NPS Solovair

Overview

Solovair is a brand of boots and footwear produced by NPS Shoes Ltd., a British manufacturer established in 1881. The brand uses Goodyear welt construction and air-cushioned soles, originally developed in collaboration with R. Griggs for Dr. Martens boots in 1960. NPS produced Dr. Martens under license until the mid-1990s, then trademarked Solovair in 1995 to market its own footwear using similar technology.

History

NPS Shoes Ltd. was founded in 1881 as the Northamptonshire Productive Society, a cooperative in Wollaston, Northamptonshire. In 1960, it collaborated with R. Griggs to produce the first Dr. Martens boots using Solovair air-cushioned soles. NPS manufactured Dr. Martens under license for 35 years until the mid-1990s, then registered the Solovair trademark in 1994-1995. The company was bought from the cooperative by a private buyer in 2006 and restructured as NPS (Shoes) Limited.

Product Lines

Manufacturing

All Solovair products are manufactured in-house at the NPS factory in Wollaston, Northamptonshire, UK, using Goodyear welt technology. The facility, occupied since 1899, handles over 200 skilled processes across six departments. NPS also produces footwear for other brands like Gripfast and Vegetarian Shoes.

Notable Products

• Original Solovair 1960 Boot - Reproduction of the air-cushioned sole boot first welted for Dr. Martens in 1960.
• Soft Suspension Sole Boots - Enhanced version of original soles for improved comfort and durability.
• Pilot Boots - Aviation-inspired Goodyear welted boots with leather construction.
• Chelsea Boots - Pull-on style boots using traditional welted construction.

Reputation

Solovair is regarded by footwear enthusiasts for its authentic British craftsmanship and direct connection to Dr. Martens origins, with Goodyear welted boots praised for durability and resoleability. Professionals in the bootmaking industry value NPS's preservation of traditional techniques amid factory closures in Northamptonshire. Some note higher prices compared to mass-produced alternatives, though quality justifies the cost for heritage-focused buyers.