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?

Lanx I have pair entering their third winter and they are super comfy and look great, I do polish them regularly though

I have one pair of boots, one pair of sandals.

The boots are fine, but they cost me £200. It's just too much money.

DC has some shoes, softer leather, 3 years and look good, almost never polished

I just bought a pair of Lanx Wilphire shoes in their sale for the same reason. I just wanted some comfortable shoes that last. I've got their Dinckley boots already and I love them.
Toast has some Solovair Mary Janes that I'm lusting after but they don't seem to come in my size.

I hope so because I've just ordered a pair of their sandals (in the Schuh sale though, so not full price.) Was considering boots for the winter but might not based on some of these comments

Have you looked at Solovair directly? They might have a wider size range.

Question for those recommending Solovair:

I buy the soft leather DMs and find they are comfortable instantly, no breaking in required. Are any of the Solovair boots in a similarly comfortable leather?

I’ve the 1460 side zips and love them (easy to do up despite arthritis). I replace them every time the soles split, but they rarely last more than 2-3 years. If Solovair make something similar that will last longer, I would be very happy to buy them.

You should look at their 'full grain / soft grain' and 'greasy' leathers. Avoid the styles in patent, 'smooth hi-shine', or 'rub-off' leather as these have coatings which make them stiff and harder to break in.

There is a good summary here: https://uk.nps-solovair.com/pages/solovair-leather-explained?countrycode=GB#top

I have @OhTediosity I can't find that particular model on the Solovair site at all.

Oh no, how annoying @Igneococcus.

I grew up just down the road from Lanx's HQ, I love that their names are all local. My Dad worked in Dinkley, I had friends in Wilpshire and so on.

I've got 14 pairs and they're not made as good as they used to be :(

I really don’t understand the logic of increasing the price and reducing the quality of items. Surely it’s counterproductive as then people won’t have any incentive to buy or consider investing in items if they’re poor quality?

@Igneococcus have you seen theses? M+S online only really nice and comfortable ( try don't stock their own in this style anymore )

They are only available for Toast customers. It's a bit mean to only go up to size 7. 7 is not exactly large.
Try other Solovair collaborators (MHL, YMC?) or ebay/vinted.

I had some of the Toast Mary Janes and they were lovely but too snug for me.

I have a 15 year old pair which are ok (but it took me years to break them in). Friends are telling me their newer ones are rubbish and they're moving to Solovair. Made in UK, not in China as Dr Martens are now - which is another v good reason to support Solovair.

I found the newer pairs really narrow, heavy and uncomfortable, couldn't wear them.

Thanks @Wahine24 I have some black Mary Janes from (I think) Office which will last me this winter although the heels need resoling. I just really like the colour of the Solovair/Toast ones, it's like a very dark oxblood, almost black but not quite. There was a version as well in "olive" which I liked even more but sold out ages ago, again only up to size 7.
Annoying that they don't offer them in larger sizes.

I had to google Dinckley and Wilpshire @SusannaSpider, in defense of my ignorance, I'm not British and I live in Scotland, so that part of the country is quite unknown to me. It looks like a lovely area.

Really sad to hear that about DMs. Just got some for dd for sixth form and was remembering my 90s ones fondly and hoping hers lasted as long. Will be super annoyed if they only last a year! RRP £170 or £180 I think but got them for £124

Do you mean Solovair? I bought mine direct from them no problem

I own about 6 pairs, not all are uncomfortable. Some of them ok were ok straight away. The ones with softer leather.
I do not find them to be long lasting though and do not have a pair from 15+ years ago as I used to think they were hideous.
i have plantar fasciitis these days so cannot wear them anymore.

I’ve got the Pascal mono soft leather DMs and they have been great. Very comfortable and i’ve had them a few years and they are good as new.

However I agree the quality of the standard ones is off though. Had a pair at uni and they lasted me years and years. My daughter has a pair she got a year ago and the leather has split already.

@Igneococcus no worries x

@faffadoodledo , you might have done but they're not stocked by them right now. They have some T-bar ones.

Solovair Mary Jane Shoes | Cordovan | TOAST
NPS Solovair | Womens Boots, Shoes & Loafers | Made in England – Tagged "Mary-Jane-Shoe" – NPS Solovair UK (nps-solovair.com)