Introduced in 1945, the Martin boots, with their patented air-cushioned sole created by founder Dr. Klaus Maertens to aid in healing his broken foot, remain innovative for urban individuals. Almost 75 years later, Klaus' invention has evolved into a bold yet simple collection of footwear that transcends cultures, becoming a popular symbol of attitude and fashion worldwide.
In iconic footwear, few brands have made as lasting an impression as Martin boots. Renowned for their distinctive style and unmatched durability, Doc Martens boots have been a fashion staple for decades—from postmen and police officers to punk rockers.
So, whether you’re a die-hard fan searching for a new pair or just dipping your toes into the Doc Martens universe, read on. In this article, we discuss the top 5 Martens boots you need to know about this year. Lace up your boots and let’s get started.
1. Vintage Leather Boots
Color:Khaki
Upper Material: The upper part of the shoes is made of microfiber leather, which is a synthetic material known for its durability, flexibility, and ability to mimic the look and feel of genuine leather.
Outsole Material: The outsole of the shoes is made of TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) sole. TPU is a versatile material that offers a combination of durability, flexibility, and excellent grip, making it suitable for various types of footwear.
Insole Material: The insole of the shoes is made of PU (Polyurethane) leather. PU leather is a synthetic material that is commonly used in footwear for its comfort and ability to provide cushioning and support to the feet.
Toe Shape: The shoes have a round head-toe shape, which provides ample room for the toes and is generally comfortable for extended wear.
Closure Type: These shoes have a slip-on closure, which means they do not have laces or straps and can be easily put on and taken off.
Pattern Type: The shoes feature a solid color design, which means they are one consistent color throughout without any patterns or prints.
Weight: The weight of the shoes falls in the range of 790-920 grams, which is a moderate weight for a pair of shoes and can vary depending on the shoe size.
Additional Features:
- Breathable: The shoes are designed to allow airflow, which helps in keeping the feet cool and comfortable, reducing sweat and odor.
- Wear-resistant: The materials used in these shoes are resistant to wear and tear, making them suitable for daily use and extended durability.
- Lightweight: The shoes are designed to be lightweight, which can reduce fatigue during extended wear and make them easy to move around in.
- Anti-slip: The TPU outsole provides excellent grip, helping to prevent slips and falls on various surfaces.
2. RAMBLER BROWN DRIFTERS
Color:Brown
Upper Material:Upper Material: The upper part of the shoes is made of cowhide leather, which is genuine leather sourced from cowhide. Cowhide leather is known for its durability, natural texture, and ability to age beautifully over time
Outsole Material: The shoes' outsole is made of a rubber sole. Rubber soles provide excellent grip, shock absorption, and durability, making them suitable for various terrain and weather conditions.
Insole Material: The insole of the shoes is made of fabrics, which can provide comfort and cushioning to the feet. Fabrics are often used for their breathability and moisture-wicking properties.
Toe Shape: The shoes have a round head-toe shape, offering ample toe space and a comfortable fit.
Closure Type: These shoes feature a slip-on closure, which means they do not have laces or straps and can be easily slipped on and off.
Pattern Type: The shoes have a solid color design, meaning they are consistent colors without any patterns or prints.
Additional Features:
- Breathable: The shoes are designed to allow airflow, which helps keep the feet cool and comfortable, reducing sweat and odor.
- Wear-resistant: The use of cowhide leather and a rubber sole makes these shoes highly wear-resistant, capable of withstanding daily use and various conditions.
- Lightweight: The shoes are designed to be light, making them comfortable for extended wear and easy to move around in.
- Anti-slip: The rubber sole provides excellent traction and anti-slip properties, helping to prevent slips and falls on different surfaces.
3. Footslog Prime
Materials: Genuine Leather
Extraordinary Special FABRIC: Lightweight material discounts the significance of the shoe. Offers a perfectly broken-in look, making it ideal for everyday wear.
Special Consideration: Extraordinary wrap that fits the foot. The upper has extraordinary grinding,
Sensitive & Adaptable: Normal adaptable wrap, mind-blowing adaptability, flexibility, and impact impediment, enough to protect the toes from injury.
Durability: Crafted with durable materials and robust stitching these boots are designed to perform even in the roughest weather conditions and demanding outdoors.
Comfort: Our boots provide all-weather versatility, wear it in the rain or on snowy streets you don’t have to worry about slick rocks, muddy roads, or hiking terrain.
Breathable: The breathable fabric and the soft cushioned textile interiors make your feet don’t ache. Wear these boots all day long without making your feet sore and tired.
Slip Resistant: Take confident steps even on slippery tracks, The soles ensure you are always in control of your walk. Perfect for wearing during wet weather.
Closure Type: Lace-Up
4. BLACK FLAMINGO
Color:Black
Upper Material: The upper part of the shoes is made of genuine cowhide leather. Cowhide leather is known for its durability, natural texture, and ability to develop a rich patina over time with proper care.
Outsole Material: The outsole of the shoes is made of rubber. Rubber outsoles provide excellent traction, durability, and resistance to wear and tear, making them suitable for various surfaces and conditions.
Insole Material: The insole of the shoes is made of PU (Polyurethane) leather. PU leather is a synthetic material commonly used in footwear for its ability to provide cushioning and support to the feet.
Toe Shape: These shoes have a round head-toe shape, offering ample space for the toes and a comfortable fit.
Closure Type: The shoes feature a slip-on closure, which means they do not have laces or straps and can be easily slipped on and off.
Pattern Type: The shoes have a solid color design, meaning they are one consistent black color without any patterns or prints.
Additional Features:- Breathable: The shoes are designed to allow airflow, helping to keep the feet cool and comfortable, reducing moisture and odor.
