Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

Muncie4 t1_iqvamvi wrote

You have read wrong and there are no alternatives to Dr. Martens. Dr. Martens are Dr. Martens. Full stop. If you want the look of Dr. Martens, then get a pair. The better version is from their Made In England line. Will Dr. Martens last you 250 years like a juggernaut brand? Nope. Will they last 250% longer than some $40 fashion boots at Target? Yes.

The hive mind here, years ago, decided to get pissed off at Dr. Martens when they moved most of their manufacturing overseas. So you will find very few people who can speak about them without a xenophobic tongue. But their footwear can be recrafted like goodyear welted shoes so they are BIFL though finding a cobbler who can do it can be harder.

So get some Dr. Martens. Will they last you a long time if you are a commercial logger or pour concrete for a living? Nope. Will they last you a long time to support your style? Yep.

12

SimilarBroccoli t1_iqveggb wrote

I mean, in my experience.. the leather they use now really isn't as good. Despite what they may say. Maybe it's better quality in their UK made stuff. I had a few pairs of Docs whilst at school and the leather on them split.
I never noticed any issues with how they had been put together. Maybe if the materials had lasted long enough, I would have.
In the UK there are lots of cobblers.
And here goes....
My dad still has his from 40 years ago. Oh.... Back in ye olde dayees they sure did make em good 'n' strong aye

5

Tecrocancer t1_iqvmrvy wrote

There is a good and cheaper alternative at least for the england made docs wich is solovair

3

F-21 t1_ir48t89 wrote

> But their footwear can be recrafted like goodyear welted shoes so they are BIFL though finding a cobbler who can do it can be harder.

The soles are hardly an issue, the uppers don't last at all.

You can't resole them in the traditional sense but any competent cobbler can cut off the bottom part of the sole and glue on a vibram sole on it.

3

deliverancew2 t1_ira7q4a wrote

It's a fact Dr Martens boots are lower quality than they used to be and are lower quality than solovairs. Go watch some of the videos on the "roseanvil" YouTube channel where an expert dissects them.

Calling facts xenophobia is "boy who cried wolf" shit.

2

Muncie4 t1_irar7hc wrote

Why are you the way that you are? I not once have said, "Dr. Martens quality has been unwavering since day 0". I never said and never will that they are hallmark BIFL boots that will last 300 years like hallmark BIFL boots such as Alden. But they will last a good long time and can be repaired. And if you feel that anyone who automatically dismisses items made in *.country is not xenophobic...of that I can't help.

0

ThrowawayForToys OP t1_iqw1e4a wrote

Super dismissive. I've seen people (multiple) with the specific boots I linked say (and post photos) that the boots started to fall apart after 2 years. This is just wearing them daily, not any hard working conditions (imagine doing construction in platform boots (??)). Other Dr martens boot owners from the 90s talk about similar decreases in quality, and much shorter lifespan of the boots. Even people who know nothing about the manufacturing change (I sure didn't ) are reporting similar things. I don't want to spend $200 in boots if so many people are experiencing problems after 2 years.

1

Muncie4 t1_iqw6nox wrote

If you don't want to spend $200 on them, then don't....I'm not your boss. If you want Dr. Martens, you need to buy Dr. Martens as there is no substitute. What you want and what you are going to get are apparently 2 different things in your mind and there is no closing the gap.

Don't get mad at me about it. I have I think 3 pair of not made in England Dr. Martens in my house with 3 years run time, two of the platform variety, with no issues. You need to know that people only go online to bitch and damn few come online to praise....5 horror stories online compared to 10,000 sales a quarter is not a good sample size to plant your flag in the moon about.

3

F-21 t1_ir48yvx wrote

Don't wear boots every day, they'll last much longer.

But yes, docs are shitty today. However, if you want fashionable boots you'll get shitty quality. Only classic designs are really durable.

2