Timberland vs. Dr. Martens vs. Red Wing vs. Solovair: Which Brand is the Best? (History, Quality, Design)

• Timberland

Timberland Brand History and Origin

Timberland LLC is an American manufacturer and retailer of outdoors wear, with a focus on footwear, which is often known colloquially as "Timbs." It is owned by VF Corporation.Having introduced the innovative injection-moulding technology to the manufacturing of footwear in the 1960s, Abington Shoe Company revolutionised the industry by creating the first high-quality, mass-produced waterproof boots.

The newly named Timberland Company increased its product line to include casual shoes, eventually expanding internationally. Thanks to the Paninari youth movement in Milan, Timberland boots took off in Italy, becoming a highly fashionable lifestyle brand. Timberland footwear is marketed towards people intending outdoor use. It has also become a mainstay in urban attire.

Prices: Womens & Mans: $80-$235,  Kids: $29-$150

Style & Design

Timberland has become one of the most popular boots in the world. Rugged and stylish, Timberland boots are a wardrobe staple for construction workers and fashionable men alike. While these men's boots were originally designed to be functional and tough, this iconic style has transcended the workplace and can now be found in streetwear and smart casual fashion. 6" and Above Boots are for guys who prefer the classic Timberlands and want the protection and style afforded by its quality build and iconic status. These six-inch Timberland boots are common on the street as well job sites for construction workers who need a heavy-duty work boot. 

As the iconic brand has grown, the company has expanded its selection of colors beyond the traditional yellow boot. They added a variety of different designs, colors, and unique fits so almost everyone could find a pair that fit them as though they were custom made. You can find Timberlands in black, white, red, brown, blue, grey, and green. Timbs also come in different boot styles, such as Chukka, Chelsea, dress, hiking, winter, and sneaker boots.

Quality - Material & Durability

Timberland boots are manufactured using quality materials for every part of the boot. The upper has many variations, from heavy-duty leather to fashionable suede, not to mention the famous nubuck which is a mix of both. The main difference between nubuck and suede is that nubuck is a top grain leather (which means that it's made from the top layer of the animal's hide), while suede is made from the inside of the animal's hide. Functionally, nubuck is stronger and more durable than suede. 

Swartz had been seeking a viable alternative to hand stitching boots, in order to lessen the cost and speed up the process, without compromising on quality. This search led him to injection-moulding, which utilised a new binding process to chemically mould and attach the base of footwear to the uppers. In addition, the durable rubber soles come in a variety of colors designed to withstand tough weather. They are both waterproof and have a strong grip.

Where to Buy Timberland for the Cheapest? 

timberland.com

journeys.com (4-6% cashback)

timberland.it (4-5% cashback)

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• Dr. Martens 

Brand History and Origin

Dr. Martens, also commonly known as Doc Martens, is a British footwear and clothing brand, headquartered in Wollaston in the Wellingborough district of Northamptonshire, England. 

It was 1945 in Munich, Germany, and Dr. Klaus Maertens, a soldier, was suffering from a broken foot. To ease his pain, he designed a one-of-a-kind air-cushioned sole. This was sort of revolutionary at the time, compared to all the hard-soled shoes.

Then Dr. Martens were originally shoes made purely for the working class; they were worn more out of necessity than style. The footwear is distinguished by its air-cushioned sole (dubbed Bouncing Soles), upper shape, welted construction and yellow stitching. Nowadays, the story is completely different. The shoes have been re-born, becoming a closet staple for anyone belonging to the grunge subculture, and now, beyond.

Although famous for its footwear, Dr. Martens also makes a range of accessories – such as shoe care products, clothing, and bags. Dr Martens' design studio is in Camden Town, London; the manufacturing is in the UK, China, and Thailand. 

Prices: $30 - $310

Style & Design

 Dr. Martens were originally a modest work-wear boot that was even sold as a gardening shoe at one stage. Part of the beauty that makes the DM brand so appealing, is their versatility, and the fact that they've always been available to a pretty much unlimited audience. Whether you're looking for something smart and refined, or you're hankering for the days of classic punk, there a million ways to wear docs.

