Updated Oct 1, 2024
Doc Martens Review: Why The 1460s Are Overrated
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They made Doc Martens in England for a long time, but after nearing bankruptcy in 2003, they moved production to China and Thailand. Now, Dr. Martens only makes one percent of their shoes in England.
But Docs remain a symbol of Cool Britannia, so let’s review the Asian-made “classic” Doc Marten 1460s.
Key Takeaways: Are Doc Martens Comfortable?
Doc Martens’ lack of half sizes, no shank, ankle slippage, and lack of contour to the foot made them uncomfortable despite the soft, squishy, air-cushioned soles. They’re very casual with their bright stitching, thin leather, and chunky soles, giving them a somewhat youthful vibe that may or may not work for your personal style.
[Love these boots? Shop Dr. Martens here in 10 colors.]
Dr. Martens Overview
A weird fact I hadn’t heard before researching these boots: Dr. Klaus Märtens, a doctor in the German Army in 1945, designed the first Dr. Martens boot.
You know, the army that the Nazi party was running at the time. Now, to be fair, a lot of Germans were forcibly conscripted into the army.
He injured his ankle while skiing and found that the Nazis’ standard-issue army boots were uncomfortable on his injured foot, so he designed a new boot made with air-padded soles made from tires.
He eventually started a business making soles, initially using discarded rubber from Luftwaffe airfields — the Nazi air force. From the beginning, Dr. Martens boots were marketed as a solution for injuries, orthopedic foot problems, and age-related foot pain. For the first decade, 80 percent of their sales came from housewives over 40.
Somehow, their target market went from being that uncool to being incredibly cool, and as the 20th century progressed, this iconic footwear brand became the unofficial boot of skinheads, punks, and grunge musicians.
Dr. Martens 1460 First Glance
- Shiny, corrected grain leather
- Mostly single stitched
- Over 7 inches tall
- Pretty shapeless
- Characteristic yellow stitching
This is an uncomplicated boot: Doc Martens’s “full grain” highly corrected, smooth, and shiny, gives the boot a plasticky and relatively thin feel. Mostly single-stitched, it lacks the durability of boots with triple or quadruple stitching like White’s. It’s over 7 inches tall, so long socks are a must, and the design isn’t particularly streamlined or contoured.
It’s mostly single-stitched, lacking the durability of boots with triple or quadruple stitching like White’s. Standing over 7 inches tall, it requires long socks, and the design isn’t very streamlined or contoured. The toe is rather stubby.
Otherwise, the most characteristic things about 1460 are the famous yellow stitching around the welt and the famously squishy rubber sole. Both of these make for leather boots that don’t look particularly elegant, but I think that’s the point — people want these boots to look hip.
Martens made über casual boots that are utterly impossible to dress up, but they pass in a lot of outfits and environments that wouldn’t otherwise be boot-friendly.
Doc Martens 1460 Leather
- Comes from South America or Asia
- Super corrected leather
- A little plasticky and stiff leather
- Available in many colors/patterns
When I spoke with their helpline, they told me that this leather comes from “either South America or Asia,” which is a pretty broad net to cast, but that’s the only information they gave me.
Now, the company describes this as “full grain leather” even though it’s very, very smooth and doesn’t have a trace of grain on the skin. This leather is actually corrected — smoothed down — but since it comes from the top layer of the hide and isn’t suede or roughout, Dr. Martens’ representative called it full grain. If you’re a leather purist, you might see “corrected full grain leather” as a contradiction, so I’ll refer to it as corrected grain to be safe.
This leather is so smooth that, in my opinion, it looks quite plasticky. There’s no real surprise there; everyone knows what Doc Martens looks like before they buy them, and this is an aesthetic that speaks to a lot of people, but in my opinion, this leather looks as cheap as it is.
Their packaging describes it as
“Durable and famously stiff to start with, it moulds to your feet and gets more comfortable with wear. smooth leather can be polished to a dapper shine or artfully scuffed up, depending on your preference.”
Now, this is the very classic 1460 leather, which they describe as having “a smooth, semi-bright appearance.”
One of the good things about buying from such an enormous company: they have a ton of other leathers to choose from. I picked the classic leather because it’s the most popular and I wanted the review to be relevant to the most people.
