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ey @RoseAnvil I have clock a pair of years on STEEL (uk) 10 eyelets and they have been good so far, haven´t seen any review on them yet on this channel, would you give them a go?
I can’t stand being ripped off by these companies. I don’t mind shelling out some cash for quality footwear, but you have no way of knowing what’s inside. Thank you.
It's the way of the world it seems, I grew up with made in England DMs... Made in England DMs are now luxury shoes. I've always thought these Chinese ones look crap, now I've found out how crap they are... The UK made ones were not like this, they'd last year's and years. You do a deal with China, the deal is they'll make crap. You'll make a lot of money short term, but you'll damage your brand
@@DoMyHomework_ £500 is way too much for a pair of leather boots. That's the equivalent to blowing a ton of money on some stupid pair trainers. The cost to value just isn't there. I don't care if it's blessed by the monks of Vatican £500 for a simple pair of leather boots is insane. They won't last last any longer that any cheap pair of leather boots from the 80s, leather has a wear point that regular use will meet quickly. It's insane to pay £500 for an acceptable quality pair of factory made shoes.
You don't need to be a leather expert to know how bad DM's leather is; even most of the 'made in England' ones aren't good(the Horween and CF Stead limited editions are an exception.) I stumbled last time on a few vintage pairs of their shoes in a vintage clothing store in London and I was shocked how good the leather was. Grained, thick, smooth, NATURAL LOOKING, beautiful patina. Reason: corporate greed.
Dr. Martens were bought by a company called Permira about 10 years ago. The quality of Dr. Martens declined drastically after being bought up by Permira.
1/4/1960 = 1st April 1960, shortened to 1460, hence the name. I lived in Docs the whole of the 1980's. Wouldn't go near them now after buying a Thai made pair about 10 years ago.
About the time I bought my first and last docs pair. They started nice but they fell apart in record time. Since then I’ve bought several better made pairs from BA Mason and golden fox.
my last pair i wore 8 years. my feet haven't changed since i bought them. im 65 now, i bought 4 pair because the shipping from the UK took forever then. I'm on my 3rd pair, regardless of the opinion, i like them, steel toe doc for me. these new ones, junk. wish i could post pictures. takes about 3 to 4 months to break them in, i do put upgraded insoles in then though, not going to lie, jel for the win.
It just goes to show you that no matter how punk you think you are, it takes real effort to cut through all the marketing noise. We all need clothes-that’s just how it is-but you don’t need to be defined by branding and the execs that are paid to sell a product to you.
It's more punk to buy once, cry once. If you can keep a boot for 10 years they get less money from you than the guy that has to buy new shitty boots every year.
@@ronmatthews1738 blah. public traded companies are evil..becasue capitalism..now equity owned? have the punks make their smartphones by themselves. or gov (co) owned chinese manufacturers. when you open the box, you cansmall the genocide, pollution and human rights violations.
There is no ethical consumption under capitalism. Your only shot of being as ethical as possible in your purchasing is if you live in one of those magical towns where they still have thriving mom-and-pop busineses that haven't been shut down by Costco and Walmart. That, or you pay through the nose for some bespoke shit from a tiny Japanese atelier.
I bought a pair in 1997, and those boots lasted me for decades, so when I finally went to retire them, I thought that there was only one logical choice. I didn't know that production had moved. The new pair lasted maybe a year or two before I found a hole in the upper where the leather had just worn through. Never again.
@@chriscoughlan5221a decade is 10 yrs. 26 yrs ... Would be more than one decade 2.6 actually ,which would be classified as decades. Of course I didn't come here to argue pedantic nonsense..unlike you. The doc martens I bought back in the late 80's and nineties have a different sole and I agree they had much better quality before they farmed them out to Asia. I have a pair of their shoes that I bought in the late 80's and they're still kicking. So if you don't have a problem with math and calendars then you understand why decade has an s on the end.
I would love the "Alternatives to Doc Martens" video, especially if it can match the colors and styles they do with quality. They're fashion pieces more than practical, I think. And that makes them strange to compare to lost of boots. So I appreciate your sneaker comparison.
Solovair is made at the original dr Martin factory and was the owner of that patent for the sole I think. Almost all dr Mrs are made in Thailand and china now except the specific English made doc. You can still buy solovair boots made in England from that factory.
It’s certainly true to say Doc Martens has “sold out”. They were taken over by a private equity company, Permira ten years ago and were listed on the London stock exchange in 2021. They are very much a volume shoemaker today, aiming to sell as many pairs as they can. Nowadays they represent poor value for money.
My experience with a pair of Docs wingtips, ten years ago, was exactly what you described here: At first they felt ok but nothing special as far as bounce, but very quickly the foam crushed flat and they started to feel like just walking on hard slabs. All of the cushion came from the foam, and the foam didn't last. Leather held up ok though.
I still have my 30 year old docs. Made in England. I am sure the other pairs I have are made in China or Southeast Asia. The price has spiked in recent years. You go to Europe, and they are much cheaper. I still like them. And I feel the bounce. Of course it isn’t like wearing running shoes. I always put inserts in all my shoes, because of PF, and pronation. Stiff as hell, but they kept me from getting frostbite, and slipping on icy sidewalks while in Europe
You go on self righteously talk about supporting corporations. Shit, everything you buy is part of an evil corporation. This is so tired. I might return my patent leather ones I just bought though. What is an alternative source? None. Go buy Blundstone, or Tuesday. How about Fluevog? STILL CORPORATE! Everything you EAT is CORPORATE, unless you are wealthy enough to buy everything at your local organic food store (Erewhon), or farmer’s market. Or if you are lucky enough to have a bit of land grow your own food. They’re great, but I can’t afford them
I wore docs all thru the 90s. My final pair was in 98 when the heel fell off. That was when I realized it wasn't stitched. It was glued and that pissed me off.
I'd like to see a "part 2" video of you showcasing some alternatives to Doc Martens, at equal and higher prices, that are also available internationally. Personally, I've been wearing my 1460's every day (literally) for the past 2 years and I haven't encountered any faults so far. I love the appearance of them and if you know of any other manufacturers that offer a similar looking boot at a higher quality I would love to hear it! Love from Sweden :)
Yes ! I came to the comments to say this as well. I love wearing boots and I've been looking for new ones but don't know what to get. Timberlands are too heavy and dr. Martens are too unbalansed for my feet (it feels like the heel is literally on the ground).
I don't think there is an alternative because they sell on their image not substance. The people who buy them buy them based on image and not on feature or quality.
During my early years as a police officer in the UK I wore DM's and I found the super comfortable, but as they became more of a fashion statement, they became more uncomfortable. The inner sole would wear through quickly, the soles would detach and they became more narrow fitting. This was seconded by the salesman in the shop I always purchased them from. They lost my business and shot themselves in the foot (so to speak) as far as I'm concerned. Many people still wear them, so I doubt they are too worried. I'm now retired and wear Under armour leather boots for walking after trying many other makes.
That sounds familiar. I started wearing them 30 years ago and back then they would last. They have definitely got narrower, and the inside now falls apart even before the sole is worn. Looking for an alternative - I still like the look and the only thing more comfortable I know are my old army boots but they're not great for the office...
I found that to be true as well. I got my first pair in a out 1995 maybe 1996. By the time I got my 4th or 5th pair in 2005 or so, they hurt my feet so damn bad I couldn't wear them- like at all.
To me, the main purpose of a boot is to protect feet from the elements. I used to have several pairs of Docs in different styles. One day, about ten years ago, it was raining pretty hard when I got to work. I walked in the rain from my car to the building, which was about 50 yards on pavement (with no puddles to walk through). By the time I got inside, rain water had gotten into my boots and made my socks wet. This happened again with another pair, so I got rid of them all. I now own other boots that are not Docs but keep my feet dry in moderate rain.
You bought a fashion shoe as your work boots? Lmao thats 100% your fault bc you knew what you were getting. Docs were never made to work in. They were a fashion boot.
I think it would be interesting to see you do a review of the work boot docs (The ones you would find on an actual work boot website, not Docs website bc there’s a difference). I used to work at a shoe store and I’ve had some people swear by them but agree that the regular ones are dog shit. I was skeptical as to how true that actually was so I think it would be interesting to see.
100% Agreed 👍. A Ton of the Police here in Switzerland wear the "Work Brand" Doc's. I believe there more expensive and ive been told they HATE the fake Docs that are sold to kids.. those are garbage.
The Workwear Boots are basically no more… they stopped making them I’ve been told when I recently went to get some to replace my worn ones… composite safety toe… gore-tex lining… and where so comfortable… most certainly had a better sole than traditional Dr Martens… so no the work work range has been dropped in favour of the ‘traditional’ fashionable retail range… it’s rubbish really as they where far better than Cat Boots… Wolverines are good comfortable boots but I was really looking to replace like for like…. But you can’t… currently a couple months into a pair of Grinders Mens Kestrel Steel Toe Cap Boots - Black… I’m told they’re made in the UK? But I was able to get them for £55? Which is cheap for such a boot really… seem well made… fitted nicely… but are taking a little bit to wear in… it would be interesting to see if any Grinders have been cut in half yet?
I got my first Doc Martens because of a strong recommendation of my best friend. I was told how comfy and high quality they were and that they would go well with my kilt. They did indeed go well with my kilt, but the rest was bull. When I received them in the mail, I was immediately surprised and disappointed in the leather. And after a full day of wearing them, my feet were so messed up (heel and arch) that I couldn't walk for several days. But like a bad relationship I blamed myself for the abuse. I thought I must be doing something wrong. That led me to researching the boots which led me to the Rose Anvil channel. Like good therapy you made me realize that my abused feet weren't my fault. Then I went and bought a pair of Nicks Urban Loggers (based on your positive opinion of PNW boots), and my feet are super happy again after the appropriate break-in period.
Ok but dr martens are notoriously hard to break in. It takes about a month. Dr. martens are good for the price imo. Might not be top tier quality but if you take good care of them they can last half a decade or more
... So you didn't break your docs in, and you're surprised that a shoe that has to be broken in... Was not broken in? This comment doesn't say what you think it does. There's way more expensive and high quality boots than docs that also require breaking in. That isn't "a bad relationship" that's a well known thing that was on the tag of the boots you bought before you exchanged them for ones you didn't need to break in. Docs are comfy once broken in. Not sure I'd agree modern ones are high quality but after the breaking in period they are among the comfiest boots you'll ever wear. Even people who despise Doc Martens agree they're comfy (just not worth the price for what they are) This whole comment is just embarrassing.
