Discussion
I've had DM shoes in the distant past and always found them very comfy. Now I want a pair of DM boots (just the standard 1460 in black), but the pair I tried at the weekend were really tight across the top - the instep? The bit where the lace "flaps" end. I tried the next size up but they were way too big.
I know they take a bit of breaking in but how much could I expect them to give? Any seasoned DM wearers on here care to advise please?
I know they take a bit of breaking in but how much could I expect them to give? Any seasoned DM wearers on here care to advise please?
Silvanus said:
I switched from DMs to Palladium and Timberlands for regular type boots as find them much comfier, lots of other brands out there too if you just want a pair of plain black boots. No point buying boots that don't feel comfy. Back to DMs, aren't they available in different widths?
Don't know about different widths, will investigate, and I'll take a look at Palladium too, thanks. I've been looking at Solovair too, but you know when you get your mind set on a particular brand? I must be a fashion victim 
I'm a regular DM wearer, have been using their capped boots for decades now.
They do seem a bit odd sometimes in that some fit well and some don't. I've had a few which rub on the top (the bridge) of my foot and a couple which blistered the back of my heel.
I just wear them as much as I can, if they cause pain then I put my old ones on for a while.
Then put the new ones back on, they break in eventually and are like slippers.
Maybe try some on in a different shop, or just buy them and wait until they fit.
They do seem a bit odd sometimes in that some fit well and some don't. I've had a few which rub on the top (the bridge) of my foot and a couple which blistered the back of my heel.
I just wear them as much as I can, if they cause pain then I put my old ones on for a while.
Then put the new ones back on, they break in eventually and are like slippers.
Maybe try some on in a different shop, or just buy them and wait until they fit.
underwhelmist said:
Silvanus said:
I switched from DMs to Palladium and Timberlands for regular type boots as find them much comfier, lots of other brands out there too if you just want a pair of plain black boots. No point buying boots that don't feel comfy. Back to DMs, aren't they available in different widths?
Don't know about different widths, will investigate, and I'll take a look at Palladium too, thanks. I've been looking at Solovair too, but you know when you get your mind set on a particular brand? I must be a fashion victim I have a pair of these in a different colour, very comfy. My go too pair of boots is an old pair of grey Palladium hikers, they are by far my most comfortable shoes. The canvas pampas are cool and ok for warmer weather but not as comfy as the boots with the sports cuff, still good though.
https://palladiumboots.co.uk/collections/mens/prod...
They also do a boot very similar to DMs but not had these particular ones personally.
https://www.schuh.co.uk/womens/palladium-pallatroo...
Evoluzione said:
I'm a regular DM wearer, have been using their capped boots for decades now.
They do seem a bit odd sometimes in that some fit well and some don't. I've had a few which rub on the top (the bridge) of my foot and a couple which blistered the back of my heel.
I just wear them as much as I can, if they cause pain then I put my old ones on for a while.
Then put the new ones back on, they break in eventually and are like slippers.
Maybe try some on in a different shop, or just buy them and wait until they fit.
Don't you just hate breaking in new shoes! Next time I find a pair of shoes I really like i might buy to pairs, break both pairs in and put them away. They do seem a bit odd sometimes in that some fit well and some don't. I've had a few which rub on the top (the bridge) of my foot and a couple which blistered the back of my heel.
I just wear them as much as I can, if they cause pain then I put my old ones on for a while.
Then put the new ones back on, they break in eventually and are like slippers.
Maybe try some on in a different shop, or just buy them and wait until they fit.
My better half bought me a pair of the hand made in England 8 hole in oxblood for my birthday recently. I don't know if they differ in fit to the usual mass produced ones, but they fitted me like the proverbial slippers straight away. I guess it's just luck depending on your foot shape.
Andy_mr2sc said:
My better half bought me a pair of the hand made in England 8 hole in oxblood for my birthday recently. I don't know if they differ in fit to the usual mass produced ones, but they fitted me like the proverbial slippers straight away. I guess it's just luck depending on your foot shape.
This all day, the imported ones are cheaper for a reason sadly.Silvanus said:
... My go too pair of boots is an old pair of grey Palladium hikers, they are by far my most comfortable shoes....
I like my Palladium boots as a summer boot, fairly lightweight and with a modicum of waterproofing - I have some 'trail running' shoes that are even lighter but any moisture just leaves you with soaked feet.The only hassle I have is that the tread pattern is the exact size of the gravel on a short part of my daily stroll so I have to stop and de-stone the sole most days.
Truckosaurus said:
Silvanus said:
... My go too pair of boots is an old pair of grey Palladium hikers, they are by far my most comfortable shoes....
I like my Palladium boots as a summer boot, fairly lightweight and with a modicum of waterproofing - I have some 'trail running' shoes that are even lighter but any moisture just leaves you with soaked feet.The only hassle I have is that the tread pattern is the exact size of the gravel on a short part of my daily stroll so I have to stop and de-stone the sole most days.
TRIUMPHBULLET said:
Andy_mr2sc said:
My better half bought me a pair of the hand made in England 8 hole in oxblood for my birthday recently. I don't know if they differ in fit to the usual mass produced ones, but they fitted me like the proverbial slippers straight away. I guess it's just luck depending on your foot shape.
