My Torrid combat boots are falling apart, so I’m in the market for a new pair that are specifically platform boots that come in black.
Unfortunately, the pair from Solovair (pictured) that I’ve had my eye on for a while (their 8-eye derby platforms) is no longer being sold, and it was replaced with a visually worse alternative where the zippers face outward.
I’ve never owned Martens before, but knowing that Martens aren’t what they used to be, how much do I have to lose by picking up a pair of Jadon III’s instead? If anyone knows any alternatives in the same style that are also Goodyear Welt, that could also be an option.
I’m 50
I have had multiple pairs of both but I only have Solovair that I can still use, one pair is probably 20 years old with well over a 1000 miles on them. The soles are going out and the leather is cracked but on a dry day they are still the most comfy pair of boots I have
Docs were great until they became a chinese knockoff. If you can find a pair that says Made in England on the sole, they will be quality
Wow, okay, Martens are officially out of the running. Thank you for sharing your experience!
Agree. Docs were the absolute shit till they started making them elsewhere. I haven’t bought the Made in England version they have now, but Solovairs are made with the old Doc equipment and are (IMHO) better than ever cost/product.
Docs suck now, solovair’s are the old doc quality you want
I have a pair of solovairs that are about 15 years old. They need some fix up, but are still quite wearable. I am old, they do not offer my body the comfort it needs, so I mostly only wear them to shows and nazi kicking parties these days.
I had a pair of Docs which fell to bits on me after about a year of regular use. I’ve since got 2 pairs of boots and a pair of trainers from Solovair and, after wearing in, they are the most comfortable footwear I’ve ever owned. I’ve worn, mostly the boots, every day for work for about 2 years now with no problems at all. I’ve even managed to get them mostly waterproof with liberal applications of dubbin wax.
Check out the outlet store (like on the main website), you can pick up shoes with slight defects or end of lines for significant discounts over new.
Gripfast have always been my go to boots. I’ve had like two pairs in 15 years. You should check them out. And I agree with others on here that docs are low quality.
I have a very similar pair of docs. I’ve worn them generally 5x (or more) per week as their my work shoes. I’ve had them for almost 3 years, and it shows. They’re still pretty comfortable, but most of my job is sitting.
Edit: I just searched the Jadon III, that’s the exact pair I have.
Is it for work? Red Wing boots are great, durable and comfortable. Get the insoles while you’re at it. Insoles are consumable.
If for aesthetics, I don’t think Red Wing has quite what you’re looking for.
They wouldn’t be work boots, but I love the Minnesota rep. Red Wing Claras are my favorite boots ever.
So aesthetics, mainly. This would mostly be for wearing to concerts, or otherwise just in my rotation of urban going-around boots.
I’d say take a look at their catalogue. Maybe you find something that interests you. I know they do have some black leather boots, I don’t recall if they have combat boots like you pictured.
Not that it is particularly helpful, but I still have my docs that I bought 30 years ago. They literally survived my house burning down, I dug them out of the ashes. Everything I have heard is that new docs suck and Solovair are essentially what the old docs are, so I’d go with those.
They literally survived my house burning down, I dug them out of the ashes.
This is freakin awesome. (er, sorry for your house, I meant that the shoes survived…) You shold give them a name, like: “Ashenborn” or something. They definitely give you plus one on your saving throws.
A missed opportunity for sure, it feels a bit late to name them now. My Atari 2600 and games, as well as most of NES games survived as well (with a few of the NES games slightly melted, system itself was toast) were the only other things that survived the fire. Once cleaned almost all the games worked.
I’ve recently purchased the 6 eye astronaut greasy from solovair and absolutely love them. I don’t own a whole lot of boots, so my review isn’t that grounded, but so far so good. Gets used around 3 times a week, not a lot of hiking since I have a desk job. No break in needed. I don’t have the optional sole but they are still comfy. If u order the solovairs buy a half size down, a lot of the product reviews will also mention this. It’s also convenient to buy their dubbin wax, if u go for the greasy; or standard leather care for the high shines.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkhCcvfVHRs&t=627s for a more in depth review. The short answer is: Solovairs are better than Docs. Unless u can find some vintage Docs
The Rose Anvil did a really good tear down on a pair of doc martens. The consensus in this thread already makes a clear case but this is pretty informative.
And for us vegans https://www.vegetarian-shoes.co.uk/steel_toe/10093_0c.html
Some Chelsea boots from my notes, that I believe are Goodyear welted:
Giant Romeo Work Shoe by Georgia Boots (Blake-stitched) Giant Wedge Romeo Work Shoe by Georgia Boots (probably Blake-stitched) Jim Green Stockman by Jim Green MBF 401 by Manufacture Bontemps Nicks Heritage Chelsea by Nicks Boots Paraboot Elevage by Paraboot Rungis by De Gatine Spot Hog Boot by Ariat Thorogood American Heritage Chelsea by Thorogood
