Finding Boots Better Than Doc Martens - Best Alternatives To Docs

Last Updated on October 31, 2023 by Martina McKeough

Finding boots better than Doc Martens isn’t difficult provided you are not a purist who wants to wear shoes and boots with “designer branding”.

Expensive brands don’t always equal better in my view and as I have got older I tend to buy my footwear based on comfort not just because of the name on the shoe or boot.

There are loads of Doc Martens alternatives around and here are some of my favorites that hopefully your wallet and my feet will thank me for.

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Dr Martens Trademarks

Just a quick point before I dive into my list. Dr Martens owns a number of trademarks for its footwear that cannot be replicated elsewhere. The yellow stitching for example is virtually unique to the brand as are features like their Airwair soles.

If these features are something that are must-haves for you then continue to buy the main brand. If however like many people it doesn’t bother you these Doc Martens alternatives will hopefully work just as well.

Blundstone BL062

If you haven’t heard of Blundstone Boots they are an Australian footwear brand that is well known for their casual rugged boots. The Blundstone BL062 is a great classic leather boot that has elasticated sides so that you can slip it on and off.

These are what I would call classic boots as they are something that goes with just about any outfit and are great in all weather. You can wear them with jeans in a super casual setting or dress up and they still wouldn’t look out of place.

These have a cushioned midsole and a SPS Max Comfort System to help with shock absorption. They are lightweight and comfortable. Their only downside is that they don’t have arch support.

It’s worth noting that they also have the pull tab on the back of the boots which is very similar to the Doc Martens designs.

Solovair Oxblood Derby Boots

If you are looking at Doc Martens alternatives then you have to consider Solovair Derby Boots. These are iconic boots that are made in the original 1960’s Doc Martens UK Factory using the same machinery and process that the Docs brand used to use.

Solovair boots are literally the closest thing you can get to Doc Martens but with a twist. Purists love these boots because they feel that the materials and boot construction is superior to what you now get in modern-day Docs.

If you weren’t aware lots of Doc Martens Boots are no longer made in the UK and plenty of customers have complained that the original brand is no longer making quality boots.

These Doc Martens dupes are believed to be made from better quality materials and the craftmanship is superior.

A few other things to note. Solovair boots have a comfortable footbed and thicker soles than Docs giving them more cushioning which is great if you are after comfort.

On the downside, they are more expensive than Doc Martens but plenty of people are happy to pay a premium for these because they seem them a a better product.

Hawkwell Women’s Combat Boots

If you are looking for Boots that are better than Doc Martens are on a budget then these Hawkwell women’s combat boots are a great alternative and really affordable.

Now of course you do get what you pay for. Whilst Doc Martens are made from full-grain leather these boots are only made from synthetic materials. However, they are 100% Vegan which is great if you are concerned about animal welfare.

When you look at these fake Doc Martens alternatives you can see they have the laces up the front which is a similar aesthetic to the originals however they actually have a side zipper as well.

I’m actually a fan of a side zipper because it makes these combat boots easier to put on and take off. They are also cushioned inside so they should be comfortable for most people as well.

Just note that synthetic materials can give you sweaty feet so consider that when you are choosing what boots to buy.

Vostey Men’s Motorcycle Combat Boots

You can buy new boots that closely resembles the Doc Martens brand or alternatively buy footwear that makes a nod to the original design but has additional features that make they unique. These Vostey Men’s Motorcycle Combat Boots are not identical to Docs but they do have a similar casual style.

The two-tone color sole and back buckle makes these stand out from typical docs which is either going to make you love them or hate them. I personally like the design but if you are a Docs fan these are not dupes by any means.

Once again these have a lace-up design at the front but also an inside zip as well to make them easy to put on. I am a fan of the padded collar which means they are less likely to rub when you wear them.

These are at a great price especially as they are made from real leather.

ICHIGO Women’s Fashion Ankle Booties

If you are looking for boots that are better than Doc Martens when it comes to price then these Ichigo 8 eyelets ankle boots are one of the cheapest alternatives that we have found.

These don’t have the yellow stitching which is trademarked but they do have white instead which makes these Dr Martens look similar enough to the real things.

The soles of these are also really chunky and made from rubber so they are great if you need footwear that has good traction to stop you from slipping. They also have a zip which of course the real Dr Martens don’t.

The downside of these boots is of course the faux leather uppers which means they are unlikely to have the quality or durability of the real things.

Vepose Women’s 9622/23 Fashion Classic Lace Up Combat Boots

These Vespose laced combat boots are another example of some faux leather boots that have great reviews even though they are a fraction of the price of Dr Martens.

The look isn’t exactly the same as the original Docs but that doesn’t matter because people seem to be loving them for their comfort. I’m firmly of the belief that life is too short to wear uncomfortable boots that take months to break in.

Its also worth noting that these come in a few different colors including white which makes them stand out from many of the other styles.

Timberland Men’s 6 inch Premium Waterproof Boot

Everyone is probably familiar with Timberland boots in the wheat nubuck color but what about buying a pair in black instead to mimic Doc Martens?

