alternatives to doc martens.

[johnny k]

My last pair lasted 3 years, the soles were slick. The new pair i got lasted 1 year and the leather started to crack.

Same model, same shop. Maybe i was unlucky?

Looking for a reliable alternative. It bothers me to put 150 euros in a pair of boots if they fall apart after one year.

 

[Wildeman]

I've had a couple good pairs of Grinders for a Doc's like boot. I wear Thorogoods exclusively now, for the past six or seven pairs, no problems at all.

 

[offsideref]

I love my DMs but they can be a bit inconsistent. Maybe it depends where they are manufactured. I had some spare money a couple of years back, and bought a new pair online*. The sole started to come away from the upper within a month or so. tbf, they got replaced, and I got to keep the ones with the sole problem. A shoe repair guy declined to fix them but maybe one day I’ll work something out, and have a nearly new pair of DMs for free.

* First, I attempted to treat myself to the expensive DMs that are made on the old-fashioned lasts, in England, only to discover that my feet must be “between sizes”, none of the pairs I bought fitted, I had to return them. This ain’t DM’s fault, though!

 

[johnny k]

I've had a couple good pairs of Grinders for a Doc's like boot. I wear Thorogoods exclusively now, for the past six or seven pairs, no problems at all.

those grinders look good. Do they have screws in the soles ? I had a pair which had screws in the soles, and the water was making its way in through the screws.

 

[VintageSG]

I bought some 'Tredflex' Dr.M style boots a few years ago.
They're like slippers. Supple leather, super comfy insoles with proper arch support. The leather hasn't cracked. The sole hasn't delaminated.
Linky to Amazon TredFlex TF4403A boots.

They're all-day comfy from day one.

 

[Peegoo]

Timberlands are still pretty good. Red Wings are really good.

Current Doc Martens are crap. The investment group that bought the brand in 2013 got all the money they could out of the name and are now selling only a name--not a quality product.

 

[ClashCityTele]

I'm watching this closely. The sole on my DM's split in Feb. I repaired them on Wed & the repair failed Thurs.
Years ago I had some DM's that lasted 6 months!!!

I really need some new boots. I don't want to pay £160, although DM do have a sale on now.

 

[McGoldTopp]

I'm so punk I have never owned a pair....

lots of military boots and I think my current pair are Red Wings..

 

[johnny k]

a friend suggested me goretex boots. I don't really like the look of them, but if they last, i am in.

 

[Bri-Sonic]

My wife and I both bought Palladium boots, originally made for the French Foreign Legion. It took me several pairs to get a fit (up a half size), but they are incredibly comfortable and 100% waterproof, and look superb.They have a huge range of styles and colours - my wife’s are 100% recycled, mine made using off cuts. I like that touch.

 

[Nogoodnamesleft]

I used to wear Docs religiously from about 1990 onward. But I haven't bought a pair since they moved manufacturing out of the UK.

Here's a list of some alternatives:

https://bootspy.com/dr-martens-alternatives/

 

[HaWE]

I like to wear boots for working, walking and motorbike-riding.So I normally wear my old original army boots (they are reliable and strong and easy to be repaired by a shoemaker) .For walking I have walking boots from Loewa or Meindl.
I also like to wear boots when going out or to a concert or party.I wear Sancho boots or ,depending on the weather, my walking boots or even my army boots.
Some years ago I bought some Doc Martens because they seemed to be durable and reliable.But it was not the case at all, these boots were total crap.The leather was rather thin and did not become softer even after a long time, and they did not feel good while walking.They in general just did not feel right to me.So I got rid of them, I would not buy Doc Martens anymore.
What I am still looking for is a pair of boots with durable leather and a sole that is "Goodyear Welted" so you can have it repaired. (And the look can be a little more "civilized" than my army boots.)
I am still searching on the internet for that kind of boots.A normal shoe shop in our region does not have such boots,so I am still on the hunt.

 

[Nogoodnamesleft]

There's also Solovair from the previous home of Dr. Marten's in Wollaston, but I've never been able to find any to look at.

https://us.nps-solovair.com/

 

[Spox]

Solovair, it is what was a DM factory in the UK and when DM outsourced and closed the factory the staff reopened with the aim of making better footwear than what they had been abandoned for. I have one pair which have had one resole last year in the eleven years since I bought them but I do have a wide selection of boots, the soles weren't good for a decade of daily wear incase that comes across wrong.

 

[johnny k]

There's also Solovair from the previous home of Dr. Marten's in Wollaston, but I've never been able to find any to look at.

https://us.nps-solovair.com/

they are pretty expensive !

 

[imwjl]

FWIW, I just got some Chelsea boot style from Birkenstock mostly for their having width options and like them so far. They are an interesting combo of Birkenstock style inner sole with comfy boot. For quality lace boots Lowa have always been good to me but neither are exactly like Doc boot.

For basic black leather boots, the firms that make work boots for uniforms and the military and postal service have some good choices.

 

[johnny k]

FWIW, I just got some Chelsea boot style from Birkenstock mostly for their having width options and like them so far. They are an interesting combo of Birkenstock style inner sole with comfy boot. For quality lace boots Lowa have always been good to me but neither are exactly like Doc boot.

For basic black leather boots, the firms that make work boots for uniforms and the military and postal service have some good choices.

I am not much into the military, para military or postal thingie. I don't really like what they taste like when the cops put them on my head. Kidding, kidding.

 

[jrblue]

Solovair,

Thanks for this excellent recommendation. These boots look terrific and while they're costly, for handmade boots of this kind, they're less than I would have expected given what others brands cost.

 

[uriah1]

Heard about them for years, not sure I ever saw one.
If they are sandals then Teva

 

[basher]

Solovairs are kind of what Doc Martens aspire to be. They're more expensive and take a while to break in, but they're worth it.

That being said, my Blundstones are the best boots I've had and they're pretty much all I wear.