Modern Vespa

Okay, I need your help here guys/gals, if you had to pick from these two boots, which one. Keep in mind the docs, are the vintage, made in england version. I can only have one and don't know. The other boot is diesel.

My taste (or lack there of) goes for the bottom one. But the top one looks very comfortable.

The DMs look sturdier. The Diesels look like the leather is soft and really scuffable. They also look like the ankle protection woudn't be as good and the styling is more boxing shoe than riding boot IMO.

All that said, I fancy the Diesels.

But I wouldn't get either. I'd get a Sidi Doha or a similar TCX purpose-made boot...but that's just me.

Is this for ridin' or fer bovvering?

I've got Sidi's also. Hard to beat.

Raputtak:

Since I don't know what bovvering is I'll say ridin'

I know! I know! (Hand waves in the air like that of a eager third grader.)

It's British slang for troublemaking or rowdiness, usually by groups of youths, but more broadly it would be hanging around and partying with your friends.

Like you might go to Brighton on a Bank Holiday...or go to Ft. Lauderdale on Spring Break.

then I change my answer from just ridin' to both

Sole on bottom boot looks like it'll take wear better...need to check composition of both regarding coming incontact with oil / gas residue / painted surface.

I have a preference for a stiff sole with good traction and firm ankle support.

My shoes are not exactly what I call comfortable for walking but great for riding.

Regardless, you'll need to determine for yourself what is best for your own needs.

Take the Docs.

If they are proper English made docs then your next post should be in ten years time asking where you can get the sole replaced.

If you flip the boot around to look at the bottom of the sole, there should be a list printed on the bottom stating oil, acid resistance etc.

dms but only uk dms

i looooove the diesel boots but they don't look like they'd be great for riding - go with the docs. sturdy leather and a non-slip sole is what you want.

I've got a pair of 8 eye docs in October for riding. On the three rides I was able to get on (before the cold came in) they did very well for me.

This is my second pair of docs- loved my first.

As bitsa says, its really important that you buy English made - otherwise in six months or so you may feel really cheated when they fall to bits.

Buy genuine docs, not cheap ones.

its easy to tell just look at the sole for the cross and the dm stamp and the yellow stitching round the sole

Way to go Quip!

As in: "The bovver boys put the boot in".

Trans: "The rowdy hooligan kicked his opponent".

There. Now we've learnt summat.

+1 for genuine Doc Martens, I've still got my first pair...16 years later 8)

16 years ... so you dont wear them too often then .... i usually kill mine in 4-5 but then again i only take them off to change me socks

Nah mate they're not my daily shoe but if I need something tough (if I'm going down the scrapyard or something) then the old docs come out to play. In 3 or 4 years I might get them re-soled

4-5 years is not good wear in my experience. Like you I wear my boots everyday. I wore my first pair of Wesco boots for 20 years (probably 9 out of every 10 days). My second pair of riding boots were Redwings and they lasted 10 years (they've switch to china production in the mean time so I'm done with them). I just bought a new pair of Wescos last year and expect to get closer to 20 years again. Wescos are expensive but worth every penny.

The Diesel boots are a fashion statement. They are not a real boot that will last and protect your foot.

-Craig

my 14 eyelets lasted me about 5 years when the sole wore through when i walked in the rain they loved to drink ... then they peed it out on the carpet when i got in ...

took them to walkleys to get then soled but couldnt walk in them ...

so went for some standard clogs and 3 sets of rubbers theyre still going wouldnt recomend them for riding but walking theyre like slippers

http://www.clogs.co.uk/

mine are like the "gibson" but have an over tounge and the leather is hand carved

I'm all for fashionable footwear and wish there were better looking options out there for riding but that's not the case. The Diesels are the equivalent of a "motorcycle-style" leather jacket-might look okay and look like riding gear, but it's not and will offer no protection when you need it.

For actual riding, and not just preening, think about protecting your precious toes and ankle bones. Reinforced toes and extra ankle-bone protection are high on my list-- I've got those on both models of my boots by Sidi, Italian motorcycle/bicycle footwear specialist.

Why are you even thinking about it ? Buy the Docs.

Accept no subtitutes.

Long live the King.

Bill X

And if you like a less technical look, here's the Sidi Doha.

If you're basing your decision soley on everyone's vote, than I have to say get the DM's. Much better looking IMO.