Bought a pair of brown Docs shoes in the early 90s and loved them. They lasted many years and once they were a bit worn I wore them to work while I was slinging freight for a giant shipping company (the brown one). They lasted several more years under that daily abuse. The leather was great and the soles were durable. I can’t believe how awful they’ve become as a brand. Wolverine went the same route once they stopped making them in Rockford, MI. Too bad. Luckily that’s how I found Red Wing and have LOVED wearing them both at work and for normal daily use. Channels like yours are invaluable in demystifying the corporate greed and laziness that seems pervasive. Appreciate your expertise and reviews.
Rampant capitalism allowed by legal bribing called lobbying. In a proper democracy, with a proper justice and tax system, this kind of sh!t wouldn't fly. The CEOs would have some cool off time and learn not to be greedy SOBs with the unitary value of a burnt light bulb.
This was great and mirrors my experience with Docs over the decades. The only ones worth buying (back in the day anyway, I would never buy a pair now) were the versions with the deep lug sole which lasted much longer. And for those looking for an alternative, try Angry Itch. I have had a pair for over 4 years now and they still look new.
I tried on a pair in a shoe shop a few years ago to see what all the fuss is about. They were the most UNcomfortable boots I’ve ever had on my feet! Needless to say, I gave them back to the sales person. I now have a lovely pair of very comfortable Fly London boots in bottle green, that everybody mistakes for “Docs”. They’re much better looking too.
i'm surprised you didn't talk about solovair the company formed by the people who created the original doc's but when doc's went abroad they took their experience and started their own company creating the original doc's that's why they are called solovair(sole of air)
Actually Solovair existed way before. They were the one of the shoemakers contracted by RGriggs to manufacture DMs back in the 1960s. Their shoes might be slightly better constructed but they still suffer from having poor quality leather.
I had these boots in the mid 90s (grunge era) and wore them all the time. They were so comfy and never cracked or split. Sad to see what they’ve become.
It would be really interesting if he could get hold of a pair of classic 80s/90s Docs and then break those down to see what the differences are between the old and new versions.
They were absolute garbage back then. I bought my first pair in 1986 and destroyed them within a few months. They were never made to do anything but go to the mall.
As the saying goes, "They don't make 'em like they used to," which is also to say that you could pretty much wear them regularly or even on the daily [back in the 80s or perhaps even the early 90s], but not anymore. DMs nowadays are basically something you'd wear once in a while or on occassions. They're not meant to be worn often -- like your school shoes, which again, something you could do back in the day.
My 1460s I now wear mostly on stage where the slippy sole is handy now it’s worn down. I have some super grippy platform boots but day to day I mostly wear Solovair instead.
I bought a pair in the mid 90's. Wore them for 20+ years, I DID have to repair the sole at one point around 10 years in, it did come loose like you showed. A local cobbler fixed them and they were fine. They were comfortable until the end - and I didn't retire them for wear, but I didn't wear them for a few years and my feet changed and they were way too tight. Bought a new pair a few years ago and they just aren't the same. The way they fit, the way they feel, I didn't care for them. I found them really tight on the top of the arch.
I felt that exact same thing. I made a few small cuts in strategic places to relieve the pressure. Now they fit great, but the sole gets hard, like plastic, in these North Dakota winters. Basically I can only wear them for 6-8 weeks per year.
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I wore Dr Martens exclusively for years and they were awesome. I kept to their Made in England line and they were great but steadily went downhill in the last 10 to 15 years around the time they started doing high profile collabs with brands like Stussy or Engineer Garments. I still have scars on the back and top of my feet from the last pair.
@@stoneocean4760 of course I do. Usually heavy boot socks and even Dr Marten’s own boot socks. The boots would crease about 2 inches above my heal and the knuckle of my big toe. I even tried putting plasters on those spots for the break in period and the boots would wear through the plasters in a few hours of walking. I was measured like 3 times so I know I had the correct size. I have no issues with red wing or similar. I think it’s because I have a very high instep so the boot creases a lot and dr martens leather is cheap so they didn’t soften easily at the creases.
Seems like I was very lucky to buy a pair back in 2002 or 2003, they've got some scuffs and scrapes now but still showing no signs of falling apart. The longevity of the old ones is absolutely crazy compared to what they pump out now.
I'm a NYC Tour Guide. Female. Age 61. I was professional horse trainer for over 20 years and doing that in cowboy boots and riding boots for most of my lifetime utterly ruined my feet. As a tour guide, I walk miles every day. When I started guiding, I tried at least a dozen types and brands of shoes to find something that 1) I could feel safe wearing in all weather and all conditions - a shoe wouldn't slip, a shoe that helped me to not roll my ankles, etc. and 2) would help to minimize foot pain. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING did these things for me until I tried my first pair of Docs. They were, and are, a total game changer. One of the most important things is that they are absolutely slip-proof. No matter where I am or what I'm walking on (wet, smooth sidewalks to black ice), I always feel secure. I have tried numerous all weather, rain and snow boots and they were all slippery at some point. Not my Docs. I don't understand how they do it, or from what material the sole is made, but I never have to worry about slipping and falling in my Docs. They second thing is that the minimize my foot pain. Do my feet start to hurt after 3-4 miles? Sure. With foot issues like I have, of course they will, BUT I get at least 2-3 miles that are totally pain free. Everything else I tried, EVERYTHING, hurt my feet (and knees, and back) within an hour. Finally, my Docs last and last. I have tall boots, short boots, insulated winter boots (could be warmer in all honesty), Mary Janes, Oxfords and even sandals and I can still use my first pair that I bought 7+ years ago. I have never had any pair split or be defective in any way. And my Docs work HARD. They just work and work and work. Once every couple of year or so, I replace to sole inserts with genuine Dr. Marten inserts, and they feel just like new. They are, seriously, the only brand of shoes that I wear now. Everything else is scary and hurts my feet.
I don't know about modermn docs but when I was a boy.... the sole of DMs looked similar to todays but I feel like the rubber was a bit softer, and although the cells are not sealed in themselves, they retained enough air that that sometimes the side of the sole would "blow out" and you'd get a split - often after jumping around a lot at a gig. So it seems like although the sole cells are not proplery sealed, the inner sole etc was enough tp trap air well enough for the air to compress and blow out the sole. This would result in a split along one of the "grooves' of the sole. The easy fix was to heat a dinner knife in a stove element and use that to fuse the split closed. My favourite DMs were made by Hawkins, not AirWear and they had a directly moulded sole. There was no stitching the sole was molded to the upper some how. They looked kinda cool both because they were different to most DMs you saw, but they also looked a bit sleeker without the sticking and the rubber bulge the stich goes through. Oh and Hawkins was appointed by HRH as a provide of royal foot wear (la dee da). I assume riding boots rather than work boots.
This is really bloody sad. I got a pair of factory-surplus Docs back before the British factories closed and if I could have afforded to get them re-soled they'd still be going now.
Bought a brown pair back in the early 2000s. They say maden in England on the sole, so I guess I got lucky. Have worn them all over the world, and they have held up great.
Disgusting!!! Thanks for exposing the scam. I really appreciate your channel. My feet have had issues my whole life, and the more I can learn about which shoes have the best construction, the better!
I'm 62 and part of the original Doc Martens market of older women needing comfortable shoes. I don't mind them being like a sneaker because they have better toe room than a sneaker and will help me to avoid developing hammertoes. I have very long toes and need a big toe box. Doc Martens have that and I look badass in them, too. I always get compliments on my Docs. And I have several pairs so I suspect they will last me plenty long enough. 🎉
I had Docs back in the 90s, and in every pair I had, the leather split along the edge of the sole. The leather took ages to break in, and never was very comfortable. A real case of style over substance.
I've worn them since the early 70's and I noticed the quality went when Taiwan was making them. When they were being made again on the UK I was pleased to see they gad that original feel to them and now own some of their forlife in 1460 and the shoes and wow they are worth the £170 fir a pair
@@KahlilDechaineof all the ones I had back in the eighties and nineties... The leather never wore out or split or cracked but the souls just wore down after a few years of daily wear because I walk on the sides of my feet. I have a pair of early nineties wingtips that I didn't wear daily and still wear and they're holding up wonderfully. I wish I could attach a picture. It's a shame they sold out their quality for production numbers and profit margins.
I bought my first pair in the 70s from an ad in the back of Rolling Stones because there were no stores in the States that sold them. You would out your foot on paper and outline it, send it in with $40 and then wait forever. After three months an beat up package would arrive. They were the steel toe, leather toe cap oxfords that I loved for about 6 months but that sole would wear down pretty quick. I would just buy Tanker Boots from the surplus store for $10 and wear those for a few years.
I got a pair in London back in 1992. I wore them all the time and in the spring of 1993 wore them every day for a month traveling around Europe. I was walking 5-10 miles every day except on days I was on a train. They were one of the most comfortable boots I ever owned. I still have them, but only thing that failed was the insoles. The leather piece came unglued, but still have the original soles, and a lot of the tread is left. Oh and they cost me under £40 at the time or about $55. In the US you would have been lucky to find them for around $100. Now the first two weeks wearing them were brutal. The break in was harsh, but once the uppers got a bit of flex to them, they were fantastic. Best thing I bought during my year in England. 10 years ago, I bought a new pair with the softer leather uppers. They didn’t need to break in at all, but I don’t wear them as much now. Back when I was in England, it seemed like every university student had a pair. Usually the black, but you’d see oxblood frequently.
Would love to see you do this to another British boot company called Tredair. I use to wear them back in the day (think 90’s early 2000’s). They’re still around today and were basically the only competitor to Doc’s. Meaning they had the same look, design, similar price point and made in the same country. I actually preferred my Tredair boots to Doc’s when it came to comfort and support.
Tredair were made by White & Co., I talked to Nick White once and they closed the factory. All production was contracted out to the company that makes Solovair(NPS). Except for veganline I haven't seen Tredair for years, I really liked them.
