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 and use it 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 so in 1960 Griggs and NPS collaborated to create a boot using a Solovair sole and a Griggs upper, 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.
Ben Nevis Clothing has been working alongside Solovair and Dr Martens for many years. Supplying north London with its boots and shoes to keep up with the busy London life.