Doc Martens platform boots alternatives?

Submitted by ThrowawayForToys t3_xu7fk4 in BuyItForLife

From what I've read, Doc Martens are not worth it, but I can't find any alternatives that have the same specs as the boots I want. People say you can get better boots for the same price, or cheaper boots that are these same quality, but nobody has shown alternatives that are the same style as their platform boots.

I'm specifically looking for half calf platform boots with a zipper on the side, and they need to be available in size 12. Here's the Doc Martens boots that have those specs: https://www.drmartens.com/us/en/jadon-hi-smooth-leather-platform-boots/p/25565001

I have $200, and want good platform boots with these specs that aren't trash. Anyone have any suggestions?

EDIT: guys, yeah, I've heard of solovair. But if you read the post, I'm looking for a specific kind of boot, not just an alternative to Doc Martens. Solovair doesn't have this kind of boot.

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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.

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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

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Tecrocancer t1_iqvmrvy wrote

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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TheFireOfPrometheus t1_iqum2os wrote

Made in England docs or the solovair made in the original doc Martin factory

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ThrowawayForToys OP t1_iquunxu wrote

> I'm specifically looking for half calf platform boots with a zipper on the side, and they need to be available in size 12. Here's the Doc Martens boots that have those specs: https://www.drmartens.com/us/en/jadon-hi-smooth-leather-platform-boots/p/25565001

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F-21 t1_ir48fks wrote

Yeah they have that model, you can see it on the UK site but it's sold out at the moment. Comes in shiny and matte leather. Send them an email if they plan on restocking them.

It's also right around 200GBP, which is near 200$.

But they're 200$ boots, not 500$ boots. Solovairs are better than modern Docs, but don't expect them to last forever. There are many legends about old Docs, and the Solovairs are very much like those, but they aren't indestructible (and never were).

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SimilarBroccoli t1_iqvi5zq wrote

>Doc Martens platform boots alternatives?

Yes.

>I'm specifically looking for half calf platform boots with a zipper on the side, and they need to be available in size 12.

Tricker's! They sell similar boots to Dr. Martens, and they offer bespoke handmade shoes. They supply all sorts, including the U.K's royal family.

>I have $200

It would be a stretch to find any boots at that price that would be truly BIFL.

You can get mid-calf platform boots with a zipper from New Rock, but probably not BIFL, they're ~$200. Some say they last long, but that's people who I suspect bought them 90s/00s. I have read there have been recent declines in quality.

To be clear, I don't own shoes from any of these brands, this is just information gathered from friends and research. Grenson is another alternative that doesn't meet your list of requirements, but probably outlast New Rocks and DMs.

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Jacquazar t1_iqycu2g wrote

Just get the docs. You probably won't even want to wear platforms in 20 years time anyway, they'll probably survive the trend and the remainder of your youth

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bighairymeatballz t1_iquvywo wrote

bought the doc platforms and they hurt like hell even tho its been years breaking in. its a pain in the ass doubling up wool socks for simple runs to the store. ive yet to find alternate platform boots of decent quality, but i have been using teva flatforms for a platform fix without the boot which has been cool.

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ScootsW t1_iquhbl1 wrote

Check out the company Solovair. I read they make quality boot that's just a bit more expensive than Docs..

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SunflowerDune t1_iqva2xq wrote

A gentle reminder that you are posting in BuyItForLife. You are very likely to get good recommendations for gear that are of high quality and last for long.

Why you are not getting the recommendations you wish for could be (besides your attitude):

  1. Platform boots is a trend and will rarely be made in BIFL quality because they will be out of style in a year or two.
  2. Zippers on the side is generally not considered very long lasting on boots.
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ThrowawayForToys OP t1_iqw00t2 wrote

a trend that's been going on for 20 years?

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SunflowerDune t1_iqwf2mq wrote

The opposite. It’s a trend that was made famous by people like the spice girls during the 90s.

They have been quite absent from trends and fashion for 20 years and are now doing a comeback.

I’m not saying this to condone you wanting platform boots, I don’t care about what you wear. I’m saying, since they are considered a fashion trend, that very few manufacturers will make them in BIFL quality.

BIFL quality can be bit subjective so I would suggest that you go for the Docs. If you take care of them, they will hopefully last a while.

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Own-Safe-4683 t1_iqwljz9 wrote

People wore doc martins in the 80s at my high school in nowhere IL. They were definitely a trend before the spice girls.

