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Fall is the best season to invest in a new pair of boots before harsh weather blows in, so it’s important to choose a pair that’s exceptionally resilient and versatile for regular wear through the winter. You’d be hard-pressed to find a shoe that ticks every box quite like Dr. Martens‘ fall boots and shoes. Not only is the cult-favorite footwear tough enough to brave rain, snow, and slush, but it also offers undeniable attitude and polish to any outfit. Plus, Dr. Martens’ wide array of styles delivers on decades of durability.
Dr. Martens men’s and women’s shoes will stand the test of time in your shoe rotation, much like they have in the footwear market over the last century. Also known as “Docs,” the brand’s heritage designs originated as workwear boots and gardening shoes, before being adopted by subcultures throughout the decades as edgy combat boots. In 1945, recovering WWII soldier Dr. Klaus Maertens developed the shoes’ original air-cushioned soles to soothe his broken foot before incorporating excess military supplies into their design, establishing their famous practicality and grit. By the ’60s, the brand added legacy signatures like heel loops and yellow contrast stitching to mark heat-sealed Goodyear Welting between the upper and sole, ushering in the iconic Dr. Martens 1460 boot — one of the Greatest Shoes of All Time, according to Footwear News.
Today, Dr. Martens’ boots and shoes are wardrobe staples for all ages and style perspectives. From The Who’s Pete Townshend sporting the 1460s stage in 1967 to Olivia Rodrigo representing Gen Z’s obsession with leather styles in her regular street style, Docs bring a heritage punk panache that allows for boundless reinvention in modern contexts. The brand celebrates this unique feat in its boundary-pushing 14XX line that reinterprets its workwear roots with tech-driven upgrades to archival silhouettes. Following the fall of 2023 launch, its latest “Protect Pack” drop just ushered in exaggerated iterations of the 1460 boot, 1461 shoe, and 2976 Chelsea boot, which all come defined by weather- and abrasion-resistant construction, taking the brand’s legacy of durability one step further.
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And, in just the last year, Dr. Martens Ramsey Creeper shoes were made over by Girls Don’t Cry with wedge platform soles, Supreme added rub-off coloring to the 1461 Oxford, and Nine Inch Nails released a ’90s-inspired collection of 1461 boots printed in album artwork. On top of these collaborations, Dr. Martens continues to update its classics, like the recent Lowell Collection that reissued an archive workwear design or the fall 14XX “Protect Pack” drop that redesigned three iconic models with maximalist touches.
The beauty of Docs is their intrinsic versatility, which means any ensemble can be a Dr. Martens outfit. The unisex shoes are built to go with just about anything, from office dresses and suits to wide-leg trousers to daily denim. Plus, they’ll outlast every other pair of shoes in your closet. To get into the fall spirit, kick off your shoe-shopping extravaganza with these Dr. Martens icons that are tough, cool, and timeless, making them the ideal footwear for fall and many seasons to come.
Its counterculture heritage has transcended decades and trends, where its most recent comeback amounted to 30 million pairs sold between 2015 and 2024. Made with smoothed-out leather, the 1460 features the brand’s signature 8-eye lacing, Goodyear-welted construction, and yellow contrast stitching. Consider this style the gold standard combat boot.
Check out more of Footwear News’ Greatest Shoes of All Time 2024
What testers say: “These boots are stellar! They rate in my opinion as one of the most comfortable pair of boots at a super reachable price. I highly recommend these to someone looking for a great casual and semi-professional pair of black boots.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $170
What’s more, the boot boasts cushioned SoftWair insoles for soft strides on rugged terrain. Consider it a blend between an ankle boot and a hiking boot that can carry you from day to night, or from the streets to the trail, making for a bold style statement with supreme durability to match.
