It is no secret that Doc Martens has cemented its position as a leading brand in the shoe industry. If you have been on the look for durable and comfortable shoes, you have surely come across this name.
These famous shoes Doc Martens have been popular since its inception in 1947. However, you can be skeptical and ask yourself, after witnessing its fame and acceptance: are doc martens worth it?
Many find Doc Martens worth the money and deserving of its fame. But at the same time, some buyers are left with a sour mouth to never look back at them again. The bottom line is: that it depends. Shoe preferences differ from person to person, so it is hard to give one universal answer.
To know if Doc Martens would be worth your money, you need to know more about its features. Keep reading as we dive deeper into the world of Doc Martens shoes.
Are Doc Martens Worth It?
The question is very subjective. While some may find Doc Martens a comfortable pair of casual shoes, others may find it very uncomfortable. Since preferences vary so much between people, it is difficult to give a solid answer that would work for everyone.
If you want to know if Doc Martens is worth your buck, you should see more about it yourself.
According to one customer on Reddit-
Whereas another customer reviewed-
So, long story short – it depends on how you regard your Doc Martens.
Doc Martens- Why So Special?
I bought my first Doc Martens 10 years ago. They had endured massive wear and tear. They may be a little worn out, but comfort and quality are still pleasing.
But what makes them so unique? Let’s find out.
1. Durability
Doc Martens are best known for their durability. A good pair of Doc Martens can last anywhere between 5 to 20 years. Obviously, how long a given pair would last depends on various parameters, like usage, type of activities done in them, etc.
Doc Martens used to offer a lifetime warranty on their shoes until 2018. Many see that as a sign of a downfall in the brand’s quality and durability. Others have also cited outsourcing manufacturing in Asian countries as another reason for Doc Martens’ degradation.
It doesn’t seem all that bad. New customers are reporting satisfactory results with these shoes. Doc Martens still last quite long. A good pair can last over 20 years!
2. Comfort
Another striking feature of Doc Martens shoes is their comfort. Doctor Martens are very comfortable thanks to their smooth leather and air-cushioned soles.
Once broken in, the smooth leather molds perfectly around your feet and becomes a perfect fit. Those who purchase Doc Martens agree they are comfortable wearing them for long hours.
However, there is a catch to its comfort. All shoes, not just Doctor Martens, have a certain break-in period. Breaking in Doc Martens can be quite painful. And for that, many of those who negatively reviewed their shoes complained that these “killed their feet”.
Initially, Doc Martens would be painful to put in. But over time, as the shoe molds around your feet, you will gradually find comfort in them.
3. Flexibility
Doctor Martens is quite flexible in terms of its structure. The full-grain outer leather easily shapes around your feet after repeated use.
As well as that, Doc Martens’ Cubeflex sole technology provides enhanced flexibility without compromising toughness.
4. Style
Styling in Doctor Martens has never been too difficult. It seems these shoes can go with almost all sorts of different attires.
Want to wear them with t-shirts and jeans for a casual hangout? Doc Martens got you covered. Even with a formal outlook, Doc Martens would look perfectly complementary.
You can also wear oversized jeans, full black outfits, or a pair of striped trousers. Whatever you style in, Doc Martens has got your back! There are seemingly unlimited options to choose from to spice up your style.
Are Doc Martens Good For Your Feet?
Doctor Martens aren’t known to cause any issues with your feet. Instead, Doc Martens are quite ergonomic.
1. The Soulful Sole
For starters, the air-cushioned soles give a pleasant experience wearing. Walking in them or standing around all day isn’t an issue, thanks to the soles.
Secondly, the sole is designed in a way such that it provides adequate arch support. Those with flat feet can comfortably wear Doc Martens.
But those with unnaturally raised arches may have to help themselves by wearing Doc Martens with inserts.
2. Size And Comfort
When you get your Doc Martens, pick the right size. Many customers were unsatisfied because they didn’t get the correct size. Some complained the shoes were not wide enough, making the experience even more painful.
As well as that, there is also the issue of breaking in. As we mentioned earlier, breaking into a pair of Doc Martens can be a bit of a painful and lengthy process.
In the initial stages, you may end with blisters on your foot. And to avoid that, we have elaborated on comfortably breaking into Doc Martens in the next section.
Here is a list of the favorite 5 Doc Martens worth adding to your collection.