This all day, the imported ones are cheaper for a reason sadly.I've never known a company do two different grades of the same item dependent on where it was made.
Evoluzione said:
Is this really true? If so how do you know when you're purchasing online?
I've never known a company do two different grades of the same item dependent on where it was made.
Afaik it’s true, there’s a specific section on their website for the UK made stuff. From memory I don’t think they’re that much more expensive. I've never known a company do two different grades of the same item dependent on where it was made.
Evoluzione said:
TRIUMPHBULLET said:
Andy_mr2sc said:
My better half bought me a pair of the hand made in England 8 hole in oxblood for my birthday recently. I don't know if they differ in fit to the usual mass produced ones, but they fitted me like the proverbial slippers straight away. I guess it's just luck depending on your foot shape.
This all day, the imported ones are cheaper for a reason sadly.I've never known a company do two different grades of the same item dependent on where it was made.
underwhelmist said:
Afaik it’s true, there’s a specific section on their website for the UK made stuff. From memory I don’t think they’re that much more expensive.
Yup,There are definitely 2 ranges, worn Docs since a junior Dr in Cas in the 80s, then they were cheap and comfy and it didn't matter what you got on them. They were off shored I believe in the early 2000s (may be wrong on dates). Now there are 2 types, an imported fashion item with multiple colours and shapes and a heritage range made Oop North. These are the brown and black boots, 8 & 10 holes.
They are of a different leather, thicker and harder and marked "Made in England". These are the old type I remember. They are no longer cheap at over £200 a pair, significantly more than the fashion versions. These take ages to break in but are as the old ones. Can no longer get the steel toecap versions of the old type so hanging onto mine.
There is a good You Tube video by an American obsessive who cuts them in half, Old boots, new cheap boots and "Made in England" ones. There are significant differences internally to the new fashion ones and the old ones and the English made ones. Cost is evident. The newer English made ones are pretty well the same internally as the old ones.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOVPuA4qZ68
Hope this helps
The wife and kids bought me some 1460's in distressed brown for Christmas, they took a good many weeks to break in properly, particularly along the top of my left foot, I think it was the seam where the tongue attaches to the boot, the first day I wore them I thought I'd shoot up the road with the dog, how bad can they be, 10 minutes and I was in agony, from then I wore them around the house a bit, did some shorter walks and now they are great, can be worn all day with no issue and are extremely comfy and look suitably battered.
HTP99 said:
The wife and kids bought me some 1460's in distressed brown for Christmas, they took a good many weeks to break in properly, particularly along the top of my left foot, I think it was the seam where the tongue attaches to the boot, the first day I wore them I thought I'd shoot up the road with the dog, how bad can they be, 10 minutes and I was in agony, from then I wore them around the house a bit, did some shorter walks and now they are great, can be worn all day with no issue and are extremely comfy and look suitably battered.
Same thing I had with my Solovair ones. Took a while to break in, but my god they are comfy as anything. My late mum was a chiropodist and always said DM’s (the original made in England ones) or Solovair were the best things you could ever do for your feet.Mind you, when I was a kid she said the same about Clark’s nature trek, my god I hated those!
I wonder if they actually last longer though.
Someone said earlier there aren't two types of the workboots which is what I wear. I get about 13 months out of them which is ok since I wear them 7 days a week. I generally look for the cheapest ones I can find on Ebay which is typically about £50 - £60.
After a year just about everything is failing on them, laces, toecaps showing through, tread almost worn out in the centre, cracks in the leather, linings falling apart by the heel, sole has a split where it flexes. Given it's all of those and not just one annoying thing it's ok by me.
Someone said earlier there aren't two types of the workboots which is what I wear. I get about 13 months out of them which is ok since I wear them 7 days a week. I generally look for the cheapest ones I can find on Ebay which is typically about £50 - £60.
After a year just about everything is failing on them, laces, toecaps showing through, tread almost worn out in the centre, cracks in the leather, linings falling apart by the heel, sole has a split where it flexes. Given it's all of those and not just one annoying thing it's ok by me.
I've got dodgy feet and even dodgier knees. Finding "steelies" that don't cause pain after prolonged wear is a nightmare, as I really need support type footwear.
A few years back, after much trial and error, I discovered Dr Martens Torness safety boots. What a revelation, within a few days of use I was completely pain free in the knees throughout the day.
When they required replacing, naturally I bought the exact same model and size. f
k me, they gave me the worst heel blisters I've ever had, and by worst I mean I never get blisters. Even so, I could hardly walk, resorted to wearing crossed plasters on the heels and heat holders thick thermal socks, despite it being 25DegC.
To answer the OP, you are not alone, and I understand Dr Martens are no longer made in the UK. For UK style and quality "Docs" buy from Solovair.
A few years back, after much trial and error, I discovered Dr Martens Torness safety boots. What a revelation, within a few days of use I was completely pain free in the knees throughout the day.
When they required replacing, naturally I bought the exact same model and size. f
k me, they gave me the worst heel blisters I've ever had, and by worst I mean I never get blisters. Even so, I could hardly walk, resorted to wearing crossed plasters on the heels and heat holders thick thermal socks, despite it being 25DegC.To answer the OP, you are not alone, and I understand Dr Martens are no longer made in the UK. For UK style and quality "Docs" buy from Solovair.
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff