The History of the Dr. Martens Boot | Racked

While Dr. Martens boots may be universally cool today, they weren't always...
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[@MissPonsy]

"Doc Martens are the original ugly shoe" *Excuse you what*

[@kentrzacherl]

Andrea Valle I WAS PERSONALLY OFFENDED

[@strawbbdreamiee4668]

It made me so pissed

[@ashley2819]

YEAH RIGHT I WAS SHOOKT

[@ChrisRedfield--]

Andrea Valle I had to give a thumbs down on the vid, just for that remark.

[@alinafranz5279]

Andrea Valle SAME

[@Rosstephersharmanschannel]

Dr martens ain't ugly

[@bat-seal6293]

Damn straight

[@alfachraz]

*used to

[@daniellewatkins8349]

Exactly

[@brandonkey181]

They're pretty ugly. Look at the side profile and you see how ill proportioned they are. Awkwardly wide opening, and the boot has poor stature.

[@mentally_sic_maggot7828]

@Dang Vayganz doc martens weren’t ugly until she wore em

[@goblin-teeth]

They're cool, they're fashionable, and they last ages. They are not ugly - they're amazing.

[@joselynm5634]

Fleur Hufflepuff that's only because of their popular status lol. same with Uggs they are ugly but their popular status makes them nice

[@lewis5111]

uggs aren't nice.

[@joselynm5634]

Lewische that's why I said, they are ugly

[@brandonkey181]

They die quickly, and have an unappealing side profile.

[@terepk]

Crocs ARE the original ugly shoe

[@tatihinds4939]

mtERE but I loved my crocs

[@hailstormk9417]

mtERE YESS😂

[@Steve69steve420]

mtERE praise be unto thee my dude

[@gregorsamsa8632]

got original croc Martens

[@bigboyjeon4701]

nope

[@Mistardmuster]

My dad bought me my first and only pair of docs in middle school in 2007, one size larger than I needed so I could keep them for a while. I'd never even seen a pair before he brought me into the boot warehouse to try them on. I'm forever in his debt because by the time I started college everyone was on the bandwagon wearing brand new docs, and mine were already scuffed and broken in. Thanks dad.

[@MontagZoso]

Your Dad rocks! 👍😎❤️

[@saerah124]

Docs are beautiful wtf

[@lorsange1107]

Best. Shoes. Ever.

[@ciroaldorisio8034]

nah

[@AYTAZED]

Solovair. The ORIGINAL Dr Martens. Still made in Northamptonshire.

[@sailingoiesauvage5484]

Why would you say they are ugly? The combat boot aesthetic is quite attractive according to most.

[@brandonkey181]

Aesthetic and actual appearance are 2 different things. Docs have a bulkier silhouette than most actual combat boots.

[@tovetaget51]

They are not ugly????

[@oliveradams8711]

I would have given a thumbs up to this post, but you ended it with question marks. DM's are not ugly. The video didn't say they were not ugly, it said that they were ugly. The video was wrong. Why did you ask this question?!

[@brandonkey181]

@@oliveradams8711 Ever looked at the side profile of a doc? Wide shaft, and the large toebox curly up at the end giving it an awkward proportion, especially in smaller sizes. They only look good from a front or 3/4 perspective, that makes the shaft appear slimmer.

[@kittens3029]

Dislike because you called them 'ugly'. Docs are beautiful.

[@Joseph_yy]

I almost choked myself when you say the docs are ugly, they beautiful af

[@edenwestfall8775]

Doc martens are my favorite shoes they last forever I’ve had my pair for six years now and wear them nearly everyday

[@bums009]

Same, I bought a pair 3/4 years ago, best decision I've ever made. Nowadays you can buy ones where the leather is more plyable and comes with a zip, so you dont have to untie the laces every time. Zip hasn't broken yet either and they're usually the first things to go lol. Serves me well during the long winters here in the UK and is great for concerts to protect my toes other people's feet.

[@rosiepls5840]

Halapecia shaniqua ive managed to tie mine just loose enough that i can slip them on easily, much better than having to do up the laces or a zip every time lol

[@annabel9278]

but doc martens aren't ugly ?? uH wHat ??

[@Cleavatr0n]

This video gets under my skin. Dr.Marten's boots are great, functional, and most of all... not ugly. If you're like me though, you buy Solovair boots (the original people who made docs) instead because they're priced well and are made in England. Thorogoods are great if you're into US made stuff though.

