkins Boot
Solovair is proud to present the Men’s 6 Eye Hawkins Boot. The boot is true to form and features a longer toe, timeless design, reinforced heel, and smooth black leather. This stunning boot is made with a classic English tradition with its origin directly from England.
Like the Solovair tradition, 6 Eye Hawkins is also 100% handmade with Goodyear welded soles. The 100%Hi-Shine leather gives it a beautiful look.
It also features air-cushioned sole ensuring your feet receive maximum comfort, and the boot stays durable for ages. You can walking & working on concrete on these boots all day and still feel comfy.
Pros
Cons
Like the 11 Eye, the 6 Eye is also oil and fat-resistant, has good abrasion, and slip-resistant. It has a unique Goodyear insole rubber suspension sole, and it’s upper and sole are carefully sewed together, and then heat sealed. All these ensure the boot gets the admirable sturdy and shock absorbing power.
Comparison Between Dr. Martens Vs Solovair
Boots are gaining popularity nowadays. Many people are complementing boots with any dress code. Therefore, boots sales are rising, meaning that it is vital to have enough knowledge about boots to ensure that you buy one that works for you.
Dr. Martens and Solovair are the two types of boots that are found in everyone’s wish list. Want to learn the intricacies of these boots? Keep reading.
Leather
The leather that is to make Dr. Martens boots is the classic, smooth leather, which is known for its stiffness and durability.
Nappa leather is also used to give boots a smooth texture and a matte appearance, which differentiates it from the classic, smooth leather.
Patent lamper leather is also used on Dr. Marten’s boots. This leather type is coated to give it a shiny look. It is not as stiff as the smooth leather types, but it is durable. It is vital to carry out maintenance practices to keep its glossy shine.
Other leather types used on Dr. Martens are Greasy leather, Quilon leather, Virginia leather, Carpathian leather, Arcadia, Crazy Hose leather, Antique Temperley, Suede, Brando, Grizzly leather, Ajax, Soft- T leather, Red Cambridge Vegan and Buttero leather.
On the other hand, Solovair boots are also made using high-quality leather types, with the most common one being smooth corrected leather. This leather type is created by splitting full-grain leather, sanding the grain surface to remove imperfections, and then applying a man-made coating to give it the shiny appearance.
The full-grain leather is also used to make Solovair boots. This leather type is natural, meaning that it still has hair cells. Therefore, it can be polished, waterproofed, or nurtured by a manufacturer.
Patent leather is also used on Solovair boots. The leather is made similarly to the smooth corrected leather, except the final coating is a patent.
Other leather types used on Solovair include Greasy leather, Gaucho leather, Rub-off leather, Horween leather, and Suede and Nubuck leather.
Size and Fit
Sizing of Dr. Martens differs depending on the style of the shoes. Wear socks and measure your feet from the toe to heel to get your actual shoe size. However, it is safe to go to the shop and fit the shoe style you want.
The size and fit of Solovair’s shoes are measured using a certain guide. Wear socks, stand on a piece of paper, and mark with a straight line your feet length. Add approximately 7-8 mm / 0.25″ to the length measurement. Use this length when purchasing any Solovair shoes.
Comfort
Both of these shoes are comfortable as they are made using high-quality soles. They are suitable shoes for teachers, especially during the cold season.
Soles
Dr. Martens have an air-cushioned sole, which is usually referred to as bouncing sole. The inner sole of Dr. Martens is removable, so you can choose to use them or not.
Solovair boots also make air-cushioned soles using the same leather cutters and machines used to create the first Dr. Martens boots.
Support
Both these shoe types have sturdy treads that ensure that the boots are gripped on any surface, giving enough support.
Durability
Dr. Martens boots are known for their durability as they can last up to twenty years and even longer. The leather types used to make Solovair boots are also strong.
Both Dr. Marten and Solovair companies make good leather boots.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Many people have raised questions concerning the differences between Dr. Martens and Solovair boots. The two shoe brands look a lot similar, and they also have very few differences.
Solovair is the English maker of Dr. Martens. That means that Solovair initially made Dr. Martens boots before they began outsourcing their standard shoes and boots from China and Thailand. To learn more about these two shoe brands, check out the following frequently asked questions.
Q. Which one is more comfortable between Dr. Martens and Solovair?
A. Both Dr. Martens and Solovair’s boots will give your feet a lot of comforts. Once you put them on, you will realize that they are the most comfortable boots that you have ever come across. Their hard leather will mold to the shape of your feet perfectly.
Q. Which one is more durable between Dr. Martens and Solovair?
A. Since Dr. Martens started outsourcing their shoes and boots from Thailand and China, their quality has become a bit compromised. For instance, their current leather material is not as hard as the one used back in England. For that reason, Solovair boots are more durable than Dr. Martens.
