Great video guys! Haha…I laughed at your comment regarding cobblers resoling Doc Martens “…they probably can resole them. They just don’t want to.” Yep…1000%! 😁 They’re just a pain.
The LL Bean boots are great work boots if you are a landscaper/gardener, muck out livestock stalls, or do anything where your feet are wet or muddy a lot. They don’t rot out like leather boots, or take forever to dry. For city rain and fashion, yes, there are better options.
Yeah exactly. They are more of a duck boot as well. They are meant for people that need their feet to be partially or completely submerged for a long time without getting jungle rot
@@seancoyote I don't get the impression that either of these millennials have actually worked a day in their lives. These metrosexuals are just using work boots as a fashion accessory to attempt to look more masculine.
I agree that Bean boots don’t look very good, but they’re not made for fashion- they are made for hunting in New England, a task they excel at. The fact they are still made in America and relatively inexpensive as boots go makes them a big win in my book.
@@bolandjd Agreed, But... Now that I'm grown up I kinda like the look. However the super chunky rubber snowmobile boots with the felt liners, Them things were and still are ugly and uncomfortable.
Bought a pair of Doc Martens 1460 Greasy’s 4 years ago. Conditioned them once before wearing. I’ve worn them through harsh Canadian winters (and hot summers), and I constantly get people thinking they’re new. No problems whatsoever. When they get dirty I literally just wipe them off with my hand. Best $200 CAD I ever spent.
@@mfchris8026 Same here; mine are not made in England. Wish they were, but no.......great luck with them. I used their leather conditioner not long after purchase. I understand the 1/2 size issue since I wear a 10.5 US size. But the 10 in England/Europe size fit me perfect. Perhaps I was lucky.
Right I got a patent leather pair 4 years ago, at the store in NYC where they are from Brittan and fell in love with them, I wore them 4-5 times a week for years and they still look and Feel brand new, I still wear them at least once a week or a second pair of them with flower embroidery on the side, I bought at the mall and say that are made in some other country, they have worn the same way, I will say the flowers do look dirty and some of the stitches are lose in the decoration design but again they still look amazing.
I was a Bean boot hater until I moved up to New Hampshire and had to deal with real winter and then "mud season." I'm a big fan of fashion meeting function and Bean boots are the perfect example of that. Spend enough time in NH, VT and ME and you'll be wearing the uniform in no time. Those boots make me feel invincible come winter. Bean boots in Manhattan on a rainy day? I can see the argument.
Yup, Western PA here. I don't own beans but Ive owned a couple pairs of boots with a similar style. No one is going to compliment your boot with that rubber lower half, but your dry warm feet will compliment you all day and your favorite pair of leather boots will compliment your ugly boots for taking the abuse from the salt. There's just a certain point, late December through January, where fashion just no longer applies. Although looking out my window now, might be fashion goes away mid November this year.
Those LL Bean boots are hideous. It's like a cross between a girl's boot and a rummer boot. There are a lot of other boots that are waterproof and weatherproof that look like real boots and not something you would see in a drag queen story hour.
Yeah, that dude lives in NYC. I have lived in NH for 30 years and wear my Bean Boots every day in the winter. You also need to learn how to wear them without tieing them. They look much better that way.
I love the LL Bean boots. They are confortable, at least on humid terrain, they are great on snow as well, can be bought with insulation or not, the construction is really solid, and you can wash them both in 10 seconds without having to take care of them at all. I think they are too iconic to be ugly. Those have a purpose, and that purpose isn't to bring your labradoodle for a walk when it's raining in the upper east side.
As a guy from Western New York, you are dead wrong about the Bean boots. With the amount of salt they dump up here, I don’t wear Goodyear welts from November to April.
There's definitely a place for bean boots. Keeping the salt off is a great example of their use but they do lack the comfort of a leather boot. If your budget allows I recommend a silicone infused leather boot.
I think the main issue with this video is it’s just opinions and people may take this as more then that. If you don’t like bean boots you’re not wrong about anything and vise versa.. stridewise always fails to provide any reasoning why he doesn’t like something other then he just doesn’t like it because for whatever reason it didn’t work out for him.
Right on Bro. I live in the upstate NY Capital Region and fished with my Bean boots from fall to winter, until the lakes froze, and they worked like champions. The hell with NYC hipster BS.
Docs were once a brilliant boot back in the eighties. I still have my 12 high black pair I bought in 1981. I have had the soles replaced but the uppers still look great thanks to regular cleaning and polishing. They are head and shoulders above my new Docs.
and I bet unlike he said here Harley people will buy these. Everyone knows Harley riders only buy the bike so they can cosplay as they're favourite Sons of Anarchy character
I wore Doc Martens for most of my Police career but all of a sudden, when they became Trendy, they went narrow fitting and I couldn't wear them anymore. The inner sole also started wearing through quickly. I spoke to the staff in the shoe shop where I used to buy them and they told me there had been a definite redesign and many people had found the same problem. Needless to say I never bought them again.
i think the worst part is that they lie about it. when you ask them if there has been a material change (newer leather is thinner than old leather) they say there has been no change, and that it is the same material, but that is clearly not the case.
The LL Bean Maine hunting shoe is a great boot for what it is. Thick socks and proper care and they last. I’ve had mine for over 25 years with resoles 2x and they are wonderful wet and winter weather boots and upland hunting.
Yeah, I thought that one was a bad call. Forget the aesthetics, if they’re functional for what they were designed and well made (they are) then they are a good boot.
Doc Martens,are crap, but you must realise that they are made for forklift drivers and warehousemen. They are made for working on concrete,not rough ground, the aircells are meant to cushion your feet on the hard,hard going on the loading dock !
I live in a cold climate and like my bean boots for ice fishing as long as I put ice cleats on over them for traction. My everyday work footwear is red wing. I can't recommend those boots enough. My current pair is going on 8 years with a few new soles.
I had the rare square toe Doc Marten's over 30 years ago, because ya know when you're a punk rocker, ya had to have Docs. They were pretty comfortable and lasted for a good while. I got a new pair (green with round toe 1460) a few months ago, and you guys are right. Bad fit, cheap leather, etc.
I was not a boot wearer until this year. Never had a job where it made sense till this year. My first pair were Thursday Captains. Then I went and got Allen Edmonds Lombard. And just yesterday, I got my Grant Stone Diesel Cognac Ostrich.
@@jimlittle5769 oh no man, financially that entirely depends on your situation I couldn’t say but none of those are a bad choice. It’s more that I found it funny how quickly we all seem to go from knowing nothing to owning 5 pairs of quality boots and inspecting the grain pattern and welt. Keep on keeping on bro.
Worn Doc Martens for 46 years, best work boots for hod carrying ever, a pair of them only ever lasted 3 months before the soles fell off, but they were comfortable and cheap, well until students started wearing them and the price then quadrupled, also as you say when they stopped making them in Northampton in the UK and moved production to Asia the quality plummeted.
I first came across both Rose Anvil and Stridewise channels when I was researching whether Doc Martens are any good. I took your advice and bought Solovairs instead...and that was my gateway boot.
Yes! That is exactly the same situation for me. I’ve had my Solovairs for well over a year now, and they’ve actually held up pretty well! I don’t like how they use a fiberboard insole and corrected grain leather, but I still think that they are pretty decent boots for the price.
@@theoortcloud742 Solovair have full grain versions, like the greasy leather and gaucho leather, both great quality full grain leathers and last long if looked after. I have several solovair and gripfast boots and walk a lot in them and they have not let me down yet. 🙂👍
@@Stridewise I would love for you to do a review on gripfast and solovair greasy leather and gaucho leather boots. Both made in the same factory in Wollaston Northampton England that make excellent quality footwear. Great channel by the way and thank you. 👍
Try being a Diesel mechanic. They only last 6-9 months. Hyd oil and all kinds of grease and fluids soften the leather. I have 2 pairs. I use a boot warmer every day on my boots. Mechanics roll on the ground. The toes will wear a hole and the sides. I wore Danner boots for years because work paid for them. They were just ok. I use Redwing and they are the most comfy with upgraded soles. I wore martins in my late teens and early 20s in the 90s. They all spilt on the sides and wore down fast. These were the made in England ones. Nice video!
If the only problem with LL Bean is the look and you think Gooodyear welt is as capable in heavy snow and the mess that comes with it, maybe you should spend some time in New England in February.
Fair fair regarding the "Docs"... Dr Martin boots were my first pair of boots and I very much enjoyed them HOWEVER I moved to surplus military boots, then other makes and the Dr Martins don't stack up well when compaired to other boots.
I'd recomond people to check out the clarks bushacre boots. Exactly the same as the desert boots except with a harder sole. I got mine on sale for I think $60 as well.
The LL Beans are for the snow and slush , and chukkas are great to wear cycling or doing the grocery shopping. Sometimes I’m not sold on guys that review boots that have too many and don’t wear them for their intended purpose !
I just realized you're right how he wears his boots. He actually said "You don't need a waterproof boot" .... lol Goodyear welt is fantastic for a lot things, but using them for stomping around icy puddles, snow banks and salt piles all winter bc BB are "ugly?" He's got to be kidding me.
