How did Dr Martens start?
While Dr Martens boots are now a household name, with styles to suit every style and aesthetic, they weren’t always so huge. In 1901, the Griggs family lived in the English Midlands, making sturdy and durable work boots for their community. A few decades later, in post-war Munich, a soldier named Klaus Maertens created a unique air-cushioned sole to help his convalescing broken foot. By 1947, the air-wair sole was booming, reaching as far as the English Midlands, where the third generation of the Griggs family decided to purchase the license. And so it was, on April 1st 1960, that the first Dr Martens AirWair boot was created. While at first the boot was marketed towards the everyman, it quickly became a symbol of alternative fashion and self-expression, rising to fame and becoming the unique and individual footwear that we know today.
Why are Dr Martens so special?
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Dr Marten’s DNA- maybe you’ve seen this icon on one of our DM products. This is to flag this as a trusted brand, and to remind you of its iconic make. Every Dr Martens shoe or boot is created with painstaking detail and top-quality materials, so you can be sure that you’re getting your money’s worth.
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Signature Silhouette- our different ranges may vary in shape and design, but when you see a Dr Martens shape, you’re bound to recognise it. Smooth and rounded, DMs feature an iconic and timeless silhouette.
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Goodyear Welting- ever wondered what the deal is with the yellow stitching? All Dr Martens products are made with a process known as ‘Goodyear Welting’. This means that they’re heat-sealed and stitched together instead of simply being glued, making them more durable than regular footwear. These boots will last you a lifetime!
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AirWair Soles- as we’ve mentioned, the AirWair sole was a huge part of Dr Martens’ origin story. While different boots may feature different soles, all of the original ranges (1460, 1461, and 2976) include a tread-pattern AirWair sole, cushioned for comfort and convenience. Plus, the AirWair soles are oil-resistant, fat-resistant, and slip-resistant, keeping you safe no matter what!
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Eyelet Lacing- through the years, the Dr Martens ranges have evolved, and there are now dozens of different ranges, with different fastenings. However, the most iconic remains the 8-eyelet lacing, featured on classic collections like the 1460s. This 8-eyelet fastening is sturdy, secure, and stylish!
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Branded Pull-tab- lots of our Dr Martens footwear also feature branded pull-tabs, handy for getting the boots on and off, and giving your outfit an iconic branded look.
What are the different Dr Martens soles?
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Standard AirWair Soles- the original signature sole! This rubber sole features a patented air-cushioned design for the ultimate comfort and feel. Boasting a traditional tread pattern, this classic sole can be found on original ranges like the 1460s, 1461s, and 2976s.
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Bex Soles- the Bex sole is slightly chunkier than a regular AirWair sole, giving you a little more height. Versatile and reliable, the Bex sole is perfect for any look!
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Quad Soles- want to make a statement? The Quad sole is our platform option, with a thick platform base of almost 2”. Shop Quad soles with ranges like the Jadon boots and Voss sandals.
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Max Quad Soles- and for those who love to stand out, this is the ultra-platform option, the tallest boots on offer from Dr Martens. Available with ranges like the Jadon Max or Sinclair Max, these platform soles give you all the height you need!
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Heeled Soles- while heeled Dr Martens are rare, we do occasionally have a style or two with a chunky high heel, like our Jesy Boots.
What are the different Dr Martens leathers?
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Smooth- the original DM leather, smooth and sleek. While this leather can take some time to break in, it will last you a lifetime.
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Virginia- a softer, fine-grain leather, designed for the ultimate comfort. If you’d rather skip the long breaking-in process, choose a soft material like the Virginia leather.
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Patent- stand out with shiny patent leather, perfect for making a statement. Made of a suede base and PU coating, this leather is shiny and glossy.
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Buttero- this smooth, soft leather features a full grain and satin gloss finish, ideal for a luxury footwear feel.
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Sendal- this soft and supple leather is perfect for a comfortable fit.
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Vegan Rub Off- if you want to indulge in a pair of Dr Martens without buying real leather, try our vegan footwear options. The vegan rub-off leather is a synthetic material that perfectly replicates a soft and subtle leather look, with a stylish matte finish. Look out for the yellow heel-loops to find vegan footwear for you. Includes Felix rub-off and Cambridge brush-off.
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Nappa- this Nappa leather is a heavier material than most of the others, making it one of the most durable options for your footwear.
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Wyoming- with a subtle grain and oily finish, this milled leather gives a rugged feel to your Dr Martens.
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Suede- another classic choice! Suede leather is soft and silky, giving your footwear a sophisticated look. Dr Martens suede leathers include E.H. Suede and Soft Buck.
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Hydro- this leather is PU coated with a soft matte finish. You’ll find it on many of the Dr Martens sandals!
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Waterproof- we also stock plenty of waterproof Dr Martens, perfect for wearing year-round. Waterproof leathers like Blizzard or Valor provide the perfect finish for versatile footwear that can be worn on any occasion!
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Grizzly- this heavyweight leather features a subtle grained finish, perfect for a rugged boot. Found on a lot of our fur-lined boots, this leather is durable and sturdy.
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Hair-on- this is a new finish, designed to give a soft and realistic hair finish for patterned leather.