Q. Where are Solovair and Dr. Martens made?
A. Solovair boots are made in a shoe industry area known as Wollaston, Northamptonshire in England. On the other hand, Dr. Martens used to be manufactured in the same country, but since the company is trying to cut the production cost, they now outsource the products from Thailand and China.
Q. Which is better quality between Dr. Martens and Solovair?
A. There has been an ongoing debate concerning the quality of both Dr. Martens and Solovair. Well, Solovair has a better quality of shoes compared to Dr. Martens. However, the case was different when the Dr. Martens brand was still being produced in England.
Dr. Marten’s leather and sole materials are soft compared to the one utilized in England. Those are the frequently asked questions about Dr. Martens and Solovair’s boots. We hope you got the answer to your question.
Conclusion
Comparing the two brands is not easy. Both Dr. Martens and Solovair seem to make a lot of effort to ensure they bring the most stunning, strongest, and durable boots to the market. The two companies know exactly what their customers are looking for in terms of quality, durability, and comfort.
Their boots are incomparable expect for the fact that Solovair is cheaper than Dr. Martens. If you love 100% handmade boots, Solovair is the perfect pair for you.
If you want perfect winter boots that you can wear with anything and anywhere without feeling out of fashion or your feet getting cold, Dr. Martens should be your choice.
What you choose depends on what you want to achieve at the end of the day. It also depends on your preferences and your budget. Regardless of your choice, both Dr. Martens and Solovair ensure you only get quality boots that are durable and comfortable.
История подошв ботинок Dr. Martens и Solovair
Изобретателем этих подошв был Клаус Мартенс (Klaus Maertens) — молодой немецкий солдат, получивший в 1945 году травму ноги во время отпуска, который он проводил в Альпах, занимаясь лыжным спортом. (В скобках заметим, что в некоторых источниках Мартенса называют не солдатом, а военным врачом).
В процессе выздоровления Клаус Мартенс понял, что стандартные ботинки не отличаются удобством и что ему значительно лучше подошла бы обувь с амортизирующей подошвой. Он провёл различные эксперименты и в итоге сконструировал уникальную подошву с воздушными камерами. Затем Мартенс сшил прототип ботинок и отправился с ним к своему бывшему однокласснику — инженеру Герберту Функу (Herbert Funck). Вместе они разработали технологию, позволявшую крепить подошвы с воздушными камерами к верху обуви под нагревом; крепление получалось прочным и надёжным.
Клаус Мартенс и Герберт Функ
В 1947 году Мартенс и Функ начали серийный выпуск комфортной обуви на своей фирменной подошве, и она пользовалась хорошим спросом в Германии (особенно среди женщин старше 40 лет). Спустя ещё пять лет была открыта фабрика в Мюнхене, однако наибольшего успеха ботинки на разработанной Мартенсом подошве достигли лишь после запуска английского бренда Dr. Martens и создания уникального дизайна. Об этом и о более поздней истории обуви Dr. Martens и Solovair мы рассказали в отдельной и детальной статье.
Реклама туфель и ботинок Dr. Martens
Следует добавить, что на первых порах для изготовления своих фирменных подошв Функ и Мартенс решили использовать списанную и выброшенную резину военных времён. Её забирали с заброшенных аэродромов люфтваффе. Другими словами, даже по нынешним меркам производство этих подошв можно было назвать экологичным.
Обувь Solovair
Solovair — это марка добротной неформальной обуви, принадлежащая английской обувной компании NPS. Туфли и ботинки Solovair примечательны практичностью и хорошим балансом цены и качества, а по стилистике они напоминают продукцию Dr. Martens, которую производитель NPS долгое время выпускал на своей фабрике.
История Solovair
Компания NPS была основана в 1881 году в Вулластоне (графство Нортгемптоншир; Wollaston, Northamptonshire). О ней мы подробно рассказывали в отдельной большой статье, а здесь сконцентрируемся именно на бренде Solovair, который она запустила в 1995 году.
Как мы уже отметили выше, фабрика NPS долгое время изготавливала обувь для марки Dr. Martens, однако в конце XX века владельцы Dr. Martens решили уменьшить себестоимость продукции и перенесли производство за пределы Великобритании (впрочем, некоторые дорогие модели Dr. Martens до сих пор делаются в Англии). После этого фирма NPS решила запустить производство подобных ботинок и туфель под собственной торговой маркой Solovair, название которой расшифровывается как Sole-of-Air (в переводе на русский язык — «подошва из воздуха», то есть очень лёгкая).
