this post was submitted on 20 Oct 2025
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Buy it for Life

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Martens or Solovair? Or an alternative? (slrpnk.net)
submitted 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) by MystValkyrie@lemmy.blahaj.zone to c/buyitforlife@slrpnk.net
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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.

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[–] Berttheduck@lemmy.ml 8 points 2 days ago

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.