I used to be dismissive about Doc Martens. I’ve always favored the leather upper, but felt they were inferior beside my Red Wing Iron Rangers. A Minnesota native, I have appreciation for the company, their heritage, and have visited their flagship store in their namesake city. Their materials and construction compared to other boots like Docs is superior.
But…I never wear my Red Wings, a fall trip to the apple orchard aside. They’re unsuitable for work as a pesticide applicator. They’re uncomfortable for city wear. As much as I appreciate layers of vegetable-tanned leather atop a hard Vibram rubber sole in theory, reality is miserable shock-absorbtion and achy knees, hips and neck.
Doc Martens fill my need for boots whose PVC soles take the brunt of impact on paved city streets, while being significantly lighter. The PVC that I once dismissed as cheap and gimmicky has real value to my lifestyle. Plus, I look damn good in them.
Paper Covers Rock 