Want to get a pair of black derbies, Dr Martens 1461 mono or Solovair Gibson?
Is there significant quality difference between them? Solovair is a bit more expensive but they are made in England. Also is there any idea how to wear black derbies for casual outfit?
9 Replies
Solovair uses marginally better leather IME but beyond that there's not really a meaningful difference. Solovair do make it easier to buy a new sole.
I’d get solovair, they’re slightly easier to break in, the leather is slightly better quality, I like the way they look better.
Not all of these are derbies (some Pennies, sneakers) but derbies would work in them. This is just from recent highlights. You’ll find more if you scroll there or in waywt.
https://discord.com/channels/1116793467654381685/1116800072093532191/1277028918737768548
https://discord.com/channels/1116793467654381685/1116800072093532191/1275956738964721821
https://discord.com/channels/1116793467654381685/1116800072093532191/1273989319522128046
https://discord.com/channels/1116793467654381685/1116800072093532191/1273210614189396039
https://discord.com/channels/1116793467654381685/1116800072093532191/1272917015262269441
https://discord.com/channels/1116793467654381685/1116800072093532191/1271540353102516315
There are tons of casual black derby fits out there.
Yeah, main thing Doc Martens has going for them is that yellow stitching as well as decent secondhand availability
Also Solovair does half sizes so if your inbetween sizes i'd go with them.
Solovair shoes have a shank in the construction while Docs haven't had that for years. This improves the longevity and the support the shoes provide. Solovairs every time for me.
I own a pair of Solovair Gibsons and they look fantastic; my only word of warning is that they run a little narrow. Currently dealing with a lot of pinky toe friction, even on the tail end of breaking it in, so if your feet are on the wider side I’d recommend sizing up from your usual size maybe.
solovairs imo; docs are great but their sizing can be a little weird and the break-in period can be difficult
fwiw i owned a pair of docs 1461s pre-mfad and they went well with most things. they tend to look better with wider bottoms (or shorts/socks if you're inclined) because of how chunky they are
Another question I am low key pondering (bc derbys are on the list) is whether I like the hi-shine black or the greasy black better..
if buying new i’d go for greasy black
if buying second hand i’d also consider the hi-shine option
i’d never pay full price for the hi-shine leather option considering the limited longevity of the leather
Yeah, I have a pair of combat boots in that finished leather and it tends to crack a lot