I wore Doc Martens for about 30 years, but after the last pair; and after comparing them to my Redwings, I never will again. They are fashion tat, sold to people that don't know any better. I'll admit, I was one of them until I clued myself up. Doc Martens should be ashamed of themselves, especially since Solovair is quickly making a name for themselves selling similar boots, better made, and at a similar price point.
@@edrader746 I was, I loved them for years but the quality deteriorated over that time unfortunately, I have a pair of Solovairs now which capture the look and feel of those older Doc Martens as they are made by the company that used to make Doc Martens before they decided to cut costs.
@@xenophon1999 they didn't cut costs, they moved most manufacturing to Asian hellscapes. They still make a few in england like 1460s but you pay alot more than Asian 1460s
Yeah you could by a 8 hole pair in a UK hardware store in the 80's for like £30 and they would last for years. But I won't pay £150 for a pair made in a sweatshop.
I'm an old due, and when I was young you could get boots made to fit,. Now everything has been off shored, If you don't have a D width foot your screwed, no half sizes no narrow and very few wide. What would it take to bring back cobblers?
Here in the UK Dr Martens soles can be replaced by a shoe repair company called Timpson. The replacement soles are usually made in England, which is embossed on the sole. People who own vintage (1970s, 1980s) made in England Dr Martens are more likely to have the soles replaced as vintage Dr Martens are sought after, owing to their cult status and arguably better quality.
Dr Martens were brought out in the 90s. They are shocking! There is a mini-doc somewhere on UA-cam. Solovair boots are actually closer to the original DM's as you'll find out in the doc. 👍
@@robw4057 The latest acquisition of the Dr Martens brand was by private equity company Permira in 2013. Dr Martens under Permira opened a court case against Solovair to prevent them using the Dr Martens 'trade dress' of yellow stitching and groove pattern on the sides of the soles. Permira Dr Martens won the case. Now Solovair cannot use the distinctive yellow stitching and groove pattern on their boots. However, Solovair are still appreciated for being made in England and will replace sole units of worn boots for their customers.
I spent my entire teenage years and tht first could twenties in the 90's, so I've owned 4-5 pairs of Dr Martens. Every single pair I owned had to soles split along the sides.
I live in the tropics so the chukka boots are one of my favorites to wear because your feet don't get as hot, and with ease of removal and putting on, they are just incredibly functional. Doc Martins are great for a teenage first pair of boots, just so you can say you had a pair.
Two great channels cooperating! :D P.S: I think chukkas can be a decent "all-round" shoe when travelling. Good-looking enough for restaurants, sturdy enough if you walk "off-road" and more suitable for a city then a proper service-boot. I recommend the Timberland Belanger EK+ Chukkas!
@@bobjohnson6321 I think it makes sense given their history. I just imagine a bunch of British soldiers with their shorts and pith helm and chukka books chilling somewhere in egypt
@@bobjohnson6321 Chukkas look awful with shorts IMO. General consensus is that it's a no-go to wear both together but obviously everyone has their own style preferences.
As an Englishman I should be defending the Doc Martens, but I agree 100% with everything you said. Maybe they were good once, but they have no structure, they’re bad quality, no style and they’re not even that cheap. I do hope England isn’t associated too much with Doc Martens. We have some amazing boot and shoe manufacturers here. I’m desperate to see Weston cut some Tricker’s or Loake 1880s in half. That would be interesting.
if you want better docs that are actually still associated with england, then solovair is the way to go. also i would like to see Weston cut some england shoes/boots like church's or crockett and jones
Would love to see that! The Loake 1880 range are built like tanks, and you can often pick them up pretty cheap. I'd also like to see the iconic Trickers Bourton chopped up!
Docs are for fashion, not for doing any decent walking in. They've got great colours, great shine and just look good. They aren't chasing that old market anymore, and I don't think there's any shame in that. Solovair look the same, for the same price, but without the brand recognition. Docs are for fashion, pure and simple.
The LL Bean Boots are made to wear in the mud and rain for a n easy clean up. Duck hunting also comes to mind, but to be honest I can’t remember the last time I thought about those boots and didn’t realize they were still being made. Great video!🇺🇸
As someone from England who has owned several pairs of DMs over the years I say you are completely right. If ever there was victory of style over substance it is present day DMs. The "leather" cracks, I go through the soles in a remarkably short period of time and cannot get a proper fit. Safe to say don't but them any more, pity because they are cool :-(
Brunts are cheap, but about the only boot that fits a wide foot anymore. I get a year out of them in the oil patch where their waterproofing begins to wear out and it’s time for a new pair anyway. RedWings used to be the boot, but now by the time the get comfortable, they start to leak.
I wore Doc Martin's in the 90s when it was trendy. they were terrible and clunky. but it was all about that yellow stitching if you wanted to be a cool kid at school lol
Those llbean boots are really more of a hunting boot or farm boot for nasty mud and gross stuff. It is weird that people think they are some sort of fashion boot.
I used to love Docs but after having a couple of pairs split along the sole I just can't do them anymore. Switched to Iron Rangers and am much more happy. I would have came out spending less money in the long run if I had just spent the money on the Red Wings in the first place. I did have to put Red Wing insoles in them. And chukkas look like peasant shoes from the middle ages to me.
I reached the same conclusions: 1) Doc Martins are junk-cheap and floppy; and 2) don’t buy any boots with a brand famous for something else. Clarks don’t fall into that category, I also agree with you on Clarks. Desert boots are so unstructured, they’re uncomfortable and the gum sole provide surprisingly little cushion. My biggest complaint about desert boots is the terrible slip.
I don't own any Clarke's, but I understand the made in England versions are better. I have desert boots made in Italy that Allen Edmonds use to carry, and I like them well enough for some casual settings. One thing is the crepe is much better quality, and the shoe is even a little heavy and stiff. The one place they really do shine is on sand, not surprisingly. Crepe is marvelous walking on the desert.
@@janerkenbrack3373 USA military desert boots are the boots that work in the desert. Clark's are good for indoors. Anything harder than sand will tear large chunks from the sole. All style, no substance. There's a lot more rock and gravel in the desert than sand. And it hasn't rained in two years!
@@bladesfortheadpocalypse2370 Oh boy. First, I said I don't own any Clark's. Second, I said it was crepe that was great on sand. And third, do you not know that it was crepe-soled desert boots that an Actual Clark saw being used in the desert during WWII and sent the design back home to the family business? He saw that they worked really well in the desert. I've walked on all kinds of desert surfaces in the books I have, and not a chunk is missing. And for the record, I wouldn't be caught dead in a pair of army boots. I wouldn't want to look like some kind of pretender.
@@janerkenbrack3373 I live in the desert wilderness, in a tent. I'm no pretender. Clark's are Crap. You are a greenhorn. And I wouldn't be caught dead in any boots, because I'm a Survivor.
I think that Nick's comment on the LL Bean boot being ugly is in line with my sense that he isn't a fan of Trad/Prep aesthetic---I recall he made a similar comment on Barbour in his wax jackets video. Both the LL Bean boot and Barbour Bedale & Beaufort are essential wardrobe pieces for the historically New England prep lifestyle/look that is tied more to school and 'country/leisure and that is a bit different than the heritage style. which is more tied to historically blue collar work aesthetic.
Right. As I mentioned in my comment to the video, people in cities wearing Bean Boots seemed to be trying to suggest they have a home upstate or a cabin in Maine. They are worn for New England country credibility.
The GYW evolution: sneakers> Dr. Martens> Thursday boots> Red Wing/Wolverine 1000 milers> PNW boots/Viberg/Alden> Heritage Japanese brands/Northampton makers like EG and Crocket and Jones> bespoke shoes.
100% agree on the Dr Martins. I bought a pair a year ago, principally because I wanted a water resistant boot to wear round town in winter and, to be honest, I really liked the look. I was told they were really fiddly size-wise and didn't do half sizes (I'm usually 9.5 UK size), so I borrowed a pair of UK 9s from a friend, found them excruciatingly tight, and so ordered a size 10 instead. The 10s fit the general outline of my foot pretty well but are impossible to tie tight enough to stop my heel from lifting. The result is that they're excruciating to walk more than a mile in which, for a boot, is a nightmare. I ended up buying some fairly cheap Helly Hansen boots later and they not only fit better, but were more comfortable and seem to be putting up to wear and tear better. The thing is the Dr Martins are so cool looking I can't quite seem to bring myself to throw them out, and even still put up with the discomfort of wearing them occassionally purely for the aesthetics of my outfit lol
I went to a small Halifax university in the early eighties that drew a fair number of “preppies” ( look it up, young people) from further west eg Ontario private schools who influenced the attire of a few of us Atlantic Canadians. Bean boots were de rigeur, for fall and winter. Never leaked. That time were wholly made in Maine, like all their jackets, shirts, chinos etc. I still have a pair from the era (6”) that they resoled five yrs ago, now good for another twenty ( if I live till eighty). High quality even now IMO, though I no longer wear button down blue-striped Oxford shirts.
The LL Bean Boots fit into the category of ironically stylish where they're stylish because of utility, not unlike the path of Dr Martens (which started as orthopedic shoes), The Red Wing Iron Ranger and even Birkenstocks and Crocs.
Damn y'all had to attack chukkas. I like them because they're casual and you can dress them up. I mainly wear them in the summer because they're like the closest boots to tennis shoes. I have muleskinner chukkas so they're like swede shoes to me 😭
Bean boots are essential for prep / old money style and they’re meant to handle tough conditions. They don’t have the best comfort but most people wear them only when nothing else could protect them from the environment or elements.
Naww not the bean boots! The bean boots are awesome! I also think they look great with a pair of jeans. You can get un-insulated..insulated..gore tex lined l, flannel lined with insulation. Can get 8", 6", moc, 16" and so on. Plus they do what they're intended for. You can wear them lazy or tied up. They're just great boots all around! Everyone has their opinion though. I been trying to get my son to want a pair. He's 12. Been trying for a year. He doesn't want a pair. Hey maybe sometime lol. I got the dark brown insulated flannel lined and love them! The fit is definitely tough but they're meant to wear with thick socks so I was able go find the right size finally. Great video guys! Thank you
I got my first pair of Dr Martens in 1992, having begged for them as a birthday present. I really want to defend them because there is no other boot that looks as good or is as comfortable... Unfortunately, I've never had a pair last more than six months. I've been wearing army surplus, Magum and Dickies instead for years now.
Harley boots... it is sometimes said that HD is a t-shirt company that occasionally sells motorcycles. What you said about bikers is wrong. Many of them absolutely want to sport their favorite bike brand on their gear. Unfortunately, they also believe that their beloved HD only puts out quality stuff. That desire only goes so far, however. I worked at an Indian Motorcycle dealer a few years ago, and we started selling a Redwing boot that was simply an Iron Ranger with an Indian logo embossed into one side of the heel. It cost exactly the same as a non-branded Iron Ranger directly from Redwing. Unfortunately, customers scoffed that they were too expensive. Sadly, they want those cheep branded boots.
I only wear US Government issue combat boots. I started wearing them at MCRD San Diego boots in 1981. They are made to be worn in excess of 16 hours each day. They are the most durable and comfortable when they are properly broken in (soak in hot water and wear until dry) and will never cause blisters after break in.
Doc Marten’s were popular with those who had to be on their feet walking around for long periods such as Police Officers, I was in the military and kept a pair of high leg Doc Marten’s for when I was doing foot patrols around our base, would never consider them for wearing on operations but they were perfect for pounding around the base.
I gotta say, my first pair of 1460s, I loved them. But my most recent pair are from the new manufacturing and they ARE different, no matter what Doc Martens says. They are two years old now and STILL give me heel blisters, the leather is so stiff. The old ones I walked for miles in, and wore into the ground and they never hurt my feet, but these ones do. So I call BS on them claiming that they're the same quality as they used to be.
I do agree their quality has dropped, but where on your foot are you getting blisters? To be honest, better made boots with thicker leather, those are only going to give you more blisters. Yes Doc's are cheap and thin, that's what makes them more pleasant to wear out of the box. The break in period is short, that foam they have around the ball of the foot really helps with initial comfort, no high quality working man boots are going to provide you with that. Are you wearing long socks of normal thickness? I would recommend an insole perhaps? If these give you blisters, I don't see how better made boots won't give you blisters, they'll probably give you more. You need to condition your feet to wear boots, increase the quality of your socks, or consider that perhaps this may not be for you. Edit: if the blisters are around the heel, try tying the laces much more tight. You should have zero heel bob, the heel should be essentially static.
I love my Red Wing work chukkas. Vans slip-ons used to be my go to shoes I wore daily but now the red wings took their place, except in the summer when if wearing shorts. I'm still not ready to fully embrace boots yet but I did pick up a pair of Timberland redwood falls moc toes and have been very happy with them so far for the sale price of only $105. I will upgrade to red wings or something of similar quality once the Timberlands wear out.
my own experience in my country (iceland) with ll bean boots are just great.a lot better as sorel boots and whatever. mostly is it very wet at us,wet snow for this they are perfect,and what is important for me i can drive car with them,with sorel i can not bcs you get always the break&power pedal together. ll bean is not so whide outside. but im very happy if i dont need to wear this kind of boots at all. br from iceland
Fully agreed on Docs. I have *only* owned MIE Dr Martens. And I can fully attest that the quality has gone down, the most evident aspect the omission of the shank. Sure it was wood. But at least it was a shank. And the soles in the older Docs seemed longer lasting. And I swear had more padding and molded more closely to the contours of ones feet, offering greater support. Oh well. Been tempted to try a pair of Solovairs, but am afraid of wasting my money. Oh well. I still have my Beckmans. Great job, guys, mahalo! 🤙🥾
I agree, I used to walk everywhere as a teen in my Doc's, late 1970's and never wore the sole out, very comfy. If I had a pair of the same era, now, I would get them resoled. I keep my eyes open just in case I find some!
Solovair shoes are great. I used to wear docs all the time. Switched out, never going back. Solovair has a shank and better leather and made in England.
@@donmuang76 thanks Earl, I think Solovair are worth a try and will give them a go. It would be nice to have a 'go to' pair of boots again for every day use.
As a Londoner in the UK I'm with you when it comes to Docs. They're rubbish I used to wear them day after day for years. But when they started to make them overseas the quality went down. They just brought out a new boot that they say is their toughest boot yet. I'm not sure about that? But one thing I have noticed in the past when I'm in the Doctor Martin's shop a few staff don't wear Docs. I've seen them wearing Solovair. Out of Docs or Solovair I would go for Solovair as they look like Docs but they're made a bit better and have a softer sole so feel better to walk around in. Plus they're still made here in England. I have a few pairs of Soliloair's and for work I go with Magnum boots. It would be interesting to see a tear down of any of the Magnum boots from the classic's to the Elite Shield or just any of their boots? I wear them for work as they are a tough boot. Still quite light. Leather or leather with other stuff depending on what you buy? Slight trainer feel. Don't need much wearing in you can wear all day from the first day especially the Viper's. And some even come in fire resistant sloes. Leather and laces. And they will last quite a while.
Great info. New to both of your pages. Canada has a standard for boots to be sold as “safety footwear”. CSA approved with a green triangle stitched the footwear at the ankle. Maybe you have covered this. Looks like I have a few vids to review. I have a 30 year old pair of Dayton lace up service boots. They were my go to for almost 20 years. Helluva boot. Cheers
Docs literally ruined my feet. Took YEARS to recover from the literal foot rot they caused. I’ve worn Redwings for 25 years everyday on concrete, expanded metal and greasy refinery muck. Up until recently they’ve been amazingly tough and perfectly waterproof. Well like everything else made in the US of A, they’ve shifted to offshore manufacturing and it’s KILLED the quality. I’ve got a pair of Nick’s builder Pros on order with my fingers crossed.
heavywall im not sure if you need american boots but look up rufflanders by william lennon and co! handmade by one of 12 people in a little british factory theyve had the same machines over 110 years! awesome company to deal with!
you won't be disappointed with Nick's , the upgrade is going to be crazy. but what red wings did you own that were made offshore? I thought a lot of then were still US made
@@bushisahomo the model number is 2408, they are assembled here but now they’re saying made of imported materials so it could be anything really, the leather, thread or urethanes that make up the sole. I have a pair that is roughly four years old and they’re not holding up as well as the older “all American” pair. I have one pair that are very old and have been refurbished by redwing multiple times but as I age (and my feet age particularly) I need a heartier sole and upper.
@Starcell I did, as I said, but now I don’t because I bought high quality boots that keep my feet clean and dry. Docs are not actually work boots any longer and haven’t been for quite some time. It’s a shame really, given their origin.
To be fair to LL Bean, those boots used to be marketed towards outdoorsmen. Where their ugly ass boot was gonna be caked in mud, so no one was going to be able to actually see it.
What’s weird is I’ve been wearing the same pair of doc martens as workboots for the past few years. And while I can’t speak for the quality of the materials, they’ve survived many elements while fitting my feet really well. Maybe there are better boots I could be wearing, but I know I’ll get at least another couple years out of my docs
One of the best pair of boots I wore while working at a cemetery/crematorium were Doc Marten steel toe. The company gave us a $100 stipend every 6months for boots. The only problem I had with them was sometimes I would leave the crematory with things melted into the sole.
You are spot on regarding Doc Martens. The soles can delaminate, the leather is super cheap and looks like plastic. Now when it come to the LLBean duck boots… you are way off. Those are not meant to be fashionable. They are meant to be functional. The other boots you suggest as alternatives are water “resistant”. The Duck Boot is water “proof”. You can stand in a bog all day with dry feet. Then you can simply hose them off. That is the ultimate in a water proof hunting boot that doesn’t require fussing with waxes, creams or silicones. The fact that you see them in NYC on rainy days is a nod to just how perfectly functional they are. In addition, there are some who admire the aesthetics simply because of their near perfect function. I’ve walked all over the bogs of Ireland and Scotland in mine… perfect boot for those occasions. Plus Made in Maine.