I have a pair of made in England DMs from the late '90s. I would love to see those cut in half, if you can get your hands on a pair! I don't wear them much anymore, but they've held up great over the years. The leather is definitely much higher quality than the modern DMs. Also, it would be neat to see a comparison between DM and Solovair.
Some 20+ years ago I got a pair of used Docs (obviously the UK ones) from a thrift store, and they lasted me a good 3-4 years of very regular and heavy wear. So I'm sure it used to be a bit better than now, but I knew nothing back then. And it was mostly for the symbolic value they were perceived to have for a rebellious teen from a former Bloc. Now I have three pairs of Becket-Simonon boots - thanks to Weston our man here, and could not have been happier with the quality and the value for money. Any Docs look truly pitiful, like some cheap plastic crap that they are next to these.
I'm currently wearing a pair of UK Docs I bought in June 2018 and they still look fairly new and have no problems. That's not to say all of them are that long lasting, I went through two pairs of UK Docs and two pairs of Solovairs in the four years prior to that, and they all had that heat-welding split that's mentioned in the video. All of them are otherwise still in great condition, so I'm hoping to find a cobbler soon that might be able and willing to put Vibram soles on them. All that said, I have had Asian made Docs before, and they lasted me between 4-8 months tops, with way worse splits across the soles and leather.
I wore a pair of Dr. Martens for a couple years. The boot held up, I eventually just wore through the outsole once it was flat. I didnt bother getting them resoled. The funny part about it was when I was in the dead of winter in Minnesota the outersols got so hard whever you would waslk into a shopping mall you would end up with "clack" "clack' "clack"
I'd love to hear about alternatives in the same video, but in the mean time I've been wearing my Docs for the 7 years practically every day, walked 100's of km's in them, and they still remain the most comfortable and reliable pair of shoes/boots I've ever owned, no cracks, holes, whatsoever.
Would love to see a "vertical" dissection of pairs from different years. And also, would love to see a teardown of the current UK made ones, if they're still doing that.
It's all already been done on this channel, including comparison with a 1990s pair, Uk made ones, and Solovair, which are still made by the original British manufacturer => www.youtube.com/@RoseAnvil/search?query=martens
As a long time wearer of Doc Martens, I've also noticed the change since the 90's til now. My question to you is: what is your recommendation for a DM replacement? Something that has variety of styles but has the much better quality. I like this channel. You give good info, PLUS who doesn't like watching boots get sawed in half!
last pair of Dr Marten's that I had lasted maybe 18 months. The sole came apart on me during an event I was playing guitar at. I had to switch what foot I was hitting pedals and switches with. I'm done with them personally. It's been about 5 years since I had a pair.
Thank you for this. I keep getting e mails from them and their advertising is pretty disgusting and phony. I never had a pair but had thought about it recently. I went to an actual store where they’re sold and thought they looked and felt cheap. I’m on my feet all day but I didn’t think they would be a good work boot. I use hiking shoes usually. Which reminds me. Can you do one on Keen and one on Merrill?
I wore pairs of these 50 years ago for farm work. They were comfortable but only lasted up to 6 months before the OVC soles started splitting. My friend had the same problem so always took them back for replacement. He only ever bought one pair because he took each pair back under warranty. Amazed that they are still geting away with asking high such prices for a junk product which would likely cost less than £10 to produce...
I have had two pairs of Doc,s first pair ,black in the 70s the second pair purple in the 90s I am now 60 and want another pair both my pairs went ten years plus so comfy
It's the folding effect that occurs about two inches back from the tip of the toe that descends down onto my foot with each flex of the foot that caused a massive growth on my bone below my big toe from years of wearing them.
I wore Doc Martens from my teens until my early twenties. 1988 - 1998, and Docs were always reasonably priced, long lasting, hard-wearing, comfortable boot that you could wear to work AND socialise in. Last pair I ever bought was sometime in the mid 2000's after not buying a pair for several years, and I was shocked at how flimsy they were. The tongue tore off one of the boots as I tugged at it, only a few months after purchase.
I owned two pairs of Docs. The first pair in the 90s. The second in the 00s I was on my feet a full working day, lifting and carrying boxes of books. The first pair lasted about 8 years. I replaced them about 2004 with the second pair, which lasted just over a year. After that, I found a different boot that saw me through till 2010
I came to the same conclusion in the mid 90's. These were my footwear of choice as a rebellious teenager. The inner sole collapsing within days of being new, leather splitting, ribs digging into your heels, and the hard steel shell getting dislodged and hurting your toes were the trademark of DrMarteen. All this happened well before the production was sent to china. I remember paying about 650 Francs which would be 100 Euros back in 1993. Only one store would sell them in town.
@@elih9700 Except he's talking about his mid 90s docs, which were made in England, so not really "nuffsaid"... Docs could be shit back then in the UK too.
I got my daughter a $100 Doc Marten gift voucher as part of her Christmas gift two years ago. The boots she wanted and ended up getting were $311 not including the gift card. So $411 all up. For low quality boots. Thankfully I only contributed $100 although now I see that was too much. I genuinely thought they were good quality.
400$ US?? She got ripped off lmao I bought 2 pairs brand new (one of them being the exact pair in this video) in the last 5-10 years and they we're 220$ Canadian a piece, meaning about 320$ US for both pairs.
Solovair (avoid their smooth leather options like docs) and Trickers. Trickers aren't quite the same thing (won't find the loud stitching) but some of their shoes have a quirky/clunky Brit country boot aesthetic.
iv owned 3 pairs of docs over the years, iv always found always found them uncomfortable and a bad fit, i got fustrated when my expensive shoes wore through on the sole in just under a year ( i do a lot of walking, as part of my job) the last pair i owned made my heal and ball of my feet feel brused. my current shoe is a north ridge walking boot with a vibram sole iv had them for about a year now, they are comfortable and have barely got any ware on the sole and thats after a year of heavy usage, best £80 i have ever spent on ahoes
I bought a pair of these in the early 90’s and they were awesome. Had them for 10 years before I finally outgrew them. I think I still have them somewhere.
@@ivanheffner2587 thanks for the suggestion, Ivan! Already got like 3 pairs 😄 they are definitely so much better. Would be great to know if there any other alternatives out there?
I've owned several pairs of Docs over the last few decades, and genuinely loved a couple of them. I hate the OG soles with the thin lugs. I owned two pair of those and wore them only for a short time. The ones I loved had what I think were called "Ranger" soles, which had a design more similar to traditional combat boots. Those performed well for me and lasted for several years of daily wear. I've been considering getting another pair, but would absolutely LOVE to see a video of Doc alternatives with better quality and/or comfort.
Doc Martens were what got me into 'boots' and your channel is what got me into better (real) boots. I use to buy knock off docs, which are way worse than docs. I'd burn through about 3-4 pairs a year, just wearing them on hard floors and out to shows. I eventually bought the non knockoff kinds (but didn't spring for the made in England) and got a years out of them before needing insoles, and even now 2 years later while they still hold up they just aren't as comfortable. Since then I've gotten Lems, Redbacks and recently even Jim Green Vellies for the summer but I'm getting ever more excited as the custom Nicks urban loggers I ordered should be here within a month after having waited over 6 months for them! I've love each of the boots I've gotten so far, though the Redbacks took a lot of breaking in due to the lack of widths. I'll still wear my docs until the pair I have fails but they have become more of a fashion boot for me.
He's right. I've had about 4 pairs. 2 pairs during the best of times. They were indestructible. I've had a pair of brown low cut steel toes for this job I used to have and the job I'm currently at. They've survived a really long time. I had a pair of full sized boots where the foam completely was collapsed and it made wearing them tough versus the two during the best of times that I never had that problem with.
I've never owned this brand, but I do find that the fluffier and lighter-feeling a boot is the sooner it wears out. Something with a little bit of break in that isn't soft will wear longer and be more comfortable for me. For hiking, I've beat the hell out of a pair of Scarpa boots that were hard as a rock when I first started wearing them but soon became very forgiving and reliable. I've put thousands of hard miles on them over the years, and they just keep coming back for more. I have also got a lot of wear out of a pair of Carolinas that have gone through several sets of soles and show no signs of giving up. Thorogood boots have been good to me. A pair of their lace-to-toe roofer boots have been amazing. I like that they are made in the USA. I have no problem spending a lot on something that I know is going to give me superior comfort and service. My co-workers are shocked at what I will spend on shoes, but I watch them spend more buying several pairs of fluffy crap that soon become uncomfortable. Shoes are, in my opinion, one of the most important pieces of clothing you can own. $170 for a pair of Doc Martens looks like a rip-off to me when I can get something much better for a little more.
I always found the internal heel reinforcement cracked first, often within a few weeks which leads to the heel/sole interface leather splitting within a few months, the worst part of the design (amongst many).
I bought a pair of Docs at the Dr. Marten 5 story outlet in London in 1995. I learned two things, first, Brits don’t know what you’re talking about when you say “Doc’s”, they call them “Doctor Martens.” Second thing I learned was when I was looking for plaid “Doctor Martens”, is that they also don’t use the word “plaid”. In England, it’s called “tartan”. Ask for plaid and they won’t know what you’re talking about.
When I first started working as a security guard in the UK. I wore Dr Martens shoes. They had the airwair soles too. I found them comfortable to wear standing all day, but running in them was not good. They don't have the same support as a sneaker or trainer. They're too upright for it. But as a casual shoe, they are alright for it.
Fantastic editing guys. Def use this format for your historical stuff. And its worth it to take this format and do a trip to the PNW. Do a tour of all the bootmakers and use this format as your mini documentary style ... Love it..
Please do a best alternatives video! I'm looking to buy a pair of boots that won't ruin my feet and won't break after 2 years, but except for knowing I want actual leather I have no clue what else to look for. My main pair of shoes in summer are crocs, but I need something for the Swedish winter as well 😂
i'm not sure you can have any shoes survive Swedish winter. not because of the winter, but because of how much they salt the roads. i had to buy new shoes every year while living in Sweden because of it. the salt corroded away everything.
I think he recommended Solovairs as an alternative to Docs in one of his videos? I've been meaning to try a pair but they are not as universally available as Docs are.