On a stylistic level, Dr. Martens' simple silhouettes allows their wearers to adopt the boots and shoes as part of their own individual and very distinctive style; on a practical level, their famous durability and comfort make them ideal for the unforgiving world of gigs and street fashion; and then finally on an emotional level, they are a badge of attitude and empowerment.

Dr. Martens' appeal to people who have their own individual style but share a united spirit – authentic characters who stand for something. People who possess a proud sense of self- expression. People who are different. 

Quality - Material & Durability

Dr. Martens's boots are available in many materials: leather, canvas, and others. They employ the air-cushioned sole (AirWair technology) that they were originally famous for, and are also anti-slip.  On a practical level, their famous durability and comfort make them ideal for the unforgiving world of gigs and street fashion; and then finally on an emotional level, they are a badge of attitude and empowerment.

The most classic 1460 Original boot is available in all kinds of materials, leather, synthetic, and even a mixture of both.  Known for their simple design with the iconic yellow stitching, these comfortable boots will easily pair with any outfit.

Dr. Martens air-cushioned soles make these boots unique. Not to mention the quality materials and distinctive design the Doc Martens boots are known for. It's super soft and has great shock absorption. 

Dr. Martens' boots can last for a long time. These boots were designed to be durable and long-lasting, as long as they are adequately cared for. The average amount of time these boots are known to hold on for is about 5-6 years.

Where to Buy Dr. Martens for the Cheapest? 

drmartens.com.au (4-5% cashback)

drmartens.com/uk/ (2.8-3.5% cashback)

• Red Wing 

Brand History and Origin

Red Wing traces its history to 1905. Within 10 years of its inception, Red Wing Shoes was producing more than 200,000 pairs of boots per year and was the primary company manufacturing footwear for American soldiers fighting in World War I. Red Wing Shoes continued its tradition of producing footwear for wartime use by manufacturing boots for American soldiers during World War II.

Beginning in the 1970s, Red Wing owners in Europe and Japan began wearing work boots and shoes as stylized Americana footwear. Years later, culminated in the launch of Red Wing Heritage in 2007.

The company initially manufactured 110 pairs of shoes per ten-hour day. The brand's steady growth stemmed from the booming industries of farming, logging, mining, blacksmithing, and railroading that represented largely untapped footwear markets. Red Wing tailored its shoes to the demands of specific customer groups, offering a wide range of shoe sizes and widths to ensure fit, and a constantly growing line of specialized products with different capabilities.

Prices: $144.99 -$549.99

Style & Design

Red Wing Heritage creates lifestyle footwear and leather goods with an enduring commitment to American craftsmanship. Their boots and shoes are made for modern men and women with over a century of archival inspiration stitched into each pair.

Though Red Wing Shoes is known primarily for their leather boots intended for heavy work, in recent years the company has expanded its line-up to include athletic-styled work shoes and footwear designed for specific job applications (such as slip-resistant shoes designed for the service industry and boots ideal for the mining industry that utilize a metatarsal guard). The company produces Oxfords, chukkas, hiking boots, and logger styles, as well as 6-inch and 8-inch work boots. While the core of Red Wing's focus is on work boots, in 2008 Red Wing Shoes added a Heritage catalog and also has experimented with more fashion-oriented shoes.

Quality - Material & Durability

Red Wing manufactures durable and comfortable footwear tailored to the needs of specific occupational and recreational activities, from farming to hunting and hiking. Sturdy, classic and well-loved by generations, the Red Wing Shoe brand is primarily handmade in the USA with American materials at the company's plants in Red Wing, Minnesota; Potosi, Missouri, and Danville, Kentucky.As of 2014, there are six sources of manufacture: completely made in the USA, made in the USA with imported materials, assembled in the USA with imported components, made in China, made in Korea and made in Vietnam.

The brand's boots are the gold standard for men's footwear and are stocked at men's clothing shops the world over. Made to the same exacting standards as their work boots, Red Wing Heritage styles have a wide appeal and are just as appropriate on the ranch or factory floor as they are in the office or at home.