Almost every boot showed on both of each channels did not sell here in Brazil. Even that happens, it’s nice to know this content to avoid any further mistakes.
I find the aesthetic panning of Bean boots amusing. I would much rather wear those than any of the Italian style shoes. They are too gaudy and pretentious. A classic Bean boot is clear about its functionality and doesn't try and hide behind a facade.
I’ve been wearing Clarks Chukka boots since 1966. They are sturdy, long lasting, require no break in, and have been a chick magnet for me. I use them in casual and semi casual fashion. They are great outdoor boots, and more dependable than my Nike’s. Only second to my Vintage Converse! Stay well and safe!!!
Dr Martens were great when Solovair made them under license. I have a pair of Hawkins Astronauts (Solovair) I wore them every day to work for 4 years, very comfortable. I had them resolved, but was then terrible. I need to get in touch with Solovair and see if the recommend a cobbler (in England) who can resole them for me.
After wearing Bean boots for a few years, I've come to realize that the waterproofness is totally countered by my feet sweating like trout. They quickly became the smelliest shoes I own.
Wow, I haven't seen those LL. Bean boots since I was in grade school in the 80s. All the preppy kids wore them and used to call them "Duckies". Had no idea these were still popular.
What a great video. I don’t like to pile on, but Docs get my biggest raz. The last (Made in England)pair I bought was disgraceful. I have to defend LL Bean boots, I wear them all the time out in the woods, and when doing farm chores. They are cheap and last forever. Are they appropriate to wear in the City? I don’t think so. Highly entertaining content, keep it up!
When I was a kid I used to love Doc Martens 1460s because of their association with certain British subcultures (punk rock, skinhead, etc.). I tried on a pair I got probably a decade ago and I couldn't believe how uncomfortable they where. No wonder my feet used to ache so much. They used to be cheaply made and cheaply priced, now they are cheaply made and overpriced for what they are. The leather is hardly justifiable as leather and the soles wear out incredible quickly. I've worn out four pairs if 1460s in my life, my feet have paid for it, and I would not recommend them to anyone.
It's not even that they were and are cheaply made. They were cheaply made, but they've gotten exponentially worse. Cheaper, thinner leather, no shank (and a bullshit excuse as to why), and if I'm not mistaken, they changed how they make the soles and they wear faster. The price rise was entirely on the back of the community they didn't cultivate. They ain't been good since the early 90s at least, but even then they were made to the standard of their price. Honestly it's one of the strongest betrayals I've seen a company give to the audience that came around them, snd then the audience just takes it. Edit: also I dig the pfp
years ago I bought some doc martins they hurt my feet they were supposed to be awesome made in England but they had no structure after 2 hours my feet would hurt so bad . I luckily had my army boots still so went back to wearing my army issue combat boots they felt like running shoes nice and broken in .
DrMartens did something in the early 00's and ever since, the quality is insanely low, but the price has not changed. They were my go to boots during the entire 90's and I was so sad to experience the quality fall first hand.
@@Benzyl They were very adequatly priced 1994 when I got my first pair, being 16 and whatnot. When they cost the same in 2002 but the quality was poorly subpar, that's when I quit buying them. I was not the only one from that era that learned the quality drop the hard way. Coincidentally, the movie Clueless made DrMartens a household name - previously only regarded as skinhead/punk boots. I'm guessing world wide teen girl fame made them realize the unbridled potential for share holder happiness, and decided to ditch quality control.
I'm 40 but at 17 I had doc Martin boots ,, I have fond memories I thought they were super comfortable and durable , my largest gripe was getting my foot into out of was always a task with lacing and unlaceing just alot of work lol
The LL Bean bean boots are fine, not sure what the issue is, you’re comparing a hunting boot (made in USA) to some Allen Edmund fashion shoes? When you need to walk through a marsh a Goodyear welt isn’t going to be better in that situation. Agree with the other choices on the list.
I buy Doc Martens knowing they are not the best quality, but I love the look and they are part of my social/cultural history as someone who was part of local music scenes in my youth. This history means I am willing to overlook these downsides. I do add extra-cushioned insoles to Docs to mitigate some of these negatives. How do Solovair boots compare to Doc Martens? I would be interested to see a comparison if there isn’t one.
The streets and gutters of Manhattan used to turn into rivers of water that often came over the curb. Litter would clog the storm drains. Puddles would be several feet wide and at least two inches deep.
I’ve never torn a pair apart, but my kids had Doc Marten’s in 1995 and they were pretty good. I bought a pair the next year. Fast forward to 2019 and their kids wanted a pair. They were pure garbage. The ‘leather uppers’ weren’t. The tongue and the pretend leather where the eyelets are are plastic. The stuff passing as leather is horrible
They changed from making them in the UK through Solovair to making them abroad because it is cheaper. Buy Solovair, they're basically old school decent Doc Martens.
They made some weird quality change in the early 00's. I hated the new crappy boots but with the original price tag. My 1994 boots stayed glued to my feet for seven years. Had to get a new pair in 2002, they were crappity crap crap.
Great video guys! Haha…I laughed at your comment regarding cobblers resoling Doc Martens “…they probably can resole them. They just don’t want to.” Yep…1000%! 😁 They’re just a pain.
Somebody better damn well resole my Horween Docs! lol.
Rose Anvil and Trenton & Heath Sub here! 👍🏻👍🏻
Now I want to see a Trenton & Heath video resoling docs. Just for the fun of watching you guys have to do it for a video.
I think the masses have spoken. Please make a video on Dr Martens!
If you want an old school DM then look at Solovair
The LL Bean boots are great work boots if you are a landscaper/gardener, muck out livestock stalls, or do anything where your feet are wet or muddy a lot. They don’t rot out like leather boots, or take forever to dry. For city rain and fashion, yes, there are better options.
They're not comfortable on hard surfaces at all. They are a field boot.
Way too high of a fashion expectation for a boot that shines for being able to stand in poop for 12 hours.
Yeah exactly. They are more of a duck boot as well. They are meant for people that need their feet to be partially or completely submerged for a long time without getting jungle rot
I like the upper and the rubber. I hate the ramen noodle looking outsole.
@@seancoyote I don't get the impression that either of these millennials have actually worked a day in their lives. These metrosexuals are just using work boots as a fashion accessory to attempt to look more masculine.
I agree that Bean boots don’t look very good, but they’re not made for fashion- they are made for hunting in New England, a task they excel at. The fact they are still made in America and relatively inexpensive as boots go makes them a big win in my book.
They're horrible hunting boots...
@@GelMibson-u2y Oh, well that settles it. The world famous hunter Gel Mibson has spoken.
@@bolandjd always negative people trying to ruin peoples days
@@bolandjd Agreed, But... Now that I'm grown up I kinda like the look. However the super chunky rubber snowmobile boots with the felt liners, Them things were and still are ugly and uncomfortable.
That thumbnail tho
love your channel!
Bought a pair of Doc Martens 1460 Greasy’s 4 years ago. Conditioned them once before wearing. I’ve worn them through harsh Canadian winters (and hot summers), and I constantly get people thinking they’re new. No problems whatsoever. When they get dirty I literally just wipe them off with my hand. Best $200 CAD I ever spent.
They made in England?
@@mfchris8026 Same here; mine are not made in England. Wish they were, but no.......great luck with them. I used their leather conditioner not long after purchase. I understand the 1/2 size issue since I wear a 10.5 US size. But the 10 in England/Europe size fit me perfect. Perhaps I was lucky.
Loll you guys are so cucked. I cant imagine ever mentioning that ny denomination is USD
Right I got a patent leather pair 4 years ago, at the store in NYC where they are from Brittan and fell in love with them, I wore them 4-5 times a week for years and they still look and Feel brand new, I still wear them at least once a week or a second pair of them with flower embroidery on the side, I bought at the mall and say that are made in some other country, they have worn the same way, I will say the flowers do look dirty and some of the stitches are lose in the decoration design but again they still look amazing.
Dr Mrtens are fantastic. Haters gonna hate though 😂
I was a Bean boot hater until I moved up to New Hampshire and had to deal with real winter and then "mud season." I'm a big fan of fashion meeting function and Bean boots are the perfect example of that. Spend enough time in NH, VT and ME and you'll be wearing the uniform in no time. Those boots make me feel invincible come winter. Bean boots in Manhattan on a rainy day? I can see the argument.
Yup, Western PA here. I don't own beans but Ive owned a couple pairs of boots with a similar style. No one is going to compliment your boot with that rubber lower half, but your dry warm feet will compliment you all day and your favorite pair of leather boots will compliment your ugly boots for taking the abuse from the salt. There's just a certain point, late December through January, where fashion just no longer applies. Although looking out my window now, might be fashion goes away mid November this year.
Those LL Bean boots are hideous. It's like a cross between a girl's boot and a rummer boot. There are a lot of other boots that are waterproof and weatherproof that look like real boots and not something you would see in a drag queen story hour.
