UK made Doc.Martins?

[MikePotts]

someone posted the name of the Co. that took over Doc.Martin boots and are now making good quality shoes in the UK.......and I can't remember the name - any help? Thanks!

 

[MikePotts]

Never mind...Solovair! - my spelling let me down, Doc MartEns.

 

[galopede]

As far as I understand, the Solovair company always made the actualy sole units for the Doc Marten's shoes and boots. Doc Marten's themselves also do a range (expensive) of shoes and boots that are made in England.

Solovair are excellent

Gareth

 

[Isshinryu101]

Goodyear shoes are fine as a general rule. However, Solovair makes a very wide stitch. Less stable and less strong than if the stitch was smaller. There is nothing wrong with them, and if one enjoys the styles, he should indulge. However, they are far from "excellent".

 

[esteban68]

doc Martins have sadly become a fashion brand, it started way back in the mid 80s and quality has declined since then... Leathers have got thinner, tongues became faux leather and the tread on the sole seemed to get less every year...

 

[cookie]

Doc Martins are ****. Don't waste your time.

 

[esteban68]

sadly cookie I d agree with you.... A sad reflection of their former self which in all honesty was more of an every day workwear kind of boot.... Only talking about their most popular stereotypical boot as i have no experience of any of their other offerings apart from a pair of 12 year old steel toed work boots I have that are still going strong sadly they Dont do that type any more as I would have another pair of those.

 

[dude]

doc martens made in england before they moved offshore are an excellent everyday shoe. i've seen a pair made in thailand and was not impressed. i can't speak for the new docs made in england. i wear my vintage doc oxfords in all weather and recently they served on a boggy mushroom hunt here in hamburg. my red wings are back in chicago and i DO miss them but i feel fairly well shod with the doctor. and i have to say that well worn docs with off white socks and rolled jeans is a classic look that i do appreciate!

 

[johnnycanuck]

I don't care where they are made. A pair of Doc's seem to last me about four years. Nothing wrong with them.
My two cents worth.
Johnny.

 

[casechopper]

I've got a pair of recently made Chinese Doc's and they've held up fine for the year and a half of wear they've received. The leather isn't the best quality as far as feel goes and is thin but thin leather can be a benefit when you want to keep the weight down. The leather hasn't caused any issues though in that even with some hard construction work it hasn't cracked or failed in any way. I can't complain at the price they cost. I also have two pairs of Thorogood boots and though definitely higher quality, do cost more as well.

 

[Two Types]

I remember the days (1970s & 1980s) when men in my area would queue up to by DMs from our local workwear shop. The delivery of factory rejects would arrive in the afternoon and they'd all be waiting there for them.
More recently, the company closed down its UK operations which had a terrible impact on the bootmaking industry of East Northants, putting plenty of men out of work. Many people in the area have never forgiven the company for closing down its production and now refuse to wear their products.

 

[ButteMT61]

Brit-made DM's are much better. My son is a big DM kid and he won't get any others. I have one pair - the "mail carrier" model and I really like them. My only beef is they're heavier than most comparable boots/shoes. But they are what they are and if you're a DM person, get the real deals. There's also another company that makes them I think under a different label in the US or UK - I forget. I know there was a thread on it a while back...

 

[esteban68]

I remember the days (1970s & 1980s) when men in my area would queue up to by DMs from our local workwear shop. The delivery of factory rejects would arrive in the afternoon and they'd all be waiting there for them.
More recently, the company closed down its UK operations which had a terrible impact on the bootmaking industry of East Northants, putting plenty of men out of work. Many people in the area have never forgiven the company for closing down its production and now refuse to wear their products.

Sadly this is how our industry has been treated over the years, much production has been moved abroad for no other reason than to put profit above quality and staff loyalty, there are one or two small companies like William Lennon that seem to survive and obviously have to pay their staff with products similar in price....how can they do it yet bigger companies( who can buy materials in huge bulk thus making great savings?) aparently have to move production abroad? lack of investment and disinterest in maintaining it's place within the communities that have provided loyal and efficient workforce over the years is the real reason, bigger companies like DM should easily be able to compete and make their products competetive and still maintain high quality surely?

 

[cookie]

The profit margin from making stuff in PRC China is too advantageous for manufacturers to avoid the decision to go offshore. Then the greed kicks in.

The companies compromise quality and then expect UK people to pay for PRC quality at the same price as UK - when essentialy the punters have been conned about quality.

Even after years of EUR investment in PRC the quality of the stuff you see in Australia is poorer than it was in the 90s.

There was a recent article in the papers where the thrift/charity shops said most PRC clothing was fit for nothing but rags now.

The cheaper and poorer quality of PRC clothing was driving their profit down as they had to discard the rubbish at their cost.

People are filling their bins with K Market stuff that was cheap to buy and has no resale value.

More pollution essentially.

 

[esteban68]

Thats a thought i had a while ago regarding charity shops that soon much of their stock will essentially be rubbish with less people buying quality clothing.

 

[Edward]

Quality of general charity shop stock has dropped more because the charities thrmselves are now more astute and sell the labels/ better/ vintage stuff via other channels. Which is good if it ultimately makes more money for them. As to the PRC, the only thing holding back the quality of goods made there is the specs given them by Westetn firms, in turn influenced by a market that wants cheap and disposable, and isn't prepared to pay for quality.

 

[esteban68]

i agree Edward that the Chinese are very capable of producing top quality goods its just as you say they are nt being sourced on quality ....bottom line as always now is profit , profit , profit ! I have several older Chinese watches and they are easily up to Swiss quality.