Fall is the best season to invest in a new pair of boots before harsh weather blows in, so it’s important to choose a pair that’s exceptionally resilient and versatile for regular wear through the winter. You’d be hard-pressed to find a shoe that ticks every box quite like Dr. Martens’ fall boots and shoes. Not only is the cult-favorite footwear tough enough to brave rain, snow, and slush, but it also offers undeniable attitude and polish to any outfit. Plus, the brand’s wide array of styles delivers on decades of durability.
Dr. Martens men’s and women’s shoes will stand the test of time in your shoe rotation, much like they have in the footwear market over the last century. Also known as “Docs,” the brand’s heritage designs originated as workwear boots and gardening shoes, before being adopted by subcultures throughout the decades as edgy combat boots. In 1945, recovering WWII soldier Dr. Klaus Maertens developed the shoes’ original air-cushioned soles to soothe his broken foot before incorporating excess military supplies into their design, establishing their famous practicality and grit. By the ’60s, the brand added legacy signatures like heel loops and yellow contrast stitching to mark heat-sealed Goodyear Welting between the upper and sole, ushering in the iconic Dr. Martens 1460 boot — one of the Greatest Shoes of All Time , according to Footwear News.
Today, Dr. Martens’ boots and shoes are wardrobe staples for all ages and style perspectives. From The Who’s Pete Townshend sporting the 1460s stage in 1967 to Olivia Rodrigo representing Gen Z’s obsession with leather styles in her regular street style, Docs bring a heritage punk panache that allows for boundless reinvention in modern contexts.
The beauty of Docs is their intrinsic versatility, which means any ensemble can be a Dr. Martens outfit. The unisex shoes are built to go with just about anything, from office dresses and suits to wide-leg trousers to daily denim. Plus, they’ll outlast every other pair of shoes in your closet. To get into the fall spirit, kick off your shoe-shopping extravaganza with these Dr. Martens icons that are tough, cool, and timeless, making them the ideal footwear for fall and many seasons to come.
Dr. Martens 1460 Smooth Leather Lace Up Boots $170 Buy Now at Dr. Martens Dr. Martens’ most iconic boot is the 1460. The brand’s first-ever shoe launched in 1960 and, according to Footwear News, carries the title of one of the Greatest Shoes of All Time .
Its counterculture heritage has transcended decades and trends, where its most recent comeback amounted to 30 million pairs sold between 2015 and 2024. Made with smoothed-out leather, the 1460 features the brand’s signature 8-eye lacing, Goodyear-welted construction, and yellow contrast stitching. Consider this style the gold standard combat boot .
What testers say : “These boots are stellar! They rate in my opinion as one of the most comfortable pair of boots at a super reachable price. I highly recommend these to someone looking for a great casual and semi-professional pair of black boots.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $170 Dr. Martens Vegan Sinclair Platform Boots $210 Buy Now at Dr. Martens The brand may be renowned for durable leather, but Dr. Martens’ vegan construction deserves its own applause. The Dr. Martens Sinclair Platform Boots front the brand’s bold and edgy aesthetic with glossy patent leather and a super-stacked 1.5-inch sole. They hit just above the ankle to peek under baggy jeans or frilly women’s socks and feature all the same Goodyear welting durability as other Dr. Martens classics. The best part? These babies are one of few Docs with a convenient zipper closure. Easy on, easy off.
Editor testing and review notes: “As a petite girl — 5 feet to be exact — and an ex-vegan who shops leather with intention, I adore these boots. I love that their shine adds a touch of flair to any outfit and the patent leather is SO easy to wipe clean (I just dusted mine off for the fall and winter season!). The platform is chunky and so Y2K but surprisingly comfortable to walk in. Just make sure you test drive them on your stairs at home. I wear them all the time, rain or shine.” — Commerce Writer & Producer Olivia Cigliano
Price upon publish date of this article: $210 Dr. Martens Jadon Smooth Leather Platform Boots $200 Buy Now at Dr. Martens The Dr. Martens Jadon Platform Boot has all of the edge and history of your classic Docs but made even edgier with the dramatic platform lug outsole. The “indie sleaze” staple dates back to its conception in 2013 when the brand set off to meld the DNA of the 1460 boot with extreme design additions, like the now-signature Quad platform sole. Today, it’s a staple no matter your aesthetic, with grippy grooved traction, side zip closures, and polished leather uppers.
