Doc Martens advice please !

[BookWorm45]

I'm wondering about buying some DMs (probably ankle boots, or could be the shoes).
This is after realising that cheap trainers take a horrendously long time ever to break down in landfill..... and they wear out so that I probably buy 1 pair a year. I'm thinking of DMs as they look so long lasting and sturdy (though they also cost a fair bit).

So my query is:

1. From people who wear DMs now, do you find them really comfortable ? or do they take a while to wear in (like walking boots would do ?)

2. Given that my style is very much basic jeans-and-a-top most of the time, and I'm in mid 50s, would DMs look odd with this or at my age ?

I havnt had the best luck with them recently . One pair of boots I bought just wouldn't wear in no matter how much I tried . I then bought some of the sandals and they tore my feet to shreds. From speaking to other people they've had the same problems too. Maybe I've just had bad luck though. I bought a similar pair of sandals from a much cheaper place and we're super comfy on first wear .

I have some and love the look and whilst they arent killing my feet and not fully broken in yet they are just not as comfy as trainers, which I wear all the time so used to ultra comfy feet. I am persevering as winter weather wears trainers out so quickly I don't want to keep ruining them.

You need the proper leather shoes or boots and you need to be prepared to break them in. There’s guilds how to do it online

They’ll kill your feet at first so be warned.

The soft leather pascals don’t need breaking in. Mine were comfortable from the first wear. My vegan patent ones were a bitch to break but they’re wonderful now.

My walking boots didn’t need breaking either. Scarpa all the way when I replace them in another ten years.

I have the soft leather ones, they were bliss from the start and have never hurt my feet. btw, I'm nearly 60 and they look fabulous.

I have the vegan Chelsea boots. Took a while to break in but now they’re super comfy. So hard wearing and match everything!

What are the softest ones? Does anyone know?

Look for Softy T leather, that’s the softest. I have lots of pairs but have switched to Solovair for new ones. Made in Northampton and the sizing is consistent, much higher quality than the standard Docs.

My dd is a big fan of Dr Martens, I think she has three pairs. They aren’t comfortable to wear, if she stops wearing a pair for a while and then goes back to them, they rub again and she gets blisters. She also wore them on a couple of city breaks and was in agony afterwards, I think with plantar fasciitis. She is a young adult. I have a couple of boots by gabor and rieker , which are comfortable and supportive.

I got my first pair for Christmas and I love them!

I have Chelsea boots and they didn’t need breaking in.

I have 5 pairs of Docs , my chelsea boots are the comfiest by far. Didn't need breaking in, I wear them all the time, and to work where I'm on my feet for 10 hours. I love them

I loved my sandals they didn't need breaking in, I live in dms boots in the winter shoes in the spring and sandals in the summer, I'm lucky enough to fit in the youth size 5 which are considerably cheaper! It's also worth looking second hand because some people don't bed them in and get rid straight away.

As others have said they need breaking in, but they’re not the hardy, indestructible boot they once were. They don’t even off the lifetime guarantee anymore which says it all.

I buy mine second hand from Vinted - much cheaper, better for the environment and usually already broken in!

I have the soft leather pascales and they didn't need any breaking in at all. However, they are definitely not as robust as the originals and I wear them every day in my quite physical job and they are pretty messed up now, especially at the toe where I kneel down a lot. The soles are still almost perfect though.

But if you just want them for every day fashion purposes, definitely get the Pascales. I also think they look a bit nicer than the 4160s as well.

I also have a pair of DM sandals and they are the comfiest things ever, the only sandal I have ever been able to wear for more than a couple of hours and actually walk anywhere significant in!

There is one type of sandal (Clarissa?) that is apparently very uncomfortable.

I’ve got several pairs of DMs in different styles but have just bought my first pair of Solovair boots and bloody hell they are so much better. The quality and comfort is amazing although this is reflected in the price!

It depends what type you get. The Made in England are much more expensive, but a softer leather. They will last for ages if you use leather conditioner on them. I've found that the ones not made in England are not as comfortable. There is also a back story to the reason why most DMs are no longer made in England.
Solovair were the original manufacturer of the soles, but now operate under their own name, so their boots are pretty much the original Docs, but without the yellow stitching.
If you're after that type of style, there is also Blundstone which make very similar.
And in answer to your age - I know plenty of people of a similar age still wearing DMs, including me.

uk.nps-solovair.com/

Hand made properly in Northamptonshire, unlike a lot of Doc Martin boots these days. If you are anywhere near Northamptonshire, it's worth going to the shop for the factory seconds but alone!

Most DMs are made abroad these days, and their reputation has tanked. Solovair are supposed to be the quality British-made alternative. They have information about their last fittings on their website, which I couldn't find on DM's.

I have the hotter Clarence boot which I hope doesn't actually look too old lady ish but is very comfortable. I have hypermobility and their stability sole really helps me not to turn over on my ankle too often.
www.hotter.com/gb/en/clarence-boots-clrncs-product-44

The soft ones are SO comfy from the off! And cheaper than the originals. I love mine.

I wear the Chelsea boots and they needed no breaking in. The canvas boots/shoes are very comfortable.

My only pair of proper dms were my sons! In 8m he out grew them and I inherited a lovely broken in pair of boots

The vegan pascals take A LOT of breaking in. They look great though. I've found the most uncomfortable part is the seam of the tongue, it rubs awfully on the top of my foot. A bit of duct tape seems to have helped that. Not for the faint hearted! I wish I'd ordered the soft leather ones but was trying to do my bit for humanity.

I’ve got the DM gaucho crazy horse boots which are a softer leather. Also got them second hand so pre worn in. They are amazingly comfy! I wear them every day in winter and have never had a problem with blisters or rubbing.
I’ve had them 3 years now and they are still in great condition. I’m not sure how old they were when I bought them though!