- Wear-resistant: The use of genuine cowhide leather and a rubber outsole makes these shoes highly wear-resistant, suitable for daily wear, and long-lasting durability.
- Lightweight: The shoes are designed to be lightweight, which can reduce fatigue during extended wear and make them easy to walk in.
- Anti-slip: The rubber outsole provides excellent grip and anti-slip properties, helping to prevent slips and falls on different surfaces.
5. British Low Top Martin Boots (Cowhide Leather)
Color: Yellow, Black
Upper Material: The upper part of the shoes is made from cowhide leather. Cowhide leather is known for its durability and natural texture.
Outsole Material: The outsole of the shoes is made from rubber, which provides good traction and durability. Rubber outsoles are also known for their slip-resistant properties.
Toe Shape: The toe shape of the shoes is round, which provides a comfortable and spacious fit for your toes.
Closure Type: These shoes have a lace-up closure system, which allows for a secure and customizable fit.
Pattern: The shoes have a solid color and do not feature any specific patterns or designs.
Weight: The weight of the shoes falls within the range of 900 to 1020 grams, making them neither too heavy nor too light, depending on the specific size and design variations
Features:
- Breathable: These shoes are designed to be breathable, allowing air to flow through, helping to keep your feet cool and comfortable.
- Wear-resistant: The materials used in these shoes are wear-resistant, meaning they can withstand regular use and are less likely to show signs of wear and tear.
- Lightweight: These shoes are designed to be lightweight, making them comfortable to wear for extended periods without feeling too heavy.
- Anti-slip: The rubber outsole of the shoes provides anti-slip properties, reducing the risk of slipping on various surfaces.
How Do You Break in Martin Boots?
First of all, you need to ease yourself in – start by walking around on soft indoor surfaces and getting used to feeling. Do this every other day for the best results.
Soften the boots with the Martin boots’ Wonder Balsam. The blend of coconut oil, lanolin, and beeswax will hydrate and ease the leather and soften gently.
Remove the inner sole if you’re finding that you’re feeling pressure on the top of your foot when walking, or if they feel too tight.
If they feel slightly loose, add in a Martin boots insole to add cushioning and ensure your foot is secure and not slipping about.
For the first couple of wears, put on multiple layers of socks or an extra thick pair. This will not only protect your foot against blisters but will encourage the leather to soften and shape your foot.
Persevere! Martin boots mold to your foot so the effort is worth it. Once broken in, they’ll be the comfiest pair on your shoe rack so take it slow but keep going. Getting them fully broken in and comfy can take a couple of weeks but you’ll get there.
Do Martin Boots Run Big, Small, or True-to-size?
Generally, Martin boots fit true to size, so we’d advise getting the size you usually are. However, Martin boots can differ in size depending on the style you are buying. The classic boots can sometimes fit a little big so if you’re in between sizes, consider going down a size or getting an insole. Also, when moving up sizes, be aware that this will mostly affect the length rather than the width.
How Long Do Martin Boots Last?
When properly cared for, Martin boots can last a lifetime as they’re made from the highest quality leather or vegan equivalent, and rigorously tested to ensure their strength. This is the reason why you hear stories of people still stomping around in Docs passed down from their parents, and why investing in a pair is always a good choice.
Are Martin Boots Unisex?
Yes! Martin boots can be considered unisex as they are designed to be versatile and suitable for both men and women. Their classic and timeless style makes them a popular choice for anyone looking for a stylish and sturdy boot option.
How Can You Waterproof Your Martin Boots?
Although Martin boots are not completely waterproof, they are designed to withstand the elements with their durable build and tough soles.
To waterproof your Martin boots, you can use a waterproofing spray or wax specifically designed for leather footwear. Make sure to clean your boots thoroughly before applying the waterproofing product. Follow the instructions on the product for the best results, and reapply as needed to maintain the waterproofing effect. This will help protect your boots from moisture and extend their lifespan.
How Should You Polish Your Martin Boots?
1. Clean the Shoes:
Remove your laces, and begin to clean each section of your shoe using warm water and liquid soap, starting with the sole and working your way to the upper. To clean, use a damp cloth, shoe brush, and toothbrush to access more difficult areas such as around the eyelets.
2. Condition the Leather:
Using a premium leather conditioner such as the Martin boots Wonder Balsam, massage the conditioner into your Martin boots using a cloth or sponge. This will help to prevent the leather from drying up, cracking, and losing its durability, keeping the leather soft and comfortable to wear.
3. Polish:
Use a quality polish matched to the color of your leather (Martin Boots produces its range of polishes which are highly recommended), apply the polish to your shoes using a cloth to rub the polish onto the shoes in a circular motion that will warm the wax and make it easier to apply the polish.
4. Leave to Rest:
Once you have finished polishing your shoes, allow the polish to sit on your shoes for at least 15 minutes.
5. Buff:
Using a shoe brush, gently buff the leather all over to work the polish into the leather and remove any excess polish simultaneously.
6. Shine:
Using a clean nylon cloth and the mirror shine technique, buff the leather to a shine while also removing any dust and excess polish.
Can You Resole Your Martin Boots?
Since most Martin boots are one-piece molded, they would need to be returned to the factory for an entirely new sole to be stitched on. If your shoes require resolving due to sudden unexpected damage, we recommend contacting the brand with information about your shoes to see if they can be repaired.
The Epilogue
At XENNO!, you can explore our diverse collection of Martin boots, ranging from factory worker classics to punk rock icons, and even styles suitable for outdoor adventures. Our selection offers something for everyone, whether you're looking for a rugged boot for the great outdoors or a versatile pair to complement your daily outfits.
Explore our Martin boots collection at XENNO! and find the perfect pair to suit your style and needs. Happy shopping!
