What were Doc Martens originally made for?

Heritage. Dr. Martens' origins date to 1945, when Dr. Klaus Maertens, a 25-year-old soldier and medical doctor at the time, created a unique air-cushioned sole (rather than the traditional hard leather sole) to aid his recovery from a broken foot.

What were Doc Martens made for?

Martens was originally designed as a modest work boot. A German army doctor named Dr. Klaus Maertens found himself with an injury after skiing in 1945. His standard issue army boots were uncomfortable, so he made some design improvements while he was recovering.

What do Doc Martens symbolize?

From school shoes to work wear, street fashion to high fashion, a safe way to express rebellion or a symbol of social revolution, Dr Martens boots have become part of British culture.

Who originally wore Doc Martens?

Initially sold as a £2 work-wear boot, Dr. Martens became popular among postal workers, factory workers, and police officers. But when the skinhead sub-culture arrived in England, Dr. Martens boots became a part of the skinheads working class uniform.

What is special about Doc Martin shoes?

The 1460 — and most other Dr. Martens boots — consists of Dr. Martens' signature air-cushioned rubber sole, a smooth and stiff leather upper, and instantly recognizable yellow stitching in most of its pairs. Its most defining characteristic is its eight-eye design, making the boot tall enough to hit low on the calf.

Why Doc Martens Are So Expensive | So Expensive

Why do Doc Martens have yellow stitching?

One of the most striking features of the shoes is the yellow stitching. In order to defend themselves against copycats, Airwair, the company behind Dr. Martens, registered a special trademark: a so-called position mark. A position mark protects the specific way in which the trademark is applied to the product.

Why are Doc Martens so uncomfortable?

If the boot feels uncomfortable when you try it on, especially in the width, then it is too small. Docs will soften and stretch as you wear them in - You can check out our size guide for more information. Our Dr. Marten's Wonder Balsam is a must-have shoe care product if you own a pair of Docs.

Why do punks wear Doc Martens?

Martens were initially popular with England's working class, they started to get picked up by Britain's skinheads. Dr. Martens suddenly became the favorite fashion of choice for followers of the underground punk music scene. Thanks to the British bands that were popular in the 60s, Dr.

Are docs emo?

Whilst subcultures such as emo, punk, grunge and nu-metal aren't still as prevalent in mainstream culture Doc Martens definitely still are. Whatever style, music or culture you're into, there's no denying that Dr Martens have a place across most cultural scenes as a go-to shoe.

Who is Dr. Martens target audience?

The brand's target demographic is pretty large, ages seven to 70. Duford said he's proud of that wide range, but it makes it hard to identify whom Dr. Martens is speaking to at any given time.

What do colored laces on Doc Martens mean?

Yellow = Worn by SHARPs/anti-racist. Green = Neutral/non-racist. Black = Traditionalist skin, punk kid, neutral, or wearing the laces the boots were sold with.

What do yellow laces mean?

YELLOW LACES: These meant you were anti-racist. One of the only color of laces, besides black, that didn't show hatred for someone. PURPLE LACES: These are a relatively new addition and usually stands for gay pride.

How much did Doc Martens cost in the 70s?

The air-cushioned sole was licensed to the Griggs company in Northampton, and the 1460 boot was created. The iconic stitching and recognizable heel loop were added, and the boots were sold to factory workers across England. At the time, these boots cost only $3 a pair. Even with inflation, that's just over $50.

Why are Dr. Martens called 1460?

Taking its name from the date of its inception, 1 April 1960, the iconic eight-hole 1460 Dr. Martens boot was born. The following year, the 1461 shoe arrived. The 1460 and 1461 remain at the core of the Originals range.

When did Doc Martens stop being made in England?

The truth is, Dr. Martens has produced most of its boots in Asia since 2002, limiting its English production to a Made in England line that sells at significant markup (around $80, depending on the shoe and any sales) and accounts for roughly 1% of its product line.

Are Doc Martens cool again?

While these famous chunky boots are nothing new (they've actually been around since the 1940s!), they've definitely seen a resurgence in recent years.

What decade were Doc Martens popular?

A Cultural Icon. The 1960s – the decade in which the Dr. Martens boot was born – saw an unprecedented wave of change, new ideas, cultural upheaval and eventually social revolution.

Are Doc Martens hippie?

Hippies tended to wear relaxed and casual clothing as a rebellious statement against the formal attitude and dress code of their parents. Boots like Dr Martens still found a place amongst the hippies though, due to their rebellious style.

What kind of people wear Docs?

The boots were popular among workers such as postmen, police officers and factory workers. By the later 1960s, skinheads started to wear them, "Docs" or "DMs" being the usual naming, and by the late 1970s, they were popular among scooter riders, punks, some new wave musicians, and members of other youth subcultures.

Did the clash wear Doc Martens?

Every member of The Clash wore Dr. Martens, and so did Sid Vicious, the Sex Pistols' volatile bassist. Vicious' former roommate Viv Albertine of The Slits once told Dazed, “He got me into so many fights, he was the reason I started wearing Dr. Martens.”

How long do Dr Martens last?

Doc Martens last between 5 and 20 years, depending on their level of use, care and how they are stored. If the leather is properly cared for and soles replaced they could potentially last even longer.

Are Doc Martens good for your feet?

Doc Martens are good for your feet thanks to their cushioned “AirWair” soles. They are comfortable and supportive when walking long distances. After the initial break in period (4 to 6 weeks) they are good for the comfort of your feet as the smooth leather molds to the shape of your feet.

How long do docs take to break in?

On average, it takes 3-6 weeks to fully break in your docs. It can be sped up by using heat techniques or wearing them with socks to increase the break in period. However, while they may be wearable, the full break in period will come at around 3 weeks.

What does with bouncing soles mean?

5. Their "Bouncing Soles" are "resistant to Oil, Fat, Acid Petrol and Alkali." Gareth Cattermole / Via Getty Images.