[@TodderTube]

Cleavatron I've got made in England dm's, limited edition and picked them up for £35 brand new. Shame their lifespan is coming to an end though. I can also get huge discount off dm's, but Solovair do have some bloody nice boots near the £200 mark.

[@brodyberry6253]

That’s not true soloviar manufactured docs then copyed them once there contract to make them ran out js

[@stephencarey2354]

Solovair prices are going through the roof as are Dr martens made in England.

[@MacaqueStinx]

I still rock em. Got a fresh pair of steel toe 1919's and a vintage pair of soft toe boots as well

[@bobdylan9660]

No Association Band Official are the steal toe boots any good I’ve been told they fall apart

[@fungus5914]

Doc martens aren’t ugly!

[@Rosstephersharmanschannel]

Also Pete Townsend wasn't the frontman

[@bobdylan9660]

ross sharman rc I think they assumed he was the front man because he was the main song writer

[@SkinnyRaine]

*cough* *cough* DMs aren’t ugly!

[@hanawana]

My whole school wears DMs, Docs, whatever you want to call them...

[@kathleenc2878]

I'm literally watching this while wearing mine and let me tell you, they are not ugly. Period.

[@nancyboy7223]

i hate to be that guy but the picture shown for britpop was an american band called the verve pipe, did you guys get them confused for the verve lol

[@brandonkey181]

The teenage girls being offended at the video calling Docs ugly is hilarious lmao.

[@aleccooks]

Big love for my 1461's they make sure my feet warm and dry and are easy to maintain aswell :)

[@blacklight550]

3 Pairs of DMs and more to come :)

[@sergioruiz9464]

Aaron Ward rejoice because like all "popular" trends they fade away and that means all thosepeople who folled the "trend" will re sell their docs for dirt cheap.

[@spiralpython1989]

Punk Jesus 9 pairs! Including my first ever pair bought in 1981. I still have every pair, and I still wear each of them at least a couple times each year.

[@jcreswick]

Still made in the uk to thus day they cost more and are the original thicker leather

[@vycro1097]

jcreswick worth the extra cash

[@network735]

jcreswick very expensive the ones made here are £170 ! £130 for ones made abroad.

[@roxycomin3859]

i came across this pair of doc martens at a red cross thrift shop. it looked pretty vintage, and was my exact size. The sole is thick as hell, no damage or anything except for a few scruff. But its okay because its that vintage looking design. i looked it up and saw that the deign was produced in 2008 and they dont make it anymore. Now it feels like a treasure to me.

[@rynyuh6820]

I have two pairs as of now, one I've had for 3 years & they still look brand-new & the most comfortable shoes I own.

[@scottsays5565]

I agree they aren’t ugly and they are amazing

[@viholiday8017]

I wear them because I have really messed up feet.

[@DanielGarciaNYC]

Love my Docs.....I've had three my whole 40 years of life and the 3rd which i still have I've worn that pair almost daily for two years to work.... still the most comfortable shoe ever

[@abbychristine2783]

i kinda hate that docs aren't strictly alternative now...

[@MMandGlitter]

Did you not watch the video, they have never been strictly alternative. Entire police forces and factory staff wore them. I think the guarding of alternative subcultures is just as bad, if not worse, than "normal" people hating on alternative people. Let people live. Nothing is stagnant. People change. Fashion changes, and guess what, sub cultures do, too. Go with the flow, or, well be a bitter elitist goth about it (those tend to be the worst) - sincerely, a fellow alternative person.

[@alexaesthetix425]

docs are one of the most beautiful boots ive ever seen and worn. what do you mean ugly? 😂

[@maz9200]

For the last bloody time... that’s no England, it’s the UK!!! 😂😂😂🇬🇧

[@skidie8949]

They are iconic,cool and beutifeul. BUT NOT UGLY!!!

[@AYTAZED]

Solovair are the ORIGINAL Dr Martens. Plus it says 'made in England 1881' on the green pull strap.

[@annelaureleeuwerck2584]

Unfortunately DM’s are now fashion shoes. All mainstream girls wear them now and that really sucks. They would better wear their Adidas Superstars instead. Real Doc Martens lovers wear them for ever.

[@mysoundtomultiply]

Rainbow Unicorn ok edgelord

[@andres93b]

I have a steel toe version for film studio work :P

[@bobdylan9660]

Andres Berrio just in case you drop a camera on your foot ?

[@robinkumbarayuda7882]

the coolest shoes ever in the world.. i wear docs since kid til i have junior now.. thanks doc for cool life, can't wait to grab u gain..