Between the two? The docs win hands down. But for riding i have these on my list http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002IFZD7A/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&s=automotive

I'm looking to buy new boots, as well. My first priority (being a lazy engineer), is that they are easier to put on than lace-ups. For me, that kills the Docs.

bloody hell ive just found a pair of new 1914 originals .... £140 ..... i payed £35 for mine and they threw in a pair of lime green laces


painted this on them and got chased through bradford ... they thought i was a nazi ...... thinking about it it might have looked like that

I felt the same way when I bought my latest pair of boots. My previous pair of were lace-ups and while I got really good at lacing them fast it became tiresome. Interestingly enough, this pull-on style of boot is called an "Engineer Boot". I never new it was because we were lazy (I'm also an engineer). But it makes sense.

I ordered these boots with an optional steel toe and deer skin lining (very nice and soft).

caschnd1 - what brand are those?

+1

These boots are made in Oregon by a company called Wesco (a.k.a. West Coast Shoe Company). They are pricey, but last for years (I wore my first pair for 20 years... resoled twice) and are completely rebuildable by sending them back to Wesco. A base pair of off-the-shelf engineer boots will run about $400. Mine were custom made with the options I wanted (deerskin lining, fire proof Vibram sole, kevlar stitching, steel toe) and also custom fitted based on 28 measurements taken of my feet. They cost $550. That's a lot of money to pay for a pair of boots but my first pair lasted 20 years (they cost $150 in 1978) so considering the long life it's pretty reasonable.

https://www.westcoastshoe.com/wesco/

-Craig

I just ordered the Joe Rocket Meteor Men's Motorcycle Boots in Black Size 13 from a shop in town. I read all the posts of the different boots and these seemed to be the best choice. Thank you Stickyfrog for mentioning them.

I have the same pair of English made DM's that was posted at the beginning of the thread. I've been wearing them daily for a year and they are only now really broken in. They are very high quality. I can't recommend them enough.

i've got these fluevogs that i wear for riding on occasion.... i like the Carabinieri look they've got going on, and once i had a set of non-slip soles stuck on, they're pretty much perfect. they take a donkey's age to get into but i'm willing to suffer for my art.

i have been rocking doc martins since high school. they are an iconic boot. i still wear the Made in England version quite often. my issue with them is the same as ericalm's. they are not very protective for riding.

i really like caschnd1's suggestion of engineer boots. engineer boots are perfect functionally and aesthetically (they do not look like they should be on a spaceman like a lot of scooter gear). especially with steel shanks and toes. i would not go with his suggestion of brand and model for two reasons 1. the price is just too dear for most people, including me. 2. the lugs are too deep. it seems like you would track mud and wet all over hell in those. that is why i never wear the larger lugged doc martins.

so, having said that, i have a less dear and less messy suggestion. the carolina domestic 12" model 115 steel toed and shanked black oiltan engineer boot. the domestic 115 is made in usa and can be found on shoeline.com for under $125 including shipping. i wear them almost every day.

Yes... unfortunately the price is very high. Your suggestion of other brands is probably the only way to get around that issue. In 1978 (I was 16 y/o) the $150 for my first pair of Wescos about killed me. But after wearing them 20 years that worked out to $7.50/year. Quiet a bargain. I understand, however, that it's just not an option for everyone.

Regarding the soles... Wesco offers about 7 different soles you can get with this boot. Everything from the lugged soles like I have to a much smoother sole. I've found that the lugged soles give me a little better traction on those heavily oiled parts of the road like you find near stop signs and stop lights when you have to put your feet down. But... we only get a few days with rain each year in this part of the world. So tracking in mud and wet isn't too big a concern.

-Craig

It's not class or ideology
Colour, creed, or roots
The only thing that unites us
Is Dr Marten's boots...

caschnd1: they are beautiful boots. practically wearable art. i get that they are a custom made boot. and they are probably worth the money in the long run. the deerskin looks beautiful, too. i get it, i really do. i am just not in the position to afford such a thing.

note: one more issue with the lugged sole is that they pick up small stones. if one goes into a home or business with them on without checking the soles, one can do a LOT of damage fast . when i was in boy scouts, i wore a vintage pair of vasque hiking boots with heavily lugged vibram soles. i was always careful to check my soles before crossing any threshold. this can also happen with the heavier lugged doc martin's.