Are Dr Martens worth the money?

[Myusernam]

I live for a chunky boot with a floaty dress. I have a bad back so I need comfy foot wear. Are Dr Martens worth the price tag?

Dd1 had a pair that lasted nearly 3 years of school. She's just bought a pair for college and is absolutely thrilled with them.

The quality isn't quite as good as 20 years ago, but they're far more solid and hard wearing than any other brand.

I have these:

www.drmartens.com/uk/en_gb/p/originals-boots-vintage-smooth-church#

I love them so much that I now own both colours.

Look on Ebay. Cheaper and very often brand new. I love their boots (soft leather) but hated the sandals (tried 3 pairs and returned all)

www.drmartens.com/uk/en_gb/p/24993001. These are the most comfortable

I love DMs and have worn them for years.. I don't think they are nearly as hard wearing as they used to be, but still love them.

This thread gives me an excuse to show my 'new' birthday boots which I bought a couple of days back.. single parent here so nice to have an excuse to treat myself so yes, sadly not brand new but a steal at £55 and cannot wait for them to arrive!

I have these

Best footwear I ever bought. Didn't need breaking in, like slippers on my feet from day 1. I am a true size 6 and these are perfect. Despite the fur lining they are not too hot and I have been wearing them even recently on cooler summer days.

They go with jeans, combats, summer dresses, winter dresses with tights. Love them.

I treated myself to these last year. I had docs years ago as a teenager and fancied another pair ( I've just turned 40).
I went for the pascal style and they are a softer leather, didn't need any breaking in at all. I love them and wear them with literally everything!

I bought a gorgeous pair two ago. I wore them Christmas shopping and actually cried on the way home with the pain. Gave them another go thinking we were getting a taxi, had to walk for twenty minutes and ripped my heels open.
They’re gorgeous....just be sensible and break them in properly

Have a look at the Solovair website. Very good quality GB made boots.
I believe they are the original Dr Marten factory and still make boots to the same higher standard as old skool DMs. The story is something like when the Dr Marten brand abandoned the factory in 2006ish the factory was bought out and kept going under the new Solovair brand name instead.

I've found the newer DMs soles do not wear as well.

www.solovairdirect.com/

Oops sorry wrong website.
www.nps-solovair.com/

Yes my partner bought a pair of Solovair boots, they’re fantastic - we wear the same size so we borrow each other’s boots sometimes.

@chunkyrun those videos are weirdly addictive.

Yes they are worth the money, mine have lasted years and are so comfortable. I wear them nearly every day. The pascal soft leather ones hardly need any breaking in, the traditional unisex ones need careful gradual breaking in if you want to keep your heels intact! I always cut up cheap insoles and tape it to the inside of the heel with gorilla tape to provide a cushion for my heel during the breaking in process!

Also I size down in the unisex ones.

Although a word of warning, I bought a pair of the vegan 1460 DMs but returned them. They seemed so cheaply made and were so uncomfortable under foot, the soles felt totally different to regular ones, like walking on concrete! Very disappointed in those.

Aren't they! His cat makes an appearance every now and then as well

I don't think they're worth it any more. My first pair lasted 30-odd years and I intended to replace them but, when I tried some on, I was really disappointed. The leather felt thinner and they had a cheap looking insole. I think they now put fashion before function and they're trading on their reputation. I got some Solovairs instead from their factory outlet shop.

I think the quality has definitely gone down hill. They are still good boots but not a patch on what they used to be. I had pairs in the past that lasted 15 + years. The newer style (as in not made in the U.K.) didn’t quite make it to the 4 year mark before they had to be binned. I don’t think I would justify paying full price for them these days to be honest. I would buy in sale but wouldn’t pay over £100 for them.

Also the cat / flea comment - I think that poster must have mis read and thought it said Bob Martin. They are a brand that do flea stuff for cats and dogs.

I'm another one who came on to suggest Solovair.
I sold most of my DMs and bought Solovair instead. Better quality.

They are often cheap on eBay, but watch the sizing, they tend to be generous.

I have some DM Chelsea boots and a love love love them! Mine are soft leather and didnt need much breaking in. Just a bit tight on top but i have high arches. I still remember the moment i tried them on with their fur lined inners and just went 'ahhhhh' so comfy worth the ££

I’ve got the oxblood loafers and they are fantastic. They go with everything and look great without needing a lot of care. Both kids have Docs school shoes. The shoes last until they grow out of them.

I have the same pair as @AnyFucker but in more of a tan colour, I bloody love them! They were my first pair bought late last year and I’ve worn them prob 4/5 times a week since, even in recent weeks when it’s been cooler even though they’re fur lined they’re not too hot. They didn’t need breaking in at all and were comfy from day one and look fab with loads of stuff.

I can't comment on the boots as I've never had any but I got a pair of the ladies mar Jane type shoes and they were hellish uncomfortable. Proper bleeding feet after one wear. Couldn't return so went straight on eBay! They're popular so sold no trouble but I felt guilty for the next wearer!

The thing is OP, the specific Jadon boots you’re after are actually more uncomfortable than other styles, in part thanks to the platform, so everyone’s anecdotal posts on here may not be useful to you. They’re stiff and hard to break in, can be painful. I’m sure the normal styles are more comfortable though.

I’ve got the Chelsea boot ones and would definitely purchase again and are totally worth the money.Mine didn’t need wearing in thankfully.