Yeah, that dude lives in NYC. I have lived in NH for 30 years and wear my Bean Boots every day in the winter. You also need to learn how to wear them without tieing them. They look much better that way.
Bean boots are kind of like keopectate: Tastes horrible, but it works.
I love the LL Bean boots. They are confortable, at least on humid terrain, they are great on snow as well, can be bought with insulation or not, the construction is really solid, and you can wash them both in 10 seconds without having to take care of them at all. I think they are too iconic to be ugly. Those have a purpose, and that purpose isn't to bring your labradoodle for a walk when it's raining in the upper east side.
This dude probably has a French bulldog.
As a guy from Western New York, you are dead wrong about the Bean boots. With the amount of salt they dump up here, I don’t wear Goodyear welts from November to April.
There's definitely a place for bean boots. Keeping the salt off is a great example of their use but they do lack the comfort of a leather boot. If your budget allows I recommend a silicone infused leather boot.
I think the main issue with this video is it’s just opinions and people may take this as more then that. If you don’t like bean boots you’re not wrong about anything and vise versa.. stridewise always fails to provide any reasoning why he doesn’t like something other then he just doesn’t like it because for whatever reason it didn’t work out for him.
Right on Bro. I live in the upstate NY Capital Region and fished with my Bean boots from fall to winter, until the lakes froze, and they worked like champions. The hell with NYC hipster BS.
LaCrosse Rubber Muckers. Ankle high and can be found in steel toe. The Bean and the LaCrosse are work boots and not fashion boots.
Is the salt that bad on GYW boots? Why not just have a couple of dedicated commando sole winter boots?
Docs were once a brilliant boot back in the eighties. I still have my 12 high black pair I bought in 1981. I have had the soles replaced but the uppers still look great thanks to regular cleaning and polishing. They are head and shoulders above my new Docs.
Fun fact, similar to the boots, Harley Davidson uses their previously good name to sell sub par bikes too! So the boots do match the primary product!
To be fair, the issue isn't so much the bikes being bad as them being antiquated. They're built like tanks, but way overpriced for what they offer
@@admechskitarii6967 Nothing like paying top dollar for a bike with 50 year old technology. My Harley still has a carburetor.
and I bet unlike he said here Harley people will buy these. Everyone knows Harley riders only buy the bike so they can cosplay as they're favourite Sons of Anarchy character
I wore Doc Martens for most of my Police career but all of a sudden, when they became Trendy, they went narrow fitting and I couldn't wear them anymore. The inner sole also started wearing through quickly. I spoke to the staff in the shoe shop where I used to buy them and they told me there had been a definite redesign and many people had found the same problem. Needless to say I never bought them again.
It's true. You just can't kick the heads of striking miners in in Ugg boots.
@@nobbynoris True. I just couldn't get a good run up.
i think the worst part is that they lie about it. when you ask them if there has been a material change (newer leather is thinner than old leather) they say there has been no change, and that it is the same material, but that is clearly not the case.
@@Murtagh653 Agreed
@@rogerwilson6367 Get solovairs and your sorted their matte finish looks better too imo
The LL Bean Maine hunting shoe is a great boot for what it is. Thick socks and proper care and they last. I’ve had mine for over 25 years with resoles 2x and they are wonderful wet and winter weather boots and upland hunting.
Agree
I think he made a good explanation stating he just hates the way they look. I think they don't look too bad and they are good boots.
Yeah, I thought that one was a bad call. Forget the aesthetics, if they’re functional for what they were designed and well made (they are) then they are a good boot.
Doc Martens,are crap, but you must realise that they are made for forklift drivers and warehousemen. They are made for working on concrete,not rough ground, the aircells are meant to cushion your feet on the hard,hard going on the loading dock !
@@CrimeVid No Doc Martens are made for fashion and they were originally made for gardening
I live in a cold climate and like my bean boots for ice fishing as long as I put ice cleats on over them for traction.
My everyday work footwear is red wing. I can't recommend those boots enough. My current pair is going on 8 years with a few new soles.
I had the rare square toe Doc Marten's over 30 years ago, because ya know when you're a punk rocker, ya had to have Docs. They were pretty comfortable and lasted for a good while. I got a new pair (green with round toe 1460) a few months ago, and you guys are right. Bad fit, cheap leather, etc.
There’s a square toe style bex sole boot sold on Doc Martens website right now
Edit: *when you're a poseur you gotta have Docs
@@BobPapadopoulos lmao 🤣. I had many boots when I was "posing". But I sure looked good! And the best ones were not Docs
I was not a boot wearer until this year. Never had a job where it made sense till this year. My first pair were Thursday Captains. Then I went and got Allen Edmonds Lombard. And just yesterday, I got my Grant Stone Diesel Cognac Ostrich.
The slippery slope of finding a world you didn’t realise could be as deep or as interesting as you thought, then just throwing all your money into it
@@TSE_WOODY this guy gets it
@@Stridewise we’ve all been there with something. Boots, whiskey, coffee, beer, denim and the list goes on and on
@@TSE_WOODY Are you saying I made some bad choices here?
@@jimlittle5769 oh no man, financially that entirely depends on your situation I couldn’t say but none of those are a bad choice. It’s more that I found it funny how quickly we all seem to go from knowing nothing to owning 5 pairs of quality boots and inspecting the grain pattern and welt. Keep on keeping on bro.
Worn Doc Martens for 46 years, best work boots for hod carrying ever, a pair of them only ever lasted 3 months before the soles fell off, but they were comfortable and cheap, well until students started wearing them and the price then quadrupled, also as you say when they stopped making them in Northampton in the UK and moved production to Asia the quality plummeted.
I first came across both Rose Anvil and Stridewise channels when I was researching whether Doc Martens are any good. I took your advice and bought Solovairs instead...and that was my gateway boot.
Yess I love to hear this
Yes! That is exactly the same situation for me. I’ve had my Solovairs for well over a year now, and they’ve actually held up pretty well! I don’t like how they use a fiberboard insole and corrected grain leather, but I still think that they are pretty decent boots for the price.
@@theoortcloud742 took long to wear it but will last like it's 1978
@@theoortcloud742 Solovair have full grain versions, like the greasy leather and gaucho leather, both great quality full grain leathers and last long if looked after.
I have several solovair and gripfast boots and walk a lot in them and they have not let me down yet. 🙂👍
@@Stridewise I would love for you to do a review on gripfast and solovair greasy leather and gaucho leather boots. Both made in the same factory in Wollaston Northampton England that make excellent quality footwear.
Great channel by the way and thank you. 👍
Try being a Diesel mechanic. They only last 6-9 months. Hyd oil and all kinds of grease and fluids soften the leather. I have 2 pairs. I use a boot warmer every day on my boots. Mechanics roll on the ground. The toes will wear a hole and the sides. I wore Danner boots for years because work paid for them. They were just ok. I use Redwing and they are the most comfy with upgraded soles. I wore martins in my late teens and early 20s in the 90s. They all spilt on the sides and wore down fast. These were the made in England ones. Nice video!
Love the collabs you two do together.!
We do half sizes in the UK and custom Moulded fits. Don’t judge the UK uk on those junk Dr Martins.
If the only problem with LL Bean is the look and you think Gooodyear welt is as capable in heavy snow and the mess that comes with it, maybe you should spend some time in New England in February.
Fair fair regarding the "Docs"... Dr Martin boots were my first pair of boots and I very much enjoyed them HOWEVER I moved to surplus military boots, then other makes and the Dr Martins don't stack up well when compaired to other boots.
I have black Clarks desert boots, and I think they look cool. But I had to add rigid insoles for more support.
I'd recomond people to check out the clarks bushacre boots. Exactly the same as the desert boots except with a harder sole. I got mine on sale for I think $60 as well.
@@haydechman There's a wedge sole version as well. Havn't tried them on but they look cool and you get around the no shank/support issue.
The LL Beans are for the snow and slush , and chukkas are great to wear cycling or doing the grocery shopping.
Sometimes I’m not sold on guys that review boots that have too many and don’t wear them for their intended purpose !
I just realized you're right how he wears his boots. He actually said "You don't need a waterproof boot" .... lol Goodyear welt is fantastic for a lot things, but using them for stomping around icy puddles, snow banks and salt piles all winter bc BB are "ugly?" He's got to be kidding me.
I agree! Bean boots are great for farm yard chores in the winter.
Rose anvil did a snow boot video where he tested a few I believe
I wore Doc Martens for about 30 years, but after the last pair; and after comparing them to my Redwings, I never will again. They are fashion tat, sold to people that don't know any better. I'll admit, I was one of them until I clued myself up. Doc Martens should be ashamed of themselves, especially since Solovair is quickly making a name for themselves selling similar boots, better made, and at a similar price point.
you were happy with them for 30 years means something
@@edrader746 I was, I loved them for years but the quality deteriorated over that time unfortunately, I have a pair of Solovairs now which capture the look and feel of those older Doc Martens as they are made by the company that used to make Doc Martens before they decided to cut costs.
