The best alternatives are actually vintage german army boots (readily availible for unter 100 Euros) and Austrian Bundesheer Feldstiefel leicht (arround 100-150 Euros). Much better construction and leather (german: 2,8-3mm leather, norwegian stitch, leather insole) then these alternatives or at least much cheaper if you live in Europe.
is the norwegian stitch better than the goodyear welt? Also i just got the austrian fieldboot brand new and i was wondering. Do you need to condition the leather insole?
The leather you mentioned as crappy isn’t the only leather in DM’s catalogue tho. True, the ones mentioned that are prone to cracking are from their 1460 smooth line, because they are very corrected forms of leather. But they also have crazy horse, greasy and waxed full grain leathers that are very sturdy, supple, does not crack and definitely would stand the test of time, with the minimum amount of care. Still not heavy duty work boots, but for $170(and sometimes lower when on sale), and used as an everyday casual boot, and in rotation with other boots and shoes like most people, I’d say you’re getting your money’s worth.
I ride a motorcycle. The Dr. Martens Air Sole feels the best when I come to a stop and have to plant my feet on the pavement. The cheap leather seems to hold up well to kicking the shift lever with my left foot. And the spayed on coating of the corrected grain leather seems to be okay when exposed to the elements at freeway speeds on a motorcycle. Yes, sure, I would like it if the shoes had better leather. And yes, sure, the suggested retail price is high compared to what you are getting. But if that is holding you back, you don't buy it. For me, I am buying them for the Air Sole. No other boot sole feels the same. I own better boots. Dr. Martens aren't going to be the one boot I own, for doing everything. They serve a purpose on my motorcycle.
@@whatarefriends4 Dr. Martens were never built to be a product to last you a lifetime. They're not, in any way, a heritage boot or work boot. Nowhere does Dr. Martens advertise that you will own a quality shoe that is recraftable. They were sold as gardening shoes for old ladies. Then letter carriers and foot beat patrolmen wore them. Dr. Martens were made as a comfortable shoe with a soft, squishy sole. You wear them out, then buy another pair.
Hey @Stridewise, great video! Very informative, as always, and I can tell you always put a lot of effort into your videos! BTW, did you see the new Thursday's Challenger boots? They look quite great, though too tough for my day to day life as a programmer haha, would love your opinion on them
Shoutout to Sanders from the UK. Bought their Kelso boot while on a visit to London. Probably better build than the ones mentioned in this video, similar look to the 1460 albeit more refined. The black has been on sale for around £200 or so for some time.
that's so funny i had never heard of Sander's until yesterday and now here you are in the comments telling me about them. I might be visiting their factory next month, I'll tell them you sent me Edgar
Even as a Brit, I’d opt for the Thursdays every time. Easily resoled anywhere and longer lasting is an easy choice. I see that you’re edging closer to 100k subscribers. Anything planned for such a milestone?
I'm getting there so damn slowly I wouldn't know when to schedule it but I guess I could do a Q&A? How do people do that I just do a 'tell me your questions' post in the YT community tab and on instagram and read them out, right
it's hard to find one I want to put more than $200 into. Thanks for the Thursday recommendation. Where does Redwings Blacksmith fit? I haven't paid $300 for boots (one time, rough job) Dr. Marten's are usually half price $70-$100 online. There's limited prints and 40 some colors. Insane hardware...MIGHT NOT BE HALF PRICE, you gotta get them if you love them, they disappear in days sometimes. Nappy suede, butter soft suede, crazy horse ❤oil tanned, analine vegetable tanned leather, I don't recommend black patent w/ 20 colors...leather is cheaply made on lots of the Earth 🌍 There's BEN (bouncy grip), Original (everyday), Pascal (soft), BEX (durable harder), platforms, giant platforms, &Wintergrip soles. The half size....just walk on the heel for a week or 2. It stretched perfectly for half size. Boot stretchers, lots of people swear buy them. I COMPARE DOCS TO CONVERSE....UNISEX FOOTWEAR....both are famous for being comfortable, cheap, & colorful. Hi-tops for ankle support low-tops for less laces.
The best Doc Marten alternative is the Doc Marten itself. It's always the look and the name for that silhoutte. You'll never catch me wearing a Doc Marten though lol, but yeah. Why spend a higher price tag to a not Doc Marten boot that looks like a Doc Marten?😂😂😂
The sole can't be beat. If they would only build a better boot on top of it. Maybe this is a chance for a collaboration. Or someone else can build a good boot using the Dr. Martens sole
Thursdays' design is meant to be sleek. If you want something chunkier then go get something like the Red Wing Blacksmith or Iron Rangers with their bump toe last.
Otra opción son STEEL-BOOTS desde Eslovaquia, tengo entendido que están fabricadas en Polonia y son muy muy muy buenas y tienen excelente calidad, son similares a las gripfast de solovair.
There is no alternative for Dr. Marten. However, I view them as a $100 boot and too easy to obtain them at that with patience. In early 2023 I wanted to replace my 1460 Aztec Crazy Horse from 2003 and easily found a used in vg condition on Amazon for $97. They arrived in nib condition. No, not the same as those mie pair from 2003 but feel they were a good value for an iconic boot.
Have worn Docs since the late 80's. Kids in Toronto used to roll each other for them - you got caught walking through a mall outside of your neigbourhood by yourself and you'd likely get jumped for your docs. I saved up the earnings from my grade 8 summer job for a pair of cherry 10 holes - my dream boot going into grade 9. Bought a pair a few years ago and just could not work them in - they hurt like hell every time I wore them. Took the plunge after 30+ years and bought Solovair 11 hole in red - put them on right out of the box and wore them around the house all day, they were like butter, so quality I almost shed a f*cking tear. Docs went in the bin. I haven't taken these Solovairs off since! #bunchofuckingoofs #untouchables
I bought a pair of White's black moc toes and took a page from Wyatt and Dad and blacked out the stitching on the boot black and tried to use yellow dye on the sole stitching but it didn't take...wanted to make my own "Moc Dartens". When these need a resole I'll try to find a cobbler that can do them with yellow stitching. Wanted to go with either Solovair (for a true Doc Marten replacement) or Goral (I do like that side bumper and CMX leather but no half sizes) but not working right now so the boot quest is on standby. Besides I already have Stompers in side zip (makes doffing/donning much easier) but will check out the Hero.
I love Dr. Martin boots have severl pair in different colors. I have some for work some for church some for casual. Also have Red Wings Tony Lamas and Justin boots.
I bought 3 pairs of boots over the past year and the Solovair soles have held up the best of any of the boots I've purchased. I went for the gaucho crazy horse browns are really love them. I have a pair of Thursday loggers in waxed cacao and the leather is much thicker but they were a genuinely tough break-in. Overall both of the boots are stellar but I have already had to resole the heels and the wear on the front part of the Thursday storm soles is very noticeable. I live in CC Philadelphia and mostly walk on concrete and asphalt and was surprised how quickly the Thursday boots soles wore down. I walk probably 6-8 miles daily and cycle my boots to keep the wear minimized but the Solovair soles just last. I bought a pair of gripfast (also solovair) for a more punk look but they are less water resistant than my Derby style boots. once these soles wear out I will probably just have the boots re-welted because of how much I like the uppers. I think I accidentally became a bit of a Solovair superfan but I think it's really neat how they were a workey Co-Op and have carried on making really nice punk footwear despite losing the Dr. Martens license
Can you do a video about the best socks and your sock collection? What are the best brands to buy socks. Nordic socks. Work socks. Plain socks. Cotton socks. Wool socks. No show socks. All about socks. I find socks frustrating. I hate all my socks. And I don't know where to buy them.
I switched to Solovair years ago. I love them. The older ones have yellow and black stitching with blue labels. I’m lucky I still have some vintage Dr Martens. 15 years ago, I had to buy a pair of made in China Docs. They are really good. Go figure.
If people don’t like Thursdays existing, then they are free to make a better boot at the same price through multiple economic crashes in Birth America with the same reputable customer service. If people from casuals to serious heritage footwear people will keep buying them and speaking so well of them, then they’re clearly doing far more right than wrong.
you are talking about DR Martens that are made in England. Their price much higher. But you are holding the made in China one. They don’t even have a real stitch.
being poor is expensive, still you should save to spend more on the things you typically wouldn't/couldn't, shopping for fresh food rather than fast etc.., either way good luck man, get those solovairs, dont settle fore mediocrity, its not predestined you can shape what you are
yeah this video originally had that as one of the problems with dr matens but i decided to cut it out because like, most germans today have ancestors who were forced to conscript and it didn't feel very fair
Thursday has some boots that are combat boot ish looking Go look up Thursdays hero boot in shiny black Why isn't that jn this video Gross no not that stupid stomper boot from Thursday omg... zippers gross
Watch the video, knowitall. He mentions the hero when talking about the Thursdays (and they obviously weren't available/released at the time of filming).
I wonder if anyone saw you with boots on ur hands walking down the street like that ?
6:04 looks like my sleep paralysis demon
Hahahah that’s what I said when I was filming it! I think I referenced either the exorcist stair walker or that faceless nightmare guy on Louie
wtf, in Europe, 1460 made in China drMartens cost 200eur ....thats cca 225 usd
Have 3 pair of Solovair, way way superior.
The best alternatives are actually vintage german army boots (readily availible for unter 100 Euros) and Austrian Bundesheer Feldstiefel leicht (arround 100-150 Euros).
Much better construction and leather (german: 2,8-3mm leather, norwegian stitch, leather insole) then these alternatives or at least much cheaper if you live in Europe.
is the norwegian stitch better than the goodyear welt? Also i just got the austrian fieldboot brand new and i was wondering. Do you need to condition the leather insole?
The leather you mentioned as crappy isn’t the only leather in DM’s catalogue tho. True, the ones mentioned that are prone to cracking are from their 1460 smooth line, because they are very corrected forms of leather. But they also have crazy horse, greasy and waxed full grain leathers that are very sturdy, supple, does not crack and definitely would stand the test of time, with the minimum amount of care. Still not heavy duty work boots, but for $170(and sometimes lower when on sale), and used as an everyday casual boot, and in rotation with other boots and shoes like most people, I’d say you’re getting your money’s worth.
i have the nappa 1460 and it doesnt have that plastic finish. Maybe its a better option than the smooth leather ones.
I ride a motorcycle. The Dr. Martens Air Sole feels the best when I come to a stop and have to plant my feet on the pavement. The cheap leather seems to hold up well to kicking the shift lever with my left foot. And the spayed on coating of the corrected grain leather seems to be okay when exposed to the elements at freeway speeds on a motorcycle.
Yes, sure, I would like it if the shoes had better leather. And yes, sure, the suggested retail price is high compared to what you are getting. But if that is holding you back, you don't buy it. For me, I am buying them for the Air Sole. No other boot sole feels the same. I own better boots. Dr. Martens aren't going to be the one boot I own, for doing everything. They serve a purpose on my motorcycle.
Exactly. They are what they are and they aren’t what they aren’t
@@whatarefriends4 Dr. Martens were never built to be a product to last you a lifetime. They're not, in any way, a heritage boot or work boot. Nowhere does Dr. Martens advertise that you will own a quality shoe that is recraftable. They were sold as gardening shoes for old ladies. Then letter carriers and foot beat patrolmen wore them. Dr. Martens were made as a comfortable shoe with a soft, squishy sole. You wear them out, then buy another pair.
Hey @Stridewise, great video! Very informative, as always, and I can tell you always put a lot of effort into your videos! BTW, did you see the new Thursday's Challenger boots? They look quite great, though too tough for my day to day life as a programmer haha, would love your opinion on them
PNW knockoff, it dosnt even have a single nail in it
I defintely want to see a review on the Challenger
@@Mujoman101PNW knockoff? Well, they are a lot less expensive than those PNW boots, but still great quality. You sound bitter
Shoutout to Sanders from the UK. Bought their Kelso boot while on a visit to London. Probably better build than the ones mentioned in this video, similar look to the 1460 albeit more refined. The black has been on sale for around £200 or so for some time.
that's so funny i had never heard of Sander's until yesterday and now here you are in the comments telling me about them. I might be visiting their factory next month, I'll tell them you sent me Edgar
Why would you buy a $220 doc Martin when you can get Thursday captain for $199 and it’s way better.
Both are craps
Even as a Brit, I’d opt for the Thursdays every time. Easily resoled anywhere and longer lasting is an easy choice.
I see that you’re edging closer to 100k subscribers. Anything planned for such a milestone?
I'm getting there so damn slowly I wouldn't know when to schedule it but I guess I could do a Q&A? How do people do that I just do a 'tell me your questions' post in the YT community tab and on instagram and read them out, right
Only one reason to wear Dr. Martens. The AirSole. Every step feels good.
I’m glad I made sure to call out that it is indeed a very nice soft cushy experience
it's hard to find one I want to put more than $200 into.
Thanks for the Thursday recommendation. Where does Redwings Blacksmith fit? I haven't paid $300 for boots (one time, rough job)
Dr. Marten's are usually half price $70-$100 online.
There's limited prints and 40 some colors. Insane hardware...MIGHT NOT BE HALF PRICE, you gotta get them if you love them, they disappear in days sometimes.
Nappy suede, butter soft suede, crazy horse ❤oil tanned, analine vegetable tanned leather, I don't recommend black patent w/ 20 colors...leather is cheaply made on lots of the Earth 🌍
There's BEN (bouncy grip), Original (everyday), Pascal (soft), BEX (durable harder), platforms, giant platforms, &Wintergrip soles.
The half size....just walk on the heel for a week or 2. It stretched perfectly for half size. Boot stretchers, lots of people swear buy them.
I COMPARE DOCS TO CONVERSE....UNISEX FOOTWEAR....both are famous for being comfortable, cheap, & colorful.
Hi-tops for ankle support low-tops for less laces.
It's so awful without a shank or rigidity. I donated them to the thrift immediately.
The best Doc Marten alternative is the Doc Marten itself. It's always the look and the name for that silhoutte. You'll never catch me wearing a Doc Marten though lol, but yeah. Why spend a higher price tag to a not Doc Marten boot that looks like a Doc Marten?😂😂😂
I’d buy Thursday boots but the shipping to my country costs 104$ , so that’s not happening 😀
The sole can't be beat. If they would only build a better boot on top of it. Maybe this is a chance for a collaboration. Or someone else can build a good boot using the Dr. Martens sole
Wish you could've mentioned something like MIE Grinders or other alternatives with steel toes, boots like these ought to have em
Should check out the Jim Green AR8. More work boot focused, but quite chunky.
Ha I put them in the article in the description!
Just a tip for those that wear half sizes and they can't find it in some shoes/boots:
Use insoles!
excellent tip, it's surprising how well that works
Redwing 8084 black harness leather.
I think the blacksmith would be what you'd want, which is why I mentioned it in the video!
would it be possible to resole Docs but use leather for the welts instead?
Yes if the upper is a good quality like Horween but no yellow stitches if you don’t like flashy colors.
I’m going to wear Doc Martens to the mall this weekend and show everybody…oh wait, I’m 50 years old 😄
The toe on the Thursdays is too low and streamlined
Thursdays' design is meant to be sleek. If you want something chunkier then go get something like the Red Wing Blacksmith or Iron Rangers with their bump toe last.
Yeah the Hero boot came out in black right as I was editing this and that has a rounder toe
Otra opción son STEEL-BOOTS desde Eslovaquia, tengo entendido que están fabricadas en Polonia y son muy muy muy buenas y tienen excelente calidad, son similares a las gripfast de solovair.
There is no alternative for Dr. Marten. However, I view them as a $100 boot and too easy to obtain them at that with patience. In early 2023 I wanted to replace my 1460 Aztec Crazy Horse from 2003 and easily found a used in vg condition on Amazon for $97. They arrived in nib condition. No, not the same as those mie pair from 2003 but feel they were a good value for an iconic boot.
Have worn Docs since the late 80's. Kids in Toronto used to roll each other for them - you got caught walking through a mall outside of your neigbourhood by yourself and you'd likely get jumped for your docs. I saved up the earnings from my grade 8 summer job for a pair of cherry 10 holes - my dream boot going into grade 9. Bought a pair a few years ago and just could not work them in - they hurt like hell every time I wore them. Took the plunge after 30+ years and bought Solovair 11 hole in red - put them on right out of the box and wore them around the house all day, they were like butter, so quality I almost shed a f*cking tear. Docs went in the bin. I haven't taken these Solovairs off since! #bunchofuckingoofs #untouchables
After my last pair of M.I.E. Doc's, I will never, never, never buy another pair of boots made in England again. Never.
I bought a pair of White's black moc toes and took a page from Wyatt and Dad and blacked out the stitching on the boot black and tried to use yellow dye on the sole stitching but it didn't take...wanted to make my own "Moc Dartens". When these need a resole I'll try to find a cobbler that can do them with yellow stitching.
Wanted to go with either Solovair (for a true Doc Marten replacement) or Goral (I do like that side bumper and CMX leather but no half sizes) but not working right now so the boot quest is on standby. Besides I already have Stompers in side zip (makes doffing/donning much easier) but will check out the Hero.
I had 1460s in the 80s and binned them because they ripped my feet up like mad. The ankles are also miniscule.
I have my recrafted Thursday captains I got done by Wyatt and Dad .. I’m looking to try some of Thursdays new models
I love Dr. Martin boots have severl pair in different colors. I have some for work some for church some for casual. Also have Red Wings Tony Lamas and Justin boots.
