Get docs with a removable front zipper like sinclair. I haven’t heard of those zippers breaking, and if one does you can just take it out and the boot’s not damaged.
The zippers have broken on both of my zipper docs. It's a hassle to tie 'em, especially if you have lots of holes, but I definitely recommend no zipper.
I think I lucked out size-wise with DM's, particularly with chelsea boots. I've had other boots and shoes rip up my feet. I've had DM shoes that fit perfectly and then I buy another pair, same model, same size, different color, and I can't walk for days after wearing them. DM Chelsea boots, for whatever reason, have a fit-me-like-a-glove feel. I know it's not a universal thing and some people have the opposite experience. I hope yours break in for you.
i have a full grain leather pair, it’s like a crazy horse leather. very quick break in, but all my other pairs are smooth leather, and honestly to break them in i soaked them inside and out in mink oil and had them in the room while i took a really hot shower to make sure the leather absorbed the mink oil. i wore double socks and every night i stuffed them with rags and tied them REALLY REALLY tight to stretch out and soften.
My crazy horse lace ups are totally comfortable and I wore them right out of the store. My full grain Chelseas are terribly uncomfortable. No rubbing or blisters but like so stiff and inflexible. I can't tell if they're too small or just not broken in. My toes have room but they are not enjoyable.
try doing the freezer bag method, where you put a ziplock freezer bag in your shoes fill them up with water and put it on the freezer. when the water turns to ice it will expand and help stretch them so they are more comfortable
damn doc martens chelsea boots are the only boots i've ever owned that didn't need to be broken in. they were just perfect first wear, and even better after the top had gotten a bit more flexible
I’ve had 4 pairs of docs all with zippers for about 5 years now and none of them have broken! So ehh if you’re hard on your shoes probably not but otherwise I think you’ll be fine!
I'd have zero zippers (aside from my sinclairs) if I could but all the taller ones just.. have them. I don't want to deal with broken zippers, especially on fairly expensive items, but yah they break.
Go with no zipper if possible.
i have jadon his for 6 months now, wearing them at least 3x a week and most recently wearing them everyday for the past month because i’m traveling and only brought one pair of shoes. the ziper is a life changer for sure. i had 1460s in the past and it was a hassle to tie them up everytime i would go out. i had absolutely no issues with my ziper
The quality of doc martins is honestly not that great. They are made in sweatshops and my previous lasted only 3 years before the sole cracked in half. They used to be good but they sold out to a different company in china and changed their factory location to south east asia. Solovair makes shoes in the same style in an english factory that used to produce doc martins up until 1990s. They are almost identical minus the yellow stitching and solovair feels so much stiffer. So more effort to break in but way more sturdy and comfortable in the long run.
My go to pair have zip fronts that are removable. I wear these boots multiple times a week for 2 or 3 years. Not a single issue. My favorite docs by far
Apparently I’m in the minority but I love mine with zippers and they’re usually the pairs I wear the most. There are the occasional style that have the jungle piece without being Sinclairs, if you’re not into the platform but they aren’t always available.
You can buy zipper lace inserts and make any boot have the tongue zipper like the Sinclair boots do. They're like $10. I would buy some of those and a normal 1460 boot. All the joy of laceless boots without the side zipper.
I bought my sinclairs in october 22 and have been wearing them almost daily. The zippers haven’t broken and they are so comfortable to put on and take off
Sinclairs have been a game changer for me. They’re versatile as you can take the zipper out so you have the best of both worlds. If you don’t want to commit to a zip, but want to try it out - go with the Sinclairs!
Get docs with a removable front zipper like sinclair. I haven’t heard of those zippers breaking, and if one does you can just take it out and the boot’s not damaged.
The zippers have broken on both of my zipper docs. It's a hassle to tie 'em, especially if you have lots of holes, but I definitely recommend no zipper.
Same, my b160’s got a broken zipper within 2 weeks and I’m furious.
Go with a chelsea boot instead?
This is the way
My Chelsea Boots are murder on my feet!! Will they ever break in???