В 2000-х годах спрос на обувь Solovair уменьшился, и фирма NPS столкнулась с финансовыми трудностями. Её спас Айвор Тили (Ivor Tilley), в 2006 году выкупивший компанию. Производство продолжилось, и за прошедшее с тех пор время количество рабочих на фабрике увеличилось более чем в два раза; вырос и объём выпуска ботинок. Сегодня NPS создаёт обувь под своими марками NPS и Solovair, выполняет заказы нескольких сторонних брендов (к примеру, YMC), а также шьёт ботинки для вооружённых сил и экстренных служб.
Особенности обуви Solovair
Туфли и ботинки Solovair изготавливаются в рантовой конструкции, типичной для качественной английской обуви. Её обозначают термином Goodyear welted.
Для верха используется матовая и глянцевая гладкая коровья кожа (full-grain и corrected-grain), лакированная кожа (patent leather), нубук (nubuck), замша (suede), а также жированная кожа (greasy leather). Иногда в ход идёт кожа Chromexcel от именитой американской дубильни Horween, но большая часть шкур прибывает от европейских дубилен (с азиатскими предприятиями Solovair/NPS не сотрудничает). Подкладка делается из натуральной кожи и синтетического текстиля или из 100% натуральной кожи (в зависимости от модели).
Подошвы обуви Solovair отличаются лёгкостью и износостойкостью; изготавливаются они из синтетических материалов. Толщина подошв варьируется от средней до очень большой. Строчка на рантах часто бывает контрастной. В целом все туфли и ботинки Solovair выглядят неформально, и с костюмами их явно носить не стоит. Если же говорить о расцветках, то подавляющая часть ассортимента сшита из кожи чёрного, бордового и тёмно-коричневого цветов. Среди моделей имеются туфли и ботинки с открытой шнуровкой (в том числе броги), а также ботинки-челси и даже высокие сапоги.
Добавим, что вся обувь марки Solovair изготавливается в Великобритании на собственной фабрике NPS.
Некоторые модели
В ассортименте Solovair есть более сотни моделей мужской обуви. Мы отобрали пять из них. Первая называется Gaucho Crazy Horse 8 Eye Derby Boot и представляет собой высокие ботинки с открытой шнуровкой и толстыми подошвами с довольно мощным протектором. Эти ботинки сшиты из жированной кожи Gaucho, на которой со временем появляется характерная патина. Уровень официальности у них низкий, и лучше всего они сочетаются с джинсами и довольно толстыми брюками без стрелок (это верно и по отношению к остальным моделям из нашей подборки, так что дальше мы повторяться не будем).
Вторая модель, которая называется Oxblood Monkey Boot, отличается от Gaucho Crazy Horse 8 Eye Derby Boot меньшей высотой, а также дизайном/декором. Она изготовлена из довольно толстой гладкой коровьей кожи и оснащена комбинированной подкладкой (из кожи и синтетики). Такая комбинированная подкладка характерна для многих моделей Solovair, включая и уже описанные нами ботинки Gaucho Crazy Horse 8 Eye Derby Boot.
Более сдержанным дизайном обладают туфли Chestnut 4 Eye Derby Shoe, верх которых изготовлен из высококачественной коровьей кожи типа full-grain. Декораций здесь нет, но подошвы и рант выглядят неформально, а силуэт довольно массивный, так что носить эти дерби с костюмами мы бы не стали.
Достаточно неординарно выглядят высокие ботинки Gaucho Crazy Horse 11 Eye Steel Toe Derby Boot. Они изготовлены из жированной кожи с весьма неоднородной окраской. Подошвы у них толстые и устойчивые. Уплотнители мысков (toe stiffeners) изготовлены из стали, а подкладка — из кожи и синтетики. В большинстве случаев стальные уплотнители не доставляют неудобств при ходьбе, но из-за них вам точно придётся снимать обувь при прохождении контроля в аэропортах.
Завершают нашу подборку броги Black Horween Gibson Brogue Shoe. Они сделаны из добротной, практичной и долговечной кожи Horween Chromexcel и оснащены полностью кожаной подкладкой.
Впрочем, по фотографиям видно, что по крайней мере иногда для пошива некоторых частей верха используются явно не лучшие участки шкур, так что на безупречное качество и высший класс рассчитывать не стоит. С другой стороны, в процессе носки туфли всё равно будут визуально меняться и стареть, поэтому небольшие несовершенства далеко не каждый назовёт критичными.
Solovair. Ботинки, сделанные в Англии.
Как и откуда появилась легендарная марка обуви «SOLOVAIR»?
