Dr. Marten’s is known the world over for its lineup of durable shoes. With a handful of iconic designs, the UK-based brand has origins that stretch back to 1901 and its revolutionary AirWare cushioned sole design have been making steps since the 1940s. Now, you can’t walk more than a few feet without seeing its eye-grabbing yellow stitching.
For decades, Solovair was the producer of Dr. Marten’s famous shoes. Known for sometime as Solovair by Dr. Marten’s, the brand still produces all of its shoes in its Northamptonshire, England factory using Goodyear-welted construction. It even makes Dr. Marten’s ‘Made in England’ line of footwear. The brand has yet to find a solid footing here in the States, but can be found online as well as in-store at New York-based label Noah.
If you find yourself waffling between the two air-powered shoes, we’ve gotten our hands (or feet) on both and compared the two styles side by side.
Dr. Martens 1461 Smooth Leather Oxford Shoes
Price: $120 Upper: The upper uses a black leather with a waxy matte finish that’s built to take a beating. It’s stiffer than the Solovair’s, but certainly not tough to break in.
Sizing: The 1461 is noticeably larger overall compared with the Solovair 3 Eye Gibson. It’s both wider and a bit longer.
Insole: Here you’ll find a single piece foam insole which is comfortably squishy at the outset.
Sole: The sole features ridges along the perimeter of the sole and also is green-yellow tint that contrasts with the welt and upper.
Price: $200 Upper: The uppers are more glossy than matte and slightly more pliable than Dr. Marten’s. Laces: Solovair’s laces are basically indistinguishable from Dr. Marten’s other than the shorter aglet.
Sizing: The 3 Eye Gibson is significantly smaller compared to the 1461. While the size 8 in the Dr. Marten’s seemed like the correct size for me, the Solovair’s were too narrow and too short. I’d need to go to a size 8.5 here, perhaps even a size 9.
Insole: The insole uses leather but also adds foam at the heels which results in more arch support.
Sole: Solovair’s soles aren’t uncomfortable by any means. But, they are a bit more rigid in comparison to the Dr. Marten’s.
Dr. Martens 1461: As far as cultural cachet is concerned, Dr. Martens has it in spades. As the UK’s mods and punks pushed against societal norms, they unknowingly pushed the 1461 (and its taller sibling, the 1460) from cult classic to cultural phenomenon. The yellow welt stitching is almost as iconic as the Levi’s red tab and if you want ‘the real thing’, this is the shoe to get, even if today’s models are (for the most part) produced outside of England.
The 1461 has a less formal feel than the 3 Eye Gibson. The chunkier silhouette, the matte finish, grooved soles and contrast yellow stitching give the shoe an impression closer to a work shoe than a dress shoe. You can still have the shoes resoled, but the heat-sealed sole means that a cobbler will have to cut off the sole from the welt and attach a different sole to it. In some cases, you might even lose the yellow stitching (and cachet). If having the telltale stitching and famous AirWair soles is important, grabbing another pair for $120 is maybe more cost-effective than a resole you might not be happy with.
Solovair 3 Eye Gibson: Solovair’s English-made style can blend well in situations that have a tightened-up dress code. The sculpted silhouette, tonal welt stitching and tonal soles impart the shoe with a certain sleekness that the 1461 doesn’t quite have. That’s not to say you couldn’t wear the Solovair’s in casual situations, but if you find yourself in need of a shoe to go with a suit, these could pass.
While the soles themselves are ever so slightly more rigid, it feels like a moot point in comparison to the rounded sole and arch support which make for a more natural feeling stride. Over time, as well, the leather insole will eventually mold to your feet more than the foam insole of the Dr. Martens. And once it’s time for a resole, you can purchase one of Solovair’s soles to take to your local cobbler.
Goldwin's Mac Coat is made from Gore-Tex Paclite – which is lightweight, waterproof, breathable, packable and doesn't compromise on a soft handfeel. Get 15 percent off one of your own by signing up for the brand's newsletter.
Staub's enameled cast iron is versatile, distributes heat evenly, and works with any heat source, including induction. This is one of our favorite pieces of cookware.
Anthony Bourdain always said you really only needed one good knife in the kitchen. This one could be it. It is made with a fiberglass handle and a three-layer blade construction that will stand the test of time.