What testers say : “These are my first pair of Dr. Martens and I’m in LOVE. Usually I wear a women’s 7 or 7.5 so sized down and they fit perfectly! I love the platform design. Theres plenty of cushion for all-day wear.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $200 Dr. Martens 8065 Virginia Leather Mary Jane Shoes On Sale 44% off $78 Buy Now at Dr. Martens These 80s-era Mary Jane shoes are not for the faint of heart — as dainty as they appear. Inspired by timeless t-bar dress shoes, the TikTok-viral style packs all the grit of any Dr. Martens boot into a ladylike package. Airware rubber soles, heat-sealed stitching, and airy brogueing at the uppers make these sweet shoes as practical as they are trendy. They also feature a wider footbed and a round toe box, so they’re ideal for those who need shoes for wide feet or shoes for bunions .
Editor testing and review notes: “These cuties are my office shoes of choice because they’re comfortable and incredibly easy to style. I especially love that they’re durable enough to withstand my morning commute in New York City while still looking dressy for professional settings. They fit me true to size and didn’t require a break-in period, which took me by surprise as my Docs boots often do.” — Cigliano
Price upon publish date of this article: $78 Dr. Martens Anistone Hi Leather Biker Boots $200 Buy Now at Dr. Martens Biker boots are one of the biggest fall footwear trends this season, so allow us to introduce you to Dr. Martens’ take on the strappy harness style. The Anistone boots have already sold out since their release earlier this season, but they’re finally back in this rich brown colorway that plays more rustic compared to harsh black leather. Uniquely made with burnished waxy-finish leather, they stand on the brand’s elevated Bex sole and feature an easy pull-on design.
What testers say : “100/10. These are my favorite Docs I’ve ever bought — and I literally own every pair. They’re very comfy, even for an all-day on-your-feet shift!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $200 Dr. Martens Vegan 1460 Lace Up Boots $170 Buy Now at Dr. Martens Glossy cherry boots for fall? Yes, please! These vegan patent leather 1460 boots are dripping in this season’s burgundy trend, offering a high-fashion edge to any end of the style spectrum, from punk to coquette and everything in between. This style dons black trims and a smoke DMS outsole that offers all-day stability, shock absorption, and added aesthetic dimension with two-tone grooving.
What testers say : “The cherry-colored vegan leather is so stunningly gorgeous! I like that there’s no break-in period, too. Beautifully crafted and the color goes well with everything. These boots are easy to maintain and clean. The lug soles are very grippy!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $170 Dr. Martens Women’s Virginia Leather Adrian Tassel Loafers On Sale 41% off $89 Buy Now at Dr. Martens Loafers continue to trend year after year, but tapped-in Dr. Martens fans know the Adrian Tassel style is one of the best on the market. Not only is the ’70s design exceptionally durable and lasts through decades of daily wear, but it’s also comfortable thanks to its soft and supple leather uppers. Available in this trending “muted olive” hue, along with smokey gray, lilac, and sleek black, this women’s loafer is chic and simple with a sophisticated tassel charm and tapered toe.
What testers say : “The perfect versatile loafer — you can dress it up or down with jeans and a sweater or dress pants and blazer. The leather texture is perfect with tassels. I usually wear 8.5 and the 8 fits perfectly.”
Dr. Martens 939 Ben Leather Lace Up Boots $170 Buy Now at Dr. Martens Dr. Martens offers its own iteration of nearly every type of boot, like the 939 Ben hiking boots . On top of the brand’s recognizable contrast stitching and durable welting, this style boasts key elements to support you through a long trek, like high-abrasion and slip-resistant air-cushioned soles, waxed leather uppers that hold up to debris, and padded collars for essential ankle support.
