How do you rate Doc Martens for comfort?

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They've never really existed on my radar before because I was never a fan of their classic style, however their range seems to have expanded quite a lot.

I'm going to NYC on holiday in a couple of months and I'm looking for boots that I can walk around for miles in during the day, but still look acceptable for non fancy but still nice evening out.

I prefer to pack really light so I'd rather not take more than one pair of shoes! But I've never owned Docs before and so many people seem to mention the requirement to break them in it makes me nervous that they're painful!

I must be the anomaly as I've never needed to break in a new pair of docs. I've had 3 pairs in my lifetime and they're stiff when new but never blisters or pain. A few weeks later they're like buttery soft and really comfy. The cracks at the toes is usually what goes first when they need replacing.

Fur lined Chelsea boots are my everyday wear in the autumn and winter months. So, so comfy. I walk a lot in my job and these are just the best. These boots are my fave thing about the seasons changing

Also should have said, they don't need breaking in

Love my Leonara's!

I have loads of DM boots. All comfortable from start. They must just suit my feet/foot type.

I have 13 pairs of DMs! I think the ones you are looking for are the pull on Chelsea style without fur. I have these in brown and black and I take them to conferences where I need to be able to walk distances but still look smart in meetings.

Gutted about the mermaids thing but I wouldn't be buying any more for quite a while anyway!

Had anyone tried the Alysons rather than the Leonaras? Just wondering how they rate for comfort, as I like the idea of the wintergrip soles.

airandgracelondon.com/products/jessa-black-leather-lace-up-boots

I have these and I love them. So comfy from day 1, can walk miles and miles and look nice with dresses and jeans. They're fab. They have a chunkier design too, but they are pretty £££

Are the DM Vonda ones soft? I have neuropathy in my feet & have to be careful I don't get any sores but would love the Vonda boots with the red roses on them.

Top tip. Never go away with only one pair of shoes. What would happen if they became soaking wet. Or somehow one or both became unwearable. Always take a back up.

@Nat6999 > I have the Vonda red rose boots. They were the first Doc Martens I bought. I love them. I now own about 10 pairs of Doc Martens. However the last few pairs I bought seemed to be different quality and found they are being made in China. I bought the Vonda red rose boots only a couple of years ago, but there's a different quality to them to a few pairs of boots I've bought recently. If you can get the same red rose boots I bought you'll love them (bought them in a shop), but I'm now starting to back of from DrMartens because of the difference in quality.

I have a patent dark green sparkly pair of Docs that are well worn in but they wouldn't come with me to New York if I was packing light and intended to do plenty of walking. Even broken in docs are quite heavy after a long day of sightseeing. FLY SALV chelsea boots are exceptionally comfortable from the get go and I have done multiple city breaks in them covering 15,000 to 20,000 steps a day. FLY also do Chelsea boot with block heel called TOPE that is smarter and nearly as comfy. Plenty on amazon try before you buy if you have happen to have prime.

Have fabulous time in New York!

The most cripplingly painful footwear I've ever owned. A complete waste of money.

Regardless of what footwear you choose that is a terrible idea. You need at least 2 pairs of something you already know is comfortable.

Horrible cheap imitations of their former selves - now “cheaply” mass produced in China - prices are ridiculous and comfort even worse.

why would you?

This

I wore them in early 90s and I still recall the pain. Took months into break in
Hadnt realised about them being made in china . Ffs. Another brand down the toilet. What's the mermaid thing? Never heard of that, why would they support such a thing?

Get the nappa leather. They're comfortable from the get go.

Get New Balance 530 instead. Like walking on clouds.

I got some new 6 eyelet boots for work. About a week of full time wear to break them in. Plasters and thick socks make it bearable.

You do have to commit to them. But it’s fully worth it once they are broken in and they become the comfiest shoes/boots ever.

I've always worn DMs, had 4 pairs over 30 years, only 1 was a pain to break in. I wouldn't risk it as a DM virgin though.

I was coming to say look at Solovair, but Fe2O3Girl beat me to it. They originally produced Doc Martens but sold the company and the buyer moved production to Asia. Solovair are still produced in the UK and much better quality and better looking, although they may not have exactly what you're looking for if you have your heart set on one of the newish DM styles. I have narrow feet and DMs don't work for me, but Solovair do.

I find my docs really heavy to walk in, I wouldn't want to walk miles in them but then I am used to running shoes. Have a look at oncloud they are very lightweight and super comfy.

How dramatic.

What would happen? I'm pretty sure you can buy shoes in most countries in the world and, you know, wear those?

I have the Adrian loafers. They look great, the quality is great, and they go with everything. They take some breaking in but they weren’t chip your foot off painful. They’re like slippers now.