[@tiabelle3346]

I have a pair of docs . The best thing I have EVER bought 💞✌

[@brendandonovan7115]

My doc marten steel toe low cuts are the best boot in the market, rugged and good looking, perfect for me as I work in a bar so the sole is easy on my feet for those long nights.

[@doices9786]

Ugly shoes? I don't even have Doc Martens yet I'm offended

[@bat-seal6293]

Doc Martins are the best not ugly

[@idabjernemose]

Yall, the soft Pascal leather existed Way back in the 90s. My mom worked at a dr martens store and she therefor owned a bunch of docs, all in the soft leather because she just couldnt break the others in.

[@nadiak2367]

I only have 3 pairs so far and I love them! Especially my Beavis and Butthead ones with Big Ben on the design!

[@lozzy992010]

I started using them as I have flat feet and am prone to breaking my ankles as they are more fashionable than the prescription ones. Less than two years later I brought my 10th pair

[@youhavemyshares6040]

It peeves me off a little when I see people who follow fads and trends wearing docs because it takes away the personality of them imo

[@evanbeavis4665]

You have my shares just tell the hipsters romper stompers where them

[@JeweleryPower]

You have my shares it's literally just a shoe calm down

[@shteve119]

Its a shoe. Its not that deep.

[@RebelAlliance42]

The worst is the people who don't lace them up because "ThEy HuRt My PoOr WiDdLe FeEtIeS!! 😭😭😭" lol you gotta earn the right to wear them, it's a rite of passage!!

[@blaketherrien1854]

not ugly, they are some of the best boots you can buy

[@GurmeetSingh-fr8uo]

They give me blisters !!

[@ricsi19811]

"Doc Martens are ugly" YOU WHAT?

[@gottaflex7825]

They’re hella expensive

[@Haley497]

Gotta Flex well, considering I got my first docs in 1993, then replaced them by the same model in 2001 and again in 2009, that's three times spending about 100€ from 1993 to 2018...I call that investment worth every penny! :) Obviously I don't wear them every single day, but at least once a week, so do your maths 🙃

[@RebelAlliance42]

They hella worth every cent and then some, they pay for themselves in longevity!

[@hideri]

Dr martens are not ugly, theyre underrated fashionable boots.

[@compactgirl]

I wore in the 90s....

[@alexthelizardking]

I only have the 1460 shoes. Black upper and bright yellow soles.

[@Exsugarbabe1]

Doc Martians are a nightmare at a Rave, they’re too heavy to dance in for long.

[@ellaturkiewicz333]

10 pairs and still going... I don’t wear any other shoe

[@tsg7official]

*DR. MARTENS ARE NOT UGLY*

[@lek4422]

I’ve got three pairs lmao, a pair of the boots, shoes, and sandals, because they make those now.

[@Katie-hq6tc]

Hmmm ugly? I think you're mistaken

[@Louis_H_]

Tf my shoe is "un-lovable"?!

[@jaswantdhillon1443]

one dislike for calling dr. martens ugly

[@josephfinnegan13]

DM's for life 👍👍👍👍👍

[@RebelAlliance42]

Dr. Martens are sexy af, not ugly! I bought a pair of 1460's about 6 months ago, the ones made from tough, hard leather, and I pampered the eff out of them with sponge baths and wonder balsam massages twice a day for the first 2 weeks, then once a week, one a month, and now every 3 months, I wear them every day and they still look brand new! 😍😍😍😍 it was very painful breaking them in, but it's a rite of passage, and I'm proud to say I earned the right to wear them! I know a guy who wears them unlaced because they hurt his dainty feet, that's a sacrilege! Lol! 🤣 after that first 2 weeks of wearing them with 2 pairs of socks, they are the most comfortable shoes I've worn since my don't-eff-with-me knee-high Pulp platform boots I had from 2001-2005... RIP 😔😢 Dr. Martens are a well worthy investment!!

[@anabelgomez7866]

They ain't ugly they awesome, I have 4 pairs

[@notsavanah0]

An orthopedic device that slaughters your feet for the first few weeks before it helps them

[@chrisbano9216]

I remember going to a rage against the machine concert early 90s , my friend's and I would enter the mosh pit wearing our Dr martens then begin to crowd surf , very wild and very dangerous I saw men and women getting hit upside the head by Dr martens, lol

[@alilove129]

I love doc martens ! The most ugly what ! Hah my friend was wearing them I'm like those shoes looks cool

[@lillymayble5404]

okay but since when were docs "ugly" or "clown like" like sorry according to whomst

[@私は大輔悲鳴]

Panic! I Wasn't Invited Tø The Black Parade well, I mean they are kind of clown like but ugly, certainly not.

