Are Dr Martens really worth it?

[RightHereRightNowish]

So I'm fed up of buying a new pair of boots every winter. It's annoying and obviously terrible for the environment.

I'm looking for a more durable option and I'm wondering if Dr Martens are really worth the price? I'm put off by reading how uncomfortable they are for ages.

So, are they worth the money and effort?

No, they're not. Another mention for Lanx or Solovair. I've got Loakes which I love, they have one style virtually identical to Docs, it was a shock to put on a pair of boots and have them feel great from day one. Felt a bit of a mug for all the time I've spent suffering with Docs.

No - quality is useless since they took production out of GB.

Get Solovair or a nice pair of Blundstones if you like the Chelsea boot style. I've got Blunnies and they're fab, comfortable and hard wearing.

I have two pairs of quite smart vegan DMs and they've lasted 10 years so far. I wear them incessantly for 6+ months during the year. All weathers. So comfortable. The soles cracked a bit on the side now but still no water in. An amazing investment!

Never managed to break mine in

Yet another vote for Solovair here!

i bought a pair of the softer black ones almost 2 years ago. I don't wear them a huge amount but find them very comfortable and durable when I do. I did a nearly 2 week holiday of 20-30k steps a day and they never let me down or hurt. I really love them and for me they are worth the price.

The DMs made in England are £180-£220 😳 but they should last years.

I bought the cheaper ones and they're doing great so far. It took about 3 weeks to break them in but once I had they are so comfortable.

I bought some Rydale Boots in January 2024.
6/7 months later the soles are smooth and have holes, the heel counter fabric inside is worn through and the leather has split in several places around the toes.

I expected better from supposedly equestrian focussed boots tbh. I had Blundstone boots once, they lasted about 3 years.

pair died after a years went back to my old biker boots/17yrs old hungarian
and my fryes resoled 27 yrs old/ good leather they are great gave up on dm

Thanks all. General consensus is a big no!

I'll take a look at the other suggestions

DM's aren't made in this country anymore.

Solovair made the original DM's under licence
NPS Solovair | Womens Boots, Shoes & Loafers | Made in England – Tagged "Boot" – NPS Solovair UK (nps-solovair.com)

They were in the 90s but not anymore, I bought some a couple of years ago and was so disappointed I sent them back, they were just cheap looking with flimsy soles.

DMs are the most uncomfortable boots of all time. I’ve lost count of the number of people I know who have bought them, against my advice, and then had years of blisters before finally relegating them to the back of the wardrobe never to be worn again.
Currently waiting for my brother to acknowledge his mistake, whilst simultaneously furnishing him with endless plasters every time we walk anywhere together.

I got some Mary Janes from DM for my DD and the buckle soon came off. Had a to & fro with DM Customer Services who wouldn't refund nor attempt to fix. Wasted lots of money of them, sadly.

I was thinking of trying DMs a couple of years ago after going through some short life or extremely uncomfortable ankle boots (from Clarks, what a waste of money). Went for Fly London's Salv Chelsea boots after a blog recommendation and have been so pleased with them. A little on the large side but I've added a comfy insole and they're a treat to wear, still going strong.

My goto for comfy good quality boots at a good price is Heavenly Feet. Justin as are the closest to classic docs

www.heavenlyfeet.co.uk/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtsy1BhD7ARIsAHOi4xafEA3k9-IgtQs__CSOp8h6chZdybYbo2Un-KVX8-lUxhX0-2PdFvQaAgDXEALw_wcB

I also like XTI, a Spanish brand that last 3-4 years of heavy use and are really cheap.

Tom Tailors are good too.

I have some 25 year old Docs. Still fabulous. (Albeit somewhat thinner soles.) Two year old docs looking much more worn out. Disappointed.

Another vote for Solovair.

Every pair I have tried on feel rock hard and like wearing boats. So uncomfortable

I used to love stomping round school in my DMs! Such a shame to hear. How are Solovairs on width fittings? I have really wide feet and struggle to find nice shoes that don’t pinch 😕

I bought a second hand pair from ebay. They were like new, because the first owner couldn't break them in. I won't lie, breaking them in was hard. But I got through it and they great. Half price, so I figured it was worth a shot. And I am pleased I didn't pay full price.

I've been hankering after a pair of Lanx for ages. This may be the winter I go for it.

@ADesignForLife , they vary but the web site has a size guide. Many of the styles are unisex so are generally quite generous width-wise. My feet are quite wide.

They do half-sizes which is a big plus.

There is an official outlet where discontinued styles are usually bargains. They also come up on vinted and ebay.

Someone up thread mentioned the Mary Jane style, I've got M&S kids school shoes which are very similar , I've worn them regularly for about 6 years, they still look great, polish well and are comfy and go to an adult size 7
I don't rate heavenly feet at all, the ones I bought lasted months then the sole came loose in the midsection of my foot and they were really unhelpful and the boots were unwearable , a friend who's a teacher had similar with them her boots developed a click when she walked and they refused to exchange or refund .

I've had two pairs of Heavenly feet and neither have been great. Only had about 12mths out of them. The wedge heel on the first pair seemed to go really spongey on one side, as if it had lost structure inside. The second pair split on the sole, under the ball of my foot.

Another vote for Solovair. As PP have said they are based in the old DM factory near Northampton.

They have a factory shop if you can get to Wollaston in Northants.