Dr. Martens Leather Care
- Doc Martens suggests their “Wonder Balsam”
- Made of lanolin, beeswax, coconut oil
- Use once a month
- Dubbin Polish will add a thicker wax layer
The company promotes their “Wonder Balsam” leather conditioner, made from lanolin, beeswax, and coconut oil, for maintaining their “soft” leather. It’s ment to soften and polish the leather, recommended for use every six months or as needed based on wear and dryness.
[Related: The 5 Best Boot Conditioners You Can Buy]
Dr. Martens Sole
- Super soft air cushioned sole
- Great shock absorption
- No shank
- Hard to resole
This is the main event. The sole is what made Dr. Martens famous and it’s made from an inorganic rubber that’s oil and fat resistant. It really is super soft; as I mentioned above, it was originally used for people with orthotic concerns or foot pain.
While it’s not at all dressy, this is meant to be a comfy, casual boot and I have to say the sole was my favorite thing about the boot. The shock absorption is great, the rubber is soft but not too soft, and it’s a delight to walk around in. I did find it’s a little squeaky on indoor surfaces, but that may change as the shoes get older.
After the rubber, there’s what the guy on the phone called a “cork material” and then the insole is a “vegan material” that he then clarified is polyurethane foam, which would further add to the shock absorption.
A few downsides to this sole: there’s no shank, which means it’s not as stable as other boots, and it’s very hard to resole. If you’re asking, “But isn’t this a Goodyear welt?” well, I know what you mean. It’s a weird kind of Goodyear welt and just as Doc Martens calls this “full grain leather,” I feel like they’re playing fast and loose with their terms, here. For these shoes, the upper is heat sewn to the sole with flame. You can see it in this neat video below, which should start at the welting.
Yes, it looks cool, but while some cobblers do specialize in resoling these shoes, you shouldn’t expect to be able to resole them. But then, the sole is super long-lasting and the upper isn’t that long-lasting, so it probably won’t be an issue.
Dr. Martens Fit & Sizing: Are Docs Comfortable?
- No half sizes
- Size down
- Sole is crazy soft
- Doesn’t fit the foot that well
For men, the sizes run from 6 to 14. There’s just one width available and no half sizes. To find your fit, they recommend sizing down one half to one full size — I’m an 11.5, and the size 11 fits me fine. But with no half sizes and no other widths, they’re making the shoe somewhat inaccessible to, what, half the population?
As for walking around and breaking them in, there are a few things worth pointing out:
- Number 1: The sole is crazy soft, which made for a pretty nice experience.
- Number 2: The lack of a shank was clear. A lot of people feel like a shank is the most important part of a shoe, and purists will be disappointed by this.
- Number 3:Iin general, it just doesn’t fit the foot very well. I often have ankle slippage and I find it simply didn’t contour to the foot very well. To be fair, I’m coming off of a pair of White’s Service Boots, which fit better than almost any other shoe I’ve tried.
[Related: My list of The Best Leather Briefcases for Men]
But my Docs give me quite a bit of slippage, and more importantly, I just didn’t find it contoured the foot as ergonomically as it should have. This is a brand that began as a means for helping people recover from foot injuries, so I was expecting something more ergonomic, but alas, it’s just a pretty blobby, generic fit.
All I’ve ever heard about these boots is that they’re hard to break in, but personally, I didn’t really have issues. I think that’s because these are Asian-made Docs, not the pricier ones made in England. Sure, I got a little abrasion on my pinky toe, but otherwise, I didn’t have problems.
[Get the lowdown on fit in my ultimate guide to how boots should fit.]
Dr. Martens Price
These boots will run you $150. If you prefer the Docs that are made in England, those are usually closer to $200.
Some people say the British Doc Martens shoes are better quality. In my experience with matters like these, they’re probably just being wistful for a less globalized world. (See also the American-made Thursday boots, made in response to people thinking Mexican-made means poor quality.) Some say the leather is thicker in the British version. Others say it’s thinner. In any case, I haven’t tried them out and can’t say either way.
The Verdict
Here’s the summary.
