Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Doc martens

42 replies

hunyouok123 · 19/12/2023 15:16

Sorry for the aibu
Need some good responses. I wana know if doc martens are worth the hype? Also which ones ? Are they really tight? And how big do they make your feet look? lol.
TIA

OP posts:
Jingledog · 19/12/2023 15:18

They are heavy at first but so durable and great and comfy once broken in. I've had mine for years and they don't really go out of style so an investment piece. I have a pair of the classic lace up ankle boots

Dotjones · 19/12/2023 15:19

They used to be well-made and lasted years but since they moved production overseas the quality has tanked. I don't think they're worth it now unless you're specifically going for the 70s/80s skinhead look - if you just want boots or shoes, better quality ones can be found cheaper.

MrsWidgerysLodger · 19/12/2023 15:20

Since they moved production abroad the quality has been awful. I'd opt for Solovair instead which are made on England in the former DM factory using proper leather and the old techniques.

KarateSchnitzel · 19/12/2023 15:42

I've got two pairs. The soft leather lace up ones which I wear with everything including dresses and skirts. I even go on nights out with them. They're fab, didn't take long to break in and after 2 or so years they still look good as new. I even got them caked in mud at a festival. I also have a pair of the Chelsea ones which I wear more casually and for dog walks and these are so much comfier and again very durable. Mine are a size 8 and I don't think they look big at all. I wear my docs more than I wear any other shoes, including trainers. Love them!

Devilsmommy · 19/12/2023 15:50

I only wear the steel toe capped ones, and as I'm not actually on a building site they're fantastic. Had them 20 years and they are the best boots I've ever worn

NoMoreCheddar · 19/12/2023 16:02

They are just fashion items now and don't last like they used to. If you want durable quality buy Solovairs, they are the original Doc Marten manufacturer.

If it's just for fashion shoes Docs are okay but pricey. They tend to be wide fitting mostly.

OneRingToRuleThemAll · 19/12/2023 16:07

I bought Solovair in TK Maxx around October time and the quality difference between those and DMs is like night and day.

Witchyblankets · 19/12/2023 16:11

I bought my DD docs new and then a second hand pair of EBay which were made in England. The latter had leather twice as thick as the former and the quality was far superior. So yes I’d go for Solovair too, as they originally made Docs under licence

Unmute · 19/12/2023 16:13

To everyone saying buy Solovair- do you think the sizing is similar to DMs? Do you need to go down a size from your usual?

Orangesarenottheonlyfruit · 19/12/2023 16:13

MrsWidgerysLodger · 19/12/2023 15:20

Since they moved production abroad the quality has been awful. I'd opt for Solovair instead which are made on England in the former DM factory using proper leather and the old techniques.

Another vote for Solovair, last forever and fantastically made.

Original poster
hunyouok123 · 19/12/2023 16:36

Ohhh lovely. Thank you so much everybody for your responses 😃 I'll check out solovair for sure xxx

OP posts:
SoRainbowRhythms · 19/12/2023 16:42

Don't get the vegan leather ones, they are impossible to break in (and are going on Vinted after a year of trying!).

ghostyslovesheets · 19/12/2023 16:45

I have fur lined Chelsea boots - they are never off my feet (except between May and August) - they are beautiful. They have to be broken in (I find them tight across the top initially) but once broken they are wonderful.

TravellingT · 19/12/2023 17:37

They're crap, Pavers and Riekers have nice combat boots with pattern choices too. Solovair are life-long boots

PurplePoppyFields · 19/12/2023 17:44

Don't get the vegan leather ones, they are impossible to break in (and are going on Vinted after a year of trying!).

Me and my daughter have them and love them. My daughter is exceptionally fussy about shoes being comfortable so I have to disagree.

AllAroundMyCat · 19/12/2023 17:47

Yep.
Solivair, who bought the Doc Martens factory, are now far superior. Their prices reflect that.

HouseFullOfChaos · 19/12/2023 17:49

I love mine. I've worn them so much that the sole is pretty much worn away. I bought the Pascal ones so they didn't need breaking in, the leather is already soft. They're the most comfortable things I've ever put on my feet and I happily wear them when I'm on my feet all day. Mine aren't the fancy made in England ones but I'll happily be buying more soon when the sole finally gives up on this pair.

HouseFullOfChaos · 19/12/2023 17:52

Orangesarenottheonlyfruit · 19/12/2023 16:13

Another vote for Solovair, last forever and fantastically made.

Show quote history

What is the solovair sizing like? I haven't had to size up or down with my DMs. I love my DMs but supporting British companies is important to me so I would consider Solovair...but they'd have to be as comfortable as my DM Pascals.

LutonBeds · 19/12/2023 17:54

Unmute · 19/12/2023 16:13

To everyone saying buy Solovair- do you think the sizing is similar to DMs? Do you need to go down a size from your usual?

I got the Derby 8 eye boots, they fit perfectly in my usual size. I have the loafers and would probably have been better going 1/2 size to a size up. I can wear them but took longer to break in.

Orangesarenottheonlyfruit · 19/12/2023 17:54

I would say the sizing is consistent with DMs. I'm a 7 in both, if that helps?

ManateeFair · 19/12/2023 18:01

I've got two pairs of boots, a pair of sandals and a pair of shoes and they've all lasted really well - no quality issues for me.

The stiff leather ones are a bugger to break in, but the soft leather ones didn't need any breaking in for me at all.

I've never tried Solovair but they're a lot more expensive than Docs. Obviously that may well be reflected in the quality but as I've never actually had a problem with the quality of my Docs, and am still wearing them pretty much daily, I don't think I'd fork out an extra hundred quid for Solovair myself.

DrCoconut · 19/12/2023 18:08

I noticed that my modern pair didn't need really breaking in unlike my 90s docs that taught me a hard lesson when I decided to walk home from town in them immediately after buying them 😫. Quality wise though I've had them 3 years now and not worn through the sole yet, usually I only get one season out of shoes as I'm extremely heavy on them for some reason.

GreyCarpet · 19/12/2023 18:16

I've got a few pairs.

My favourites are a pair of 8 holes that I've had for around 22 years and a pair of 14 holes that are 19 years old - and both are still going strong.

Any I've bought in the last 10 years or so just haven't lasted.

I love them and don't really wear anything else but they're not as well made or long lasting as they used to be.

GreyCarpet · 19/12/2023 18:17

I was also going to mention solovair. Not sure I'd buy dms again if anything happened to mine now.

Swipe left for the next trending thread