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Are UK Made Dr. Martens Better Quality [Buyer’s Guide]
Wouldn’t it be weird to come across an Aston Martin DB12 with a “Made in England” label? That’s right, because it’s obvious that they’re made in the UK. Dr Martens once held that same privilege years ago before 2002. There was no question of whether a Dr Martens boot is made in the UK or not.
That wouldn’t apply today though, because Dr Martens started mass production of these iconic boots in Asian factories in 2002. So, if you’re a true fan of these footwear staples, you’d be exploring online stores looking for UK-made Dr Martens. Their English production is now limited, and you’ll mostly find them with a “Made in England” label and price of over £200.
If you haven’t interacted much with this quality footwear brand, it can be a bit challenging to identify the genuine Dr Martens. Let’s help you learn how to tell if Doc Martens are real and discover the UK online stores that sell the original “Made in England” types. Later on, you’ll also find out how you can shop at any of these stores and ship your Dr Martens to any country in the world with Jetkrate.
What Makes the UK-made Dr Martens Superior
If you’ve been looking for these boots and came across the Asian-made ones, you have more reasons to opt for the original UK-made ones.
Craftsmanship
English-made Dr Martens are crafted in the original factory located in Wollaston, Northamptonshire. Each pair undergoes rigorous quality inspection to ensure lovers of these iconic boots get a quality product built to last.
Heritage and authenticity
Dr Martens are made using traditional techniques passed down through several generations, preserving the authenticity of the brand. So, owning a pair of these British boots means owning a piece of history.
Material Quality
The Wollaston factory chooses only the finest materials when crafting the UK-made Dr Martens. From the premium Quilon and Horween leather to the durable soles, every piece that makes up these boots is of superior quality. Quilon leather is the original material that was first used to craft Dr Martens in the 1970s when the brand was in its infantry.
As for Horween Chromexcel leather, it’s sourced from Chicago and is the same material used by popular brands such as Wolverine for their iconic 1000 Mile vintage boot. So, when you buy the made in England Dr Martens, just know that you’re going for the best quality with zero compromises.
Spotting the Asia-made vs. UK-made Dr Martens
Dr Martens have a long-standing history, tracing their origin to the humble beginnings in post-war Germany and entering the UK in the 1960s. With time, this iconic footwear grew to become a symbol of the craftsmanship and culture of the British. The original Made in England Dr Martens are cherished for their exceptional durability and quality, making them a prized possession for lovers of boots around the world.
So, if you’re ready to invest your hard-earned money in these bad boys, how do you ensure you’re getting the real deal? Since you already know where are Doc Martens made, how can you get the original English-made Dr Martens and not their Asian-made counterparts?
1. Check the Heel Loop
UK-made Dr Martens have a distinctive yellow heel loop that reads “Made in England.” This should be the first clue to watch out for. As for the mass-produced Asian versions, they come with a plain black heel loop.
2. Check the leather quality
The leather quality is a dead giveaway. The UK-made Dr Martens is crafted from more resilient Quilon and Horween leather. You end up with better, long-lasting quality boots with a pretty awesome look. That’s not to say that Asian-made counterparts are of poor quality, it’s only that they’re crafted from thinner leather, which means they may not be as durable, depending on how frequently you wear them.
3. Inspect the stitching
Another way to identify the Made in England boots is to closely inspect the stitching. The UK-made boots boast meticulous, hand-stitched craftsmanship with even and robust stitches. Their stitching style also answers the question “How long do Doc Martens last,” which could be anything between 5 and 20 years. On the other hand, the mass-produced versions are machine-stitched, which means the element of craftsmanship is lacking.
4. Check the top cover
The regular Dr Martens have a cover on their top lip, whereas the authentic UK-made range doesn’t, which means you can easily see the quality of the leather grain. It may not be a dealbreaker, but it proves how far the English craftsmen have gone to prove the quality of their boots.
