Depending on the degree of wear, maintenance, and storage, Doc Martens can last anywhere between 5 and 20 years, actually even more!
Regardless of how durable and well-made your boots are, you will inevitably need to replace them at some point. The fact is, though some of them need to be replaced in 3 to 4 years, some shoes surprisingly last a much longer period of time because of the material, and durability. Doc Martens surely belong to the latter group.
What makes them last so long, how do you make them last longer with less wear and tear, do they have a warranty— if these are the questions you are looking for the answer to, you have landed at the right place! Keep on reading to find out!
How Long Do Doc Martens Last?
The majority of users of these shoes revealed that with the right upkeep and care, you can use the shoes for up to 20 years. They may last even longer if the leather is properly taken care of and the soles are changed at the right time. However, footwear expert Lorna states that you can expect them to last a maximum of 5-6 years with heavy use, not 20.
Since the lifespan of the Docs depends on how you utilize them, it would be assertive to state a specific figure. But the thing is, some factors definitely help to increase the lasting period, they include maintenance of the boots and the degree of usage.
If you wear your Docs all day every day you will undoubtedly notice that the boots lose their value more quickly than those who just wear them once a month. Regular use of them as boots while going to the workplace will make that last minimum of 6 years, whereas literally using them while doing heavy-duty work will reduce their lifespan to 2-3 years.
Some consumers stated that have been wearing Docs 2-3 times a week, and to this date, their boots have aged 10 years, with little age-related creases. So, you can certainly expect them to last 15+ years with only 1 or 2 times usage per week.
Here’s an estimation chart showing the longevity of your shoes according to the amount it is used.
| Regular use as heavy-duty working boots | 2-3 years(might last longer if resoled) |
| Occasional use for heavy-duty work | 5-6 years |
| General use like wearing them to college or work on weekdays | 6+ years |
| Occasionally wearing them to work, like 2-3 days a week | 10-12 years |
| Once a week | 15+ years |
| Once every 3-4 weeks, only for special occasions maybe | 20+ years, potentially lifetime (will develop some age-related creases though) |
How Long Do Doc Martens Soles last?
The sole is what gained Dr. Martens all this fame throughout the years. It’s made from an inorganic rubber that’s oil and fat resistant. The sturdy soles of Doc Martens are built to withstand heavy use. If taken care of properly, thick soles can 3-5 years of heavy use, if not a decade.
Docs’ insole is a touch firm, the material guarantees endurance. The inner side of the shoes will provide you with superb comfort while reducing excessive sweat production from your feet in addition to the soles’ superior design.
You can use this pair of shoes for a long time without experiencing any wear and tear issues, and the Hardlife sole contributes a lot to this.
Do Doc Martens Last a Long Time?
Yes, Doc Martens do last a long time. Once you invest in an authentic pair of Doc Martens, all you need to do is take the best possible care of them.
Even Doc Martens are so expensive, the amazing structure of the boots adds to the longevity. The Dr. Martens company makes its shoes, boots, and other footwear from genuine bovine leather. Years of use will give the leather some age-related creases, but it will still be incredibly strong and resilient. Vegan leather choices, which are created from the best synthetic materials, frequently plastic, are available in select models from Doc Martens.
Even though it is obvious that Doc Martens won’t last forever, toughness is still embedded in the company’s culture. However, this depends on a variety of variables, chief among them is how well you take care of your shoes.
Do Dr. Martens Have a Warranty? (Real-life Experience with Warranty)
No, there is no lifetime warranty on Doc Martens shoes. However, they provide a “Goodyear Welt” design, which gives the boots a very long lifespan and a high level of durability. It makes it possible to repeatedly resole boots rather than needing to replace them.
Those who purchased the Doc Martens ‘For Life’ collection before April 2018, are offered a lifetime warranty whatsoever.
A consumer shared his real-world experience with the Docs4life warranty. After his boots started to fall apart after two years, the customer decided to file a claim. He emailed some images of the damage to the documents themselves and the docs4life reference number in order to make a claim. Within five days, they replied to him. And a replacement pair of shoes arrived in 3–4 days after they reviewed the images and verified the date.
Do Dr. Martens Have a Lifetime Warranty?
According to Dr. Martens For Life Guarantee Terms And Conditions, currently, no Doc Martens collection has a lifetime warranty. In April 2018, Doc Martens announced the discontinuation of their “For Life” collection. However, on purchases made prior to April 1, 2018, and registered within 60 days of purchase, Dr. Martens will keep up with all current ‘For Life’ guarantees.
Only the For life boots and shoes—each of which will bear the words ‘Guaranteed For Life’ on the sole—are covered by the guarantee. The original owner’s guarantee will be in effect from the day they activate it until the end of their natural lives.
How To Make Doc Martens Last Longer?