Dr. Martens Pros
- Very cheap
- Super soft sole
- Water resistant
- Casual, can be worn with a t-shirt
- Cultural icon
Dr. Marten Cons
- High shaft
- Laces come undone easily
- Hard to resole
- Shapeless
- Doesn’t fit well
- No shank
- Leather is thin
- Not versatile
- Not very mature
- A little feminine
I don’t like these boots. Sure, they’re casual, but they’re so casual I feel very weird wearing these with anything other than black jeans and if I’m being honest, they really are a brand that’s targeted very squarely at youth culture.
These are boots for teenagers.
The bright yellow stitching really drag down the maturity of these boots as do the plasticky nature of the leather and the chunky rubber sole. I know I’ll make enemies saying this but they simply aren’t grown up boots. If I see a man in his 30s, 40s, or 50s wearing these, my immediate thought is that he didn’t get the memo that adults are allowed to wear nicer boots.
Now, I know that might be the point — they’re not for stuffy olds, they’re an icon of rebellious youth, of sullen teenagers, of flannel skirts. But on that note, these are unisex boots. I think it’s fair to say that when women wear them it’s to give their outfit a tougher, more masculine edge. When a man wears them? I think they feminize his outfit.
Further Reading
How To Break In Doc Marten Boots
Despite some of our controversial opinions on Doc Martens, we understand that they are very popular.
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I’m not saying that’s an objectively bad thing or that no man should ever wear these, I’m just saying that the yellow thread, the shapeless form, this cheap, crappy leather, and the association with grunge and punk make for a boot that just looks like it’s meant for boys and women.
It’s meant for youth culture and rock’n’roll culture and if you fall into one of those camps, enjoy them. If you don’t, I don’t know why you’d wear them.
[Related: My list of The Best Boots for Men]
FAQs: Doc Martens 1460
Should I size up or down for Doc Martens 1460?
I recommend sizing down at least half size. I wear a US size 11 and sized down to a US size 10 because Doc Martens do not offer half sizes.
What does 1460 mean in Doc Martens?
1460 is the model number for the original Dr. Martens was made on April 1st, 1960. The number represents the date 1 (1st), 4 (April), and 60 (1960).
Are Dr Martens 1460 good for winter?
Dr. Martens 1460 are fine for winter, but they are not insulated. If you plan on wearing them with thick socks take that into account when sizing Dr. Martens.
What is the difference between Doc Martens 1460 and 1490?
The 1490 is a higher boot with 10 eyelets. The 1460 has 8 eyelets and is a bit shorter than the 1490. They use the same construction and leather.
Which Dr. Martens should I get?
If you want the classic look, get the 1460. If you want a more ‘modern’ punk look, get the 1490. If you want a slip-on, get the 2976.
When I researched this before I bought a pair, the general consensus was the asian-made Docs are lower quality and you re better off buying the made in england ones.
Yeah that’s what I hear too. I need to try Solovair and compare them.
They are still under strict management by the original company in Northamptonshire. They have several factories in other countries, but the boots are still made to a very high standard.
I have the lifetime boots and they re made in Asia. I was a little disappointed but they re still under warranty for life so I don t care.
Yeah i need to try a variety of Docs I think!
Plus they’re so cheap! What didn’t you like about them?
You keep saying they are so cheap. I beg to disagree. $140 for shoes is quite expensive for the majority of people.
But it isn’t for Goodyear welted boots.
I also own a pair of For Life’s, and had to stop wearing them after a year because the sole was worn so slick that it was dangerous to walk on our concrete floor at work in them.
I have had them in my closet for 5 years, wasting away, because I was tired of skating around and feeling uneasy on them. I’ll give them another shot, but I wasn’t impressed.
I bought a pair of 1460’s in my youth that had a different looking tread on them that lasted longer than the boot itself.
I’ll see about getting them replaced, hoping that they make good on the For Life promise.
That’s the most honest review I’ve read about Docs.. I cant say that I disagree.
Have you tried the 1460 Laceless? The leather is milled and the overall vibe is superb to the standard 1460 – more like the high-end version. I believe you may like these (if you don’t mind a side zipper – eliminating that pesky my-boots-won’t-stay-tied issue).
Agh I’m not a fan of the side zipper but I will have to check those out, Sharon! Thanks for the tip.