I got a pair of the polyester upper Martens for Christmas and I've been wearing them to work for about 8 months (very light work, no construction or anything, just walking) and I find them very comfortable. They definitely have more toe room than most shoes. The tread definitely doesn't have any grip, I was sliding around right out of the box, and there isn't much tread to begin with. I don't see the soles lasting much longer, and I'm not gonna chock up $100 to replace em, but I quite like them for what they are.
"I purchased my first pair of boots back in the early 90s, and I absolutely loved them. They were sturdy and seemed indestructible. Unfortunately, I eventually outgrew them. Recently, in 2019, I decided to buy another pair. However, the quality was not as good as I remembered. After only two uses, the leather started peeling, and I noticed the sole was coming apart. This was a terrible experience, and I doubt I will ever purchase another pair of boots from that brand again." Glad you made this video so I know it was not only my thoughts on these
Bought a pair of these for an ex a while ago for a christmas present. They were on sale but still twice what I'd paid for any shoe I'd bought for me. When they arrived I was astonished at how cheap and nasty they appeared, so much so that I spent a few hours looking up how to spot fakes as I was positive I'd been ripped off. Turns out I had been ripped off, but by the genuine article rather than a forged item. Will never spend my hard earned money on them ever again for anyone. Ahh and the boots only laster her about a year before they looked too tatty and the sole had started to detach.
It's one of the few boots that are actually fashionable. I don't like my boots to look like work boots. If some other company makes a boot that looks as good as a doc martens I'll buy it
As someone, who’s not into this whole boot culture and who discovered it just recently, I can definitely say (judging from the outside) that DM’s are all about the marketing. There are so many better and more comfortable shoes that don’t get the same amount of hype. People 100% buy into the cool look they get with DM’s
I bought my first and last Martens mid 90es, and they were incredibly durable but very expensive, incredibly heavy, and my big toes were permanently enlarged because of the very uncomfortable steel cap which was too narrow for my foot so it kept scraping on the side. It took me decades for my big toes to revert to normal size. Never again will I wear those shoes. Today I wear much better boots that look similar to Martens but are more elegant and much more comfy and no visible branding. I think it's Geox. I managed to rip the stiches on the side where laces are, but had it fixed at a cobbler. I have them for at least 6-7 years now, they are a keeper.
I have mine and wore them almost every day. Im on my second pair in last 10+ years. I still find them comfortable and I don't have any problems with sole. I do have leather cracking, but that is only probrrm I'm having. ( taking in consideration that I have never put anything on them whole time I'm having them)
I got couple of those, love the look, but honestly after awhile they hurt my feet...breaking into them was a nightmare too. Thanks for showing us how they're actually made, defo not worth the price 😬
I have a friend who swears the best and only way to break in Docs is to sleep in them! Apparently getting very drunk is an essential part of the process.
I cannot tell you how lovely it is to discover your ETHICAL, lie-exposing channel! Of COURSE I subscribed!! THANK YOU! I deeply appreciate what you do.
I still have and wear a pair of oxbloods I got for my 16th birthday. They came with the oil/solvent resistant soles. Their product number has long worn off and I've hobnailed/re-soled them to use them longer myself twice. They now mostly sit on a shelf proud of the many many miles I've walked and battles for my life fought in them. I've never had a pair of boots last longer than a year since I've had my Docs. Even a pair of black docs I bought in 2010. They were made in Vietnam or Malaysia VS my first b pair which are UK made. The difference in quality is so glarringly obvious its crazy.
I love the Doc Marten's alternatives video idea. I'm curious what you'd pick! And it'd be really interesting if you could check availability too, because different regions in the world have a different selection of boots.
I bought my docs secondhand (so could've been worn for many years before) and have worn them everyday for work for 4 years now and my job means on my feet all day. I also wear them out of work too, even hiked in them once, and they haven't failed me yet. They're fine, perfectly comfortable and haven't cracked or fallen apart. Maybe I got lucky, or maybe I just look after them.. what are you guys doing to your shoes if they're falling apart in a year
I've been wearing the SAME pair of Doc's for 40 years. I bought mine on Carnaby St. in London. I had 2 other pairs stolen that I bought around the same time. I have newer ones, but my go-to's are my old ones. They are my lucky charm on motorcycles. Never dumped it wearing those. Show me another boots/shoes that last 40 years & still are comfortable and not worn out.
So many of my Martens fell apart that I have started buying buts that are similar quality to Martens but saves me so much money ! Thank you for this video !!!
In the early 90’s I had a pair of black brogue Doc’s and they looked rad, but were the most uncomfortable things- bumps under the insole- and I’ve never wasted my money on another pair.
I was one of those who got Docs for Life and ... the way we got the deal squished, cramped, shrunk ... was quite telling. We bought a 'superior quality' boot (shoe in my case) and got told we'd get a replacement if repairs couldn't be afforded for £20. (Hey from the UK!) Basically, repair or replace for £20, for life. We had a 'tougher, stronger' version of either the 1461 shoe or the 1460 boot in a choice of four colours - black, tan, dark brown and red. This was probably the worst business idea in large shoe manufacturing history, I guess, and they basically reneged on everything they could. Now, you have a choice of two colours, as far as I know, (black and red), and most telling, the idea of a superior quality of shoe was thrown out almost immediately. You're not buying a tougher boot/shoe anymore. When you send them pics of your damaged shoes, you get a voucher so that the price of a new pair of ordinary 1460s or 1461s becomes £20. That's not nothing. For the rest of my life, a nice fresh pair of cherry red 1461 shoes will cost me £20. But .. the last pair I had the leather cracked almost straight away and felt like plastic. Now they're worn out I guess I'm getting another pair as a 'might as well' but ... I just hope the quality will feel higher out of the box.
Oh, the first pair was £165 so ... third pair just died means .. my next pair takes the average cost down to £56.25. My tenth pair will bring the average price down to £34.5, which is OK. But they don't last like DMs used to.
Remembering on of my first pairs which had plenty of paper/cardboard and a wooden plank in it and when I saw all of it I was like “what the f?” Later on the paper was gone and I was confused why they felt different.
The funny thing I find is that for only £30 you can get former Austrian military boots that are far more effective and still have the original Doc Martin look. Particularly you give them the classic yellow laces. They are also fully Goodyear welted so can easily be resolved when need. Although I've regularly worn mine for about 5 years and haven't needed to yet.
If you’re ever injured in an accident, you can check out Morgan & Morgan. Their fee is free unless they win. For more information go to www.wordontheblock.biz/r/2369/86/?s=FOR_THE_PEOPLE
Oh darn, you just ruined Docs for me 😭. But thank you for exposing them for the greedy corporate mess they became
@@sventer198. Look for solovair boots. The original Dr.Martin maker in England.
what do you think of altberg and lowa
What's the most comfortable boot I can get that's quality built and under $300? Do you have any recommendations?
ey @RoseAnvil I have clock a pair of years on STEEL (uk) 10 eyelets and they have been good so far, haven´t seen any review on them yet on this channel, would you give them a go?
I can’t stand being ripped off by these companies. I don’t mind shelling out some cash for quality footwear, but you have no way of knowing what’s inside. Thank you.
On behalf of my family i apologise.. although that side is pretty distant lol.
Cop yourself some R.M Williams Chelsea boots. High upfront cost but they fucking LAST.
It's the way of the world it seems, I grew up with made in England DMs... Made in England DMs are now luxury shoes. I've always thought these Chinese ones look crap, now I've found out how crap they are... The UK made ones were not like this, they'd last year's and years. You do a deal with China, the deal is they'll make crap. You'll make a lot of money short term, but you'll damage your brand
@@DoMyHomework_ £500 is way too much for a pair of leather boots. That's the equivalent to blowing a ton of money on some stupid pair trainers. The cost to value just isn't there. I don't care if it's blessed by the monks of Vatican £500 for a simple pair of leather boots is insane. They won't last last any longer that any cheap pair of leather boots from the 80s, leather has a wear point that regular use will meet quickly. It's insane to pay £500 for an acceptable quality pair of factory made shoes.
@@nxxynx5039 they're $AUD649, which would make it around £350. Besides, your paying for Australian Made and 20 years of regular wear.
You don't need to be a leather expert to know how bad DM's leather is; even most of the 'made in England' ones aren't good(the Horween and CF Stead limited editions are an exception.)
I stumbled last time on a few vintage pairs of their shoes in a vintage clothing store in London and I was shocked how good the leather was. Grained, thick, smooth, NATURAL LOOKING, beautiful patina.
Reason: corporate greed.
The British Boot Company in Camden still got some vintage NOS Docs from time to time.
@@TotallyNotKanye he doesn’t need to be an expert when it comes to DM.
@@TotallyNotKanye And I was referring the main comment, which someone doesn’t need to be expert to know how rubbish and terrible DMs leather are.
Ambassador and virginia leather for docs is great
Dr. Martens were bought by a company called Permira about 10 years ago. The quality of Dr. Martens declined drastically after being bought up by Permira.
1/4/1960 = 1st April 1960, shortened to 1460, hence the name. I lived in Docs the whole of the 1980's. Wouldn't go near them now after buying a Thai made pair about 10 years ago.
i still wear 80s docs to this day
have a pair on now
About the time I bought my first and last docs pair. They started nice but they fell apart in record time. Since then I’ve bought several better made pairs from BA Mason and golden fox.
Brill
my last pair i wore 8 years.
my feet haven't changed since i bought them. im 65 now, i bought 4 pair because the shipping from the UK took forever then.
I'm on my 3rd pair, regardless of the opinion, i like them, steel toe doc for me. these new ones, junk.
wish i could post pictures.
takes about 3 to 4 months to break them in, i do put upgraded insoles in then though, not going to lie, jel for the win.
THIS!
It just goes to show you that no matter how punk you think you are, it takes real effort to cut through all the marketing noise. We all need clothes-that’s just how it is-but you don’t need to be defined by branding and the execs that are paid to sell a product to you.
It's more punk to buy once, cry once. If you can keep a boot for 10 years they get less money from you than the guy that has to buy new shitty boots every year.
Nothing less punk than buying stuff from a company owned by a private equity firm.
@@ronmatthews1738 blah. public traded companies are evil..becasue capitalism..now equity owned? have the punks make their smartphones by themselves. or gov (co) owned chinese manufacturers. when you open the box, you cansmall the genocide, pollution and human rights violations.