What testers say : “This is my second pair in this style. I have MS and walking is difficult. I use a walker but these help stabilize my feet and ankles. They wear like iron and last many years.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $170 Dr. Martens 2976 DM’s Wintergrip Leather Chelsea Boots $190 Buy Now at Dr. Martens Few shoe silhouettes are as timeless and convenient as slip-on Chelsea boots, but Dr. Martens, of course, upped the ante with this style. Designed to counter the chaos of Jack Frost, this boot features upgraded Wintergrip outsoles and the brand’s cleat-like Gripwait traction to keep you from slipping on ice and wet ground. Its “Blizzard” leather uppers are water and salt-resistant while insulting fleece lining keeps your feet warm and cozy in any storm. This Dr. Martens fur-lined style is a reliable winter boot with stylish appeal — and near-weatherproof durability.
What testers say : “A great winter boot! I wear these as my everyday casual winter cold-weather boots. I needed something with fleece as it gets quite cold and wet outside while walking the dogs. I usually wear a size 7 in Docs but I sized up for this one to accommodate the fleece interior and it was perfect. I would recommend a size up if your regular size doesn’t have any extra room.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $190 Dr. Martens 1914 Smooth Leather Tall Boots $200 Buy Now at Dr. Martens For some added coverage in the calf department, consider the 1914 Smooth Leather Tall Boots a functional fashion statement. They’re essentially an elongated version of the classic 1460, with air-cushioned soles, textured leather, and 14-eye lacing. The shaft hits in the middle of the calf, so it bodes well as an extra layer of warmth in frigid temperatures or for pairing with knee-high socks and hosiery.
What testers say : “Absolutely perfect! I’ve been looking for some tall lace-up boots with no platform because I’m 5’10” and these are just awesome. They fit true to size. I recommend wearing socks longer than the boots underneath.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $200
How to Break in Dr. Martens Boots
Dr. Martens’ leather boots and shoes are notorious for their earned break-in period, but not all styles are the same. For instance, genuine leather boots will soften with wear and develop a soft patina, which eventually relieves their original stiff fit. Vegan Docs, however, are most common in a patent leather finish, which will remain fairly rigid with limited break-in potential so it’s important to select your correct size using the brand’s size guide before placing your order. Dr. Martens offers several tricks to make the initial wear more comfortable, such as inserting heel pads or investing Double Docs Socks to relieve friction between your feet and the durable leather.
To accelerate the break-in process, Dr. Martens recommends applying leather conditioner or Dr. Martens’ Wonder Balsam on the shoe’s interior to soften the leather. Fans on TikTok have shared a wealth of other DIY tips, like applying heat with a hair dryer , stuffing the shoe with ice and freezing it overnight to expand the material, or even massaging the leather with a hammer .
“I’ve owned several iterations of Docs in my time and there’s always a break-in period — but it’s so worth it,” says Footwear News Shop Commerce Writer and Producer, Olivia Cigliano. “My best advice is to wear thick socks or layer two pairs during that time, as stiff leather uppers can rub and irritate your heels and ankles. Just be prepared to test drive your boots before you take them along for a long haul.”
Why Trust Footwear News
For more than 75 years, Footwear News has been the shoe authority. Our coverage spans top industry news, retail trends, head-to-toe fashion, athletic and outdoor analysis and more. Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully curated all product selections featured using our expansive brand knowledge and thorough research to find quality, long-lasting items. Learn more about us here .
Meet the Author
Olivia Cigliano is a Commerce Writer & Producer at Footwear News and WWD where she writes shopping content on the best-rated footwear, TikTok style trends, and more. Olivia received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Emerson College, and her byline can be found in publications including Elite Daily and CR Fashion Book. As a longtime Docs lover, she’s constantly seen around New York City wearing her favorite Dr. Martens boots and shoes. She updated this story in October 2024 with new fall releases and helpful tips for breaking in your new boots.
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