Doc Martens or Solovair? And which style?

[Stumpedasatree]

I've not had DMs since I bought a £10 pair in a charity shop when I was 16!! This will be a big purchase so I want to get it right.

I quite like the DM chelsea boots, think I'd prefer them than the lace ups for ease of putting on. But not sure - would wear with jeans and skirts occasionally. Would the laced ones look better? I don't want platform heel. And are Solovair boots a better investment?

Anyone got some recently and can recommend??

Another recommendation for Lanx and Grenson

Solovair convert here.

Leather is better grade - DMs kept splitting at the "crease"
DM soles kept wearing away at the heel - Solovair can be resoled
I also find the toe box wider.

Lanx seem gorgeous, but I will need to wait for the sales. Expensive.

What is the arch support like in solvair boots? They look fab but I have really flat feet and need good support?

Solovair Ava Monkey Boots | Nut Brown | TOAST
Patch Pocket Organic Indigo Denim Skirt | Indigo | TOAST
Flat Front Cotton Twill Trousers | Firewood | TOAST
This gives a better idea of what they look like, but the Toast ones don't have the monkey boots stitching, and they don't have them in burgundy.

I got mine in a sale with £50 off, but my dealer boots and Toast Jade boots were bought on ebay. I paid £35 for the dealer boots incl p&p but I was lucky.
I wear them with black opaques and knee-length skirts.
(The photo is off ebay. Mine are nicer than those)

I have no connection with the company. If you are looking to buy some, there is a scam site. Some of their boots are unisex, so the sizes go from 3 to 14 including half sizes. The arch support is ok but you could probably wear insoles.

Lanx boots look very appealing as do the Grenson ones.

I have some fur lined dms (I think called Alison) with zips on sides - I love them. So comfy, didn't require any breaking in and have lasted well for 3 years so far

Thank you so much @KirstenBlest for taking the trouble to post all those pix. They look lovely and not too shiny. Definitely will consider them. I like half sizes.

@KirstenBlest which site is the scam site?

Modern DMs are mostly made in the Far East and are absolute crap. They’ve recently introduced a ‘Made in England’ line in an attempt to rescue the brand’s reputation but I fear it’s gone the way of Hunter and Karrimor. Solovair are in many ways the original DM: they used to make them under licence, and the quality is every bit as good as the proper DMs many of us remember from the 80s.

The shiny boots are VERY shiny.

Anyway, Solovair over DM and Lanx over DM as well.

Arch support in Solovair not v.good. Lanx seem more confortable. YMMV of course.

Ohhhhhh, now I want some Lanx Dinckley Chestnut lace ups ❤️❤️

@Stumpedasatree , It's one where the prices are considerably cheaper. It looked realistic. I can't remember the address. This is the genuine one.
NPS Solovair | Official Online Store | British Made Since 1881 – NPS Solovair UK (nps-solovair.com)

The outlet page has some discontinued footwear at good prices but the sizes are limited. I got my monkey boots new but from a retailer that had them in the sale.

I'm a big Solovair fan. I find them comfortable, hard wearing and I like to feel like I'm supporting British manufacturers.

I have the monkey boots in burgundy. They are quite shiny. The gaucho leather and the waxy styles are more matte if that's your preference. I think the monkey boots are great with trousers and skirts - they're less clumpy than the other lace up styles. (Ignore the turquoise laces, they're my addition and probably not to everyone's tastes!)

Thanks for sharing the picture of your monkey boot s@JofraArchersFastestBall 🙂 I was learning towards a pair of Astronauts, but now I think those would be best

@JofraArchersFastestBall they are gorgeous boots that look great on you!

If buying Solovairs for the fist time, make sure you read what they say about sizing. I had to go down a size. Their customer service is good though - they were very helpful when I had to return the bigger size.

@JofraArchersFastestBall , if the laces make you happy then why not. Other than that I agree with you. I love my monkey boots. They don't look as clumpy as the 'DMs'.

@thedevilinablackdress , I returned the astronauts although they are similar to my Toast Jade boots, they didn't quite look as nice. This might be because they were black not burgundy.

As @MontanaSapphire posted, read the sizing information on their size. I went down a size in the monkey boots and the dealer boots, and down half a size in the 8-hole derby boots. The women's shoes that aren't unisex are truer to size.

@Saucery , get them!

This one is from vinted. Not mine, I'm not on there.