greasy125 wrote:
I don’t really have a dog in this race but that’s interesting.
However docs have been crap since they outsourced to China.
-g
I agree with your sir! As a Norhamptonshire born and bred child, I was used to seeing a lot of shoemakers in my area, in fact my mum and dad both worked for Grensells and mitre sports manufacturers in the past. I used to work as a printer in Northants many years ago, and one of the benefits i used to receive were freshly made shoes from Loakes brothers!
There is a well known belief in Northants that since Griggs buggered off to china, quality has fallen. They still make "proper" Docs, in Wollaston, northants not far from where I live. They have "seconds" sales every so often, (shoes that maybe have a small glitch or mark, not good enough for general sale) where I can pick up "proper" Doc Marten shoes, at a fraction of the price.
With "proper" Docs, the leather is much, much more tougher, and take a few months "breaking in" but the results pay for itself, much so, after "breaking in" they feel like trainers- you just have to persevere with the pinching while they get used to your feet.
I have both "proper" docs and Chinese docs, and the difference is huge, mind you, so is the price. £50-£65 for Chinese, over £150-£180 for "proper docs!
Graham