Footwear to go with our jackets

[Drzdave58]

So here they are.

In terms of Dr. Martens I do like them. They seem reasonably well made, and the leather is noticeably thicker and more „spongy“ than the standard boots.
The whole packaging including a little booklet about how they are handmade in Northamptonshire is nice and emphasises the notion of „something special“.

The boots seem to run ca. half a number smaller than the standard line, which is potentially due to using thicker leather on the standard last. The standard boots fit me a hair big, so I am ok with this, but a hint to this in the online size calculator would sure be helpful.

Have only tried them, not worn them, so judgement is reserved. The boots go for EUR 270 vs. EUR 200 for the standard models which seem appropriate in terms of cost of labour in the UK alone.

View attachment 627825

Nice boots! I've had a few pairs of DM's and always found them to be very comfortable.

 

[Observe]

So here they are.

In terms of Dr. Martens I do like them. They seem reasonably well made, and the leather is noticeably thicker and more „spongy“ than the standard boots.
The whole packaging including a little booklet about how they are handmade in Northamptonshire is nice and emphasises the notion of „something special“.

The boots seem to run ca. half a number smaller than the standard line, which is potentially due to using thicker leather on the standard last. The standard boots fit me a hair big, so I am ok with this, but a hint to this in the online size calculator would sure be helpful.

Have only tried them, not worn them, so judgement is reserved. The boots go for EUR 270 vs. EUR 200 for the standard models which seem appropriate in terms of cost of labour in the UK alone.

View attachment 627825

Have you ever looked into Solovair? My understanding is they're similar to DM but apparently overall better construction, materials, etc. Haven't had experience with Solovair myself; had a canvas pair of DMs years ago (think similar to high-top Chucks but look like a pair of DMs) but got rid of them as they didn't match my style.

 

[Harris HTM]

Have you ever looked into Solovair? My understanding is they're similar to DM but apparently overall better construction, materials, etc. Haven't had experience with Solovair myself; had a canvas pair of DMs years ago (think similar to high-top Chucks but look like a pair of DMs) but got rid of them as they didn't match my style.

I own two pairs of Solovair's. Exactly the same materials and construction quality as the (made in England) DM's I had in the early-mid 90's.
I cannot comment on the modern made in England DM's as I have never handled any. Ten years ago my girlfriend got a pair of standard DM's, made in Vietnam or China, I really don't remember. Much worse compared to both the Solovair's and my DM's from the 90's.

 

[Tom71]

Nice boots! I've had a few pairs of DM's and always found them to be very comfortable.

Thank you. I have always had one or two pairs of Docs since I was a student in London in the 90s (at that time poor as a mouse in a church and really frustrated how they would only last me some 15 months before the leather would crack at the toebox).

I never had a pair „Made in England“ though, and it seemed like a nice way to elevate my game.

 

[Tom71]

Have you ever looked into Solovair? My understanding is they're similar to DM but apparently overall better construction, materials, etc. Haven't had experience with Solovair myself; had a canvas pair of DMs years ago (think similar to high-top Chucks but look like a pair of DMs) but got rid of them as they didn't match my style.

I have not, although I have heard a lot of positive things. Mostly compared to modern day DMs.
I have to admit, I buy DMs as a brand/image thing, and in part to buy back my student days, so I really don’t mind the quality that much…

 

[Tom71]

I own two pairs of Solovair's. Exactly the same materials and construction quality as the (made in England) DM's I had in the early-mid 90's.
I cannot comment on the modern made in England DM's as I have never handled any. Ten years ago my girlfriend got a pair of standard DM's, made in Vietnam or China, I really don't remember. Much worse compared to both the Solovair's and my DM's from the 90's.

Hmm, I started buying DMs ca. 1994 and was not at all impressed with the quality.
I had them (always the glossy black 8-hole-boots) as my „only boots“ and the leather would reliably crack and tear after 12-18 months. Always a financial nightmare, as I had a budget of exactly GBP 5 per day after rent and tuition fees.
My parents once gifted me a pair in brown pull-up leather for Christmas once, and they were much more resilient. Not quite the „real-deal for me, though…

 

[Harris HTM]

Hmm, I started buying DMs ca. 1994 and was not at all impressed with the quality.
I had them (always the glossy black 8-hole-boots) as my „only boots“ and the leather would reliably crack and tear after 12-18 months. Always a financial nightmare, as I had a budget of exactly GBP 5 per day after rent and tuition fees.
My parents once gifted me a pair in brown pull-up leather for Christmas once, and they were much more resilient. Not quite the „real-deal for me, though…

I also had the brown pull up leather version.
When I started wearing DM's (a year earlier than you) I was impressed by them. Because the only other shoe I had worn were all-stars and hi-top Nike's.
Obviously you cannot compare any DM (MIE or not) or Solovair with Tricker's!

 

[Observe]

I also had the brown pull up leather version.
When I started wearing DM's (a year earlier than you) I was impressed by them. Because the only other shoe I had worn were all-stars and hi-top Nike's.
Obviously you cannot compare any DM (MIE or not) or Solovair with Tricker's!

Trickers are absolute tanks. Put my Burfords through their paces and they held up incredibly well. Sadly I had to part ways with my Trickers as I came to realize that none of their lasts worked well for my feet.

 

[Harris HTM]

Trickers are absolute tanks. Put my Burfords through their paces and they held up incredibly well. Sadly I had to part ways with my Trickers as I came to realize that none of their lasts worked well for my feet.

yeah, Tricker's are really sturdy boots. The only brand that I have used that is sturdier (seriously built as tanks and totally indestructible) is William Lennon.

