Sad day for aging punk

[cyrano]

I spent years extolling the virtues of Doctor Martens boots--waterproof, acidproof, rugged, solid... real fucking proletariat boots, y'know? When I slipped on a pair of these things, I could understand the sudden desire to kick in a shop window.

Admittedly, there was a brief period when they went Hot Topic, and all you could find were nineteen-hole green boots with glitter impregnated into the leather and that. Happens to the best of us. I can forgive them that.

But when my standard ankle-height work boots which I've owned for less than a year are all torn out around the bootstrap, then I have to reconsider my devotion to the product. It's just how life tears away your pleasant illusions one by one, your fresh idealism, your sunshine-scented optimism--not because life enjoys that kind of thing, that's just its job.

Anyway. Cheerful Uncle CJ should get back to work. He just wanted to say that, for those of you to whom he's made unreserved recommendations regarding Doc Martens, he may now have reservations.

Comments

[roseneko.livejournal.com]

I've heard that DM has recently outsourced their shoemaking to China, which explains both the variety of styles and cheapness in construction. There's a shop here in town that has a stock of used British-made Doc Martens; unfortunately, the closest thing they have to my size is just a half-inch too short (stupid big toe). What's your size?

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

....I'm not entirely certain. My gut says 11/10.5/44
Aaaaaand the tape measure confirms it.

[roseneko.livejournal.com]

You'll have to forgive my ignorance of standardization - is 10.5 the UK size?

I'll have a look next time I'm down there. The stock's a bit limited in larger sizes, but I seem to remember seeing a pair or two in the 10-11 range.

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

No worries, it confuses me all the time.
11--US
10.5--UK
44--EU

[scarywhitegirl.livejournal.com]

Yuppers, this is completely true. Which is why I'm wearing the hell out of the pair of British made DMs I found on eBay.

I bought a pair of the Chinese made DMs (in a ridiculously shiny smoky purple leather) and they STILL won't quite break in right. And I'm afraid that they're going to rip out all around the lace grommets.

(There's also a difference in the boot widths between the British and Chinese versions, which is an issue for me, but not for everyone. I have insanely narrow feet, and the British pair are okay with that. The Chinese pair thinks I must be a typical American with standard or wider feet.)

[miss-friday.livejournal.com]

I know they don't have the Punk pedigree and stylin', but what about Red Wing boots? (Looks like they are still made in the US)

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

I know nothing about them, beyond the hockey association. Do you recommend them?

[miss-friday.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure the boot maker and hockey team have any relation. The boot maker is based in MN.

Red Wing boots have a great reputation. My father has had a pair for 30+ years that sees moderate use and is still going strong. However, they are Not Cheap. (Read freakin' expensive.)

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

I've seen a couple of stores. I'll have to check into it.

Combat Touring Boots

[7leaguebootdisk.livejournal.com]

http://www.aerostich.com/off-and-riding/footwear/combat-touring-boots

[princess r (from livejournal.com)]

I have wide feet and have never been able to wear DMs, so I empathize with you but can't truly feel your pain. :(