Бренд Solovair постоянно подвергается сравнению с легендарными Dr. Martens, что не исключает превосходного качества обуви обоих фирм. Тем не менее, мы решили разобраться, откуда взялся бренд Solovair и почему он стоит особого внимания.
1881 год, Англия.
В деревне Уоллостон, графства Нортгемптоншир, 5 мужчин объединяются, чтобы создать кооператив под названием NPS (Northamptonshire Productive Society). Первым рабочим пространством стала голубятня.
Удача улыбнулась команде практически сразу: они получили госзаказ на производство обуви для армии. Это был не разовый заказ, а продолжительный контракт, что обеспечило мануфактуру работой на несколько лет.
1899 год, Англия.
Растущая индустриализация поспособствовала увеличению спроса на качественную обувь для рабочих, как в Англии, так и за ее границами, — что было только на руку NPS! Производство быстро расширялось, штат вырос до 80 человек и фабрика наконец-то переехала в большое специализированное помещение. Завод дважды достраивали — в 1907 и в 1951 годах.
1950-е.
Обувь в NPS производили с использованием различных технологий, но самой лучшей была Goodyear Welted. Таковой делали её 3 неоспоримых преимущества: водонепроницаемость, комфорт при носке, и долговечность из-за возможности замены подошвы. Эта технология используется до сих пор.
В то же время доктор Мартенс создаёт свою знаменитую воздушную подошву. На новшество обратила внимание британская компания R. Griggs & Co.
Компания купила лицензию на производство обуви и стала искать подходящую фабрику в Англии, остановившись конечно же на NPS.
В 1959 году вышла первая пара английских мартинсов. И следующие 35 лет NPS под именем Solovair (Sole-of-air (англ.) — «воздушная подошва») производили по лицензии ботинки «Dr. Martens by Solovair».
Dr. Martens vs Solovair – The Great British Boot Off
Ever since I published my first review on Dr. Martens 1460 boots, I’ve been asked to compare it to the shoe’s twin, Solovair. Why?
For starters, the boots are practically identical, but the two brands also share a very storied history. Solovair — whose name just comes from “Sole Of Air” — were the manufacturers of Dr. Martens in Northamptonshire, England for decades. Back then they were sold under the license “Dr. Martens of Solovair.”
Solovair hasn’t really caught on in the United States the same way Dr. Martens has, but many consider Solovair the real Dr. Martens because when Dr. Martens moved most of their production to Asia, cutting ties with Solovair, Solovair didn’t stop manufacturing boots. They used their facility to make boots that are extremely similar to the Dr. Martens they used to make, but started selling them under the name of Solovair.
Make sense? Dr. Martens stopped paying Solovair to make their boots so they could make them overseas, but Solovair just kept on making boots under a different name. So which one is better? Here’s what we’re looking at:
Wait, Why Not Compare Solovair With the “Made in England” Dr. Martens?
While they do sell a British-made Dr. Marten, 99 percent of all the company’s boots are not made in England. The flagship 1460 boot is made in Asia. Dr. Martens even says on their site that this made-in-Asia boot is “The original Dr. Martens boot.” It’s what the vast majority of people buy and it’s the company’s principle product, so it makes the most sense to compare these two models.
Dr. Martens vs Solovair Aesthetic
Both shoes are pretty similar. The Solovair has a glossier leather, but they’re both made with shiny, corrected grain leather — meaning it’s been smoothed down to eliminate the grainy, skin-like appearance of full grain leather — they both have 8 pairs of eyelets, a bouncy rubber sole, triple stitching along the sides, and single stitching at the counter and along the eyelets.
Where they differ — and we’re just talking about when you first look at the boots, the exterior — is that the Solovairs have a slightly snubbier look and the stitching is much more muted. A lot of guys don’t love the trademark bright yellow stitching on the Dr. Martens, so they find the more sober stitching on the Solovairs to be more versatile. Then again, other guys think the yellow stitching is almost the whole point of getting a boot like this.
The stitching along the sole actually serves different purposes on each boot, but first, let’s check the leather.
Dr. Martens’ leather
Dr. Martens vs Solovair Leather
Solovair has this “hi shine” leather and a matte, “greasy” leather, whereas the 1460s are more of a medium shine.
Dr. Martens doesn’t say a lot about the origin of their leather. When I called them up to find out, all they said was that it comes from “South America or Asia,” which is a pretty broad net of 5 billion people to cast.
Solovair’s leather
Solovair is a little more precise, guaranteeing that it’s from European tanneries and European cattle, a fact that’ll please the purists for whom made in England — or at least made in Europe — is really important.