I think your analysis misses out on the nostalgic factor of boomers buying these to relive the misspent days of their youthful consumerism . But spot on on the material construction of the current iteration though.
Haha, I didn’t want to be TOO mean Eric, but you might be right.
Great review though. And great site. I just bought some doc boots and they’re way to chunky so swapped for shoes… they’re chunky too but still think I’d be better off with a Thursday boot. Ah well. I’ve worn them now.
Hey Chris I’m sure you’ll find some outfits for them to work with 🙂
Just purchased a pair of the made in England boots for my daughter. The quality seems poor, cheap corrected leather. Time will tell but I have low expectations.
Yeah, Ron, they’re just a low tier boot. It’s not the end of the world, it’s just important for people to know that!
Do you have any idea about Dr Martens Serena fur lined? Do they have a good grip on ice? My second option is Timberland Premium 6 inch boots. I have bought both of them to try on I feel good in both but I just want to know which one will work better in snow and ice.
P.S. I live in Sweden.
Hey Aashana, sorry to say I don’t have experience with those boots. I think I’ll get more Timberland/Doc Martens reviews up in 2020 though!
Getting thing’s right Marten. Why you here?
I used to wear Doc’s all the time. I needed work boots & they fit my style better than Timberlands. The “corrected” leather cracks pretty quickly, & the lack of a shank is an issue on job sites.
An older worker told me to save up for Carolina, Chippewa, Danner, Thorogood, Red Wing or Wolverine.
Thorogood’s have been my favorite work boot ever since. Great customer service, too.
Awesome stuff, Gabe! yeah your experience mirrors many others’, when you need really functional shoes you upgrade. Thorogoood are a great pick!
I have worn Asian made Docs (mostly 1460s) since before they stopped making them in the UK. I know they have a “special” line now, but I haven’t worn those.
They are tough tennis shoes, not sure where people are getting the idea these are purchased by people who are buying work or fashion boots. They are extremely durable tennis shoes that I can get away with wearing to work instead of dress or work shoes.
Moved to Solovairs for actual boots years ago (I have yet to try the UK Docs, probably never will), but I love and will never stop buying Asian Doc Martens because they are the dead center between canvas sneakers and actual work boots, and they last a hell of a lot longer than any tennis shoes. I wouldn’t try running in them, though…
“Tough tennis shoes,” that’s so funny. Not a bad description. I really want to get some Solovairs and compare them this year!
Who cares. If you like Dr Martens you wear it. If people are disturbed by your choice then that is their issues not yours. You sound as if you are an authority and people should follow your opinion. This is what’s wrong with society i guess. We care too much of what other people think.
To each their own I guess. I’m 40. I have a pair of Greasy boots and Iowa WP. I wear 10.5 normally and have mine in 10. They fit fine. They go with my normal, 40yr old guy outfit which is some levis, tshirt/button up. If someone judges me by what I find comfortable and my style then I figure they’ve got bigger issues to deal with.
Haha fair point
I recently bought a pair because they were on sale for $90, I liked the way they looked, and they felt good when I tried them on. Your article makes it seem like every time I wear them I look like a feminine weirdo that is in the midst of a mid life crisis. They just look like basic black boots to me.
Hey Mike, if you like ’em that’s all that matters.
I’m 31. I have 18 pairs of Palladium boot which are made from all kind of materials. I’m a big fan of Palladium. Recently I bought myself two pairs of Docs. All my boots are Unisex and I like them that way. Making a man look more feminine is a feature. Maybe that feature does’t serve you but it serves me. All my boots go well with my Ecko T-shirts, jeans and even some other oversize outfits. The style represent a fearless, “I don’t give a f***” attitude. Even I’m 31, My face look so young that many people make mistake thinking I’m 24. I love being that way. Trying to look older is just the dream of young boys.
My mom has docs from the 80s and I can immediately tell the difference between those and what I got. For starters, the leathers on both my Asian and English docs were pretty floppy and weak, while the corrected leather on my mom’s boots was stiff even after years and years of wear. Second, the coating on the leather is tougher as well. Third, the stitching is more true to a good-year welt than today’s boots. Fourth, the sole is not only harder but is more stiff, thanks to a (strong) wood shank.