There is no ethical consumption under capitalism. Your only shot of being as ethical as possible in your purchasing is if you live in one of those magical towns where they still have thriving mom-and-pop busineses that haven't been shut down by Costco and Walmart.
That, or you pay through the nose for some bespoke shit from a tiny Japanese atelier.
@@romxxiithose magical towns exist all over America. Get out of that NYC mindset.
I bought a pair in 1997, and those boots lasted me for decades, so when I finally went to retire them, I thought that there was only one logical choice. I didn't know that production had moved. The new pair lasted maybe a year or two before I found a hole in the upper where the leather had just worn through. Never again.
I bought a pair in 1997, and those boots lasted me for decades, decades?? 26 years later wouldnt be exactly decades!!
@@chriscoughlan5221well... 2 decades is more than one decade.. so there's that
@@chriscoughlan5221a decade is 10 yrs. 26 yrs ... Would be more than one decade 2.6 actually ,which would be classified as decades. Of course I didn't come here to argue pedantic nonsense..unlike you. The doc martens I bought back in the late 80's and nineties have a different sole and I agree they had much better quality before they farmed them out to Asia. I have a pair of their shoes that I bought in the late 80's and they're still kicking. So if you don't have a problem with math and calendars then you understand why decade has an s on the end.
@@B1B904 and maths!!!
@@chriscoughlan5221 In your mind what is the definition of 'decades'?
They shouldn't be allowed to call that leather. They ought to call it "leather with plastic coating" so that the consumer knows what to expect.
It's still technically "leather" so they market it as that
@@Ichijou_Rena it does go in the direction of "i can't believe it's not butter". i think at least the " " you used should be mandatory.
Patent leather shoes don't say leather with a plastic coating.
Almost no footwear uses uncorrected leather.
welcome to the wonderful of marketing/advertising
I would love the "Alternatives to Doc Martens" video, especially if it can match the colors and styles they do with quality. They're fashion pieces more than practical, I think. And that makes them strange to compare to lost of boots. So I appreciate your sneaker comparison.
In America docs started outsourcing to China but I believe that the original manufacturers are still running under the name Solovair. 🤙
Solovair is made at the original dr Martin factory and was the owner of that patent for the sole I think. Almost all dr Mrs are made in Thailand and china now except the specific English made doc. You can still buy solovair boots made in England from that factory.
It’s certainly true to say Doc Martens has “sold out”. They were taken over by a private equity company, Permira ten years ago and were listed on the London stock exchange in 2021. They are very much a volume shoemaker today, aiming to sell as many pairs as they can. Nowadays they represent poor value for money.
My experience with a pair of Docs wingtips, ten years ago, was exactly what you described here: At first they felt ok but nothing special as far as bounce, but very quickly the foam crushed flat and they started to feel like just walking on hard slabs. All of the cushion came from the foam, and the foam didn't last. Leather held up ok though.
I still have my 30 year old docs. Made in England. I am sure the other pairs I have are made in China or Southeast Asia. The price has spiked in recent years. You go to Europe, and they are much cheaper. I still like them. And I feel the bounce. Of course it isn’t like wearing running shoes. I always put inserts in all my shoes, because of PF, and pronation. Stiff as hell, but they kept me from getting frostbite, and slipping on icy sidewalks while in Europe
You go on self righteously talk about supporting corporations. Shit, everything you buy is part of an evil corporation. This is so tired. I might return my patent leather ones I just bought though. What is an alternative source? None. Go buy Blundstone, or Tuesday. How about Fluevog? STILL CORPORATE! Everything you EAT is CORPORATE, unless you are wealthy enough to buy everything at your local organic food store (Erewhon), or farmer’s market. Or if you are lucky enough to have a bit of land grow your own food. They’re great, but I can’t afford them
I wore docs all thru the 90s. My final pair was in 98 when the heel fell off. That was when I realized it wasn't stitched. It was glued and that pissed me off.
I'd like to see a "part 2" video of you showcasing some alternatives to Doc Martens, at equal and higher prices, that are also available internationally.
Personally, I've been wearing my 1460's every day (literally) for the past 2 years and I haven't encountered any faults so far. I love the appearance of them and if you know of any other manufacturers that offer a similar looking boot at a higher quality I would love to hear it! Love from Sweden :)
I bet in part 2 he literally starts bawling and crying about the goth girl that broke his heart lolol
Yes ! I came to the comments to say this as well. I love wearing boots and I've been looking for new ones but don't know what to get. Timberlands are too heavy and dr. Martens are too unbalansed for my feet (it feels like the heel is literally on the ground).
I hear good things about Solovair as an alternative to Doc Martens, though can't confirm as I don't own a pair.
I don't think there is an alternative because they sell on their image not substance. The people who buy them buy them based on image and not on feature or quality.
I used to wear Gripfast and TUK.... somehow gripfast seemed better and TUK seemed cheaper, but same price. Not sure if either are still around.
Doc Martens are what got me into watching every single one of your videos. Good to be back!
Back in the day we wore our boots and braces, until Martin began going over seas, or it's either that we grew up.
Either way....
@@thefrogking481 figured might as well get solovairs to relive those days.
southend sea front harrintons fred erry and red tab Levi......... RED BRASEES
damn same here
same!
During my early years as a police officer in the UK I wore DM's and I found the super comfortable, but as they became more of a fashion statement, they became more uncomfortable. The inner sole would wear through quickly, the soles would detach and they became more narrow fitting. This was seconded by the salesman in the shop I always purchased them from. They lost my business and shot themselves in the foot (so to speak) as far as I'm concerned. Many people still wear them, so I doubt they are too worried. I'm now retired and wear Under armour leather boots for walking after trying many other makes.
That sounds familiar. I started wearing them 30 years ago and back then they would last. They have definitely got narrower, and the inside now falls apart even before the sole is worn.
Looking for an alternative - I still like the look and the only thing more comfortable I know are my old army boots but they're not great for the office...
@@rvallenduuk Try Under Armour Valsetz with leather uppers. Totally waterproof, light and comfortable.
My DM's started squeaking as I walked but just in one shoe. It made for some interesting night time foot patrols.
Have had some Dr M shoes 5 years worn most days. Absoloutly fine other than expected heel wear.
I found that to be true as well. I got my first pair in a out 1995 maybe 1996. By the time I got my 4th or 5th pair in 2005 or so, they hurt my feet so damn bad I couldn't wear them- like at all.
Never thought I'd be interested in boot construction.
I'm off to check out a 3rd video!
To me, the main purpose of a boot is to protect feet from the elements. I used to have several pairs of Docs in different styles. One day, about ten years ago, it was raining pretty hard when I got to work. I walked in the rain from my car to the building, which was about 50 yards on pavement (with no puddles to walk through). By the time I got inside, rain water had gotten into my boots and made my socks wet. This happened again with another pair, so I got rid of them all. I now own other boots that are not Docs but keep my feet dry in moderate rain.
You bought a fashion shoe as your work boots? Lmao thats 100% your fault bc you knew what you were getting. Docs were never made to work in. They were a fashion boot.
I think it would be interesting to see you do a review of the work boot docs (The ones you would find on an actual work boot website, not Docs website bc there’s a difference). I used to work at a shoe store and I’ve had some people swear by them but agree that the regular ones are dog shit. I was skeptical as to how true that actually was so I think it would be interesting to see.
+1
100% Agreed 👍.
A Ton of the Police here in Switzerland wear the "Work Brand" Doc's. I believe there more expensive and ive been told they HATE the fake Docs that are sold to kids.. those are garbage.
+2
Which actual boot website? My wife loves Docs and I want to get some work ones.
The Workwear Boots are basically no more… they stopped making them I’ve been told when I recently went to get some to replace my worn ones… composite safety toe… gore-tex lining… and where so comfortable… most certainly had a better sole than traditional Dr Martens… so no the work work range has been dropped in favour of the ‘traditional’ fashionable retail range… it’s rubbish really as they where far better than Cat Boots… Wolverines are good comfortable boots but I was really looking to replace like for like…. But you can’t… currently a couple months into a pair of Grinders Mens Kestrel Steel Toe Cap Boots - Black… I’m told they’re made in the UK? But I was able to get them for £55? Which is cheap for such a boot really… seem well made… fitted nicely… but are taking a little bit to wear in… it would be interesting to see if any Grinders have been cut in half yet?
I got my first Doc Martens because of a strong recommendation of my best friend. I was told how comfy and high quality they were and that they would go well with my kilt. They did indeed go well with my kilt, but the rest was bull. When I received them in the mail, I was immediately surprised and disappointed in the leather. And after a full day of wearing them, my feet were so messed up (heel and arch) that I couldn't walk for several days. But like a bad relationship I blamed myself for the abuse. I thought I must be doing something wrong. That led me to researching the boots which led me to the Rose Anvil channel. Like good therapy you made me realize that my abused feet weren't my fault. Then I went and bought a pair of Nicks Urban Loggers (based on your positive opinion of PNW boots), and my feet are super happy again after the appropriate break-in period.
So a boot 5 times the price of the Docs was better? Unbelievable!
Solovair is the OG doc Martin
What crap
Ok but dr martens are notoriously hard to break in. It takes about a month. Dr. martens are good for the price imo. Might not be top tier quality but if you take good care of them they can last half a decade or more
... So you didn't break your docs in, and you're surprised that a shoe that has to be broken in... Was not broken in?
This comment doesn't say what you think it does. There's way more expensive and high quality boots than docs that also require breaking in. That isn't "a bad relationship" that's a well known thing that was on the tag of the boots you bought before you exchanged them for ones you didn't need to break in.
Docs are comfy once broken in. Not sure I'd agree modern ones are high quality but after the breaking in period they are among the comfiest boots you'll ever wear. Even people who despise Doc Martens agree they're comfy (just not worth the price for what they are)
This whole comment is just embarrassing.