@@xenophon1999 they didn't cut costs, they moved most manufacturing to Asian hellscapes. They still make a few in england like 1460s but you pay alot more than Asian 1460s
Yeah you could by a 8 hole pair in a UK hardware store in the 80's for like £30 and they would last for years. But I won't pay £150 for a pair made in a sweatshop.
@@GertTown They moved manufacturing to cut costs! Duhh!!!
I'm an old due, and when I was young you could get boots made to fit,. Now everything has been off shored, If you don't have a D width foot your screwed, no half sizes no narrow and very few wide. What would it take to bring back cobblers?
Here in the UK Dr Martens soles can be replaced by a shoe repair company called Timpson. The replacement soles are usually made in England, which is embossed on the sole. People who own vintage (1970s, 1980s) made in England Dr Martens are more likely to have the soles replaced as vintage Dr Martens are sought after, owing to their cult status and arguably better quality.
Dr Martens were brought out in the 90s. They are shocking! There is a mini-doc somewhere on UA-cam. Solovair boots are actually closer to the original DM's as you'll find out in the doc. 👍
@@robw4057 The latest acquisition of the Dr Martens brand was by private equity company Permira in 2013. Dr Martens under Permira opened a court case against Solovair to prevent them using the Dr Martens 'trade dress' of yellow stitching and groove pattern on the sides of the soles. Permira Dr Martens won the case. Now Solovair cannot use the distinctive yellow stitching and groove pattern on their boots. However, Solovair are still appreciated for being made in England and will replace sole units of worn boots for their customers.
Dr martens have been out since the 70s
Says just who, exactly ?
@@barfly946 Me, in fact they've been out since the 60s. I suggest you do some research
I spent my entire teenage years and tht first could twenties in the 90's, so I've owned 4-5 pairs of Dr Martens. Every single pair I owned had to soles split along the sides.
I live in the tropics so the chukka boots are one of my favorites to wear because your feet don't get as hot, and with ease of removal and putting on, they are just incredibly functional. Doc Martins are great for a teenage first pair of boots, just so you can say you had a pair.
Great point with chukkas and heat
For DMs look up Westerners or Blackburns. They were the boots for London youth in the 70s.
Two great channels cooperating! :D
P.S: I think chukkas can be a decent "all-round" shoe when travelling. Good-looking enough for restaurants, sturdy enough if you walk "off-road" and more suitable for a city then a proper service-boot. I recommend the Timberland Belanger EK+ Chukkas!
chukas are the easiest boots to wear with shorts
@@bobjohnson6321 I think it makes sense given their history. I just imagine a bunch of British soldiers with their shorts and pith helm and chukka books chilling somewhere in egypt
@@bobjohnson6321 Chukkas look awful with shorts IMO. General consensus is that it's a no-go to wear both together but obviously everyone has their own style preferences.
Bean boots aka Duck Boots are a part of New England culture. And they’re totally funky.
As an Englishman I should be defending the Doc Martens, but I agree 100% with everything you said. Maybe they were good once, but they have no structure, they’re bad quality, no style and they’re not even that cheap. I do hope England isn’t associated too much with Doc Martens. We have some amazing boot and shoe manufacturers here.
I’m desperate to see Weston cut some Tricker’s or Loake 1880s in half. That would be interesting.
Loake 1880s look great!
if you want better docs that are actually still associated with england, then solovair is the way to go. also i would like to see Weston cut some england shoes/boots like church's or crockett and jones
Would love to see that! The Loake 1880 range are built like tanks, and you can often pick them up pretty cheap. I'd also like to see the iconic Trickers Bourton chopped up!
@@Lord_Mad_Dog I wore DMs fro 1978 to somewhere in the 90s.
I bought some Solovair and they at least as good as the old DMs. Probably better.
Docs are for fashion, not for doing any decent walking in. They've got great colours, great shine and just look good. They aren't chasing that old market anymore, and I don't think there's any shame in that. Solovair look the same, for the same price, but without the brand recognition. Docs are for fashion, pure and simple.
The LL Bean Boots are made to wear in the mud and rain for a n easy clean up. Duck hunting also comes to mind, but to be honest I can’t remember the last time I thought about those boots and didn’t realize they were still being made. Great video!🇺🇸
As someone from England who has owned several pairs of DMs over the years I say you are completely right. If ever there was victory of style over substance it is present day DMs. The "leather" cracks, I go through the soles in a remarkably short period of time and cannot get a proper fit. Safe to say don't but them any more, pity because they are cool :-(
Try out solovairs
Brunts are cheap, but about the only boot that fits a wide foot anymore. I get a year out of them in the oil patch where their waterproofing begins to wear out and it’s time for a new pair anyway. RedWings used to be the boot, but now by the time the get comfortable, they start to leak.
I wore Doc Martin's in the 90s when it was trendy. they were terrible and clunky. but it was all about that yellow stitching if you wanted to be a cool kid at school lol
Those llbean boots are really more of a hunting boot or farm boot for nasty mud and gross stuff. It is weird that people think they are some sort of fashion boot.
I used to love Docs but after having a couple of pairs split along the sole I just can't do them anymore. Switched to Iron Rangers and am much more happy. I would have came out spending less money in the long run if I had just spent the money on the Red Wings in the first place. I did have to put Red Wing insoles in them. And chukkas look like peasant shoes from the middle ages to me.
Try Solovair
lol, "peasants from the middle ages" is the perfect description.
My 10 year old docs are still in excellent condition
I didn’t know stridewise, was subscribed to anvil, now subscribed to both. Nice work!
Hooray! Glad you made it over, Wade!
I reached the same conclusions: 1) Doc Martins are junk-cheap and floppy; and 2) don’t buy any boots with a brand famous for something else. Clarks don’t fall into that category, I also agree with you on Clarks. Desert boots are so unstructured, they’re uncomfortable and the gum sole provide surprisingly little cushion. My biggest complaint about desert boots is the terrible slip.
I don't own any Clarke's, but I understand the made in England versions are better. I have desert boots made in Italy that Allen Edmonds use to carry, and I like them well enough for some casual settings. One thing is the crepe is much better quality, and the shoe is even a little heavy and stiff. The one place they really do shine is on sand, not surprisingly. Crepe is marvelous walking on the desert.
Dms are rap but Solovair are v good
@@janerkenbrack3373 USA military desert boots are the boots that work in the desert. Clark's are good for indoors. Anything harder than sand will tear large chunks from the sole. All style, no substance. There's a lot more rock and gravel in the desert than sand. And it hasn't rained in two years!
@@bladesfortheadpocalypse2370 Oh boy. First, I said I don't own any Clark's. Second, I said it was crepe that was great on sand. And third, do you not know that it was crepe-soled desert boots that an Actual Clark saw being used in the desert during WWII and sent the design back home to the family business? He saw that they worked really well in the desert.
I've walked on all kinds of desert surfaces in the books I have, and not a chunk is missing. And for the record, I wouldn't be caught dead in a pair of army boots. I wouldn't want to look like some kind of pretender.
@@janerkenbrack3373 I live in the desert wilderness, in a tent. I'm no pretender. Clark's are Crap. You are a greenhorn. And I wouldn't be caught dead in any boots, because I'm a Survivor.
Great to see you blokes together.
I think that Nick's comment on the LL Bean boot being ugly is in line with my sense that he isn't a fan of Trad/Prep aesthetic---I recall he made a similar comment on Barbour in his wax jackets video. Both the LL Bean boot and Barbour Bedale & Beaufort are essential wardrobe pieces for the historically New England prep lifestyle/look that is tied more to school and 'country/leisure and that is a bit different than the heritage style. which is more tied to historically blue collar work aesthetic.
Right. As I mentioned in my comment to the video, people in cities wearing Bean Boots seemed to be trying to suggest they have a home upstate or a cabin in Maine. They are worn for New England country credibility.
Yeah and they're leaky and let your feet get cold as f*ck, lol.
Nick is a feminine guy who cares more about fashion than practical footwear
Throw in some vineyard vines or a&f lol
LL Bean boots look cool af. Good to see you work with Rose Anvil!!
The GYW evolution: sneakers> Dr. Martens> Thursday boots> Red Wing/Wolverine 1000 milers> PNW boots/Viberg/Alden> Heritage Japanese brands/Northampton makers like EG and Crocket and Jones> bespoke shoes.
Pretty accurate
No Grant Stone? ;)
Doc's are way more than $150 in Australia now, almost double that.
100% agree on the Dr Martins. I bought a pair a year ago, principally because I wanted a water resistant boot to wear round town in winter and, to be honest, I really liked the look. I was told they were really fiddly size-wise and didn't do half sizes (I'm usually 9.5 UK size), so I borrowed a pair of UK 9s from a friend, found them excruciatingly tight, and so ordered a size 10 instead. The 10s fit the general outline of my foot pretty well but are impossible to tie tight enough to stop my heel from lifting. The result is that they're excruciating to walk more than a mile in which, for a boot, is a nightmare. I ended up buying some fairly cheap Helly Hansen boots later and they not only fit better, but were more comfortable and seem to be putting up to wear and tear better. The thing is the Dr Martins are so cool looking I can't quite seem to bring myself to throw them out, and even still put up with the discomfort of wearing them occassionally purely for the aesthetics of my outfit lol
Can you wear thicker socks? Maybe two socks? This should help with the heel slip.
