You know the drill. It’s cold, dreary, and rainy outside. You’ve got a pair of favorite shoes that you wish you could wear, but they pinch your toes or are just simply uncomfortable to walk in. You’ve probably been tempted to throw them away rather than deal with these problems again.
And then it hits you — Dr. Martens. They’re the ultimate answer to all footwear dilemmas and will keep your feet warm and comfortable in any weather scenario! But how do Dr. Martens fit?
Doc Martens run true to size. For those who wear a half size, it is recommended to go down to the nearest size (rather than up) to get the best fit.
The fit of each style of boots may vary, but women’s boot designs are generally narrower than unisex designs. With unisex styles, special consideration has to be made to ensure a proper fit for both men and women.
There are many different styles of Docs, and each has its unique features. In this review, I will discuss some of these styles and how they fit. But first, let’s go over the Doc Martens sizing guide.
Doc Martens Sizing Guide
| US Men | US Women | United Kingdom | Europe |
| 4 | 5 | 3 | 36 |
| 5 | 6 | 4 | 37 |
| 6 | 7 | 5 | 38 |
| 7 | 8 | 6 | 39 |
| 8 | 9 | 7 | 41 |
| 9 | 10 | 8 | 42 |
| 10 | 11 | 9 | 43 |
| 11 | 12 | 10 | 45 |
| 12 | 11 | 46 | |
| 13 | 12 | 47 | |
| 14 | 13 | 48 | |
| 15 | 14 | 49.5 | |
| 16 | 15 | 51 |
Types of Doc Martens
There are many variations of Doc Martens shoes, and this section will be looking at a few of them in turn.
If you are interested in buying Doc Martens, I recommend shopping at: Amazon, the official Doc Martens website, or Zappos. The prices and selections offered at each site vary at different times of the year, so it is worth comparing them to find the best deal.
The 1460 Greasy Leather Boot
This is the boot that started all the fuss! Updated in Doc Martens’s iconic 1460 silhouette and offered in a greasy smooth full-grain leather, this style features a subtle textured finish that’s pliable to the touch – ensuring that it will break in and mold to your feet over time. It retains the classic Doc Martens look but has a matte black waxed and oily leather feel.
Dr. Martens 1460 Boots
Revered for its unmistakable yellow stitching and grooved sides, this 8-eyelet boot has been engineered to last, with reinforced stitching and a durable leather upper that has been oil-treated for water resistance. The classic Docs DNA will never go out of style, no matter what decade it’s in.
2976 Smooth Leather Chelsea Boots
A new twist on an old classic, the 2976 men’s Chelsea boot from Doc Martens is the perfect fusion of structure and style. Elastic ankle gussets, a pull-on design, and a cushioned collar make for a versatile boot that works with almost any outfit. These boots have been a staple in the marketplace since the 70s and continue to be one of the most preferred Doc styles.
2976 Dr. Martens
These boots are made with smooth, durable leather. They have a lightly textured soft sheen and signature air-cushioned soles and heel loops. To top it all, you can slip them on and off. Get them from Amazon, Dr. Martens website or Zappos.
1461 Atlas Leather Oxford Shoes
The 1461 Atlas is the second Doc Martens model, launched as a more elegant alternative to the 1460. These boots are made from a classy waxed aniline leather material with a slight sheen called the “Atlas.”
1461 Atla Leather Oxford Shoes
These boots have three-eye hole lacings, air-cushioned soles, and yellow stitches. If you don’t need ankle-length or higher boots but want something of a shorter height and fail-safe durability, 1461 is perfect for you. Grab them here, here, or here.
1460 Slip-Resistant Leather Lace-Up Boots
The 1460 Slip-Resistant Lace-up Boots (found on Amazon and Dr. Martens’s website) embody the brand’s original vision of providing a highly comfortable, durable pair of boots ideal for working long hours that require you to be on your feet.
Dr. Martens 1460 Lace-Up
These have premium cushioning, an anti-slip GripTrax tread and a unique 8-eye lace setup. With scripted heel loops, yellow stitching, and new, improved air-cushioned soles, they are designed to supersede their forerunners.
Made for the fashionable, long-haul worker, each pair has breathable sock liners and memory foam pods to envelope your feet in ultimate comfort.
Do Dr. Martens’s shoes fit true to size?
If you are a shoe connoisseur, you know that it’s important to get the right fit when you buy a new pair of shoes. As mentioned earlier, Doc Martens only come in whole sizes, so if you wear a size 11 ½, you’ll have to order a size 11 or 12.
Because Dr. Martens are made of leather, they will stretch over time. If you wear half sizes, you may want to go up a whole size and fill up the extra space with bigger insoles, or select the next whole smaller size, depending on how much space you need in your shoe.
Do Dr. Martens’s shoes run big?
Dr. Martens do not run big, but they do come in whole sizes, which means that some people have to go up a half size—or even a full size—to get the right fit. This can give the impression that the shoes are huge.
It’s always better to choose the nearest smaller size of DMs and gradually break them in. That way, the footwear will form more snugly to your feet. But if you started off with a half or whole size larger than your actual size, the Docs may become “too big” for your feet by the time they’re broken in.
Do Dr. Martens’s shoes run small?
Doc Martens are made from premium-quality leather, which is one of the brand’s top selling points. However, this can be a double-edged sword for those who get their size wrong. Most Doc Martens take longer to break in than other shoes, so if you go down a half or full size, your Doc Martens will feel tighter than normal.
You may be faced with some discomfort during the breaking-in period, but once you get used to them, they become the most comfortable pair of boots you’ve ever had. The 1460 Greasy model, which brought Dr. Martens its big break, has been known to run small. So, it’s best to order a larger size than usual when buying that model.
Do Dr. Martens’s shoes stretch?
Dr. Martens are made from high-quality leather that, when broken in, molds to your feet, becoming incredibly comfortable. So yes, Doc Martens shoes do stretch.
Doc sizing compared to other popular shoes.
When choosing Doc Martens, it’s best to follow the Dr. Martens sizing guide rather than relying on the sizing systems of other brands. Though most of the sizes between Doc Martens and other popular shoe brands are similar for men and women, there can be slight variations. For example, if you wear a size 10 in Vans or Converse Chuck Taylors, you may need 9.5 or 10.5 Doc Martens.
Conclusion
Doc Martens have evolved from durable work boots to eye-catching fashion statements. While they come only in whole sizes, you can always go up or down a size to get the perfect fit if you wear half sizes.
The key takeaway from this should be that while it’s easy to assume the perfect size is one that fits usually, don’t jump the gun until you try on a pair and break them in first. If you find your Doc Martens are ever a little too large, you have options ranging from new inserts and spray liquids to help them fit better.
But let’s not end on a downer — if you’re a little bummed about having to work for a proper fit, just think of all the great things you can do with Doc Martens. Think.