I also hate how everyone and their mother complains about bleeding their feet with these. Sure back then it made sense, but when people tell me that today I am like “Are you feeling alright? I dare you to try Red Wings and then you’ll understand what a real break-in period is.”
My point is the brand caters to the nostalgia of the boomers and Gen X (as mentioned in another comment). It’s no different than using the heritage selling point. I’d say companies like Solovair and Gripfast are much better. I have yet to try them out, but I can’t wait!
Cool, thanks for the note Dustin! The fact that the leather is so easy to pinch and fold, even around the heel, is a clear indicator that it’s not tough. I’d love to get my hands on a pair of old Docs like your moms!
“Dr. Marten Cons:
A little feminine”
The one thing I know is that you’ve got to double knot those laces. If you trip and fall, you’re going to shatter that fragile masculinity beyond repair.
Well played!
Genuinely frustrated because the shapeless design is dominated by docs. but now I can tell the major difference between shank and shankless boots. My style and Communities that I share it with are completely incompatible with overly gendered boots, I’ve been googling for 2 hours and I cannot for the life of me find an appropriate unisex boot that has a shank. the ONLY pair I ever found is a pair I found at a thrift shop that I have been wearing into oblivion and then gluing back together, farriers refuse to fix this shoe so I have no idea what to do. I live in an incredibly isolated city so choice is limited
Also men look lit in femininity, You’re just old and don’t understand why your style is going out of fashion.
Man it really sounded like you were agreeing with this until the last line, there
I’m buying myself a pair of Nappa leather1460s for my upcoming 50th birthday. I just like the look of them. If I want comfort I’ll wear slippers.
Good one!
When a man takes a picture in front of a pink background? I think it feminizes his headshot.
Damn he got me
I’m using Crockett and Jones boots for years, and I want to try another brand.
Thank you for your in depth review especially the wear in photos.
To be honest, I think Dr Martens overrated, this brand really famous in my country and I believe in another countries too. Even in a photo, the leather looks cheap, and it doesn’t fit well, the wrinkles looks like kid shoes. For any Dr Martens fans, I’m so sorry for my language.
I think I’ll buy another pair of Crockett and Jones. Do you have another suggestion?
If you like Crockett & Jones and want to try something else, I’d strongly recommend Alden. It’s like America’s Crockett & Jones!
My main takeaway from the review is that it seems like Docs are the kind of thing that people that like that sort of thing like. You don’t care for them.
As for Dr. Marten’s personal history, I don’t hold VW’s founding against it at this juncture.
This was a well balanced comment!
Hey Nick,
I just came across your this review.
Very profound, very detailed, thank you for that!
What puzzles me a bit is your weird obsession about Nazis in the first chapter (twice there).
Like, really?! That war ended some 80 years ago. It ended with America taking German (sorry, Nazi) V2 rocket technology to fly to the moon and taking over Nazi tactics and strategies into their military doctrines. It ended, and we all know that, with America nuking Hiroshima and Nagasaki, with, yes: Nazi scientists developing that terrible weapon beforehand (Wernher von Braun, for instance) – for America.
Did you know that?
I am a little bit tired of having Germany reduced down to Hitler (who was not even a German, by the way: he came from Austria) and the 12 years of his Nazi reign. Have you ever heard of Bach, Goethe, Schiller, Brecht? Do Arminius, the Battle of the Nations an, after all, the Peaceful Revolution ring a bell? No? Well, Google has it all
See, I was born in East Germany. In 1978. It was Soviet-ruled, hence communist back then. The city I lived in for my first 12 years was called Karl-Marx-Stadt then (it even got mentioned in the James Bond „Octopussy“ movie), later it got renamed to Chemnitz. About 75% of the city had been reduced to rubble in WII by English and American air raids. 75%, imagine that. Imagine all the people dying and suffering.
But do I reduce America and Great Britain to war mongerers? To air raiders dropping huge bombs on civilians? To evil people? No.
And neither should you.
Think about it. I’ll wait.
Best greetings from Leipzig/Germany,
Sascha
Hey Sascha, certainly I don’t associate Germany with Hitler, I just associate the German army in World War 2 with Hitler — and that’s the one Dr Martens served in!