Price upon publish date of this article: $170
Editor testing and review notes: “As a petite girl — 5 feet to be exact — and an ex-vegan who shops leather with intention, I adore these boots. I love that their shine adds a touch of flair to any outfit and the patent leather is SO easy to wipe clean (I just dusted mine off for the fall and winter season!). The platform is chunky and so Y2K but surprisingly comfortable to walk in. Just make sure you test drive them on your stairs at home. I wear them all the time, rain or shine.” — Commerce Writer & Producer Olivia Cigliano
Price upon publish date of this article: $210
What testers say: “These are my first pair of Dr. Martens and I’m in LOVE. Usually I wear a women’s 7 or 7.5 so sized down and they fit perfectly! I love the platform design. Theres plenty of cushion for all-day wear.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $200
Editor testing and review notes: “These cuties are my office shoes of choice because they’re comfortable and incredibly easy to style. I especially love that they’re durable enough to withstand my morning commute in New York City while still looking dressy for professional settings. They fit me true to size and didn’t require a break-in period, which took me by surprise as my Docs boots often do.” — Cigliano
Price upon publish date of this article: $78
What testers say: “100/10. These are my favorite Docs I’ve ever bought — and I literally own every pair. They’re very comfy, even for an all-day on-your-feet shift!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $200
What testers say: “These are seriously so cute. They are also incredibly comfy. The red leather is gorgeous and is perfectly complimented by the black polish, too. I bought these to wear on my wedding day and I’m so excited to do so! I know they’re going to become a part of my regular shoe rotation afterward.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $160
Price upon publish date of this article: $180
What testers say: “The cherry-colored vegan leather is so stunningly gorgeous! I like that there’s no break-in period, too. Beautifully crafted and the color goes well with everything. These boots are easy to maintain and clean. The lug soles are very grippy!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $170
What testers say: “The perfect versatile loafer — you can dress it up or down with jeans and a sweater or dress pants and blazer. The leather texture is perfect with tassels. I usually wear 8.5 and the 8 fits perfectly.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $89
What testers say: “This is my second pair in this style. I have MS and walking is difficult. I use a walker but these help stabilize my feet and ankles. They wear like iron and last many years.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $170
What testers say: “A great winter boot! I wear these as my everyday casual winter cold-weather boots. I needed something with fleece as it gets quite cold and wet outside while walking the dogs. I usually wear a size 7 in Docs but I sized up for this one to accommodate the fleece interior and it was perfect. I would recommend a size up if your regular size doesn’t have any extra room.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $190
What testers say: “Absolutely perfect! I’ve been looking for some tall lace-up boots with no platform because I’m 5’10” and these are just awesome. They fit true to size. I recommend wearing socks longer than the boots underneath.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $200
How to Break in Dr. Martens Boots
Dr. Martens’ leather boots and shoes are notorious for their earned break-in period, but not all styles are the same. For instance, genuine leather boots will soften with wear and develop a soft patina, which eventually relieves their original stiff fit. Vegan Docs, however, are most common in a patent leather finish, which will remain fairly rigid with limited break-in potential so it’s important to select your correct size using the brand’s size guide before placing your order. Dr. Martens offers several tricks to make the initial wear more comfortable, such as inserting heel pads or investing Double Docs Socks to relieve friction between your feet and the durable leather.
To accelerate the break-in process, Dr. Martens recommends applying leather conditioner or Dr. Martens’ Wonder Balsam on the shoe’s interior to soften the leather. Fans on TikTok have shared a wealth of other DIY tips, like applying heat with a hair dryer, stuffing the shoe with ice and freezing it overnight to expand the material, or even massaging the leather with a hammer.
“I’ve owned several iterations of Docs in my time and there’s always a break-in period — but it’s so worth it,” says Footwear News Shop Commerce Writer and Producer, Olivia Cigliano. “My best advice is to wear thick socks or layer two pairs during that time, as stiff leather uppers can rub and irritate your heels and ankles. Just be prepared to test drive your boots before you take them along for a long haul.”
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Meet the Author
Olivia Cigliano is a Commerce Writer & Producer at Footwear News and WWD where she writes shopping content on the best-rated footwear, TikTok style trends, and more. Olivia received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Emerson College, and her byline can be found in publications including Elite Daily and CR Fashion Book. As a longtime Docs lover, she’s constantly seen around New York City wearing her favorite Dr. Martens boots and shoes. She updated this story in October 2024 with new fall releases and helpful tips for breaking in your new boots.
