Dr Martens boots

[PersephoneParlormaid]

I’m in my 50’s but suddenly want a pair of these boots. Just the Chelsea boot style ones, but are they really as bad to wear in as people say?

You'll get a mixed response. I love Dr Martens, and only started wearing them in my late 40s. They are so comfortable, but I cannot find a pair of Chelsea boots that I can bear to even try on!

I have the Chelsea boots. Dh bought them for me last year as he has a pair and I love them. They are gorgeous and really comfortable. They have never rubbed me and I always suffer with blisters in new shoes/boots but the Chelsea boots were great from the off. They are easy to pull off by using the loop on the back of the boot.

I’m also in my 50s and recently ordered the fur lined DM Chelsea boots, which are gorgeous. Sadly my instep is too high as I forced my feet into them but just too tight on the top to keep so I’m looking for something else.

I have not had a problem wearing them in (apart from work ones which were a challenge, but they have steel in so not surprising).

Any of the 'milled nappa' ones are soft leather and much easier to wear.

I would say go in store and try different styles on

I have about 15 pairs.

I tried the Chelsea boot ones but my heel slipped in them. I need laces to pull boots tight on my feet otherwise my heels slip.

I guess it just depends on your foot. I've been wearing them since I was a teenager in the 90s and they've never caused me any problems. Currently wearing the fur lined Chelsea boots and I love them.

I have the soft leather ones previously I used to wear 2nd hand as they wear already worn in

I think they have had their day. I prefer more up to date boots and shoes.

Be warned that the quality has declined dreadfully. I highly recommend Solovair, which are made in Northants in the former DM factory. If you’re anywhere nearby they have a factory shop. Mine were half price because they are ‘seconds’ but I genuinely couldn’t tell you why.

https://uk.nps-solovair.com/collections/womens/Dealer-Boot

Their ‘greasy’ leather is the easiest to break in but they still need some work. Get some silicone heel protectors and wear two pairs of thin socks in a sandwich while breaking in: sock - protector- sock. The shiny leather finishes are the worst to break in because the coating means the leather doesn’t soften and flex as much.

I’ve got loads of DMs but don’t really wear them very much now as they aren’t actually that comfortable and are really heavy, the hard leather ones in particular is impossible to break in.

I tend to wear Fly London boots if I’m doing a lot of walking. They’ don’t need breaking in at all and are lovely quality.

I think the fit/style is crucial. I don't have any myself, but my daughter does. She spent an hour or so in the massive Oxford Street DM store trying on a lot of different versions of the same basic boot, until she found a pair that fitted her very well (they were actually a men's style in the end, iirc). There were more variations/foot shapes than I would ever have believed possible, even when I couldn't see the difference between them!

The shop assistants were really helpful during the process, and also warned her that it would take time to break them in because the leather was stiff. But in fact she's worn them a lot and they've been comfortable from the word go, in spite of being stiff. Which I think is because she ended up with a pair which were really good for her foot shape.

I have the fur lined and regular Chelsea boots, they’re super comfortable but I never buy them brand new.

get some off vinted

I’ve been wearing the Leonore boots for about 7 years. Very comfortable and I don’t remember them being a nightmare to break in. They are starting to show signs of wear and tear now, which isn’t bad for using them this long. They’ve done a lot of work!

I’ve heard that newer boots aren’t as good, so not sure what to suggest. Maybe second hand?

I'm in my 50's and love a DM. I do put proper supportive insoles in mine as I have dodgy feet. The breaking in depends on the leather as some styles are much harder than others, but my secret is to buy them on Vinted/Ebay so someone has done the hardest first few wears for you.
In the breaking in phase I wear 1000 mile double layer hiking socks in them and never get a blister since I started wearing them

I always buy second hand docs

Second the recommendation to ensure a good fit. I used to regularly trip and fall when wearing my DM Chelsea boots. I assume it must be the fit (a bit wide for me) because I don’t trip up when wearing lace up DMs or any other boots/ shoes.

The soft leather Virginia Pascal don’t need any breaking in. They’re brilliant.

I’ve got the zip version of the Chelsea boots a zip on either side. They’re really comfortable.

I’ve always suffered with blisters from most shoe types but the fluffy Chelsea boots have never caused a blister luckily and they still look like new after about 5 years!

Yes they are! It's bloody awful but once they are worn in they are so comfy so its worth it!

How big are your feet? I got the children’s Chelsea boots ( they have a handy zip to get into them easier😂) & I never had any bother breaking them in. They are so much more comfortable to wear than any that I had in my teens/twenties!

I have the "fur" lined Chelsea boots and they have never rubbed. First time I wore them was walking in London :) best investment!

I love my DMs. If you can get the softer leather in the Chelsea boots you won’t need to wear them in. I have the 1460 pascal lace ups which are soft. My usual size was a little tight over the top so I removed the insole until they had stretched a little. They are so comfy and I wear them all the time. I was late 40s when I got my first pair and they won’t be my last

My son works in one of their shops and gets several pairs a year as his work 'uniform' and always uses the shoe balm when new to soften the leather, but I remember with his Chelsea boots he said they were a lot quicker to break in. I think it depends on which leather/faux leather finish you get and how easy you find bedding in other footwear, (my husband is one of those annoying people who can put on new shoes, even Docs, and not have any problems but I have several weeks of blister plasters and thick socks to get them comfy!)