Are Doc Martens really that amazing?

[Howtotameyourtoddler]

I'm not sure my go-to ankle books are going to survive another winter, and I'm looking for something to go on my birthday wishlist.

Considering the DM Leonore (the fur-lined chelsea boots), but I've never worn Doc Martens before, are they worth the money? I wouldn't usually spend more than £80-100, even on boots I'm going to wear to death.

I'm looking for a sturdy, hard-wearing brown leather ankle boot. I've had a pair of Orinocco Club boots from Clarks which have lasted me about 3-4 winters of heavy use, but I've always found them slightly too narrow for my feet and not especially comfortable! I've got quite bad bunions so I need something with a wide-ish toe.

Any DM fans? Or any recommended alternatives?

I find them painful no matter what. Try buying some from eBay if possible before spending hundreds.

Solovair are better quality but have the same look. DMs are not what they used to be.

The Leonore’s are instantly comfortable because of the lining. I have 2 pairs (black and brown) and wear nothing else in winter - they’re practical but still stylish and smart enough to go with anything. Worth every penny of the £150 they cost per pair!

I wore the pair I had in the 90's into the ground, they were so comfy. Every pair I've had in recent years have been awful, stiff and have given my blisters, no amount of wearing has broken them in. I have officially given up with them. Which is a shame as I do love the look.

I buy them secondhand in excellent condition and if possible I try and find a pair that were made when they were still made in the UK, as the quality is generally a lot better.

Love my DMs. Didn't have any for years. Bought mine from China as so expensive ( they are the real deal). Took a month at least to wear in. Still going years later and I wear to work daily.
I think people give up as they're a pain to start with.

Also I've got massive feet, so buy mens shoes as womens shoes never fit. I hear a lot people commenting on the DMs that they bought a pair for ladies and they weren't wide enough.

I have the Leonores and love them. I've worn them practically every day for 9 months of the year for the past two years, and they are still fine. I'm thinking of getting a second pair in a different colour this winter so give myself a bit more choice.

Yeah, I have the tan Leonores

I am thinking of getting a black or navy pair too

@fridgepants That sounds awful - what a pain. I couldn't function properly with blisters or any kind of sore feet.

@ItsOverFlo I also have big feet (EU size 42) and I mostly buy unisex shoes (birkenstocks, trainers) because the sizing is more consistent than women's, and they tend to be wider.

I noticed that DM also do a six-eye 101, which I think are technically men's shoes but might be a better fit and look lovely. I'm not sure I can pull off the classic eight-eye boots!

I'm going to set up an alert on ebay and see if anything comes up.

Whoever recommended Blundstone, I love the look of these too! I'll read some reviews.

Apparently a make called Fly do really comfortable shoes & boots, and they are a bit quirky like DMs (as a possible alternative?)

Schuh website has reduced black Leonore for £125 in size 3,4 and 8

I'd go Solovair too, really well made, so comfortable almost straight away, and the aftercare is brilliant. Also, if you are anywhere near Northamptonshire, the factory shop is really good, and great value!

The pascal dms are really lovely, really soft and super comfortable. I don’t like the standard ones. I tried for months to break in a pair of them - wore double socks, compeed plasters the works and just gave up in the end.

internetfusion.imgix.net/1324146.jpg?auto=format,compress&cs=srgb&fit=fill&fill=solid&w=600&h=600

I've got these on order. I can't wait

@Notradespeopleareavailable

Apparently a make called Fly do really comfortable shoes & boots, and they are a bit quirky like DMs (as a possible alternative?)

Fly quality varies a lot. My Mes 2 boots have lasted well but aren’t water resistant, let alone waterproof. Love the look of them though, so I wear them on dry days!

I absolutely love my DMs and have many pairs. But since they've become fashionable, the price has massively increased but the quality is nowhere near as good as they used to be!

@Bagelsandbrie

The pascal dms are really lovely, really soft and super comfortable. I don’t like the standard ones. I tried for months to break in a pair of them - wore double socks, compeed plasters the works and just gave up in the end.

Seconded. My Pascal Virginia in black are absolutely perfect boots (and even they required breaking in at the toe seam with proper DM socks). I've tried and failed with white vegan ones and purple iridescent.

Honestly, go for Solovair.
No breaking in required. Supporting UK employees on decent wages. No air miles. Quality far better than my young friends' DMs.
And each time I've worn them, they've been complimented.

OK, I think I'm sold on a pair of Solovair dealer boots. They're beatiful and if I'm going to spend £150 on a pair of boots, I want them to last!

... now I just need to find someone to buy them for me

@popularinthe80s you've convinced me! I'm trying to buy as much as I can second hand these days, but failing that, supporting responsible businesses is my next priority (to the extent I can afford to!)

And if this thread has inspired anyone else, there's a pair of Solovair dealer boots on TKMaxx for the bargain price of £80 in sizes 3 and 4!

Looks like you’ve already decided but I wanted to say I have wide feet and DMs were just too narrow for me. There was no give. Waste of money. everyone talked about DMs needing “breaking in” but no, they were just too narrow.

I just wear wide fitting walking boots from Meindl now. I don’t look cool but I can enjoy myself.