Where to Buy Red Wing for the Cheapest? 

redwingshoes.com

zappos.com

• Solovair

Brand History and Origin

Solovair is a brand of British-made boots and footwear, produced by NPS Shoes Ltd., which was established in 1881. The NPS factory is based in Wollaston, Northamptonshire, an area known for its shoe industry. NPS shoes are known for their Goodyear welt technology which is used in all their shoe production. This particular technique is needed to fix the Solovair sole onto "Soft Sole Suspension" boots and shoes.

Shoe manufacturer R. Griggs Group Ltd. had the patent to produce Dr. Martens boots but not the technology. In 1960 Griggs and NPS collaborated to create a boot using a Solovair sole and a Griggs upper, and the result was the now iconic Dr. Martens boot. The first pair left the NPS factory in 1960. NPS Shoes continued to make footwear under licence until the mid 1990s called 'Dr Martens made by Solovair'. They trademarked the name Solovair in 1995 and now make their own air-cushioned boot using the same lasts and leather cutters and machines used to create the first original Dr. Martens suspension soles in the UK.

Prices: $189-$319

Style & Design

Solovair products come in a variety of styles, colours, and number of eyelets. Recognisable features include grey stitching around the top of the sole, and a green and black pull loop at the top of the back stay with the Solovair logo and "Made in England since 1881" on the back.The underside of the sole has the Solovair logo.

 The Solovairs have a slightly snubbier look and the stitching is much more muted. The non-yellow “welt” stitch on the Solovairs, meanwhile, is actually decorative. A lot of guys don’t love the trademark bright yellow stitching on the Dr. Martens, so they find the more sober stitching on the Solovairs to be more versatile. 

They also have 8 pairs of eyelets, a bouncy rubber sole, triple stitching along the sides, and single stitching at the counter and along the eyelets.

Quality - Material & Durability

The Solovair has a glossier leather, but they're both made with shiny, corrected grain leather - meaning it's been smoothed down to eliminate the grainy, skin-like appearance of full grain leather. Solovair has this “hi shine” leather and a matte, “greasy” leather, whereas the 1460s are more of a medium shine.

There's more integrity to the Solovair's leather. To be clear, neither of them are examples of amazing boot leather, but Solovair's is thicker and less plasticky. This also means they come with a tougher break in, but it'll be worth it in the long run. Solovair is also available in a vegan version made of lasting and water-resistant textile of polyurethane and polyester.

Several elements make Solovair boots the choice for those who take footwear seriously and point to quality foremost. Solovair by NPS is made in small batch.

Where to Buy Solovair for the Cheapest? 

us.nps-solovair.com

• Conclusion

Timberland vs. Dr. Martens vs. Red Wing vs. Solovair: which brand is the Best? 

Timberland 

Timberlands make a stiffer shoe that holds its shape better and makes walking more balanced and protective. Timberlands requires a “breaking-in” period of discomfort before they are comfortable, but then last forever. Timberlands are also weatherproof, making them a better choice for outdoor wear on the job site, hiking, or in case of bad weather. Well-made shoes with tough leather uppers like the Timbs last much longer than shoes like Martens and cost much less.

Dr. Martens 

The Dr. Martens boots are the better choice when it comes to sleek and fashionable styles and designs, as well as being a boot that will last you a lifetime. The air-comfort soles make these a bit more comfortable to wear all day long. It makes a softer feel shoe that molds itself around your foot and makes walking more easier and breathable. And Doc Martens are cheaper, are usually more likable on first wear.

Red Wing 

Red Wing can tailore its shoes to the demands of specific customer groups, offering a wide range of shoe sizes and widths to ensure fit, and a constantly growing line of specialized products with different capabilities. While Red Wing Shoes is known primarily for their leather boots intended for heavy work, in 2008 Red Wing Shoes added a Heritage catalog and also has experimented with more fashion-oriented shoes. But they are expensive than others.

Solovair

Solovair's sole is a tiny bit more rigid, but the foam under the footbed is better quality, the arch support is much better, the stability is better, and they're resoleable. Several elements make Solovair boots the choice for those who take footwear seriously and point to quality foremost. Solovairs are more comfy than Timberlands and Dr. Martens when spending all day on your feet - and the boot's shape holds up better over time as well. 

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