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Original poster

Dr Martins - are they really that good?

110 replies

Indecisivelurcher · 18/12/2021 17:31

I've coveted DM's for years but never had the money. I like the style and imagine they'll last and ended up moulded to your feet like a waterproof comfortable foot glove. There are absolutely loads for sale on vinted these days which means I could afford / justify a pair. But if they're that amazing, why are people selling them on?!

OP posts:
Pleaseaddcaffine · 19/12/2021 12:07

I now own 6 pairs. Breaking in hurts. But I love mine.
My purple ones have just died after 6 years of very hard wear including up n down India .

elvis4nuts · 19/12/2021 12:42

I've been trying to break mine in since 1998......

Anordinarymum · 19/12/2021 12:47

Breaking them in puts you off wearing them so it's a circle.. you don't wear them you don't break them in..........

There are Doc Marten socks which apparently are good for the pain. I have some but have not tested them out yet.

I have two pairs of Docs in Pascal leather and both pairs hurt. One of them is at least five years old but like I say if you don't wear them...........

ShrinkingViolet9 · 19/12/2021 12:50

casualgeographical.com/solovair-vs-dr-martens/

Solovair vs Dr. Martens Boots: Which Brand is Better?
OCTOBER 5, 2021

OverByYer · 19/12/2021 13:18

My Pascals squeak as well, Ive had to spray WD40 around the joins between sole and upper.

SisterAgatha · 19/12/2021 14:18

Furniture polish will stop them squeaking too

DelphiniumBlue · 19/12/2021 15:46

I've got these, bought them a few months ago and have worn them every day since.
www.drmartens.com/uk/en_gb/p/13512006
They are made from a soft leather, so no problem breaking them in, and I found them comfy from the start.
In case you are thinking about fit, I have quite wide feet ( E fitting) and they are wide enough in my usual size.

Alonelonelylonersbadidea · 19/12/2021 17:29

This is such a strange thread.
I wore DMs every day from around 1989 to 2010 and never had to break any pair in. No pair were uncomfortable and no pair became unusable.
I only stopped wearing them because my now ex threw them all out when my back was turned one day!! Literally about 10 pairs. Now I'm sad thinking about it.

HopelesslyDevoted2u · 19/12/2021 17:39

I have a pair of New Look's copy boots. They're super comfy and a tenth of the price!

KirstenBlest · 19/12/2021 17:44

@Indecisivelurcher, Solovair 8-hole derby boots.
DM style but much better quality and can be resoled.

I got mine on ebay for a price that was unbelievably low and they were and still are as good as new.

spinachpie · 19/12/2021 17:49

Mine are comfy as but leak like sieves. I got them resoled at Timpsons, they did a really good job.

stayingaliveisawayoflife · 19/12/2021 18:36

I have knee length black with roses which are not comfy now but were when I bought them over 15 years ago!

I also have unicorn glitter, rainbow, gold shiny, and bronze shiny along with sensible Chelsea boots in burgundy and a pair with sheep wool inside.

They do vary in comfort and fit. Some I have to wear thick socks with and some I have to wear thin socks with.

I do love all of them though and they are my main boot to wear.

FreshFaceTime · 19/12/2021 18:45

My pascals were also comfy from day one and I've worn them almost every day since I bought them. I had bought those silicone heel protector things in anticipation of the dreaded breaking in phase and didn't need them. Comfiest boots I've ever had. Reckon I might get a green pair too. Only a few months old so can't comment on durability yet - which is also the reason I won't get another pair for at least a year. Need to make sure they're not going to fall apart after 5 mins!

SisterAgatha · 19/12/2021 19:17

I have to say my heels have never hurt but the top of my foot has.

I tried on the Vonda recently and even in the shop I knew my ankles would rub. I think each pair is different tbh. The Pascal doesn’t need breaking in, the leather is as thin as a leather jacket.

CeeceeBloomingdale · 19/12/2021 19:22

I love my pascals, they were comfy from day one. I had the original ones prior and returned them as they were so rigid, the tongue was rubbing against my leg and the heel was too hard and that was just trying them.

UthredofBattenberg · 19/12/2021 19:27

I've been wearings DMs for 25 years.

It's true in that the quality isnt as good as used to be. If you are buying second hand, make sure they are made in uk versions.

I'll buy new DMS, but only in the sale, they just dont last. But also, I dont think they need breaking in like they used to either, I assume the leather is thinner.

I'm yet to buy a pair, but Solovair's are apparently what docs "used" to be. They are going to be my next purachase

pontiouspilates · 19/12/2021 19:31

My kids have them for school shoes and they are excellent, once broken in they are super comfortable and they just last and last. My boots are 3 yrs old, fit like a glove and look as good as they did when brand new.

turnaroundtime · 19/12/2021 19:45

@Tippexy

They are leather boots which don't need any more 'breaking in' than any other pair of leather boots! The cult like hushed tones around 'breaking them in' are quite bizarre.
Wondering how old you are. Not to be rude but in recent years, since they started being made in China, there are different leathers. They do state which leather each boot is made from. There are now soft leather boots which as you say require no breaking in. But they don't last more than a couple of seasons. The old school boots were made from a really stiff leather that was awful to break in but they lasted forever
cleaning247 · 19/12/2021 19:53

I've got 4 pairs. Can't do without them.

DontBuyANewMumCashmere · 19/12/2021 20:02

The Newton is a relatively new boot style I think, look exactly like regular 1460s but are lighter. Thinner leather, slightly thinner soles I think? They were cheap in the sale and needed very little breaking in. I've had them a year or so and am really happy with them. I had a pair of cherry red 1460s in the 90s and I miss them!

Anyway I recommend the Newton for anyone who likes DM style but wants a lighter boot.

KirstenBlest · 20/12/2021 09:17

With the Solovairs, the sizing is a little complicated. I'm a size smaller than in DMs. Sizing info on their site

Mabelface · 20/12/2021 10:19

Been wearing them for 30 odd years and they're absolutely the best ones for me. You can remove the soles in the majority of the new ones and put orthotics in. Currently wearing newtons and they're like walking on air. Now discontinued though.

KirstenBlest · 20/12/2021 10:29

I used to be a fan of DMs but my most recent ones showed signs of wear far too quickly. They were beautiful but the soles showed a lot of wear after only wearing them inside a building for a fairly sedentary job. I didn't wear them outside at all or for driving, so the wear was from walking to the loo/printer/kitchen.

They were fashion shoes, not hardwearing work boots, so I sold them and got solovairs.

mewkins · 20/12/2021 10:35

I would say downsize too. I am a 5.5-6 and can happily wear a sz 5 in them. Do the 'breaking in' indoors. Realistically it's the kind of natural crease bit wear your toes bend that needs to give a bit so you can do that with your hands or by wearing them and kind of sitting on the balls of your feet. Once that loosens up it is fine.

KirstenBlest · 20/12/2021 11:46

With DMs you can downsize with the unisex ones but not the ladies ones. DMs don't always do half sizes