At one point, for most boots, the leather starts to split, the interior lining starts to leak out through the rotting stitches, the outsole starts to tear, or the lining on the inside will seep out through the rotting seams and ruin everything. If you don’t want things like this to happen to your boots, you can follow some advice given by shoe geeks Jimmy Lewis and Jason J. Dorsey
- Cleaning the shoes: Dr. Martens’s leather products should be thoroughly cleaned, conditioned, and polished every 2-3 months. Every three months, make sure you give your boots a thorough cleaning. This is necessary to remove the mud and scrapes the shoes have gathered throughout this time. The shoes should then be allowed to dry for at least 48 hours in an adequately-ventilated area.
- Alternating with other shoes: Your Doc Martens will potentially last longer if you alter them with other shoes since lifespan depends on how much you’ll use them too. Try wearing them hoes for not more than 12 hours a day, and alter with other shoes every 1-2 days.
- Replacing soles timely: When the soles of your Docs begin to appear worn, replace them. You can go longer with your Doc Martens if you do this timely.
- Keeping them out of heat and sunlight: The leather and rubber sole of these boots are vulnerable to damage from long-term exposure. so you must keep them out of direct sunlight, intense dampness, water, or salted snow.
- Investing in quality care products: You will need to invest in the best leather conditioners and polish for the best result. This will help extend their life by keeping the leather from splitting and drying out. Here’s what you can use.
Dr. Martens Balsam Wax: Balsam Wax for restoring your Dr. Martens boots is produced by the company itself. The balsam wax provides a revitalizing appearance while nourishing the leather and reducing its susceptibility to water damage. Your shoes are polished and made lustrous with this substance.
Mink oil: Mink’s belly fat is traditionally used to make mink oil, which acts as a great leather conditioner. The natural oils that are lost from leather during use are replaced by mink oil, which also lubricates the fibers to make them more flexible and resilient.
Shoe Polish: The lifespan of leather shoes and boots can be increased by using shoe polish to shine, weatherproof, and restore the appearance of the footwear. Using shoe polish and wax is especially helpful in the fall and winter to prevent water stains on the leather.
You can check out this video to find out more!
FAQs
How long do Vegan Doc Martens last?
Vegan Doc Martens last the same as regular Doc Martens. You can expect them to last 5 to 20+ years depending on the degree of usage and care. According to some, they hold up even better that the regular ones. By replacing the laces and soles when necessary, conditioning the vegan leather, and removing dirt and debris from the shoes regularly, you can increase the lifespan.
Can you wear Doc Martens every day?
Yes, you can wear Doc Martens every day. They complement almost any outfit, are sturdy, and are comfortable. However, if you do wear them every day, be sure to take a break from them every few days so your feet can breathe, you can wear breathable shoes on alternate days.
Can you repair and resole Doc Martens?
Yes, according to Sarah Atkinson, you can repair and resole your Doc Martens. Due to the fact that the majority of Dr. Martens’s boots are one-piece molded, they would need to be shipped back to the manufacturer so that a brand-new sole could be sewn on. this way, you can use your old pair of Doc Martens for a few more years even after extensive use.
How to take care of Doc Martens?
To take care of your Doc Martens, you will need some time and willingness to clean them after every wear. The most basic thing you can do is remove the dirt build-up on them with a microfiber cloth. And every few months, you can apply the leather cleaner and conditioner for a lustrous look.
Are Doc Martens worth it?
If you want a substantial boot with a classic appeal, Doc Martens are worth it. Even though they may seem expensive, they will undoubtedly outlast the bulk of your shoes in the long run. Before you can completely break them in, you may however find the boots to be a little heavy and uncomfortable.
Are Doc Martens waterproof?
No, the boots from Doc Martens are not completely waterproof, though they can handle a light water shower. However, you may make your boots waterproof by rubbing Dr. Martens’ Wonder Balsam or other water-resistant oil on them.
How to spot fake Doc Martens?
To spot fake Doc Martens you can compare your shoes with the product details and specs in the shoe box. Another trick is to compare the product code given on the shoe box with that on the actual pair. Sometimes, the fake ones have the brand name and logo designed with a little modification, which can also be used ot identify fake ones.
Which Doc Martens last the longest?
According to shoe enthusiast Mahia, the Doc Marters manufactured by the original manufacturers in England last longer than the ones manufactured in other Asian countries. When it comes to models, there s no specific one that outlasts all others, every pair is quite long-lasting.
How long does breaking in Doc Martens take?
The break-in process could last a few days to a few weeks, but for the majority of people, it usually takes between three and six weeks. The break-in period may be sped up by using heat treatments or by donning socks.
Final Thoughts
Dr. Martens is an asset you’ll cherish forever, they are widely considered among the most stable and durable shoes you’ll ever buy. These shoes are also slip-resistant and waterproof also. They do last for a very long time, surely outliving many other boots out there, but their durability hugely depends on the care they get as well.
Your Docs will be the comfiest boots you’ve worn once you’ve broken them in. You will be able to travel for a very long time on those air-cushioned soles since the firm leather will ultimately conform to the shape of your foot. And you can style them with almost any outfit as well!
Hope you enjoy a happy stride with your Doc Martens!
