Solovair

Solovair stands as a proud symbol of British shoemaking heritage, with over 140 years of experience shaping its identity. The brand’s story begins in Northamptonshire, England, a region renowned for its shoemaking tradition dating back to the 13th century. The area’s access to oak bark, water, and leather from local cattle markets, combined with its central location for trade, laid the foundation for a thriving footwear industry. In the late 19th century, five men from the village of Wollaston came together to form the Northamptonshire Productive Society (NPS), known locally as ‘the Duffers’. Their first premises was a dove house on Thrift Street, and their fortunes changed quickly when they secured an order for army boots from the Government, which sustained them for their first year. As demand for high-quality boots grew, NPS expanded and moved to a larger factory on South Street in 1899, a site they still occupy today. Footwear at NPS has been crafted using a variety of construction methods, including riveted and stitched, stuck-on, vulcanised, and now Goodyear-welted, which is used in all current production. In the 1950s, Dr. Maertens and Dr. Herbert Funck developed the famous air cushion sole. R. Griggs and Company Ltd., who held the rights to this technology, chose NPS as a manufacturing partner. From 1959, NPS produced Solovair (Sole-of-Air) boots and shoes under licence, which were sold as ‘Dr Martens by Solovair’ for 35 years. Times have changed, and NPS no longer produces footwear under licence. In 1994, the company registered the name Solovair and continued to uphold its reputation for quality, introducing ‘Soft Suspension’ soles for enhanced comfort and durability. At the turn of the century, NPS faced the threat of closure, but Ivor Tilley, a long-time figure in the footwear industry and resident of Wollaston, stepped in. In 2006, he purchased NPS Shoes with the aim of preserving both the factory and the skills of the local workforce, a move approved by the co-operative. Today, Solovair remains committed to traditional craftsmanship, combining time-honoured techniques with modern technology. Their footwear is handmade from start to finish in the UK, reflecting a legacy of quality and dedication that customers around the world recognise and value.