As previously mentioned, both leathers are corrected grain, meaning it’s remarkably smooth to touch, but the leather on the Solovairs is significantly more robust. The Dr. Martens has a much looser fiber structure and “floppier” feel; there’s more integrity to the Solovair’s leather. To be clear, neither of them are examples of amazing boot leather, but Solovair’s is thicker and less plasticky. This also means they come with a tougher break in, but it’ll be worth it in the long run.
Dr. Martens on the left, Solovair on the right
Dr. Martens vs Solovair Sole
Dr. Martens
The sole is what Docs are famous for, and it’s my favorite thing about the boots. In fact, Dr. Marten made the soles of his first boots with discarded rubber from the German Air Force (he was a doctor in the German army in World War 2) and they were originally marketed as a solution to age related foot pain. That’s why they’re so soft.
The shock absorption is fantastic, the rubber is soft but not too soft, and it’s a delight to walk around in. The footbed is made with a polyurethane foam that compresses over time, though, and that coupled with the absence of a shank means that the shoes aren’t so great for long term wear or for all day wear. Many people report no problems, but factory workers and folks who have to be on their feet for a living tend to note that they don’t prevent foot pain the way that well made, pricier boots do.
It’s also worth noting that Dr. Martens can’t really be resoled. The boots are advertised as having a Goodyear welt, but it’s not really a Goodyear welt. The upper is heat sewn to the sole with flame, which is cool and all, but it’s very hard to resole. Some cobblers specialize in resoling Dr. Martens if you’re happy to mail them your boots, but your average cobbler won’t be able to.
In summary: it’s a nice soft sole, has great shock absorption, but isn’t great if you’re on your feet all day.
Solovair’s sole
Solovair
This shoe also comes with a rubber outsole that’s a tiny bit less springy, but not to a significant degree.
Regarding the rest of the boot’s construction, there’s more foam under the heel but less padding under the toe relative to the Docs. But the big thing to note is that Solovairs do have a shank. It’s made of wood, not steel, so it’s a bit more liable to break over time if you happen to aggressively bend the particularly bendy sole. But nonetheless, the consensus is that Solovairs are more comfy than Docs when spending all day on your feet — and the boot’s shape holds up better over time as well.
The non-yellow “welt” stitch on the Solovairs, meanwhile, is actually decorative. It’s a second stitch, which is hidden on the inside of the boot, that’s keeping things together. But the take home message here is that the Solovairs are resoleable.
In summary: Solovair’s sole is a tiny bit more rigid, but the foam under the footbed is better quality, the arch support is much better, the stability is better, and they’re resoleable.
Dr. Martens 1460
Dr. Martens vs Solovair Sizing
One of the most surprising things about Dr. Martens is that they don’t offer half sizes. It’s perhaps the most recognizable boot brand and on Earth and they don’t make half sizes. As someone with an 11.5 shoe size, this is frustrating. The company recommends sizing down half a size to one full size to find your fit. I went down to an 11 and it’s a little big, but a 10 would be too small. So I’m stuck with a blobby, not so great fit on the Docs.
Solovair does offer half sizes, but they use British sizing. This means when you get your confirmation e-mail it’ll show the British size, but the good news is their site will give you both options, so when you’re picking a size it looks likes this:
Usually, your British size is one full size down from your true size in US sizes.
In short: I’m the same size (10.5) in both Dr. Martens and Solovair. But Dr. Martens doesn’t offer my size, so I had to go with a slightly-too-big 11 for Docs, 10.5 UK/11.5 US for Solovair. If you’re using your US size as a reference with Solovair, it’ll be your true size, the one you’ll get on a Brannock device in a shoe store. That’s typically half a size smaller than your sneaker and half a size bigger than your boot.
Dr. Martens vs Solovair Price
[SHOP SOLOVAIR HERE]
Dr. Martens vs Solovair Pros & Cons
Here are the main benefits of each boot:
Dr. Martens
Solovair
[Related: My list of The Best Boots]
I feel like the best line that summarized what advantages the Docs may have was in a review I saw on Gear Patrol:
As far as cultural cachet is concerned, Dr. Martens has it in spades (…) The yellow welt stitching is almost as iconic as the Levi’s red tab
In the short term, the Docs’ soles are softer, the leather’s more comfortable (because it’s thinner), and it’s way cheaper.
I think it’s fair to say that most people who want Dr. Martens buy them because they like the look and the heritage. It’s possible, though, that they’d spend a little more if they could find boots that look like Dr. Martens but are higher quality.
If that’s you — if you’d spend a little more to get something similar but better — you should get Solovairs. At first, they’re less comfy because of the more rigid leather and arch, but long term they’re much more comfortable, they keep their shape better, the leather is better quality, and you can resole them. So they’ll last much longer.