These boots generally have better reviews than Doc Martens mainly because they are more comfortable. Dr Martens are notorious for being difficult to break in and a little harsh on your feet whilst these have a more comfortable footbed and a padded collar making them easier to wear.

The other handy thing about these boots is that they are waterproof which means your feet stay dry when you are wearing them in bad weather. Doc Martens are only water-resistant.

You’ll pay a similar price for these boots but you are buying a great quality item and long-lasting shoes which are going to be great, especially in winter.

Steve Madden Women’s Kiley Ankle Boot

Finally, many of you may be familiar with the Steve Madden brand’s footwear range. Even though they are a familiar known name these boots that I have chosen are still not in the price range of Doc Martens.

These boots are a little bit of a departure from the Dr Martens style that has the lacing as these are slip-on boots with a chunky sole and a stretch fabric on the sides.

These are great on-trend boots that can be dressed up or down and make a great alternative to regular Docs.

What To Look For When Buying Doc Martens Alternatives

If you are looking to buy Doc Martens alternatives then there are a number of key features that you can search for to make your dupes look more authentic.

Key features include:

A Chunky Sole

Doc Martens soles are relatively chunky and if you buy one of the platform styles the boots are even more distinctive. Look for dupes that mimic the chunky sole so your copycats look more authentic.

Lacing

Typical Doc Martens are laced boots with metal eyelets. They don’t tend to feature zips or embelishments other than on the leather design itself. Most boots will have 8 eyelets on each side so look for the same when you are trying to buy something similar.

Pull Tab

Dr Martens has the pull tab at the back of the boot. Not many dupes mimic this so if you can find something similar its a bonus.

Full Grain Leather

Dr Martens’s boots are generally made from full-grain leather unless you are buying their Vegan range. Dupes especially cheaper ones are much more likely to be made of synthetic materials. If you can buy real leather for a great price then do it as they are likely to be higher quality footwear.

Why People Want To Buy Dr Martens Dupes

Why do people search for boots better than Doc Martens? Some of the answers are obvious and others less so. Here are the reasons why people look for Doc Martens alternatives.

Price Matters For Boots Like Doc Martens

There is no getting around the fact that Dr Martens’s boots are not cheap. Not everyone has the money to spend on premium products so it makes sense to look for cool boots that look like the brand without spending the extra cash.

As with most products nowadays there are plenty of people who are making fashion-forward alternatives at a better price so that it is accessible to everyone.

When it comes to Doc Martens you can spend more on lookalikes as I’ve shown with the Solovair boots but you can also get a great deal on some bargain footwear that doesn’t break the bank.

Comfort Is a Significant Reason Why People Buy Alternatives to Dr Martens

One of the things that has always amazed me about Dr Martens is how they can be so popular when so many people complain about how uncomfortable they are especially when they are brand new.

Docs are notorious for taking a long time to break in as well as their lack of great cushioning and arch support. Why bother going through the torture of breaking in your new shoes when you can buy a pair out of the box that will be ready to wear straight away?

Some of my most popular articles on this blog are about solving problems with pain from Dr Martens so it is really easy to see why price and comfort are the two main drivers for people looking for alternative styles.

Choosing Other Boots Helps To Widen Your Style Choices

If you are looking for boots better than Doc Martens it might not be just price and comfort that attracts you to something different but the colors and style as well.

Doc Martens often just come in a few basic colors such as black or oxblood whereas other shoe manufacturers are happy to create shoes in every color imaginable.

When you are faced with such a great choice of footwear alternatives and you aren’t label-conscious it becomes easier to buy something a little different.

Docs are Heavy and Bulky

There is no getting around the fact that Dr Martens are incredibly heavy in comparison to many boots plus they are bulky. Obviously, plenty of people love this look but others want something a little different.

Lighter-weight boots are going to be significantly easier to wear and less likely to cause foot fatigue. Plus more toned-down styles that lose some of that chunky look can be worn in more places and situations.

Doc Martens Alternatives and The Weather

Where you live and the weather at that location matters when it comes to choosing boots.

Looking for boots better than Doc Martens when it comes to waterproofing or insulation might be important where you live if you have lots of cold weather, snow, and rain.

Dr Martens are water resistant but not waterproof. This is fine in places like the UK which experiences mild winters but absolutely not great if you live in Canada or one of the colder states in the US.

Quality Matters When Looking For the Best Boots Like Doc Martens

Finally whilst Docs are still hugely popular their reputation in some quarters has taken a bit of a battering because they moved most of the manufacturing out of the UK in favor of Asia. Due to this lots of their regular customers have complained that the quality and craftsmanship isn’t what it used to be.

This is where brands like Solovair have found a niche as they are perceived as premium brand that uses traditional methods and great-quality leather. Plenty of people are now prepared to pay high prices to get these boots because of their reputation.

So if you are looking to find boots better than Doc Martens think about the factors that are the most important to you and choose your footwear to match your pricing point, quality concerns, or the level of comfort you need.

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