My sister Charlotte purchased her first pair of Fairfax and Favor boots three years ago. Regina boots, the standard ones everyone bangs on about. (which cost her nearly £300, which felt mental to me at the time).
“They’re an investment,” she persisted, displaying them at Sunday lunch. “Proper British boots. These’ll last forever.”
I laughed. Three hundred quid for boots? But three years later, they still look brand new. Meantime, I’ve gone through four pairs of cheap alternatives that fell apart after six months each.
Charlotte was right, wasn’t she?
Two Lads from Norfolk
The Fairfax and Favor UK story begins with boyhood friends Marcus Fairfax Fountaine and Felix Favor Parker. They are both from the Norfolk countryside, which makes sense when you see their boots that work so well for country life.
What’s insane is that at 15, they made a pact that they would start a business together. Fifteen! Most kids that age are concerned about their GCSEs. They were planning world domination.
They actually began with a bouncy castle operation. Seriously. If you’ve gone from bouncy castles to luxury boots, that’s a journey.
My mate Tom from Norfolk went to school with Felix. Says he was always talking about starting businesses, even back then. “Proper driven, he was. Always had some scheme or another going.”
The Spain Connection
Here’s something most people don’t know about Fairfax and Favor UK. Their boots are not made in Britain; they are made in Spain. Sounds disheartening, until you find out why.
Marcus and Felix went to Spain in 2012 because that’s where the best leather craftspeople are. They could have gone cheaper elsewhere, but they wanted the real thing. Spanish leatherwork has been famous for hundreds of years.
My cousin James is in the business of fashion importing. He believes that Spain creates some of the best leather products in Europe. He told me last Christmas that Spain is your best option if you’re looking for well-made, high-quality boots.
The Regina Boot Revolution
The Regina boot was the first product they made in 2012. But it’s still their most in-demand style today, 13 years later. And that’s saying something in fashion, where trends turn over every five minutes.
What makes the Regina special? It’s the navy side panel. Looks dead smart, but you can wear it with anything, such as jeans, going-out dresses, work clothes, or country gear. Brilliant design, really.
Charlotte wears hers everywhere. Office, weekends, walking the dog, nights out. Same boots, different occasions. That’s proper versatility.
My First Fairfax Experience
I went to their flagship store in Norwich last year with Charlotte. She was buying her second pair, the Chelsea boots this time.
The store was proper posh. Think more Harrods than Sports Direct. Staff knew everything about each boot style, leather type, and sizing difference. Real expertise, not just sales chat.
Tried on some Chelseas myself. Have to admit, they felt incredible. Leather was butter-soft, and construction felt solid. The price tag made my eyes water, though: £275.
“They do different calf widths too,” the assistant mentioned. “Makes all the difference for fit.”
Clever touch, that. Most boot companies assume everyone’s got the same leg shape.
The Royal Connection
Fairfax and Favor UK has got serious royal connections now. Catherine, Princess of Wales, wears their boots regularly. Kate Middleton in your boots? That’s marketing gold.
But it’s not just Kate. Zara Tindall, Lady Louise Windsor, and loads of the younger royals wear them. A proper British brand getting proper British recognition.
My mum loves this royal connection. “If they’re good enough for royalty, they’re good enough for me,” she says. Bought herself some Regina boots for Christmas. She’s sixty-eight and loves them.
The Country Set Obsession
Walk around any British country show and you’ll spot Fairfax boots everywhere. Cheltenham races, agricultural shows, point-to-points; they’re the unofficial uniform of the countryside.
My brother-in-law Richard works for the NFU. Says half the farmers he meets wear Fairfax boots now. “Status symbol,” he reckons. “Shows you’ve made it in farming.”
But they’re not just for posh country folk anymore. City workers wear them, students have them, and my hairdresser’s got a pair. The brand’s gone properly mainstream.
What Makes Them Different
I spent ages wondering why Fairfax and Favor UK boots were so much more expensive than alternatives. Turns out there are loads of reasons.
The leather is top-quality Spanish stuff. Each boot has a leather lining, not cheap synthetic materials. Soles are proper Goodyear welted, which means they can be re-soled when they wear out.
Most importantly, they actually fit properly. That different calf width thing isn’t just marketing; it genuinely works. Charlotte’s got narrow calves and always struggled with boot fit until she found these.
The Criticism
Not everyone’s convinced, though. My mate Dave thinks the whole thing’s overpriced nonsense. “Three hundred quid for boots? You’re having a laugh. My work boots cost forty quid and do the job fine.”
Fair point, but Dave’s work boots look knackered after six months. He replaces them constantly. Charlotte’s Reginas still look new after three years of hard wear.
There’s also the “fake country” criticism. Some people reckon Fairfax boots are just fashion masquerading as countryside gear. City folks playing dress-up as country types.
That sounds a bit harsh. Why shouldn’t city people wear nice boots?
The Business Side
Marcus and Felix have built something impressive. Started in 2012 with one boot design, now they’ve got dozens of styles plus handbags, accessories, and even clothing.
Free worldwide shipping, 180-day returns, and 365-day exchanges all point out to serious customer service. Most companies give you a 28-day maximum.
They’re also constantly bringing out new designs. Got an email from them yesterday about “coming soon” styles. Always something fresh to tempt you.
My Honest Opinion
Initially thought Fairfax and Favor UK was just overpriced hype. All those Instagram posts, royal connections, and country show appearances seemed like marketing over substance.
But seeing Charlotte’s boots after three years changed my mind. They’re genuinely well-made, they last, and they look good with everything. That’s worth paying extra for.
Still think £300 is steep for boots. But when you work out the cost per wear over several years, it makes sense. Cheap boots that fall apart after six months are actually more expensive in the long term.
Looking Forward
The brand keeps growing. New stores opening, international expansion, and constant new designs. They’ve gone from two Norfolk lads with bouncy castles to a proper global fashion brand.
Whether that’s good or bad depends on your perspective. Some people liked when Fairfax boots were more exclusive, a countryside secret.
But wider success means better availability, more size options, and improved customer service. That benefits everyone.
Charlotte’s already eyeing up her third pair. The Explorer boots this time, especially waterproof ones for dog walking.
“Investment pieces,” she says again, grinning.
She might have a point. These boots do seem to last forever. And in British weather, that’s worth something.
The Fairfax and Favor UK story proves that quality still matters, even in our throwaway culture. Sometimes paying more upfront actually saves money later.
Who knew two Norfolk teenagers with bouncy castles would teach us that?