What are the different Dr Martens ranges?
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1460- the original icon! 1460 boots feature all of the most classic aspects of Dr Martens boots. From a sleek, rounded silhouette to the 8-eyelet laces to the iconic AirWair soles, 1460s include absolutely everything you could be looking for from an alternative boot. Find them in different styles like the Vonda boots, Serena fur-lined boots, and Lunar zip-up boots.
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Pascal- the Pascal boots are based on the classic 1460 design, with a few alterations to make the boot more streamlined.
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Jadon- these boots are also very similar to the 1460 design, with a chunkier platform sole. Available in patent, smooth, or vegan leather.
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1461- just as the 1460s are the most iconic boots around, the 1461s are the most iconic shoes. Featuring AirWair soles, 3-eyelet lacing, and Goodyear Welting, these flat shoes are classic for a reason.
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2976 Chelsea- these Chelsea boots are another classic range, featuring all of Dr Martens regular DNA, but with the addition of an elastic gusset instead of eyelet lacing. You can find different ranges within the 2976 collection, like the Leonore fur-collar boots.
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Sinclair- these boots feature a zip-up design and a platform sole for a unique alternative look!
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Buzz- try our Buzz shoes or Buzz boots for a uniquely shaped PU sole and eyelet lace-up design.
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Sandals- our website also stocks Dr Martens sandals and flats, perfect for the summer. These include ballet flats (Elphie), gladiator sandals (Nartilla), sliders (Raine), and chunky sandals (Voss or Gryphon). Shop them in different colours and leathers for the perfect year-round style!
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8065 Mary Janes- for another classic look, try the Mary Janes range, perfect for a timeless style. Including the Polley collection, these Mary Jane shoes feature a clasp design and an open top.
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Jorge- the Jorge mule shoes feature an open-back slider design and suede or hair-on finish.
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XTRM- this range features new and inventive designs, like the Hi-Soft boots, which include an extreme knee-high silhouette.
What are the different Dr Martens colours?
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Black
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Cream
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Navy
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Cherry Red
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Brown
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Grey
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Dusty Rose
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Tartan
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Leopard Print
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Dalmatian Print
We hope that this glossary has been useful. You should now be a pro at reading and understanding Dr Martens names. For instance, if you see a pair of our new Dr Martens 1460 Virginia Boots (Dusty Rose), you’ll be able to tell that they’re a part of the iconic 1460 range, with a dusty rose colour and Virginia leather soft finish. With this new skill, you’ll find your dream alt footwear in no time!
Dr Martens FAQs:
Do Dr Martens run true to size?
Yes, Dr Martens tend to run true to size, although they may feel a little roomy at first due to the stiffness of the leather. We try to stock as many sizes as we can, including half sizes where possible. You can check out the ‘Size Guide’ on a product page to find out exactly what size you need.
How long does it take to wear Dr Martens in?
Breaking in Dr Martens is a huge topic of conversation, but we’re here to tell you that it’s not as bad as it sounds. While our classic boots and sturdier leathers can be hard to break in (see above), you can always choose a softer boot (e.g, a 2976 Chelsea Seude Boot) for an easier transition. If you do choose footwear with sturdier leather, don’t worry- we’re here to help. Breaking in a pair of classic Dr Martens boots can take 3-6 weeks, depending on how often they’re being worn. There are plenty of tips and tricks that you can use to help wear your Dr Martens in faster. Check out our full guide here.
How much do Dr Martens cost?
It’s well-known that Dr Martens footwear is a little pricy, but we think there’s no price too high for perfection. From the quality manufacturing to the detailed finishings, these shoes and boots are made with painstaking precision and hard-wearing durability. Invest in a pair of sturdy Dr Martens that will last you a lifetime! Want a little extra? You can use our Dr Martens discount code to get £10 off all select styles! Just pick out your ideal pair of boots or shoes, and enter the code DRMARTENS10 at checkout.
Can I return my Dr Martens?
Of course! We pride ourselves on our impeccable customer service, and we’re always here to help you. When it comes to Dr Martens, we understand that there can always be issues with the sizing or style. If you receive your footwear and realise that it doesn’t fit you, or that you’ve simply changed your mind, you can return the Dr Martens for a full refund or exchange. Check out our Returns policy here for more information.
How do I style my Dr Martens?
When it comes to alternative fashion, you might not always be sure how to style your footwear. The good thing about Dr Martens is that they’re super versatile, fitting with any outfit or aesthetic. We recommend building your outfit outwardly from a centrepiece (like your new footwear). Find alternative clothing, accessories, and jewellery on our website to build an entire alt outfit head-to-toe. And if you want a little extra styling inspiration, check out our style gallery, full of gorgeous style images from our talented affiliates and models. With plenty of real-life style inspiration and product imagery, try the style gallery here for lots of alternative outfit ideas!
Does that answer all of your Dr Martens questions? With so many styles, leathers, ranges, and colours to choose from, it’s no wonder customers can feel overwhelmed. But not you! Make the most of our Dr Martens guide to find your dream alternative footwear, and make sure to tag us @bluebananauk when you do. We can’t wait to see which Dr Martens you choose!
