Chelsea boots vs lace ups

[Thinkle]

Specifically Dr Martens
I already own and love my Sinclair boots in milled nappa. Now, on a complete whim I’ve bought some Audrick Chelsea boots, mainly for the interesting sole.
I’m still thinking of returning the latter as I’m not sure I really need them. Can anyone tell me when Chelsea boots are better than lace ups for certain outfits and why I should keep the second pair.

I don’t own any Doc Martens - but my most worn boots over the past five years have been some Chelsea boots that grow more comfortable as they age. Recently bought some tall-ish (above ankle height) lace up boots.

My god, they’re a pain! I’m so used to slipping my feet into the Chelsea boots pretty much without thinking, as I walk through the hallway. Now I’m having to stop and bend down and contend with stupid bloody laces. I constantly feel I’m going to be late because of the unanticipated delay. If they hadn’t been a bargain in the sales I’d have sent the annoying things back.

Never again.

TottersBlankly > I feel your pain but; as an owner of lace-up Doc Martens, I factor in the lacing up part. When I take them off I only unlace the top two laces and loosen the others, so quite easy to put back on again.

Thinkle - "when Chelsea boots are better than lace ups for certain outfits" > As an owner of lace-up and Chelsea boot Doc Martens I'd say it's not a choice between what's best - It's more that you will always find a use (and an outfit) to go with any Doc Marten. It's just what suits you on the day

I don’t know style-wise but I don’t like my DM Chelsea boots. Had them over a year and they haven’t worn in much, it’s strenuous exercise trying to get them on. I certainly can’t just “slip my feet in” and I don’t have wide feet or chunky ankles. They’re just so stiff, and would still skin my heels without thick socks

I’m so torn because they are so similar in style to my other pair. I was looking for a compelling reason to justify both pairs and hoping that I’d missed an important styling point.
Reasons to keep are:
I love the unusual sole and suspect it’s not permanently in the range
I live in my Sinclairs and it’s good to have a backup pair I like just as much so between them they last longer
Reasons to return:
The cost (I can afford them but should have other priorities)
I’m fickle and may decide a hate the quirky sole or even DMs altogether in 2 years.
@GenevieveLenard I hear you, I’ve tried other DM Chelsea boots in the past but these are easy to get on… which doesn’t help my dilemma