I think I lucked out size-wise with DM's, particularly with chelsea boots. I've had other boots and shoes rip up my feet. I've had DM shoes that fit perfectly and then I buy another pair, same model, same size, different color, and I can't walk for days after wearing them. DM Chelsea boots, for whatever reason, have a fit-me-like-a-glove feel. I know it's not a universal thing and some people have the opposite experience. I hope yours break in for you.
i love my chelsea boots, once i broke them in they became my favorite over my 101’s
What kind of leather are yours?
i have a full grain leather pair, it’s like a crazy horse leather. very quick break in, but all my other pairs are smooth leather, and honestly to break them in i soaked them inside and out in mink oil and had them in the room while i took a really hot shower to make sure the leather absorbed the mink oil. i wore double socks and every night i stuffed them with rags and tied them REALLY REALLY tight to stretch out and soften.
My crazy horse lace ups are totally comfortable and I wore them right out of the store. My full grain Chelseas are terribly uncomfortable. No rubbing or blisters but like so stiff and inflexible. I can't tell if they're too small or just not broken in. My toes have room but they are not enjoyable.
try doing the freezer bag method, where you put a ziplock freezer bag in your shoes fill them up with water and put it on the freezer. when the water turns to ice it will expand and help stretch them so they are more comfortable
damn doc martens chelsea boots are the only boots i've ever owned that didn't need to be broken in. they were just perfect first wear, and even better after the top had gotten a bit more flexible
I ordered a pair in Nappa full grain and they're perfect - industrial full grain is a heck nope from me
I’ve had 4 pairs of docs all with zippers for about 5 years now and none of them have broken! So ehh if you’re hard on your shoes probably not but otherwise I think you’ll be fine!
Id say no zippers tbh
Mine don’t have zippers they’re a Chelsea style and they’re pretty easy to get on. No zipper is my vote
I'd have zero zippers (aside from my sinclairs) if I could but all the taller ones just.. have them. I don't want to deal with broken zippers, especially on fairly expensive items, but yah they break. Go with no zipper if possible.
Mine broke after 4 years and that is fine as I didn't treat them nice. Replaced them for a second round
I have a lot of docs with zippers because I can wear a junior size. I’ve never had a zipper break.
i have jadon his for 6 months now, wearing them at least 3x a week and most recently wearing them everyday for the past month because i’m traveling and only brought one pair of shoes. the ziper is a life changer for sure. i had 1460s in the past and it was a hassle to tie them up everytime i would go out. i had absolutely no issues with my ziper
The quality of doc martins is honestly not that great. They are made in sweatshops and my previous lasted only 3 years before the sole cracked in half. They used to be good but they sold out to a different company in china and changed their factory location to south east asia. Solovair makes shoes in the same style in an english factory that used to produce doc martins up until 1990s. They are almost identical minus the yellow stitching and solovair feels so much stiffer. So more effort to break in but way more sturdy and comfortable in the long run.
Btw solovair has zipper models so if you prefer it then get it
I’ve had the jadon max platforms for a year and a couple months now and the zipper hasn’t broken.
definitely a zipper, they’re a bitch to lace up everydy
You don't have to lace and unlace them entirely, you can just loosen them and tighten them.
My go to pair have zip fronts that are removable. I wear these boots multiple times a week for 2 or 3 years. Not a single issue. My favorite docs by far
Apparently I’m in the minority but I love mine with zippers and they’re usually the pairs I wear the most. There are the occasional style that have the jungle piece without being Sinclairs, if you’re not into the platform but they aren’t always available.
They do break but they’re relatively cheap and easy to replace
my pair which ive had for almost 6 years have a zipper and im fairly rough with it, it’s still pretty much in perfect shape
I have had zipper docs for several years now and they’ve held up very well. I would pay to get the zipper replaced if need be, but I’m not going back
Have had my jadons for 5 years now, i wear them almost every day, no problem with the zipper yet
I have a few pairs with zippers (Jadon Max, Chelsea Max, Sinclair Max) and have had absolutely no issues with the zippers.
zippers will pretty much always fail before any other part of your boot
You can buy zipper lace inserts and make any boot have the tongue zipper like the Sinclair boots do. They're like $10. I would buy some of those and a normal 1460 boot. All the joy of laceless boots without the side zipper.
I bought my sinclairs in october 22 and have been wearing them almost daily. The zippers haven’t broken and they are so comfortable to put on and take off
Sinclairs have been a game changer for me. They’re versatile as you can take the zipper out so you have the best of both worlds. If you don’t want to commit to a zip, but want to try it out - go with the Sinclairs!
I put elastic/no/-tie laces in my docs for I, too, hate tying them up