Solovair Boots
by Solovair
9 endorsements on r/BuyItForLife first recommended in Jan 2025
English-made leather boots and shoes from Solovair (NPS Shoes), the original manufacturer behind the air-cushioned sole later licensed to Dr. Martens.
Added Jul 5, 2026, Updated Jul 6, 2026
Why it's buy-it-for-life
Listed as a durable, British-made leather boot brand in a crowdsourced non-US BIFL list. One owner reports their Solovair boots are still going strong after 4 years.
What owners say
One commenter credits Solovair's reputation to its split from Dr. Martens in 1995, arguing Solovair kept making top-quality boots while Dr. Martens shifted its focus toward profits over time.
What redditors say
Recommended on reddit as recently as February 2025
Show 3 more mentions
- 2r/BuyItForLife comment
If you really like doc Martens, check out solovair
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
Check Solovair. They were the original manufacturers of "Doc Martens", and still hand-make boots/shoes in Northhampton England.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
My Solovair boots are great and still going strong after 4 years.
Solovair - UK
I spent the extra money on some solovairs and I love em.
many people refer to Solovair boots as "real" Dr. Martens... Solovair went their own way and carried on making boots the same way that Dr. Martens did when they were good.
I love love love my solovairs. Never had a more comfortable pair of boots.
Also Solovair has a great reputation. They split ways from Doc Martens in 1995. they still making top quality whereas DocMartens focused more on profits as time went on.
they are the original makers of Doc Martins before they stopped making them in England. Their boots are solid.