Last Updated on January 12, 2026 by Martina McKeough
Doc Martens are iconic and are known for their durability, style and comfort but they can have problems and one of them is noise! If you are asking yourself why do my Doc Martens squeak when I walk then hopefully I have the answers for you and solutions to prevent the annoying problem.
I’m going to guide you through some of the most common reasons why Doc Martens squeak and give you some practical solutions to solve the squeaking sound. This should hopefully help make your footwear quieter and stop everyone staring at you as you walk by.
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Is It Normal For Doc Martens To Squeak?
Interestingly Doc Martens discussed this very topic on Twitter/X when a person asked whether it was normal for their Docs to be squeaking. The footwear brand answered that as far as they were concerned some squeaking noise would be normal for a few weeks when the shoes were new but as they were worn this should stop.
So in other words you might experience the problem during the early break in process but after that they shouldn’t continue to do it.
The fact is that new Doc Martens do have a break-in period and during that time the leather starts to soften and mold to your feet as you wear them.
This means to prevent squeaking you need to wear your Doc Martens for short periods initially and then gradually increase the duration to allow them to be comfortable. Use can use Docs Wonder Balsam or shoe stretchers to help this process along.
Interestingly Doc Martens believe that if their shoes are still making a noise a couple of weeks after buying them and breaking them in you should contact them.
I want to add that from experience Docs can take longer than a couple of weeks to break in because the leather is quite stiff so I would probably give it at least a month before complaining unless that impacts your warranty.
How To Stop Doc Martens From Squeaking
If you have broken in your Docs and still have a problem with a squeaking sound there are some other common reasons why you might be hearing squeaking from your shoes or boots. Here are some of the main reasons why you may have an issue:
Your Doc Martens Are The Wrong Size
Getting Doc Martens in the wrong size or fit is obviously going to cause a problem and it doesn’t help that the brand doesn’t do half sizes.
When you wear shoes that are too tight or too loose it can cause rubbing and friction between the foot and shoe resulting in squeaky Doc Martens.
So it makes sense to try on a range of different styles and sizes when you are shopping for new footwear to get the right fit. You can also read my article on how to tell if Doc Martens are too big to see if yours are the correct size.
I tend to use insoles or orthotics in almost all of my shoes partly for comfort and partly to make sure my shoes fit correctly.
As well as ordinary insoles you can buy heel grips, heel cups, half insoles and a whole lot more to get the perfect size.
Moisture Can Cause Noise
Moisture can sometimes get trapped inside your Doc Martens boots and shoes and cause the annoying squeaking whilst you are walking.
That moisture can come from a couple of different sources. If your feet sweat a lot then that can cause an issue. Wearing moisture wicking socks and using products like Carpe Foot Anti-Perspirant Lotion can help to keep your feet dry.
Alternatively the excessive moisture can be because of the weather. If it is raining or snowing outside and you walk around in it the dampness can impact the shoe and cause friction between different components causing the annoying squeaks.
The best solution is to use a waterproofing spray which can help to protect your footwear against moisture. It also makes sense to fully dry out your shoes between each wear to stop moisture becoming trapped.
Environmental conditions like high humidity and extreme temperatures can affect the materials of your shoe and contribute to squeaking. So where you can store your Doc Martens in a place where they are away from direct sunlight, heat sources or where damp or moisture may be around.
Loose Components in Your Doc Martens
If you are asking yourself why do my Doc Martens squeak when I walk and you have owned them for a long time then you need to inspect your shoes for problems.
Issues like loose stitching on the seams or insoles can cause the squeaking noises as the internal components start to rub against each other. Creasing can also cause a problem. When you reduce friction from the parts rubbing the sounds should stop.
You can learn how to stop Doc Martens from creasing by reading my article on how to stop the problem.
If it is loose seams or stitching and your shoes are out of warranty a professional cobbler will probably be able to help with repairs.
You Bought Patent Leather Docs
I know that not everyone is a fan of patent leather but I actually quite like it but it does have a tendency to product more squeaking sounds than ordinary leather.
This is because by its very nature patent leather is glossy and smooth and can cause more friction when it rubs against other materials.
Patent leather is also impact by moisture levels, shoe fit, crinkles and wrinkles causing more squeaking sounds. So if you do decide to buy Patent Doc Martens make sure you take the time to get the right size and manage moisture in order to stop any noises.
Inadequate Lubrication
Sometimes there can be not enough lubrication between different components in your Docs which cause a problem. For example the insole and the leather upper can experience friction and start to squeak.
Applying a small amount of lubrication like a silicone spray or even baby powder to the problem area can help reduce these areas of friction. If you want to try petroleum jelly as well that can work.
Just a word of warning make sure that you test the lubricant fist in an inconspicuous area first in case it stains or damages the leather.
Dirt and Debris
If you don’t regularly clean your Doc Martens then that could also be the reason why you are hearing squeaking with every step.
Dust, dirt and small particles can lodge in crevices and parts of your boots and shoes and make sounds as you move around.
This one has a relatively easy solution as all you need to do is brush off an excess dirt you can see with a soft brush and then use a damp cloth to wipe away any dirt or grime.
I will sometimes use a soft toothbrush on mind dipped in water to clean any seams or crevices where dirt can accumulate.
Incorrect Maintenance
When you ask yourself why do my Doc Martens squeak when I walk look at your shoe maintenance. All shoes and boots need to be looked after properly to improve their longevity and to prevent problems. If you don’t do this you are increasingly the likelihood of problems.
So if you don’t clean or condition the leather in your Doc Martens you may find over time that this causes stiffness as the leather starts to dry out and that causes squeaking.
If this has happened to you then clean your shoes thoroughly and then apply a leather conditioner to your footwear to try and soften up the leather. Leather conditioners can help to add the lost moisture back into your shoes and boots.
Also remember that exposing your Doc Martens to harsh chemicals or extreme temperatures can also damage the materials.
Your Doc Martens Squeak On Tile Floors
Do you ever remember as a child wearing plimsolls on a gym floor and finding out they made a really annoying squeaky sound?
Well the same things can happen with Doc Martens shoes on certain surfaces like tile or hard floors.
This is because the hard and smooth surface tends to amplify any friction between the shoe’s sole and the floor which makes even minor movements more audible.
Secondly the sole of Doc Martens is usually made from durable rubber or PVC and can have a grippy texture that sticks to the floor a little when you walk making the squeaking noise.
There isn’t much you can do about this noise but luckily the noise should only exist when you are on that particular surface and will stop when you move onto carpets, rugs or even sidewalks outside.
Your Shoes Are Worn Out
After a while Doc Martens leather boots will invariably start to wear out. Perhaps the soles will start to wear unevenly, or your foot will change the shape of the leather footwear.
As this happens the walk you walk alters or the materials themselves start to rub, crease or wrinkle. All shoes have a shelf life and sometimes you may need to replace them if they have deteriorated too much.
If they are still in a reasonably ok condition I’d always go to see a professional cobbler first as they can help to restore traction and stop squeaking by making adjustments to your footwear.
Manufacturing Defects and Fakes
Docs bought from official retail outlets shouldn’t have any problems but there are always people who create dupes or fakes.
Remember that if you are buying a pair of Dr Martens at substantially under the normal retail price you need to be suspicious. Fakes use lower quality materials and that means you are much more likely to hear noise from your shoes or get defects.
Of course just because Docs make boots and shoes doesn’t mean to say that the odd one doesn’t leave their factory without a manufacturing defect. This isn’t deliberate but it is bound to happen if you make thousands of pairs of shoes and boots each month.
If you suspect that your problem is caused by a defect you need to contact the manufacturer to get assistance and check your warranty coverage.
Squeaky Doc Martens Have More Than One Cause
So next time you ask why do my Doc Martens squeak when I walk start to play detective and look down my checklist.
By understanding the reasons why they might make noise you can implement the most appropriate solution and enjoy a quieter and more comfortable experience whilst you are walking.
Whether it’s breaking in new shoes, addressing moisture issues, or maintaining them properly, taking proactive steps to prevent squeaking will help prolong the life of your Doc Martens and help you stop the irritating noises.
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