 

[NZJono]

I also had the brown pull up leather version.
When I started wearing DM's (a year earlier than you) I was impressed by them. Because the only other shoe I had worn were all-stars and hi-top Nike's.
Obviously you cannot compare any DM (MIE or not) or Solovair with Tricker's!

I’ve got or had 3-4 pairs of MIE docs and several pairs of Trickers. I think the DMs hold up well to Trickers in terms of fit and finish, and are very comfortable for walking around all day if needed. Certainly Trickers have got thicker leather but overall I can’t complain about Made in England docs. I posted a couple of photos a few weeks ago of a couple of pairs.

 

[AeroLover]

John Lofgren Engineers 1 week update. Have been wearing these pretty solidly all week - putting them on has got easier, and the natural CXL has all over got a lot more pliable, with some nice patina in the works. The picture doesnt really show it too well but hey've darkened I would say a fair amount perhaps because I have been wearing them a lot. Currently trying to resist the urge to buy some black engineers of some description
View attachment 625860

These look so good! I’m very tempted to get them. Are they easier to get on and off?

 

[AeroFan_07]

These look quite nice!

So here they are.

In terms of Dr. Martens I do like them. They seem reasonably well made, and the leather is noticeably thicker and more „spongy“ than the standard boots.
The whole packaging including a little booklet about how they are handmade in Northamptonshire is nice and emphasises the notion of „something special“.

The boots seem to run ca. half a number smaller than the standard line, which is potentially due to using thicker leather on the standard last. The standard boots fit me a hair big, so I am ok with this, but a hint to this in the online size calculator would sure be helpful.

Have only tried them, not worn them, so judgement is reserved. The boots go for EUR 270 vs. EUR 200 for the standard models which seem appropriate in terms of cost of labour in the UK alone.

View attachment 627825

Here is a very in-depth review of these for your enjoyment...

 

[Harris HTM]

I’ve got or had 3-4 pairs of MIE docs and several pairs of Trickers. I think the DMs hold up well to Trickers in terms of fit and finish, and are very comfortable for walking around all day if needed. Certainly Trickers have got thicker leather but overall I can’t complain about Made in England docs. I posted a couple of photos a few weeks ago of a couple of pairs.

I've got to admit that DM's are more comfortable than Tricker's!

 

[NZJono]

I've got to admit that DM's are more comfortable than Tricker's!

Yes they are pretty comfy. I prefer my Trickers with the crepe or vibram gumlite softer soles. Really makes a difference.

 

[BloodEagle]

These look so good! I’m very tempted to get them. Are they easier to get on and off?

In a word - no, or at least not when you first get them. They have eased up a bit though so its getting easier. If youve got a high instep - which I apparently have, they can test you a bit to begin with. Dont let that put you off though!

 

[Tom71]

These look quite nice!

Here is a very in-depth review of these for your enjoyment...

Thanks. Fun video; confirms my initial thoughts: "Good, not great boots." Combine it with what I see in DMs from a personal perspective, and I am happy with what I got for my money.

Only surprise is identical leather thickness; I may have another look at mine. I have two standard boots from different production cycles, so that may explain it.

 

[AeroLover]

In a word - no, or at least not when you first get them. They have eased up a bit though so its getting easier. If youve got a high instep - which I apparently have, they can test you a bit to begin with. Dont let that put you off though!

Apparently you can stretch the shaft a bit with a broom handle the handle of a hammer or some such object. I went ahead and ordered a pair of these directly from JL because he accepts returns in the event that it's just not a good fit for me. Yours look excellent. If your only issue is the shaft width I'd see if I can stretch them a bit.

 

[BloodEagle]

Apparently you can stretch the shaft a bit with a broom handle the handle of a hammer or some such object. I went ahead and ordered a pair of these directly from JL because he accepts returns in the event that it's just not a good fit for me. Yours look excellent. If your only issue is the shaft width I'd see if I can stretch them a bit.

Yes Im sure you'll be OK - they have eased up quite considerably in the shaft so its not an issue any longer. Good call on ordering some - they are such nice boots.

 

[Monitor]

Officer derbies by Carol Christian Poell

I honestly don't know why I got these. They're beautiful, beautiful, ugly-*** clompers, made otherworldly superbly, as sturdy as any pair of boots that I have handled but I just don't know. I like them a lot. I doubt it I'll even wear them.

They're made of 2 mm veg tanned horsehide and are constructed with a lifetime of wear in mind. Naturally, none of the people able to easily afford these are going to wear them their entire life but the idea is appealing.

The back... metal thing is actual metal. The laces are stretchy. You can close them using the clamps or you remove the clamps and tie them up. Despite the deranged shape, they're extremely comfortable to wear but you gotta get the right size!

In any case, I just had to have them. They don't bore me even though I look and feel ridiculous and insane in them.

So I don't know... Enjoy the photos, if you can.

 

[IrishStu]

Officer derbies by Carol Christian Poell

I honestly don't know why I got these. They're beautiful, beautiful, ugly-*** clompers, made otherworldly superbly, as sturdy as any pair of boots that I have handled but I just don't know. I like them a lot. I doubt it I'll even wear them.

They're made of 2 mm veg tanned horsehide and are constructed with a lifetime of wear in mind. Naturally, none of the people able to easily afford these are going to wear them their entire life but the idea is appealing.

The back... metal thing is actual metal. The laces are stretchy. You can close them using the clamps or you remove the clamps and tie them up. Despite the deranged shape, they're extremely comfortable to wear but you gotta get the right size!

In any case, I just had to have them. They don't bore me even though I look and feel ridiculous and insane in them.

So I don't know... Enjoy the photos, if you can.

They are amazing looking shoes. Definitely wear them.