Unmarked has a similar boot don’t know the quality though
I bought 3 pairs of boots over the past year and the Solovair soles have held up the best of any of the boots I've purchased. I went for the gaucho crazy horse browns are really love them. I have a pair of Thursday loggers in waxed cacao and the leather is much thicker but they were a genuinely tough break-in. Overall both of the boots are stellar but I have already had to resole the heels and the wear on the front part of the Thursday storm soles is very noticeable. I live in CC Philadelphia and mostly walk on concrete and asphalt and was surprised how quickly the Thursday boots soles wore down.
I walk probably 6-8 miles daily and cycle my boots to keep the wear minimized but the Solovair soles just last. I bought a pair of gripfast (also solovair) for a more punk look but they are less water resistant than my Derby style boots. once these soles wear out I will probably just have the boots re-welted because of how much I like the uppers. I think I accidentally became a bit of a Solovair superfan but I think it's really neat how they were a workey Co-Op and have carried on making really nice punk footwear despite losing the Dr. Martens license
I just found a pair a Red Wing Sawmill for $120!!
Still smells new, and in the beautiful Mohave rough out leather. I'm so chuffed.
Can you do a video about the best socks and your sock collection? What are the best brands to buy socks. Nordic socks. Work socks. Plain socks. Cotton socks. Wool socks. No show socks. All about socks. I find socks frustrating. I hate all my socks. And I don't know where to buy them.
Do the others offer models with slip resistant soles like mine? Can you put a price on not busting your ass at work?
I switched to Solovair years ago. I love them. The older ones have yellow and black stitching with blue labels. I’m lucky I still have some vintage Dr Martens. 15 years ago, I had to buy a pair of made in China Docs. They are really good. Go figure.
I love my crazy horse 1460 doc martens! But i think about getting a redwing some day
thursday is really opening the eyes of "the boot comunity" by showing them the country down below the usa
I have some Goral Stanleys. I'm definitely excited to hear that they are planning for a resoling service here in the U.S.
I have original 90s martens and still have them
Thursday is just too pointy for me
If people don’t like Thursdays existing, then they are free to make a better boot at the same price through multiple economic crashes in Birth America with the same reputable customer service. If people from casuals to serious heritage footwear people will keep buying them and speaking so well of them, then they’re clearly doing far more right than wrong.
Companies like Thursdays, like them or not, are good for the overall boot world. More choices and better prices👍
Guarantee the Thursday is not as comfortable. You pay an extra $50 and not have the sole
yep not the same bounciness as the Docs' sole, but the poron makes it more responsive than most goodyear welted boots so it's the balance
you are talking about DR Martens that are made in England. Their price much higher.
But you are holding the made in China one. They don’t even have a real stitch.
I mention the made in England ones as a popular alternative but I’m clear that’s not what I’m holding
You could have mentioned the Jim Green AR8 in black or brown; those are about $200 US.
I did in the article as an 8-inch alternative! stridewise.com/doc-marten-alternatives/
Thank you for saying $50 is a lot of money for some. I get upset when people say just spend more.
being poor is expensive, still you should save to spend more on the things you typically wouldn't/couldn't, shopping for fresh food rather than fast etc.., either way good luck man, get those solovairs, dont settle fore mediocrity, its not predestined you can shape what you are
Does Thursday make steel toe boots?
Doc Martens used to but don't anymore
I still have several pairs of Made in England boots with steel toe.
They don't make them like that anymore.
Nice video. Any alternatives to the cherry rub off boots from DM?
If it is the color red wing beckman in cherry, thursday vanguard in #8
Is it true about the Dr martens boots & Germany
yeah this video originally had that as one of the problems with dr matens but i decided to cut it out because like, most germans today have ancestors who were forced to conscript and it didn't feel very fair
Does the Shaman come in wide sizes
yes
Great video but the sound seems fast!
hey if I talked more slowly my videos would be 30 minutes long, gottagettheinfooutfast
I see the goral boot in the thumbnail...not comparable. Booooooooo! Bad vid!
what? did you watch it
@@Stridewiselol, no. I will.
Thursday has some boots that are combat boot ish looking
Go look up Thursdays hero boot in shiny black
Why isn't that jn this video
Gross no not that stupid stomper boot from Thursday omg... zippers gross
the Hero is discussed in this video at 12:29, and the Stomper comes without a zipper, why do people comment without watching
Sorry to say but stomper is not the alternative Thursday just released Hero model with black patent looking leather which is the actual alternative!
Meaning on Sep19 it was released
Watch the video, knowitall. He mentions the hero when talking about the Thursdays (and they obviously weren't available/released at the time of filming).
@@dsant2811 i made comment before he mentioned that part:)