Breaking Your Doc Marten
As mentioned before, breaking into Doc Martens can be a bit tough. Customers have complained about how painful and uncomfortable Doc Martens are.
And they say so because breaking into a pair of Doc Martens is indeed quite painful and a lengthy process. But fear not, there are ways to mitigate the pain and break into Doc Martens quickly.
Pick The Right Size
Before you purchase a pair, make sure the size is right. As mentioned, buying the wrong size can be a total waste of money, especially when Doc Martens are so expensive.
So if you typically wear half-sized shoes (e.g., a 7.5 UK), then you should size down (i.e., buy a 7 UK) because Doc Martens don’t produce half-sized shoes.
The First Stage
If you have just purchased a new pair of Doc Martens, you need to accustom yourself to it. First, wear these shoes for 5-10 minutes and walk inside your house.
A word of caution, however. Remember not to go for long walks in new shoes as It might hurt badly!
Moving To Regular Use
Once you have gotten up with your shoes, wear them regularly for a brief amount of time. It is also recommended that you wear thick socks to save your feet from potential blistering.
However, if you still feel hurt while wearing them, pad those areas with bandages, especially the heel and ankle.
Once you have accustomed yourself to that, try wearing the shoes for longer intervals, maybe an hour or two. That way, you would slowly but eventually break into your pair of Doc Martens and enjoy a comfortable experience.
The Wax Way
The official website recommends using wax for breaking in, which they call Wonder Balsam. The wax softens the stiff full-grain leather and helps your feet ease in.
The wax also contains beeswax, which makes the shoes waterproof.
Loosening Up
You can also try stuffing your shoes with newspapers to expand them a bit if they are tight. Some may even suggest using a hairdryer to blow into tight areas.
This method would heat up and expand those areas, making the shoe more wearable.
Taking Care Of Doc Marten Shoes
To maintain the look and durability of your Doc Martens, you must take good care of them.
Cleaning And Storing
Your shoes would get dirty occasionally, and the leather may need some conditioning. And you must know how to take care of your Doc Martens properly.
- To clean off dirt or mud, scrub your shoes with a soapy solution using a toothbrush.
- Clean your soles with a damp piece of cloth.
- Remove the laces before cleaning to make it easier to scrub off.
- Leave the shoes to dry off in a cool, dry place. After that, brush off dust and dirt from the surface.
- As well as cleaning the shoe, you would also need to take care of the leather.
- Ensure it is moisturized and conditioned to keep it from drying and cracking. You would need to apply leather conditioners, like mink oil, lemon essential oil, etc.
Polishing
You should also polish your shoes to keep a new and fresh look. Doc Martens officially recommends the use of wax-based polish to condition the shoes.
- Apply the polish by placing the shoes on the newspaper.
- To polish your shoes, use a piece of rag or lint-free cloth and gently apply the polish to your shoes.
- It is a good idea to polish your shoes every 2-3 months.
FAQ’s:
- Can you walk all day with Doc martens?
Doc Martens are incredibly comfortable once broken in. With their air-cushioned soles, it is ok to wear them and walk all day around.
However, you shouldn’t wear them too long if they haven’t been properly broken. Also, as these shoes are made for casual wearing, you shouldn’t wear them.
- Can you get Doc Martens wet?
It is acceptable to wear Doc Martens in the rain. The shoes are water-resistant, so it should not be a problem. However, they are not completely waterproof.
While some water on them is ok, they should not be completely submerged.
The water can seep deep into the shoes and damage them. But you can make them more water-resistant by applying beeswax to them.
- Should you size up or down while buying doc martens?
Doc Martens do not sell half-sized shoes. So if you typically wear half sizes, you should always size down.
However, it is noteworthy that some buyers complained about how these shoes run tight and narrow. It is always advisable to try them in person before you purchase them.
Verdict
A wide assortment of casual clothing goes perfectly well with a nice pair of Doc Martens. Not to mention, they are extremely comfortable and can be worn all day long.
Observing such a large pool of reviews and endorsements of these shoes, you can’t help but ask: are Doc Martens worth it?
The answer is subjective, depending totally on the user’s perspective. Some find them the most comfortable boots, while others blame them for hard sole and ill-fitting.
However, it’s a fact – these work boots are a durable beast due to their quality material and construction.
