- Comes from South America or Asia
- Super corrected leather
- A little plasticky
- Available in many colors/patterns
When I spoke with their helpline they told me that this leather comes from “either South America or Asia” which is a pretty broad net to cast but that’s the only information they gave me.
Now, the company describes this as “full grain leather” even though it’s very, very smooth and doesn’t have a trace of grain on the skin. This is actually corrected leather – it’s been smoothed down – but since it’s made from the top layer of the animal’s hide and it’s not suede or roughout, Dr. If you’re a leather purist there’s a chance you object to the idea of “corrected full grain leather” as a contradiction in terms, but I’m going to just say this is corrected grain to be safe.
This leather is so smooth that in my opinion, it looks quite plasticky. There’s no real surprise there, everyone knows what Doc Martens look like before they buy them and this is an aesthetic that speaks to a lot of people but in my opinion, this leather looks as cheap as it is.
“Durable and famously stiff to start with, it moulds to your feet and gets more comfortable with wear. smooth leather can be polished to a dapper shine or artfully scuffed up, depending on your preference.”
One of the good things about buying from such an enormous company: they have a ton of other leathers to choose from. I picked up the classic leather because it’s the most popular and I wanted the review to be as useful for as many people as possible, but you can also get these in oxblood – I had a pair when I was 17 – or white, or seasonal options that, in the past, have included flowers.
Dr. Martens Leather Care
- Doc ”
- Made of lanolin, beeswax, coconut oil
- Use once a month
- Dubbin Polish will add a thicker wax layer
The company is known for their “Wonder Balsam” product that they recommend for their leather, which is made from lanolin, beeswax, and coconut oil. It’s meant to soften and polish the leather, for use every 6 months or so depending on how hard you wear them and how dry the leather looks.
Dr. Martens Sole
- Super soft
This is the main event. The sole is what made Dr. ous and it’s made from an inorganic rubber that’s oil and fat resistant. It really is super soft; as I mentioned above, it was originally used for people with orthotic concerns or foot pain.
While it’s not at all dressy, this is meant to be a comfy, casual boot and I have to say the sole was my favorite thing about the boot. The shock absorption is great, the rubber is soft but not too soft, and it’s a delight to walk around in. I did find it’s a little squeaky on indoor surfaces, but that may change as the shoes get older.
After the rubber, there’s what the guy on the phone called a “cork material” and then the insole is a “vegan material” that he then clarified is polyurethane foam, which would further add to the shock absorption.
A few downsides to this sole: there’s no shank, which means it’s not as stable as other boots, and it’s very hard to resole. If you’re asking, “But isn’t this a Goodyear welt?” well, I know what you mean. It’s a weird kind of Goodyear welt and just as Doc Martens calls this “full grain leather,” I feel like they’re 
playing fast and loose with their terms, here. For these shoes, the upper is heat sewn to the sole with flame. You can see it in this neat video below, which should start at the welting.