Huckberry and Timex threw it back to the 70s and 80s with this collaboration. Starting with a blank slate, the brands led with the iconic cola colorway, added a military-inspired dial and finished it off with a woven stainless steel bracelet and aluminum timing bezel.
Using half bison fiber and half wool, the Bison Ultralight weighs less than a pound and offers extremely well insulation. It also sports a recycled ripstop shell with a PFC-free DWR coating and compactly folds into its own pocket.
Best Made is back and we're grateful because it means we have access to its thoughtfully made goods that are always high quality. This pocket knife is forged by a fifth-generation Japanese blade maker and will develop a patina over time that is unique to you.
When it comes to keeping temperature, ThermoWorks is elite. The brand is a leader in humidity trackers, pH monitors and meat probes, but its marquee product is the humble Thermapen. If you don't believe us, ask chefs and grillmasters everywhere.
Huckberry teamed up with the squad at GORUCK to make a pared-back version of GORUCK's flagship GR1 backpack that still packs a solid punch. Made with 500D Cordura, it is tough but not overdoing it with super thick fabric. One of its coolest features is the laptop compartment, which sits higher against your back so that it is protected if the bag gets dropped.
Solo Stove took the 360 Airflow Design that made its fire pit so exceptional and turned it into a charcoal grill that is perfect for backyard hangs. This bundle comes with the grill, a grill stand, a cover, a carry case, plus briquettes and starters to get you going.
This is your new go-to for spring. Whether you're headed to the gym, lounging around the house or pairing it with a button-down shirt, this heather crewneck will get the job done. Todd Snyder sure knows how to outfit the American man.
If you want a mask with more protection and versatility than a simple cloth mask, check out this one from Outdoor Research. It has adjustable straps to keep your fit dialed and comes with three replaceable filters that block out 95 percent of particles.
Casio's legendary G-Shock line is not only a utilitarian achievement but is also just super stylish. You can find G-Shocks everywhere, from space to the street. This one is a bit pared back compared to others, which makes it an excellent addition to any fit any time.
With a not-too-short-but-not-too-long 8-inch inseam, these versatile shorts are excellent for going out for a run but won't show too much skin when you head to the gym. Plus, they have four pockets. Who doesn't love pockets?
This desk lamp is packed with features that will make you wonder how you lived without it. Aside from its lighting, it utilizes RavPower's groundbreaking HyperAir technology for ultra-fast wireless charging and has a USB port for any other devices you might have.
Hydro Flask really needs no introduction at this point, so when you can get a 32-ounce wide mouth with its Temp-Shield insulation at 31 percent off, you do it.
Making more coffee from home now? So are we. Ditch the Mr. Coffee and unlock all the flavor your freshly roasted beans have to offer with a french press. It is super simple to use and really does make exceptional coffee.
Stasher bags are one of our favorite alternatives to single-use plastic wrap and bags. They keep your food fresh, contain no BPA and are dishwasher and microwave safe. Plus, you can also use them for marinades or sous vide thanks to their Pinch-Loc seal.
This is our pick for the best big and tall office chair, but that doesn't mean it won't work for those of us that are more vertically challenged. The ergonomics on this chair are excellent, ensuring that you stay comfortable for the long haul.
A midweight insulated jacket is a must-have in every outdoor enthusiast's wardrobe. This one from The North Face is packed with features, including a DWR finish to fend off light rain, post-consumer recycled insulation and is packable for easy stowing (or for use as a travel pillow).
Four-way stretch, seamless construction, and extreme breathability make this our pick for the best premium workout shirt. It is simple, and simply good.
This smart vacuum senses when it is full, locks itself back into its port and empties without any work on your end. It also keeps a record of its ventures into your home, making for more efficient journeys in the future. This combo includes an Echo Dot for only $10, which is a valuable add-on that has many more benefits than just the vacuum connectivity.
If you have trouble waking up, especially in the winter, getting an artificial light to simulate sunrise is a great option. This alarm clock features nature sounds to wake you up, tap snooze and an auto-dimming display.
This is one of The North Face's most iconic silhouettes. Supremely warm, this jacket comes in four retro colorways and has a relaxed cut that is both street-ready and mountain-ready.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io