Bought a pair of brown Docs shoes in the early 90s and loved them. They lasted many years and once they were a bit worn I wore them to work while I was slinging freight for a giant shipping company (the brown one). They lasted several more years under that daily abuse. The leather was great and the soles were durable. I can’t believe how awful they’ve become as a brand. Wolverine went the same route once they stopped making them in Rockford, MI. Too bad. Luckily that’s how I found Red Wing and have LOVED wearing them both at work and for normal daily use. Channels like yours are invaluable in demystifying the corporate greed and laziness that seems pervasive. Appreciate your expertise and reviews.
Rampant capitalism allowed by legal bribing called lobbying. In a proper democracy, with a proper justice and tax system, this kind of sh!t wouldn't fly. The CEOs would have some cool off time and learn not to be greedy SOBs with the unitary value of a burnt light bulb.
This was great and mirrors my experience with Docs over the decades. The only ones worth buying (back in the day anyway, I would never buy a pair now) were the versions with the deep lug sole which lasted much longer. And for those looking for an alternative, try Angry Itch. I have had a pair for over 4 years now and they still look new.
I tried on a pair in a shoe shop a few years ago to see what all the fuss is about. They were the most UNcomfortable boots I’ve ever had on my feet! Needless to say, I gave them back to the sales person. I now have a lovely pair of very comfortable Fly London boots in bottle green, that everybody mistakes for “Docs”. They’re much better looking too.
i'm surprised you didn't talk about solovair the company formed by the people who created the original doc's but when doc's went abroad they took their experience and started their own company creating the original doc's
that's why they are called solovair(sole of air)
I just took a look at them They appear to be impressive.
he has a couple vids on solovair
@@amishjim not exactly only in contrast to Dr. M
Actually Solovair existed way before. They were the one of the shoemakers contracted by RGriggs to manufacture DMs back in the 1960s. Their shoes might be slightly better constructed but they still suffer from having poor quality leather.
@@krisjonesuk Hey, at least my 3 years old Solovairs don't have holes in them.
I had these boots in the mid 90s (grunge era) and wore them all the time. They were so comfy and never cracked or split. Sad to see what they’ve become.
It would be really interesting if he could get hold of a pair of classic 80s/90s Docs and then break those down to see what the differences are between the old and new versions.
they really REALLY ont make them like they use to!!! mine are OLD, worn outside, gotten then wet(and dried) and Still they are going strong
They were absolute garbage back then. I bought my first pair in 1986 and destroyed them within a few months. They were never made to do anything but go to the mall.
Same here. Had a pair in the late 80s, and the soles split in less than half a year.
I dunno man you could get yourself one of those made in England pairs which are double in price, maybe they last longer. Let me know if they do
As the saying goes, "They don't make 'em like they used to," which is also to say that you could pretty much wear them regularly or even on the daily [back in the 80s or perhaps even the early 90s], but not anymore. DMs nowadays are basically something you'd wear once in a while or on occassions. They're not meant to be worn often -- like your school shoes, which again, something you could do back in the day.
My 1460s I now wear mostly on stage where the slippy sole is handy now it’s worn down. I have some super grippy platform boots but day to day I mostly wear Solovair instead.
I bought a pair in the mid 90's. Wore them for 20+ years, I DID have to repair the sole at one point around 10 years in, it did come loose like you showed. A local cobbler fixed them and they were fine. They were comfortable until the end - and I didn't retire them for wear, but I didn't wear them for a few years and my feet changed and they were way too tight. Bought a new pair a few years ago and they just aren't the same. The way they fit, the way they feel, I didn't care for them. I found them really tight on the top of the arch.
I felt that exact same thing. I made a few small cuts in strategic places to relieve the pressure. Now they fit great, but the sole gets hard, like plastic, in these North Dakota winters. Basically I can only wear them for 6-8 weeks per year.
I wore Dr Martens exclusively for years and they were awesome. I kept to their Made in England line and they were great but steadily went downhill in the last 10 to 15 years around the time they started doing high profile collabs with brands like Stussy or Engineer Garments. I still have scars on the back and top of my feet from the last pair.
Scars?! do you not wear socks?
@@stoneocean4760 of course I do. Usually heavy boot socks and even Dr Marten’s own boot socks. The boots would crease about 2 inches above my heal and the knuckle of my big toe. I even tried putting plasters on those spots for the break in period and the boots would wear through the plasters in a few hours of walking. I was measured like 3 times so I know I had the correct size. I have no issues with red wing or similar. I think it’s because I have a very high instep so the boot creases a lot and dr martens leather is cheap so they didn’t soften easily at the creases.
Seems like I was very lucky to buy a pair back in 2002 or 2003, they've got some scuffs and scrapes now but still showing no signs of falling apart. The longevity of the old ones is absolutely crazy compared to what they pump out now.
I've seen pairs from then and the 80s and 90s wear out just as fast. They have neverbeen very good. You're just lucky with them or very good to them.
New ones are built so cheaply !
I'm a NYC Tour Guide. Female. Age 61. I was professional horse trainer for over 20 years and doing that in cowboy boots and riding boots for most of my lifetime utterly ruined my feet. As a tour guide, I walk miles every day. When I started guiding, I tried at least a dozen types and brands of shoes to find something that 1) I could feel safe wearing in all weather and all conditions - a shoe wouldn't slip, a shoe that helped me to not roll my ankles, etc. and 2) would help to minimize foot pain. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING did these things for me until I tried my first pair of Docs. They were, and are, a total game changer. One of the most important things is that they are absolutely slip-proof. No matter where I am or what I'm walking on (wet, smooth sidewalks to black ice), I always feel secure. I have tried numerous all weather, rain and snow boots and they were all slippery at some point. Not my Docs. I don't understand how they do it, or from what material the sole is made, but I never have to worry about slipping and falling in my Docs. They second thing is that the minimize my foot pain. Do my feet start to hurt after 3-4 miles? Sure. With foot issues like I have, of course they will, BUT I get at least 2-3 miles that are totally pain free. Everything else I tried, EVERYTHING, hurt my feet (and knees, and back) within an hour. Finally, my Docs last and last. I have tall boots, short boots, insulated winter boots (could be warmer in all honesty), Mary Janes, Oxfords and even sandals and I can still use my first pair that I bought 7+ years ago. I have never had any pair split or be defective in any way. And my Docs work HARD. They just work and work and work. Once every couple of year or so, I replace to sole inserts with genuine Dr. Marten inserts, and they feel just like new. They are, seriously, the only brand of shoes that I wear now. Everything else is scary and hurts my feet.
What model do you use for walking on ice? All my soles have a compound that turns to hard plastic in the cold.
I don't know about modermn docs but when I was a boy.... the sole of DMs looked similar to todays but I feel like the rubber was a bit softer, and although the cells are not sealed in themselves, they retained enough air that that sometimes the side of the sole would "blow out" and you'd get a split - often after jumping around a lot at a gig. So it seems like although the sole cells are not proplery sealed, the inner sole etc was enough tp trap air well enough for the air to compress and blow out the sole.
This would result in a split along one of the "grooves' of the sole.
The easy fix was to heat a dinner knife in a stove element and use that to fuse the split closed.
My favourite DMs were made by Hawkins, not AirWear and they had a directly moulded sole. There was no stitching the sole was molded to the upper some how.
They looked kinda cool both because they were different to most DMs you saw, but they also looked a bit sleeker without the sticking and the rubber bulge the stich goes through.
Oh and Hawkins was appointed by HRH as a provide of royal foot wear (la dee da). I assume riding boots rather than work boots.
This is really bloody sad. I got a pair of factory-surplus Docs back before the British factories closed and if I could have afforded to get them re-soled they'd still be going now.
Bought a brown pair back in the early 2000s. They say maden in England on the sole, so I guess I got lucky. Have worn them all over the world, and they have held up great.
Disgusting!!! Thanks for exposing the scam. I really appreciate your channel. My feet have had issues my whole life, and the more I can learn about which shoes have the best construction, the better!
I'm 62 and part of the original Doc Martens market of older women needing comfortable shoes. I don't mind them being like a sneaker because they have better toe room than a sneaker and will help me to avoid developing hammertoes. I have very long toes and need a big toe box. Doc Martens have that and I look badass in them, too. I always get compliments on my Docs. And I have several pairs so I suspect they will last me plenty long enough. 🎉
I would refer to Docs as "painted" leather as the thickness is nearly the same as a decent coat of paint.
I had Docs back in the 90s, and in every pair I had, the leather split along the edge of the sole. The leather took ages to break in, and never was very comfortable. A real case of style over substance.
I had a pair late 80's - early 90's and similar problems including pretty painful experiences - not just discomfort.
I've worn them since the early 70's and I noticed the quality went when Taiwan was making them. When they were being made again on the UK I was pleased to see they gad that original feel to them and now own some of their forlife in 1460 and the shoes and wow they are worth the £170 fir a pair
@@KahlilDechaineof all the ones I had back in the eighties and nineties... The leather never wore out or split or cracked but the souls just wore down after a few years of daily wear because I walk on the sides of my feet. I have a pair of early nineties wingtips that I didn't wear daily and still wear and they're holding up wonderfully. I wish I could attach a picture. It's a shame they sold out their quality for production numbers and profit margins.
My son had 3 pairs 8n a row do this within 2 weeks in 2019.
I bought my first pair in the 70s from an ad in the back of Rolling Stones because there were no stores in the States that sold them. You would out your foot on paper and outline it, send it in with $40 and then wait forever. After three months an beat up package would arrive. They were the steel toe, leather toe cap oxfords that I loved for about 6 months but that sole would wear down pretty quick. I would just buy Tanker Boots from the surplus store for $10 and wear those for a few years.
I got a pair in London back in 1992. I wore them all the time and in the spring of 1993 wore them every day for a month traveling around Europe. I was walking 5-10 miles every day except on days I was on a train. They were one of the most comfortable boots I ever owned. I still have them, but only thing that failed was the insoles. The leather piece came unglued, but still have the original soles, and a lot of the tread is left. Oh and they cost me under £40 at the time or about $55. In the US you would have been lucky to find them for around $100. Now the first two weeks wearing them were brutal. The break in was harsh, but once the uppers got a bit of flex to them, they were fantastic. Best thing I bought during my year in England. 10 years ago, I bought a new pair with the softer leather uppers. They didn’t need to break in at all, but I don’t wear them as much now. Back when I was in England, it seemed like every university student had a pair. Usually the black, but you’d see oxblood frequently.