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SunflowerDune t1_iqwm5gk wrote

If you read again you will find that I wrote specifically about platform shoes (that op linked to) being a trend, not generally Doc Martens.

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jadedflames t1_irxwp1d wrote

I’ve been wearing my thick soled docs for nearly five years now. The “lug sole” craze may go away, but the low platform on the Jadons aren’t going anywhere.

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ThrowawayForToys OP t1_iqy6b15 wrote

condone?

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SunflowerDune t1_iqzh6sf wrote

Condone as in accepting reluctantly. I don’t need to accept what you wear, I don’t care.

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ThrowawayForToys OP t1_ir1wbyi wrote

so you are not saying it to accept what i wear

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SunflowerDune t1_ir1ycd6 wrote

I like this forum and took time giving you information about your request, only wanting to help out. The conversation with you has been overall unpleasant, so I’m done.

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DudeFromMiami t1_iquzdr0 wrote

Lookup the German boot “meindl”. They are basically BIFL. I have some timberlands that are solid as well but your gonna wanna spring for the more expensive ones.

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ThrowawayForToys OP t1_iqw1mk9 wrote

I can't find any meindl boots that are platforms? or half calf? can u link the specific ones you are thinking of in relation to the content of my post?

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F-21 t1_ir49gr9 wrote

Alternatively, disregard the platform sole and find good resoleable high boots with a zipper and immediately take them to a cobbler that'll resole them with an extra tall platform sole. Like these.

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NotYourLils t1_ir921py wrote

Dude, doc martens are 100% worth it. Just buy them. They are fantastic boots.

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ThrowawayForToys OP t1_ir96jla wrote

I went and did some more research myself after several people in these comments said I should just go with the doc martens, and what I've found is that they are in no way worth $200. I wish people would stop suggesting them, I want an alternative.

https://youtu.be/EXR2vxO2p7Y

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eatsnacksreadreddit t1_ir9a574 wrote

I’ve worn my Dr Marten platforms pretty much every day for the last 4 years and they are still going very strong. I also have pairs from 10 years ago that are good as new.

Get the docs - they will last you!

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jadedflames t1_irxw417 wrote

I have a pair of maroon Jadons (I think, they’re platforms anyway). They are four years old, have been worn 50-100 days a year, and haven’t been taken care of anywhere near as well as some people baby their boots.

They’re fine. They look as good as the day I bought them and they’re still super comfortable. I think the hate for Docs is mostly bandwagon/dogpiling. No they’re not as good as they used to be, but they are still solid shoes. No, they’re probably not worth it, especially if you get the vegan (plastic) ones, but they’re good looking and can last a long time if you don’t plan on jumping in creeks or running on a sandpaper treadmill.

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WishfulHibernian6891 t1_iqu89cd wrote

I bought a pair of Docs back in the mid-90s and they’re still going strong. I fully expect they will be around for at least another 10-15 years. If you can wait a bit longer and save some more, I would recommend going with Docs made in the UK.

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ThrowawayForToys OP t1_iquur5b wrote

In the 90's Doc Martens didn't make the kind of boot I'm looking for. Also, since the 90's they've significantly decreased in quality. Please just read the post before you respond.

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facebook57 t1_iquwi1k wrote

You need to be less obtuse and demanding if you actually want people to help you

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ThrowawayForToys OP t1_iqw052c wrote

asking people to read is too much, got it

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facebook57 t1_iqwhsxq wrote

Rejecting everyone’s suggestions and asking for something that doesn’t exist is tedious. Hope you find the best platform boots and that you pass them down to your descendants for generations.

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deliverancew2 t1_ira7h3b wrote

This Grinders brand boot looks like what you want but is way out of your price range: https://www.britboot.co.uk/collections/grinders/products/grinders-roxy-x-black-greasy-leather-derby-boot-with-double-sole-unit-8-eyelet

They also make this cheaper platform boot without a zip (a zip is just an extra point of failure anyway): https://www.britboot.co.uk/products/grinders-taylor-black-10-hole-platform-sole-various-sizes?_pos=1&_sid=29b9fc2f3&_ss=r

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ThrowawayForToys OP t1_ircgo4h wrote

thanks for the suggestion but these are shorter than the docs I posted. They don't go as high on the leg. These are equivalent in height to the Jadons, not the Jadon His.

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