Put a decent orthotic insole in them, it will solve the sizing problem and also the complete lack of any cushioning they have
I went to a small Halifax university in the early eighties that drew a fair number of “preppies” ( look it up, young people) from further west eg Ontario private schools who influenced the attire of a few of us Atlantic Canadians. Bean boots were de rigeur, for fall and winter. Never leaked. That time were wholly made in Maine, like all their jackets, shirts, chinos etc. I still have a pair from the era (6”) that they resoled five yrs ago, now good for another twenty ( if I live till eighty). High quality even now IMO, though I no longer wear button down blue-striped Oxford shirts.
The LL Bean Boots fit into the category of ironically stylish where they're stylish because of utility, not unlike the path of Dr Martens (which started as orthopedic shoes), The Red Wing Iron Ranger and even Birkenstocks and Crocs.
Damn y'all had to attack chukkas. I like them because they're casual and you can dress them up. I mainly wear them in the summer because they're like the closest boots to tennis shoes. I have muleskinner chukkas so they're like swede shoes to me 😭
Bean boots are essential for prep / old money style and they’re meant to handle tough conditions. They don’t have the best comfort but most people wear them only when nothing else could protect them from the environment or elements.
Naww not the bean boots! The bean boots are awesome! I also think they look great with a pair of jeans. You can get un-insulated..insulated..gore tex lined l, flannel lined with insulation. Can get 8", 6", moc, 16" and so on. Plus they do what they're intended for. You can wear them lazy or tied up. They're just great boots all around! Everyone has their opinion though. I been trying to get my son to want a pair. He's 12. Been trying for a year. He doesn't want a pair. Hey maybe sometime lol. I got the dark brown insulated flannel lined and love them! The fit is definitely tough but they're meant to wear with thick socks so I was able go find the right size finally. Great video guys! Thank you
I got my first pair of Dr Martens in 1992, having begged for them as a birthday present. I really want to defend them because there is no other boot that looks as good or is as comfortable... Unfortunately, I've never had a pair last more than six months. I've been wearing army surplus, Magum and Dickies instead for years now.
I found Dickies a few years back as well but I've never had the toecap sole survive much past six months before peeling off.
Bought a pair of Docs around 1994. Loved them. They are still holding up.
Harley boots... it is sometimes said that HD is a t-shirt company that occasionally sells motorcycles. What you said about bikers is wrong. Many of them absolutely want to sport their favorite bike brand on their gear. Unfortunately, they also believe that their beloved HD only puts out quality stuff. That desire only goes so far, however. I worked at an Indian Motorcycle dealer a few years ago, and we started selling a Redwing boot that was simply an Iron Ranger with an Indian logo embossed into one side of the heel. It cost exactly the same as a non-branded Iron Ranger directly from Redwing. Unfortunately, customers scoffed that they were too expensive. Sadly, they want those cheep branded boots.
these guys always talk out of their butt and make way too many wrong assumptions, seems like they have pretty limited perspective
I only wear US Government issue combat boots. I started wearing them at MCRD San Diego boots in 1981. They are made to be worn in excess of 16 hours each day. They are the most durable and comfortable when they are properly broken in (soak in hot water and wear until dry) and will never cause blisters after break in.
Doc Marten’s were popular with those who had to be on their feet walking around for long periods such as Police Officers, I was in the military and kept a pair of high leg Doc Marten’s for when I was doing foot patrols around our base, would never consider them for wearing on operations but they were perfect for pounding around the base.
I gotta say, my first pair of 1460s, I loved them. But my most recent pair are from the new manufacturing and they ARE different, no matter what Doc Martens says. They are two years old now and STILL give me heel blisters, the leather is so stiff. The old ones I walked for miles in, and wore into the ground and they never hurt my feet, but these ones do. So I call BS on them claiming that they're the same quality as they used to be.
Maybe your foot is the problem
I do agree their quality has dropped, but where on your foot are you getting blisters? To be honest, better made boots with thicker leather, those are only going to give you more blisters. Yes Doc's are cheap and thin, that's what makes them more pleasant to wear out of the box. The break in period is short, that foam they have around the ball of the foot really helps with initial comfort, no high quality working man boots are going to provide you with that. Are you wearing long socks of normal thickness? I would recommend an insole perhaps? If these give you blisters, I don't see how better made boots won't give you blisters, they'll probably give you more. You need to condition your feet to wear boots, increase the quality of your socks, or consider that perhaps this may not be for you.
Edit: if the blisters are around the heel, try tying the laces much more tight. You should have zero heel bob, the heel should be essentially static.
I had some 8 eyelet greasy 1460s that were great . They were bought in 83 . My new ones have crap leather .
I love my Red Wing work chukkas. Vans slip-ons used to be my go to shoes I wore daily but now the red wings took their place, except in the summer when if wearing shorts. I'm still not ready to fully embrace boots yet but I did pick up a pair of Timberland redwood falls moc toes and have been very happy with them so far for the sale price of only $105. I will upgrade to red wings or something of similar quality once the Timberlands wear out.
Glad I don't own any of those! Checking out those whites MPs for my next pair!
a very good buy!
You will love Whites
I wear desert boots as light shoes to put on around the house. They’re basically slippers that I can walk to the shops in.
my own experience in my country (iceland) with ll bean boots are just great.a lot better as sorel boots and whatever.
mostly is it very wet at us,wet snow for this they are perfect,and what is important for me i can drive car with them,with sorel i can not bcs you get always the break&power pedal together.
ll bean is not so whide outside.
but im very happy if i dont need to wear this kind of boots at all.
br from iceland
I’ve got a pair of Doc Martin industrial work boots. They are steal toed and made of thick leather. I really like them
Fully agreed on Docs.
I have *only* owned MIE Dr Martens. And I can fully attest that the quality has gone down, the most evident aspect the omission of the shank.
Sure it was wood. But at least it was a shank. And the soles in the older Docs seemed longer lasting. And I swear had more padding and molded more closely to the contours of ones feet, offering greater support. Oh well.
Been tempted to try a pair of Solovairs, but am afraid of wasting my money. Oh well. I still have my Beckmans.
Great job, guys, mahalo! 🤙🥾
I agree, I used to walk everywhere as a teen in my Doc's, late 1970's and never wore the sole out, very comfy. If I had a pair of the same era, now, I would get them resoled. I keep my eyes open just in case I find some!
Solovair shoes are great. I used to wear docs all the time. Switched out, never going back. Solovair has a shank and better leather and made in England.
@@donmuang76 thanks Earl, I think Solovair are worth a try and will give them a go. It would be nice to have a 'go to' pair of boots again for every day use.
As a Londoner in the UK
I'm with you when it comes to Docs. They're rubbish I used to wear them day after day for years. But when they started to make them overseas the quality went down. They just brought out a new boot that they say is their toughest boot yet. I'm not sure about that? But one thing I have noticed in the past when I'm in the Doctor Martin's shop a few staff don't wear Docs. I've seen them wearing Solovair.
Out of Docs or Solovair I would go for Solovair as they look like Docs but they're made a bit better and have a softer sole so feel better to walk around in. Plus they're still made here in England. I have a few pairs of Soliloair's and for work I go with Magnum boots. It would be interesting to see a tear down of any of the Magnum boots from the classic's to the Elite Shield or just any of their boots? I wear them for work as they are a tough boot. Still quite light. Leather or leather with other stuff depending on what you buy? Slight trainer feel. Don't need much wearing in you can wear all day from the first day especially the Viper's. And some even come in fire resistant sloes. Leather and laces. And they will last quite a while.
Agreed. I used to love doc martins. After getting more expensive boots, docs are not the best
It's been a while since I've watched one of your videos. Well done! Fun video.
Welcome back! Glad you liked it Chris
Great info. New to both of your pages. Canada has a standard for boots to be sold as “safety footwear”. CSA approved with a green triangle stitched the footwear at the ankle. Maybe you have covered this. Looks like I have a few vids to review. I have a 30 year old pair of Dayton lace up service boots. They were my go to for almost 20 years. Helluva boot. Cheers
DM’s are just fashion boots and not even in the “best of” category. As a Brit, they feel horrible to wear, leak and aren’t up to the job.
Docs literally ruined my feet.
Took YEARS to recover from the literal foot rot they caused.
I’ve worn Redwings for 25 years everyday on concrete, expanded metal and greasy refinery muck.
Up until recently they’ve been amazingly tough and perfectly waterproof. Well like everything else made in the US of A, they’ve shifted to offshore manufacturing and it’s KILLED the quality.
I’ve got a pair of Nick’s builder Pros on order with my fingers crossed.
heavywall im not sure if you need american boots but look up rufflanders by william lennon and co! handmade by one of 12 people in a little british factory theyve had the same machines over 110 years! awesome company to deal with!
you won't be disappointed with Nick's , the upgrade is going to be crazy.
but what red wings did you own that were made offshore? I thought a lot of then were still US made
The heritage lines and some of their work lines are US made. But a lot of the work lines are not made here.