I don’t like rock punk or any of that kind of music. I listen to gangbanging music. I just like the look of the yellow stitches so I wear it plus it can be had under a hundred bucks.
Glad you like them my man!
I am old enough at 49 to remember Docs when they were still all made in my hometown, we all wore them as kids and teens, I moved away but have always owned at least one pair ever since.
The pair I am currently wearing is a pair of “for life” that has had pretty much daily wear for the last, maybe 9yrs, are super comfortable and still going strong, look great too.
On the whole I have to largely agree on the cheapo 1460 boot, not great, definitely not the quality of the pre-80s docs but it is their ‘bargain basement’ offering and not the best to judge the brand on.
If anyone was thinking of purchasing a pair I would say if you can look at the other leathers. Yes they will be pricier but they will look better, feel better and last much longer with appropriate care. Their ‘hard life’ leather is a drum-oiled, uncorrected full grain and is really nice (my for life are made of this) “greasy” is another uncoated leather which lasts well.
Just steer clear of the plastic coated cheap, standard offering and I’m pretty sure you’ll love your docs for years to come.
This was an excellent and well reasoned comment Maz, thanks very much! I agree, sometimes I see Docs with pretty nice leather, they’ve even done some with Horween in the past.
Hey, great article. I just found a pair of bright orange docs in my big size 13 on the clearance rack. I thought they would be a fun addition to the wardrobe, and they are. But wow you are right, they don’t really have any fit to speak of. Just kind of a stiff leather husk. I guess maybe that’s the point, but it seems like a missed opportunity. Docs occupy such a unique spot in show world, I wish they could at least offer something that actually fit securely.
The soles, though, are everything they are advertised as. I spend a lot of time walking on concrete and even though the shoes are a little heavy they keep my joints from feeling miserable. I really think those soles are not just a gimmick, they’re really comfortable under heavy walking on solid surfaces.
I should add I am a prison psychologist and the orange shoes get a lot of comments a laughs from both the residents and the correctional officers. In a rather grim environment, they bring some smiles. Especially when worn by a 50 year old psychologist like myself – that’s gotta be worth something, right?
Anyway, your comments were spot on and I’m going to look into some of your other recommendations, so thanks for that!
Hey so glad this review resonated with you Wally, most people hate it lol. The soles definitely deserve the accolades!
Nick English… more like Nick Wankish. Who would resole boots this cheap?
who told you my real name
I don’t know why my phone suggested this article, but I’m glad it did. I’ve got a pair that’s nearly 25 years old, from my late teens. Maybe the old English ones were better. They’re not my daily shoes but I still wear them regularly. The
soles are well worn, the yellow stitching is subdued, and the leather has a nice patina. They’re better than they were new in my opinion. But thanks for telling me I can be a wasteful consumer and buy nicer boots now instead of continuing to wear a gloriously comfy vestige of my youth.
Hey if you’re happy with them that’s all that matters Ryan
I love my Docs and Solovairs. All made in England.
54 years old and they still look great despite contrary opinions.
Docs & Solovair boots with jeans always look great.
I have Nick’s handmade boots, Thursday boots a few varieties of combat boots as well.
I guess I just love boots.
I do not agree that they look like they are for teens.
I know many people my age who wear them and love them as much as I do.
Stay away from the Asia made Docs.
Fair enough, and love having your opinion here Dave! Glad to meet another boot lover.
Just bought 1460 The Clash green/black boots…any ideas on how to soften these buggers?
Here ya go Nina! https://stridewise.com/how-to-soften-new-boots/
Hi, the boots were dry and uncomfortable. They were deformed already after couple of steps walking at home. I sent them back and was charged 30 € for shipment fee.
lame!
I’m 59 yrs. old and still love Doc’s! Some are certainly better than others, but I’ve been lucky so far. It’s true that my life and confidence are better as I age, making it more fun to add more Docs to my wardrobe.
Glad you have some boots you love, that’s the most important thing!
Nick i totally dont agree with your point of view that they are for rebellious youth. They were worn by adults as work boots across England. if your talking about the “trendy and flamboyant” versions designed as a fashion statement i agree, but not your basic boot
Fair enough Steven! I should update this article, my thoughts have evolved..