Doc martens

[hunyouok123]

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

This!!

Painful to break in - I had pins and needles and really aching feet especially when sat for long periods or driving. But after that they are ultra warm and comfy and so easy to look after and put on and take off.

I've got the ones with fluff inside and they are super cosy. Looks nice with jeans, trousers and dresses.

I don't wear anything else, really. Favourites are the Alyson Chelsea boots, which were comfortable immediately. 1860s 8 hole black, Newton black and more.

I have the 8 hole Derby boots from Solovair and they are fantastic. I'm a size 5 and a half, would normally wear a 6 when only full sizes are available but I need a 5 in solovair boots, which space for thick socks.

The outlet is good if you get lucky with sizes.

They are made to be seen and will make feet look bigger but that's part of the look.

Another shout out for Solovair!

They didn't really 'take over' the Doc Martens factory as such. They actually had the contract to make the boots for the DM brand before DM shipped the manufacturing to China. They made them under licence for DM for 30 years or something. Then when DM went out to China, Solovair continued to make them under the Solovair brand.

Absolutely brilliant boots.

They will kill your feet for a while but when they’re broken in properly they’re great.

I bought the Chelsea boots but they were so tight around the ankle, I couldn't get them on

I don't think Dr Martens are that expensive compared to other branded boots. There are a lot on the second hand market like ebay or vinted.

I've seen some very similar to the Chelsea ones on Heavenly Feet and Moshulu for a lot cheaper, if you're after the style , rather than the brand.

I think they make my feet look big, but I'm a 6.5 /7.

I used to wear DMs all the time in the 90's. They used to last 2-3 years, the leather was lovely and always came up with a blinding shine.

Then they changed and lasted 3-6 months, the leather was akin to cardboard. Haven't bothered since.

I have tried various other brands and the best by far is Bates. I have a pair like the ones worn by Ryan Gosling in Blade Runner 2049 (only cleaner and newer) (and that wasn't the reason I bought them - is was a coincidence) and I cannot recommend them highly enough. Tough and hard-wearing but light and SO comfortable, it's like wearing slippers!

2-3 years??! How?

Mine are 20 years old, I wear them daily and they're still going strong!

Well done. Have a pie.

Agreed re solovair. DMs now nasty and made in China. Solovair are made in UK and with local skills. I have a pair that has never rubbed and so comfortable.

I am a 6 but had to size down to a 5.5 though cos they're unisex. I actually rang the factory for a chat and spent about half an hour on the phone to explore sizing and they eye so helpful.

Anyone interested in the History of true story behind Doc Martens should go on YouTube and look for "RoseAnvil Doc Martens" or "FutureProof Doc Martens"

Rose Anvil has cut pairs in half and released what's inside modern docs. It isn't good. If you have a pair from several decades ago, they're a completely different boot these days. They don't last, they're not made well, they're coated in heavy plastic etc. even the 'Made In England' are dodgy, like they important cheap components and assemble them in England.

But... They're fashionable fashion boots that a lot of influencers wear so they charge as much as they can for inferior product that relies on the name. Such is life these days I reckon.

I joined a FB group as I wanted advice on getting some, I had some as a teenager and suddenly wanted a pair to embrace middle age in. I got a couple of pairs of vegan ones but they reminded me of an old faux leather sofa we had in the eighties, sold them again on Vinted. Got some from vegetarian shoes, basically docs made ethically, in England with Solovair soles.
The material is exactly like real leather (I think it's some kind of voodoo) and doesn't need breaking in. I got most of mine off Vinted or eBay but recently got a brand new pair in green for my new job. Ridiculously comfortable and I love them

In regards to usual leather doc martens, in the group there are too many posts for my liking of shoes splitting in less than a year, leather cracking and generally taking ages to break in for my liking.

But these, forest green boots, most expensive clothing item i ever bought but worth it.

https://www.vegetarian-shoes.co.uk/airseal/airseal_boots/10021_0c.html

If you do get some be prepared for breaking them in. Its horrendous and I nearly binned mine at one point! I'd never get another pair for this reason.

Look up Solovair- they are the company/ factory that used to make DMs in Northampton, and make their own versions now (I grew up in Shoe Town) Not much dearer than DMs but better quality and made in the UK.