Sad seeing the vintage WW2 boots getting destroyed
Don't Cry Because It's Over; Smile Because It Happened.
Would love to see you do this to another British boot company called Tredair. I use to wear them back in the day (think 90’s early 2000’s). They’re still around today and were basically the only competitor to Doc’s. Meaning they had the same look, design, similar price point and made in the same country. I actually preferred my Tredair boots to Doc’s when it came to comfort and support.
Or Solovair, which look identical to Docs but are produced only in their UK factory and supposedly to a higher level of quality
Tredair were made by White & Co., I talked to Nick White once and they closed the factory. All production was contracted out to the company that makes Solovair(NPS). Except for veganline I haven't seen Tredair for years, I really liked them.
This channel convinced me to get Solovair and they just better then Docs.
I have a pair of made in England DMs from the late '90s. I would love to see those cut in half, if you can get your hands on a pair! I don't wear them much anymore, but they've held up great over the years. The leather is definitely much higher quality than the modern DMs.
Also, it would be neat to see a comparison between DM and Solovair.
Some 20+ years ago I got a pair of used Docs (obviously the UK ones) from a thrift store, and they lasted me a good 3-4 years of very regular and heavy wear. So I'm sure it used to be a bit better than now, but I knew nothing back then. And it was mostly for the symbolic value they were perceived to have for a rebellious teen from a former Bloc.
Now I have three pairs of Becket-Simonon boots - thanks to Weston our man here, and could not have been happier with the quality and the value for money. Any Docs look truly pitiful, like some cheap plastic crap that they are next to these.
I'm currently wearing a pair of UK Docs I bought in June 2018 and they still look fairly new and have no problems. That's not to say all of them are that long lasting, I went through two pairs of UK Docs and two pairs of Solovairs in the four years prior to that, and they all had that heat-welding split that's mentioned in the video. All of them are otherwise still in great condition, so I'm hoping to find a cobbler soon that might be able and willing to put Vibram soles on them.
All that said, I have had Asian made Docs before, and they lasted me between 4-8 months tops, with way worse splits across the soles and leather.
@@SymbolicSplenetic That's all good, mate, but once you see real boots next to your docs, you'll know what I mean.
I LOVE HOW YOU ACTUALLY TALKED ABOUT SKINHEADS CORRECTLY
I wore a pair of Dr. Martens for a couple years. The boot held up, I eventually just wore through the outsole once it was flat. I didnt bother getting them resoled. The funny part about it was when I was in the dead of winter in Minnesota the outersols got so hard whever you would waslk into a shopping mall you would end up with "clack" "clack' "clack"
I'd love to hear about alternatives in the same video, but in the mean time I've been wearing my Docs for the 7 years practically every day, walked 100's of km's in them, and they still remain the most comfortable and reliable pair of shoes/boots I've ever owned, no cracks, holes, whatsoever.
Solovair boots, especially with the insole they sell 10/10 quality boot and comfort
Same here. I have used mine consistently for a while.
@@XTC95 was looking for this just bought some Burgundy rub offs and was worried about the quality since I bought them from England
@@isaiyanez4543 burgundy rub off's look really good in person :)
For the same price you’re better off with any half decent boot brand making combat boots. They’re literally the lowest quality possible.
Would love to see a "vertical" dissection of pairs from different years. And also, would love to see a teardown of the current UK made ones, if they're still doing that.
it's the same shit
It's all already been done on this channel, including comparison with a 1990s pair, Uk made ones, and Solovair, which are still made by the original British manufacturer => www.youtube.com/@RoseAnvil/search?query=martens
Buy Solovair if you want an 80s style DM but better!
As a long time wearer of Doc Martens, I've also noticed the change since the 90's til now. My question to you is: what is your recommendation for a DM replacement? Something that has variety of styles but has the much better quality.
I like this channel. You give good info, PLUS who doesn't like watching boots get sawed in half!
Solvairs
Solovairs
last pair of Dr Marten's that I had lasted maybe 18 months. The sole came apart on me during an event I was playing guitar at. I had to switch what foot I was hitting pedals and switches with. I'm done with them personally. It's been about 5 years since I had a pair.
Thank you for this.
I keep getting e mails from them and their advertising is pretty disgusting and phony. I never had a pair but had thought about it recently. I went to an actual store where they’re sold and thought they looked and felt cheap. I’m on my feet all day but I didn’t think they would be a good work boot. I use hiking shoes usually. Which reminds me. Can you do one on Keen and one on Merrill?
I switched from Docs to NPS Solovairs because of your channel.
Nice content. Good to see you looking back into this. Would you consider do the same for solovair?
He had cut one in half before. Definitely liked it more.
@@QuickQuipsi know, thats why I said consider do the same “look back” for solovair too
I wore pairs of these 50 years ago for farm work. They were comfortable but only lasted up to 6 months before the OVC soles started splitting.
My friend had the same problem so always took them back for replacement. He only ever bought one pair because he took each pair back under warranty.
Amazed that they are still geting away with asking high such prices for a junk product which would likely cost less than £10 to produce...
I have had two pairs of Doc,s first pair ,black in the 70s the second pair purple in the 90s I am now 60 and want another pair both my pairs went ten years plus so comfy
It's the folding effect that occurs about two inches back from the tip of the toe that descends down onto my foot with each flex of the foot that caused a massive growth on my bone below my big toe from years of wearing them.
I wore Doc Martens from my teens until my early twenties. 1988 - 1998, and Docs were always reasonably priced, long lasting, hard-wearing, comfortable boot that you could wear to work AND socialise in. Last pair I ever bought was sometime in the mid 2000's after not buying a pair for several years, and I was shocked at how flimsy they were. The tongue tore off one of the boots as I tugged at it, only a few months after purchase.
I owned two pairs of Docs.
The first pair in the 90s.
The second in the 00s
I was on my feet a full working day, lifting and carrying boxes of books.
The first pair lasted about 8 years.
I replaced them about 2004 with the second pair, which lasted just over a year.
After that, I found a different boot that saw me through till 2010
It’d be great to see some Alpinestars supervictory boots. It’s a heritage mx racing boot that advertises stitchdown construction and a steel shank.
I have a pair that I've been wearing for 4 years, almost daily and still in great shape. Best pair of shoes I ever had!
I came to the same conclusion in the mid 90's. These were my footwear of choice as a rebellious teenager. The inner sole collapsing within days of being new, leather splitting, ribs digging into your heels, and the hard steel shell getting dislodged and hurting your toes were the trademark of DrMarteen. All this happened well before the production was sent to china. I remember paying about 650 Francs which would be 100 Euros back in 1993. Only one store would sell them in town.
Made in China, nuffsaid.
Similar problem for me.
@@elih9700 Except he's talking about his mid 90s docs, which were made in England, so not really "nuffsaid"... Docs could be shit back then in the UK too.
@@mountainpeakcloud8442 Chinese goods are poor, nuff said.
I got my daughter a $100 Doc Marten gift voucher as part of her Christmas gift two years ago. The boots she wanted and ended up getting were $311 not including the gift card. So $411 all up. For low quality boots. Thankfully I only contributed $100 although now I see that was too much. I genuinely thought they were good quality.
400$ US?? She got ripped off lmao I bought 2 pairs brand new (one of them being the exact pair in this video) in the last 5-10 years and they we're 220$ Canadian a piece, meaning about 320$ US for both pairs.
!
WTF pair of Docs were over 200!?!?! Are you not in the US or something?
@@Carmine.Falcone No we’re in Australia. There were cheaper Docs but she wanted a specific one.
I'd love a best alternatives to Dr Martens video!
Solovair (avoid their smooth leather options like docs) and Trickers. Trickers aren't quite the same thing (won't find the loud stitching) but some of their shoes have a quirky/clunky Brit country boot aesthetic.
Agreed
Grinders are pretty good and cheap as well, best avoid the fake toecap ones though as that stitching can give up fast.
iv owned 3 pairs of docs over the years, iv always found always found them uncomfortable and a bad fit, i got fustrated when my expensive shoes wore through on the sole in just under a year ( i do a lot of walking, as part of my job) the last pair i owned made my heal and ball of my feet feel brused.
my current shoe is a north ridge walking boot with a vibram sole iv had them for about a year now, they are comfortable and have barely got any ware on the sole and thats after a year of heavy usage, best £80 i have ever spent on ahoes
I bought a pair of these in the early 90’s and they were awesome. Had them for 10 years before I finally outgrew them. I think I still have them somewhere.
Defo need best alternatives for Doc Martens video please! 👍
Check out Solovair. Same outward style built in England using the traditional Doc Marten techniques.
@@ivanheffner2587 thanks for the suggestion, Ivan! Already got like 3 pairs 😄 they are definitely so much better. Would be great to know if there any other alternatives out there?
I've owned several pairs of Docs over the last few decades, and genuinely loved a couple of them. I hate the OG soles with the thin lugs. I owned two pair of those and wore them only for a short time. The ones I loved had what I think were called "Ranger" soles, which had a design more similar to traditional combat boots. Those performed well for me and lasted for several years of daily wear. I've been considering getting another pair, but would absolutely LOVE to see a video of Doc alternatives with better quality and/or comfort.
Grinders are great
Doc Martens were what got me into 'boots' and your channel is what got me into better (real) boots. I use to buy knock off docs, which are way worse than docs. I'd burn through about 3-4 pairs a year, just wearing them on hard floors and out to shows. I eventually bought the non knockoff kinds (but didn't spring for the made in England) and got a years out of them before needing insoles, and even now 2 years later while they still hold up they just aren't as comfortable. Since then I've gotten Lems, Redbacks and recently even Jim Green Vellies for the summer but I'm getting ever more excited as the custom Nicks urban loggers I ordered should be here within a month after having waited over 6 months for them! I've love each of the boots I've gotten so far, though the Redbacks took a lot of breaking in due to the lack of widths. I'll still wear my docs until the pair I have fails but they have become more of a fashion boot for me.
Try some Solovairs if you havent already. Just far better versions of Docs.
He's right. I've had about 4 pairs. 2 pairs during the best of times. They were indestructible. I've had a pair of brown low cut steel toes for this job I used to have and the job I'm currently at. They've survived a really long time. I had a pair of full sized boots where the foam completely was collapsed and it made wearing them tough versus the two during the best of times that I never had that problem with.
