Doc Martins - unimpressed - alternatives.

[BookWitch]

I bought my dd20 a pair of genuine (from their shops) limited edition boots Xmas 2016. She has worn them almost daily since but the leather has split in the creases of the heel.
I was always under the impression DMs were designed to last years and years, and while I would expect to replace soles over the years) wouldn't expect the leather uppers to fail after a relatively short time.
I emailed their customer services with photos and even though they did reply after about a week, they just said they only offer a 12 month warranty and couldn't be less interested.
I was really disappointed in that response.

Anyway - new boots for DD (birthday end of Jan), and hope to pick up something good in the sales.
Risk DMs again. She did love them.

Or something else? Better value for money that might last longer than two years. Budget would be 100-150 pounds (what I would expect to pay for genuine DMs)

Tbh two years for wear every day boots is pretty good.

My dms lasted longer but I don't wear them every day.

My DMs are on their 6th winter, but I wear brogues to work and walking boots for hillwalking so don’t wear them every day (sandals in summer). I think they’re good and I think 2 years continuous wear is not bad. I do put nikwax on mine which maybe prolongs their life a bit, though it does darken the leather.

I rather fancy a pair of these when they finally wear out
conkershoes.com/product/derby-boot/ but v expensive.

I’ve also had 2 pairs of El Naturalista boots that went on forever.

Solovair are by all accounts pretty much the original Dr Martens before they got sold and shifted production and lost their quality

Yes, definitely try Solovair. They are excellent! Dms have been trading on their old reputation for far too long, they are just a fashion brand now. I'm lucky if I get 2 years out of a pair of dms now.

I've also switched to Solovair. They're all made in England. If you live anywhere near or can get to Northampton, their factory shop sells old stock reduced by 50% or 60% and current stock by (from memory) 20%.

Thanks for all those suggestions, will def look at Solovair.

Maybe my expectations for DMs are too high. When I was a student (in the olden days) people used to invest in a pair of DMs and they would literally last years and years. I just expected them to last more than two years.

They moved production to China 15 years ago unfortunately so you aren't getting the same product any more. That said, any shoe worn daily will perish through the upper more quickly. When I was a student the DM wearers had more than one pair.

I wear DMs all the time. My oldest are 20+yrs old and still going. It's disappointing that they've declined in quality.

You can still buy DMs made in the UK. They are more expensive though. Mine come from China

I agree with pp. Dms are just not that long lasting anymore.
I though it was a fluke when my dd Dms started peeling. But then the same thing happened to her next pair. Now I know they just trade off their name.

Nice to hear about solovair. I'll be trying them too

The former DM factory in Northampton (pretty sure it must be Solovair as both established 1881) also make the Airseal range for Vegetarian Shoes, who are in Brighton but do mail order. The not leather material is good quality, doesn't look plastic and has the
added bonus of not destroying your feet during breaking in period! www.vegetarian-shoes.co.uk

Dr Martens also do Docs for life. They are more expensive to buy and just the classic range but they are guaranteed for your life. You just send them back and pay £25 and they are repaired or you get an new pair.

Polish them regularly to feed the leather and they'll last longer. True of any leather shoe

@HerRoyalNotness They are gorgeous and it's good to know they don't need much breaking in. Enjoy - I shall be shopping for some in the New Year.