5. Inspect the midsole
What makes Doc Martens shoes made in England more comfortable is their felt midsole, made to easily mould to your foot and retain comfort even with continued use. On the other hand, the mass-produced Dr Martens come with a foam midsole that, even though comfortable, will deteriorate over time.
6. Choice of colour
The regular Dr Martens mass-produced in Asia come in a wide variety of colour options, including steel grey, black, acid pink, peppermint green, white, green, cherry red, navy, blue, yellow, and satchel red. That is besides the more creative and quirky designs such as crazy horse design or the vegan leather alternatives.
The authentic made in England Dr Martens has a limited selection of colours. In most cases, you’ll find these iconic shoes in black, tweed leather, and oxblood variations. If you look keenly, you’ll notice that these colours are also not as bold as those of regular Dr Martens.
Where to Buy the Original UK-Made Dr Martens
Ready to get your feet on a pair of these legendary British boots? There are plenty of UK online stores that stock genuine Dr Martens with amazing offers worth your attention:
1. Dr Martens Official Store
As you’d expect, the first place to land your hands on these authentic British boots is directly from the source. Check out the official Dr Martens website for a selection of their UK-made collection. You stand a chance to save up to 40% when you shop directly from their online store where you can shop for different Dr Martens varieties. First-time purchases attract an automatic 10% discount on all types of shoes on sale.
2. End Clothing
End Clothing is renowned for its variety of luxury, high-end UK-made clothes and shoes. This retailer offers different types of authentic Dr Martens, from boots, monkey boots, and loafers to monk straps, eye shoes, and buckle mules. The online store is simple and easy to navigate, making it easier to find what you’re looking for.
3. The British Boot Company
British Boot Company is an independent retailer based in Camden, London, offering trendy shoe varieties from renowned UK brands, including Grinders, George Cox, Loakes, Solovairs, and Dr Martens. They have one of the biggest treasure troves for boot enthusiasts, and you’ll love their selection of Dr Martens.
4. ASOS UK
ASOS is another renowned UK online store that stocks a wide range of Dr Martens, however, filter their products to ensure the ones you select are UK-made. Take advantage of their free delivery and shop your favourite Dr Martens with up to 60% off clearance sales.
5. Stuarts London
Stuarts London is popular for its unique selection of men’s clothing and shoe brands. It’s your go-to shopping destination if you want exclusive releases and classic styles of Dr Martens. Check under the “brands” menu and find Dr Martens Made in England.
6. Dandy Fellow
Dandy Fellow offers a curated selection of men’s quality wear, and their UK-made Dr Martens is not an exception. With their next-day delivery option on orders above £100, you can shorten the period it takes for your Dr Martens order to reach your doorstep while using Jetkrate.
How to Ship Your UK-Made Dr Martens Internationally
As you might have noticed, most of these UK stores selling original and custom Doc Martens don’t do deliveries beyond the UK. So, if you want these iconic Doc Martens on your doorstep but are not in the UK, there’s a cheaper and faster way to do it. You only need an affordable parcel forwarding service. Jetkrate allows you to shop from any of these UK stores and get your Dr Martens delivered to you, no matter where you are.
When you open a free account, you’ll be issued a local UK address, which you can use as your delivery location during checkout. Jetkrate gives you ample time to continue shopping until you’re done and then consolidate your purchases into one package. This makes it easier to ship and will provide you with incredible savings on shipping and customs clearance costs.
To make the delivery to your doorstep even smoother, Jetkrate works with the world’s most trusted couriers, such as DHL, FedEx, and New Zealand Post.
In as little as two days from your package leaving the UK, you can start rocking the neighbourhood in your sleek UK-made Dr Martens. It’s that simple!
Sign Up for Jetkrate and Step Out in Style
Strut your stuff with a unique pair of the original made in England Dr Martens. All you have to do is sign up for a Jetkrate account today, start shopping, and be ready to rock these iconic boots. Avoid the stresses of higher shipping costs by signing up for a Jetkrate account today when you shop for Dr Martens from UK online stores.