Dr.Marten Boots

The brand of shoes and boots we know as Dr. Martens were created as a result of a skiing accident. Dr. Klaus Maertens injured his foot while skiing in the Bavarian Alps in 1945, and set out to design a comfortable and supportive shoe with air-cushioned soles. The original Dr. Martens shoes were just another of Maertens' many inventions – he had a garage full of them.

Dr. Maertens showed his creation to a friend, Dr. Herbert Funck, and they went into business together. The pair were successful in selling their first version of the Dr. Martens shoes in Germany, a style called the 1640.

However, success outside of Germany wasn't so easy. Many companies rejected the design of Dr. Martens shoes and disliked the air-cushioned sole. But, the R. Griggs Group in England decided to use the style to create Dr. Martens boots, and they were marketed as AirWair in 1960. The leather, eight-hole cherry-red Dr. Martens boots were worn mostly by blue collar workers, such as police officers and postmen. In the early days, Dr. Martens boots were simply a working-class essential, created to cushion and support the tired feet of those who worked hard all day.

By 1952, sales of Dr. Martens boots had skyrocketed, and a factory was opened in Munich. In the early 60s, Dr. Martens were sold internationally, with a slightly reshaped heel for an improved fit, and the yellow stitching.

Even from the beginning, Dr. Martens avoided marketing to the masses; there were no advertising campaigns around the sturdy work boots. Still, in the 1960s, Dr. Martens boots were adopted by British skinheads, a non-racist subculture who wore them not for comfort but for their bold style. Dr. Martens shoes and boots started to became a stylish symbol for a variety of different subcultures – everyone from punk rockers to goths to musicians loved them, along with people in the general population.

Popular bands such as the Sex Pistols and the Clash wore them onstage, and by the 90s grunge bands were sporting them with their flannel shirts and torn jeans. Their popularity increased even more when Bridget Fonda and Matt Dillon wore them in the romantic hit Singles.

By 2000 Dr. Martens had produced dozens of different styles, including shoes, sandals and steel-toed boots. The production of Dr. Martens shoes has largely moved abroad, and in 2007, Dr. Martens returned to its roots in England, using the Cobbs Lane Factory in Wollaston to manufacture their “Vintage” styles, which can be found online.

Despite their vintage appeal, Dr. Martens has managed to modernize the brand enough to keep people interested. Dr. Martens now sells a wide selection of newer styles, from tasselled suede loafers to Tec Tuff leather lace-ups.

Because of their slip-resistant soles, durable yet lightweight construction and incredible comfort, Dr. Martens have consistently remained popular among workers who have to stand on their feet for long periods of time. Also, many styles of Dr. Martens meet worldwide safety standards, including ANSI/OSHA-certification, making them a first choice for people working in fields such as construction and landscaping.

A number of Dr. Martens boots and shoes have a lifetime guarantee. If the sole is marked FOR LIFE, your footwear is covered for a lifetime. The Industrial collection has a number of waterproof and water-resistant styles, and Dr. Martens also sells some leather-free styles - or “vegan” - shoes.

The traditional 10-hole and 14-hole Dr. Martens are still plentiful on store shelves and online, however, there are many modern styles of Docs such as high-heeled boots and Mary Jane shoes that offer a fresh take on footwear that has become an identity for millions of people around the world. 

« Back to All Brands