[@changemynamemynamechange8335]

I. Love. Its. Doctor. Martin.

[@oliveradams8711]

This didn't really make sense to me. For me, DM's, as my generation called them, were inextricably linked to grunge culture. As a teenager in the early to mid 90s living in southern England, grunge culture was completely dominant and if you didn't have a pair of DM's you were a social outcast at my school. You literally couldn't not wear them. I always assumed that the match between the yellow stitching of the DM and the yellow Nirvana smiley face was not a coincidence. They were just meant to be together.

[@Blinkgirlsareperfect]

Thumbs down because the 90 s were on and popping and celebrities wore nothing but docs

[@KP-ul2ep]

Excuse me, ugly where? You can literally wear docs with absolutely anything and still look fresh as hell. 😂

[@chadinmich1]

Too bad the last five years they’ve really went down in quality. I’ve spent more in the last five years on doc martens boots and shoes then I did the previous 15. They suck now.

[@tapcort]

Docs aren’t ugly.

[@Emily-zt4cj]

Docs are the only shoes I wear

[@rolgadinapfefferminzalangs9959]

Emily Hernandez same her.

[@ericspace121]

They aren't ugly. I think they're quite handsome.

[@sams3015]

2:11 Your map says England while the entire U.K is highlighted with no borders. Other than that great video!

[@leosan8507]

Punk is where it’s at 🎸

[@sherrysicle4341]

dad shoes are ugly, fashionable but still functional boots aren’t

[@chaoskarlos987]

Dr Martens Steeltoe. Best shoe ever

[@marmooki]

*DOC* *MARTENS* *ARE* *NOT* *UGLY*

[@luvmorrisey20]

I have 3 pairs; I love them.

[@jamesmurphy9634]

I always thought the were called Doc Martins.

[@RebelAlliance42]

Yep, Dr. Martens, Doc Martens, Docs...

[@paradoxpizza]

Though I’m mostly into sneakers more rather than boots, I don’t think DMs are ugly boots. Smh

[@abrahamlucio4151]

Don't lie, who else thought that it said the shoes dr. Martin Luther king Jr. wore...

[@cosmicfaeriedust4009]

Abraham Lucio only you

[@私は大輔悲鳴]

Not me, sorry.

[@MandoDaiOu]

Only your stupid ass

[@uroscanic8243]

I have a dr. Martin boots an I am a skinhead

[@gearz3188]

Y'all really think people aren't looking up to factory workers for fashion? You clearly haven't seen fashion inspo instagram pages

[@eee_d888]

They are not ugly

[@savanana8514]

I don't wear my clothing for fashion; I wear it for history.

[@soynymphfaery]

I don't wear my clothing for fashion either, I wear it because the laws say I can't go out nude. : (

[@BShreve]

You wtf is up with that map of China

[@hailstormk9417]

I think they look nice,I’d wear them considering I want to be a dog handler in the police or military

[@Will-lc4sm]

ExcUSE ME CALLING DOC MARTENS UGLY

[@fruitoson4227]

I want them for the aesthetic™ but they expensive as hell

[@RebelAlliance42]

They are a very worthy investment!

[@Odal_]

doc Martens are german boots ?

[@estabanjuliojuancortezsanc8785]

Skinhead yes

[@LittleRavenReader]

Originally​ British.

[@thedudeman1]

Ceyda M Akay they were literaly invented in germany

[@8yearoldwithagun426]

they're not british boots. They were founded in Germany, by a German.

[@egorgrischenko]

The dr martens was born in germany. But the brand was bought by england.

[@astridallenmand917]

Skinheads were too stylish. Cool guys :"D

[@supremesantos]

2:13 Last time I checked China hasn't annexed Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan

[@lilcuticle8358]

Can everyone please stop with the "docs aren't ugly". Respect other's opinion and stop being so closed minded and butthurt. I disagree with them because I love docs,but some of u need to chill.

[@gemxx6248]

2:10 Lmao England?? Are Americans okay? 😂

[@versicherungsagent420]

did they just say rave culture and then show an image of.. david bowie ?!?! even wearing totally different boots than Doc Martens?!

[@lajj6687]

Dr. Martens...Ugly? Excuse you!

[@3sjstill438]

LONG LIVE SKINHEADS