@@bushisahomo the model number is 2408, they are assembled here but now they’re saying made of imported materials so it could be anything really, the leather, thread or urethanes that make up the sole. I have a pair that is roughly four years old and they’re not holding up as well as the older “all American” pair.
I have one pair that are very old and have been refurbished by redwing multiple times but as I age (and my feet age particularly) I need a heartier sole and upper.
@Starcell I did, as I said, but now I don’t because I bought high quality boots that keep my feet clean and dry. Docs are not actually work boots any longer and haven’t been for quite some time. It’s a shame really, given their origin.
To be fair to LL Bean, those boots used to be marketed towards outdoorsmen. Where their ugly ass boot was gonna be caked in mud, so no one was going to be able to actually see it.
The LL Bean boot is a fashionable boot and a stable in any preppies closet.
The only time I’d wear boots like those ll bean boots would be snow boots somewhere where I would need them like Alaska.
What’s weird is I’ve been wearing the same pair of doc martens as workboots for the past few years. And while I can’t speak for the quality of the materials, they’ve survived many elements while fitting my feet really well. Maybe there are better boots I could be wearing, but I know I’ll get at least another couple years out of my docs
One of the best pair of boots I wore while working at a cemetery/crematorium were Doc Marten steel toe. The company gave us a $100 stipend every 6months for boots. The only problem I had with them was sometimes I would leave the crematory with things melted into the sole.
i just bought a pair of doc work boots in march and i love'm, but let's see after a couple years.
@@9HighFlyer9 hopefully not body parts
DMs are really expensive junk. My 1460 MiE break within 1 year and I found that the leather is so thin. Now I got 2 pairs of RWs.
You are spot on regarding Doc Martens. The soles can delaminate, the leather is super cheap and looks like plastic. Now when it come to the LLBean duck boots… you are way off. Those are not meant to be fashionable. They are meant to be functional. The other boots you suggest as alternatives are water “resistant”. The Duck Boot is water “proof”. You can stand in a bog all day with dry feet. Then you can simply hose them off. That is the ultimate in a water proof hunting boot that doesn’t require fussing with waxes, creams or silicones. The fact that you see them in NYC on rainy days is a nod to just how perfectly functional they are. In addition, there are some who admire the aesthetics simply because of their near perfect function. I’ve walked all over the bogs of Ireland and Scotland in mine… perfect boot for those occasions. Plus Made in Maine.
Almost every boot showed on both of each channels did not sell here in Brazil. Even that happens, it’s nice to know this content to avoid any further mistakes.
I find the aesthetic panning of Bean boots amusing. I would much rather wear those than any of the Italian style shoes. They are too gaudy and pretentious. A classic Bean boot is clear about its functionality and doesn't try and hide behind a facade.
Bean boots are not used in the rain. They are used to repel spilled hooch and vomit.
I’ve been wearing Clarks Chukka boots since 1966. They are sturdy, long lasting, require no break in, and have been a chick magnet for me. I use them in casual and semi casual fashion. They are great outdoor boots, and more dependable than my Nike’s. Only second to my Vintage Converse! Stay well and safe!!!
Dr Martens were great when Solovair made them under license. I have a pair of Hawkins Astronauts (Solovair) I wore them every day to work for 4 years, very comfortable. I had them resolved, but was then terrible. I need to get in touch with Solovair and see if the recommend a cobbler (in England) who can resole them for me.
After wearing Bean boots for a few years, I've come to realize that the waterproofness is totally countered by my feet sweating like trout. They quickly became the smelliest shoes I own.
Not comfortable for fulltime wear at all.
You’ll find that’s true for waterproof boots.
Trout don't sweat.
Wow, I haven't seen those LL. Bean boots since I was in grade school in the 80s. All the preppy kids wore them and used to call them "Duckies". Had no idea these were still popular.
What a great video. I don’t like to pile on, but Docs get my biggest raz. The last (Made in England)pair I bought was disgraceful. I have to defend LL Bean boots, I wear them all the time out in the woods, and when doing farm chores. They are cheap and last forever. Are they appropriate to wear in the City? I don’t think so. Highly entertaining content, keep it up!
Much the same take I had on Bean Boots in my comment.
You can wear them in the city if you've got an upturned beanie, an earring or 3 (preferably one in your nose) and a thin moustache.
Can someone please tell me what jacket Rose Anvil is wearing? (Green Corduroy) It's nice !
I actually look LL Bean boots. That felt personal to put them in this list haha
I'd love to see you guys review/tear down hiking boots. Etc Salomon, Merrell and so on
When I was a kid I used to love Doc Martens 1460s because of their association with certain British subcultures (punk rock, skinhead, etc.). I tried on a pair I got probably a decade ago and I couldn't believe how uncomfortable they where. No wonder my feet used to ache so much.
They used to be cheaply made and cheaply priced, now they are cheaply made and overpriced for what they are. The leather is hardly justifiable as leather and the soles wear out incredible quickly. I've worn out four pairs if 1460s in my life, my feet have paid for it, and I would not recommend them to anyone.
It's not even that they were and are cheaply made. They were cheaply made, but they've gotten exponentially worse. Cheaper, thinner leather, no shank (and a bullshit excuse as to why), and if I'm not mistaken, they changed how they make the soles and they wear faster. The price rise was entirely on the back of the community they didn't cultivate. They ain't been good since the early 90s at least, but even then they were made to the standard of their price. Honestly it's one of the strongest betrayals I've seen a company give to the audience that came around them, snd then the audience just takes it.
Edit: also I dig the pfp
Doc Martens are not made for hard use, they're just for fashion, for that purpose it's good because it's light and comfortable.
I agree. The brands that do something other than boots slapping their logos on it. Please just partner with a great boot brand and say special edition
I’d like y’all to break down the work boot versions of doc Martin. I buy mine for 100 bucks and they last a solid year, year and a half.
OK that's not 'solid' at all for a work boot. Spend 3x more and they'll last 10x longer
years ago I bought some doc martins they hurt my feet they were supposed to be awesome made in England but they had no structure after 2 hours my feet would hurt so bad . I luckily had my army boots still so went back to wearing my army issue combat boots they felt like running shoes nice and broken in .
Same here doc's always hurt my feet/soles sooooo bad after 3 or 4 hours I just donated them to Goodwill
You got to break them in first and not pussy out
Totally agree with the doc Martin review. I have a pair of the tall ones and feel like I wasted money on them.
DrMartens did something in the early 00's and ever since, the quality is insanely low, but the price has not changed. They were my go to boots during the entire 90's and I was so sad to experience the quality fall first hand.
They were pretty bad before but cheapish, I'm kind of impressed they managed to get worse.
@@Benzyl They were very adequatly priced 1994 when I got my first pair, being 16 and whatnot. When they cost the same in 2002 but the quality was poorly subpar, that's when I quit buying them. I was not the only one from that era that learned the quality drop the hard way.
Coincidentally, the movie Clueless made DrMartens a household name - previously only regarded as skinhead/punk boots. I'm guessing world wide teen girl fame made them realize the unbridled potential for share holder happiness, and decided to ditch quality control.
Just get some Solovairs, they were the ones that made the much higher quality old doc martens
I'm 40 but at 17 I had doc Martin boots ,, I have fond memories I thought they were super comfortable and durable , my largest gripe was getting my foot into out of was always a task with lacing and unlaceing just alot of work lol
The LL Bean bean boots are fine, not sure what the issue is, you’re comparing a hunting boot (made in USA) to some Allen Edmund fashion shoes? When you need to walk through a marsh a Goodyear welt isn’t going to be better in that situation. Agree with the other choices on the list.
Do you guys have "Best beginners (affordable) boot" for all whether, everyday, hiking that will age well
I buy Doc Martens knowing they are not the best quality, but I love the look and they are part of my social/cultural history as someone who was part of local music scenes in my youth. This history means I am willing to overlook these downsides. I do add extra-cushioned insoles to Docs to mitigate some of these negatives.
How do Solovair boots compare to Doc Martens? I would be interested to see a comparison if there isn’t one.
Solovairs are far superior, they have a shank, Docs do not, also Made In England
The streets and gutters of Manhattan used to turn into rivers of water that often came over the curb.
Litter would clog the storm drains. Puddles would be several feet wide and at least two inches deep.
I’ve never torn a pair apart, but my kids had Doc Marten’s in 1995 and they were pretty good. I bought a pair the next year. Fast forward to 2019 and their kids wanted a pair. They were pure garbage. The ‘leather uppers’ weren’t. The tongue and the pretend leather where the eyelets are are plastic. The stuff passing as leather is horrible
They changed from making them in the UK through Solovair to making them abroad because it is cheaper.
Buy Solovair, they're basically old school decent Doc Martens.
They made some weird quality change in the early 00's. I hated the new crappy boots but with the original price tag. My 1994 boots stayed glued to my feet for seven years. Had to get a new pair in 2002, they were crappity crap crap.