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Original poster

Are Doc Martens comfortable?

27 replies

Darklane · 05/11/2023 20:34

On searches I keep reading that they hurt like anything for weeks till you’ve broken them in .
I’m after some ankle boots, lace up without side zips, & read elsewhere that once broken in they are really comfy, also that they can help with back pain & as I have a badly damaged spine that causes walking problems was wondering about these. But the thought of blisters etc for weeks doesn’t appeal with the pain I already endure.

OP posts:
TomAllensWhiskMic · 05/11/2023 20:40

I think it depends on the style TBH. I find the classic Dr Marten 1460 boots need wearing in. The ones made with softer leather might not though. I have their chelsea boots and I find these comfortable almost immediately.

LuckyCharm9 · 05/11/2023 20:40

I have the original 1460 leather boots, I bought some silicone heel protectors and wore them with socks and the boots for a couple of weeks to break them in. No blisters.
They are really comfy once you get them broken in.

SkyePye · 05/11/2023 20:44

Nope. Take ages.

Get Solovair boot instead. They used to make DMs under license in the UK before production was moved abroad and quality plummeted.

They are closer to what DMs used go be. And bonus is unlike DM they can be resoled.

LifeofBrienne · 05/11/2023 20:47

My standard ones are still rubbing at the heels after quite a bit of wear, but I do like them - I have quite wide toes and find it difficult to find footwear that doesn’t assume I have daintily pointy feet, so definitely think for me it’s worth the effort to wear them in for something that’s actually foot-shaped.

winniethepooped · 05/11/2023 20:48

The lace up soft leather and Chelsea boots with the fur (cue flo rida "apple bottom jeans" 😂) are comfy. The furry ones even more so as furry inside and no breaking in required at all. The boots generally take a bit of getting used to but nothing wildly unusual or uncomfortable for leather boots. You'll love them! Best boots ever!!

The chunky sandals on the other hand..oh boy did they hurt. I did so much damage to the backs of my heels every time I wore them...huge blisters. Thought I'd never wear again.

But lo and behold I managed to break them in and they're very comfy and have never had a blister since.

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 05/11/2023 20:52

They are comfortable. Eventually. Both my DDs have always bought theirs (loads over the years) second hand from eBay - someone else has done the hard for you then. There’s literally hundreds of them in all different styles and lots in excellent condition even though they’ve been softened up a bit with wear.

OneRingToRuleThemAll · 05/11/2023 20:53

I have some 4 week old Solovairs (that I found in TK Maxx). They hurt for the first week and now they are super comfortable.

Original poster
Darklane · 05/11/2023 20:56

Thank you, that’s all really helpful. I’d never heard of Solovair boots but they look very interesting. The other brand I was looking at was Lanx, mainly because I live quite near to their factory & shop & they’re British, well locally, made.

OP posts:
ReviewingTheSituation · 05/11/2023 20:56

The soft leather ones are SO comfy. New shows and boots always rub blisters so badly, but my Docs were brilliant from the get go. I love them!

Eminybob · 05/11/2023 20:57

I second fur lined DMs. Mine didn't need any breaking in

TomAllensWhiskMic · 05/11/2023 20:59

The solovairs I tried on were too narrow for me. They were the 6 hole ones though.

DramaAlpaca · 05/11/2023 20:59

I've got Solovairs, they fit me much better than DMs and I find them so much more comfortable.

If you want DMs, get the soft leather ones for easier breaking in.

CyberCritical · 05/11/2023 21:00

I really want to like them but have zero tolerance for painful feet and have never been able to wear them for a more than a couple of hours before I have no skin left on my heels.

SpacePotato · 05/11/2023 21:02

The originals are hard and narrow in my opinion.

The soft leather in other styles I've had have never needed breaking in or hurt.

I've bought off ebay but only styles I've owned before so I know they will fit.

TheDandyLion · 05/11/2023 21:03

Never needed to break in a pair of Docs. I've had at least 4 four pairs over the last 30 years. They've always been comfortable to me.

Purplecatshopaholic · 05/11/2023 21:04

I have two pairs of DM sandals. One were a dream from day one. The other are still a nightmare, months on. Boots generally really need to be broken in. So, short answer is, it depends on the style and your feet, lol.

kitsuneghost · 05/11/2023 21:04

No, they kill me
I have new rocks instead

floppybit · 05/11/2023 21:05

I've been looking at Lanx boots too.I think I'm going to treat myself to a pair, they look amazing quality. I'm after some of the brogue style ones. I like the fact that they are British made.

MiddleParking · 05/11/2023 21:06

I’ve had DM Chelsea boots for a couple of years and I still can’t wear them two days in a row.

KnackeredBack · 05/11/2023 21:07

Fur lined DMs here too - didn't need to break in at all and incredibly comfortable.

unsync · 05/11/2023 21:26

Have you looked at Birkenstock boots? They do lace up and pull on boots.

roseopose · 05/11/2023 21:38

I've had Lanx and DMs and find Lanx much more comfortable and lighter than DMs, I've sold every pair I've had because I can't get on with them. The sandals cut my feet to ribbons over the summer.

Snorlax1013 · 05/11/2023 21:38

I have patent black ones I got in 2016, I recently wore them to Alton Towers. We walked solidly from 1pm to 10.15pm never stopping for more than ten minutes and they were absolutely fine. It think it was about 14km we covered that day.

I have sandals that are newer and they are 75% broken in, I got them last summer and could have finished breaking them in this summer but a foot injury prevented me wearing them.

In terms of one that I have that aren't broken in yet I have some soft leather Vondas which are going to take barely any work, they just aren't as comfortable as my main ones yet.

I have some new Smiley ones which are patent so will take longer, they are only a few weeks old and fine for short journeys right now.

I also have purple vegan ones. They feel like they are going to be a nightmare. I can't seem to make any progress with them.

To prevent them ripping up my feet I use microporous tape round the back of my ankles and wear thick socks. I don't get blisters. It just takes some time to get them the way I want them but once they are broken in they're perfect.

Couperi · 05/11/2023 21:49

I've got a couple of pairs of Lanx, one pair is very comfortable, the other pair still need breaking in. I've also got several pairs of DM's. Some that are years old and broken in will suddenly start hurting one day. Others are comfortable from the off. I've had many take chunks out of my ankles and really hurt. Even my fur lined Leonores left me with bruises across the top of my feet!

newyorkbreakfast · 05/11/2023 21:51

No.... I have DM "Church" monkey boots and they're still sore several years in. Never again.