I've never owned this brand, but I do find that the fluffier and lighter-feeling a boot is the sooner it wears out. Something with a little bit of break in that isn't soft will wear longer and be more comfortable for me. For hiking, I've beat the hell out of a pair of Scarpa boots that were hard as a rock when I first started wearing them but soon became very forgiving and reliable. I've put thousands of hard miles on them over the years, and they just keep coming back for more. I have also got a lot of wear out of a pair of Carolinas that have gone through several sets of soles and show no signs of giving up. Thorogood boots have been good to me. A pair of their lace-to-toe roofer boots have been amazing. I like that they are made in the USA. I have no problem spending a lot on something that I know is going to give me superior comfort and service. My co-workers are shocked at what I will spend on shoes, but I watch them spend more buying several pairs of fluffy crap that soon become uncomfortable. Shoes are, in my opinion, one of the most important pieces of clothing you can own. $170 for a pair of Doc Martens looks like a rip-off to me when I can get something much better for a little more.
I always found the internal heel reinforcement cracked first, often within a few weeks which leads to the heel/sole interface leather splitting within a few months, the worst part of the design (amongst many).
I bought a pair of Docs at the Dr. Marten 5 story outlet in London in 1995. I learned two things, first, Brits don’t know what you’re talking about when you say “Doc’s”, they call them “Doctor Martens.”
Second thing I learned was when I was looking for plaid “Doctor Martens”, is that they also don’t use the word “plaid”. In England, it’s called “tartan”. Ask for plaid and they won’t know what you’re talking about.
Im a Brit in the UK to confirm or deny the post above.
We call them "Dokkers" and true we don't say "plaid" its always "tartan"
@@TheGeezzer nice, thanks. My experience was in 1995, so I may not be super up to date 😁. Cheers mate
I'm in the UK and I call them Docs - or Doc Martens. I've got 14 pairs - including the tartan ones.
Revisit Solovair next
I'm reminded of a line in a Cake song. "Excess ain't rebellion, you're drinking what they're sellin' "
When I first started working as a security guard in the UK. I wore Dr Martens shoes. They had the airwair soles too. I found them comfortable to wear standing all day, but running in them was not good. They don't have the same support as a sneaker or trainer. They're too upright for it. But as a casual shoe, they are alright for it.
Gripfast (another English made combat boot) and Solovair merged (I think) could you cut those open too and do a comparison of the 3?
Fantastic editing guys. Def use this format for your historical stuff. And its worth it to take this format and do a trip to the PNW. Do a tour of all the bootmakers and use this format as your mini documentary style ... Love it..
Please do a best alternatives video! I'm looking to buy a pair of boots that won't ruin my feet and won't break after 2 years, but except for knowing I want actual leather I have no clue what else to look for. My main pair of shoes in summer are crocs, but I need something for the Swedish winter as well 😂
i'm not sure you can have any shoes survive Swedish winter. not because of the winter, but because of how much they salt the roads. i had to buy new shoes every year while living in Sweden because of it. the salt corroded away everything.
I think he recommended Solovairs as an alternative to Docs in one of his videos? I've been meaning to try a pair but they are not as universally available as Docs are.
I got a pair of the polyester upper Martens for Christmas and I've been wearing them to work for about 8 months (very light work, no construction or anything, just walking) and I find them very comfortable. They definitely have more toe room than most shoes. The tread definitely doesn't have any grip, I was sliding around right out of the box, and there isn't much tread to begin with. I don't see the soles lasting much longer, and I'm not gonna chock up $100 to replace em, but I quite like them for what they are.
"I purchased my first pair of boots back in the early 90s, and I absolutely loved them. They were sturdy and seemed indestructible. Unfortunately, I eventually outgrew them. Recently, in 2019, I decided to buy another pair. However, the quality was not as good as I remembered. After only two uses, the leather started peeling, and I noticed the sole was coming apart. This was a terrible experience, and I doubt I will ever purchase another pair of boots from that brand again." Glad you made this video so I know it was not only my thoughts on these
Bought a pair of these for an ex a while ago for a christmas present. They were on sale but still twice what I'd paid for any shoe I'd bought for me. When they arrived I was astonished at how cheap and nasty they appeared, so much so that I spent a few hours looking up how to spot fakes as I was positive I'd been ripped off. Turns out I had been ripped off, but by the genuine article rather than a forged item. Will never spend my hard earned money on them ever again for anyone. Ahh and the boots only laster her about a year before they looked too tatty and the sole had started to detach.
It's one of the few boots that are actually fashionable. I don't like my boots to look like work boots. If some other company makes a boot that looks as good as a doc martens I'll buy it
As someone, who’s not into this whole boot culture and who discovered it just recently, I can definitely say (judging from the outside) that DM’s are all about the marketing. There are so many better and more comfortable shoes that don’t get the same amount of hype. People 100% buy into the cool look they get with DM’s
I bought my first and last Martens mid 90es, and they were incredibly durable but very expensive, incredibly heavy, and my big toes were permanently enlarged because of the very uncomfortable steel cap which was too narrow for my foot so it kept scraping on the side. It took me decades for my big toes to revert to normal size. Never again will I wear those shoes. Today I wear much better boots that look similar to Martens but are more elegant and much more comfy and no visible branding. I think it's Geox. I managed to rip the stiches on the side where laces are, but had it fixed at a cobbler. I have them for at least 6-7 years now, they are a keeper.
I have mine and wore them almost every day. Im on my second pair in last 10+ years. I still find them comfortable and I don't have any problems with sole. I do have leather cracking, but that is only probrrm I'm having. ( taking in consideration that I have never put anything on them whole time I'm having them)
I got couple of those, love the look, but honestly after awhile they hurt my feet...breaking into them was a nightmare too. Thanks for showing us how they're actually made, defo not worth the price 😬
I drew blood breaking them in.
I have a friend who swears the best and only way to break in Docs is to sleep in them! Apparently getting very drunk is an essential part of the process.
@@littlewoodimp Agreed, broke a pair on a festival...needless to say alcohol was involved 🤣🙈
@@blaszizzz Well bugger me, Coco was right??!! I must tell her 😂😂
Love my Solovairs! And in your opinion, what would be the best non-corporate counterculture boot? Serious question.
I cannot tell you how lovely it is to discover your ETHICAL, lie-exposing channel! Of COURSE I subscribed!! THANK YOU! I deeply appreciate what you do.
I still have and wear a pair of oxbloods I got for my 16th birthday. They came with the oil/solvent resistant soles. Their product number has long worn off and I've hobnailed/re-soled them to use them longer myself twice. They now mostly sit on a shelf proud of the many many miles I've walked and battles for my life fought in them. I've never had a pair of boots last longer than a year since I've had my Docs. Even a pair of black docs I bought in 2010. They were made in Vietnam or Malaysia VS my first b pair which are UK made. The difference in quality is so glarringly obvious its crazy.
I love the Doc Marten's alternatives video idea. I'm curious what you'd pick! And it'd be really interesting if you could check availability too, because different regions in the world have a different selection of boots.
I have the that same yellow pair and really like them. I find them comfortable and get a lot of compliments. I think of them as stylish high tops.
expensive low quality high tops though...
I bought my docs secondhand (so could've been worn for many years before) and have worn them everyday for work for 4 years now and my job means on my feet all day. I also wear them out of work too, even hiked in them once, and they haven't failed me yet. They're fine, perfectly comfortable and haven't cracked or fallen apart. Maybe I got lucky, or maybe I just look after them.. what are you guys doing to your shoes if they're falling apart in a year
Doc Martens are clown shoes
I've been wearing the SAME pair of Doc's for 40 years. I bought mine on Carnaby St. in London. I had 2 other pairs stolen that I bought around the same time. I have newer ones, but my go-to's are my old ones. They are my lucky charm on motorcycles. Never dumped it wearing those. Show me another boots/shoes that last 40 years & still are comfortable and not worn out.
So many of my Martens fell apart that I have started buying buts that are similar quality to Martens but saves me so much money ! Thank you for this video !!!
In the early 90’s I had a pair of black brogue Doc’s and they looked rad, but were the most uncomfortable things- bumps under the insole- and I’ve never wasted my money on another pair.
I LOVE that you know leather and have just explained it to me. I love learning new things! Thank you!!
I was one of those who got Docs for Life and ... the way we got the deal squished, cramped, shrunk ... was quite telling. We bought a 'superior quality' boot (shoe in my case) and got told we'd get a replacement if repairs couldn't be afforded for £20. (Hey from the UK!)
Basically, repair or replace for £20, for life. We had a 'tougher, stronger' version of either the 1461 shoe or the 1460 boot in a choice of four colours - black, tan, dark brown and red.
This was probably the worst business idea in large shoe manufacturing history, I guess, and they basically reneged on everything they could.
Now, you have a choice of two colours, as far as I know, (black and red), and most telling, the idea of a superior quality of shoe was thrown out almost immediately. You're not buying a tougher boot/shoe anymore. When you send them pics of your damaged shoes, you get a voucher so that the price of a new pair of ordinary 1460s or 1461s becomes £20.
That's not nothing. For the rest of my life, a nice fresh pair of cherry red 1461 shoes will cost me £20. But .. the last pair I had the leather cracked almost straight away and felt like plastic. Now they're worn out I guess I'm getting another pair as a 'might as well' but ... I just hope the quality will feel higher out of the box.
Oh, the first pair was £165 so ... third pair just died means .. my next pair takes the average cost down to £56.25. My tenth pair will bring the average price down to £34.5, which is OK. But they don't last like DMs used to.
Audio sync is on point
I’ve lost track of how many shoes I’ve both sewn and glued back together!
Remembering on of my first pairs which had plenty of paper/cardboard and a wooden plank in it and when I saw all of it I was like “what the f?” Later on the paper was gone and I was confused why they felt different.
The funny thing I find is that for only £30 you can get former Austrian military boots that are far more effective and still have the original Doc Martin look. Particularly you give them the classic yellow laces.
They are also fully Goodyear welted so can easily be resolved when need. Although I've regularly worn mine for about 5 years and haven't needed to yet.
Huh. Yeah you’re right actually.