A favourite of musicians and supermodels alike, Dr Martens’s 1460 boots are perhaps one of the most recognisable shoes of all time. Famously durable, the 1460s are easy to identify; owing to their trademark yellow stitching and smooth leather upper that’s heat-sealed to a Goodyear-welted, air-cushioned sole.
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The 1460s are the brand’s first-ever shoe, but today, Dr Martens still counts several “original icons” in its offering. Though their silhouettes differ greatly, the brand’s other key styles are made from the same hardwearing materials, imbued with a rebellious spirit that’s unique to DMs.
Despite the initial “breaking-in” process that all DM wearers will be familiar with – which involves moulding the sturdy shape to the shape of your foot – many will attest to the comfort they can provide, even after years of usage. The brand’s new ZebZag boots, available in several styles including a laceless ankle boot with a cushioned ergonomic sole and a deep-cleated tread, are testament to this. Building on all the best traits of the 1460, they’re designed with easy, long-term wear in mind. Their tagline? “The art of comfort” – a fitting idiom for the new-gen DM.
Scroll on for a guide to the best Dr Martens shoes and their backstories; from the 2976 Chelseas to the 1461 Oxford shoes and 8065 Mary-Janes.
- The 1460 boots: £170
- The ZebZag: £150
- The 1461 Oxfords: £140
- The Jadon boots: £200
- The 2976 Chelseas: £170
- The Adrian loafers: £150
- The Mary-Janes: £140
- The 3989 brogues: £150
The 1460 boots
The 1460s are the OG DMs. As their name suggests, they were born on 1 April 1960, but branded as “Airwair” for their bouncy soles. Available in a variety of colourways and finishes, the 1460s are unique for their eight-hole closure, signature stitching (in yellow, white or mono), grooved sides and heel loop. There are also the shorter, six-eye 101s and the taller, 10-eye 1490s, both of which are variations on the original silhouette.
The ZebZag boots
The ZebZag’s slogan, “the art of comfort”, surmises their primary purpose: to provide unmatched comfort day in, day out. Available in several models – a laceless silhouette that borrows details from the 1460, a top-stitched slip-on boot that’s similar to a Chelsea, mules and sandals – the ZebZag ushers in a new era for the brand, centred around wearability. Docs might traditionally be known for lace-ups, but you can put these on with ease.
The 1461 Oxfords
Released exactly one year after the 1460s, Dr Martens’s 1461 Oxfords are the shoe form of the boot, with three eyes and all the same design traits (soles, stitching, et cetera). Like the 1460s, the 1461s come in numerous colourways and finishes, and are updated seasonally to lure new-gen wearers.
The Jadon boots
Another descendent of the 1460s, the Jadons were introduced in 2013 as a modern, platformed take on the classic DM silhouette. “While the brief was to create something completely new, it was super important that key things – like our grooved sole, the yellow welt stitch, eight eyelets and black heel loop – [remained],” Dr Martens’s former global creative director, Darren McKoy, previously told Vogue. “Combine that with a slimmer ankle silhouette and a whopping platform, and we were onto a winner.”
The 2976 Chelseas
“A laceless boot with an enduring design,” is how Dr Martens describes its 2976 Chelseas, which are a contemporary take on a Victorian-era silhouette. Unveiled in the ’70s, the original 2976s are crafted from leather (there are also suede or vegan “Felix Rub Off” synthetic leather versions), with elasticated gussets and all the hallmarks of a classic DM.
The Adrian loafers
Dr Martens’s Adrian loafers are another style that launched in the ’70s. With a chunky silhouette, shapely sole, double tassels and a “kiltie” fringe, the Adrians have unique charm compared to other streamlined loafers on the market.
The Mary-Janes
The brand stocks several Mary-Jane styles, each with subtle design differences. There are the double-strap 8065s, complete with decorative perforated uppers, the single-strap Polleys, the square-toe Mayboles, tapered Elfies and platform-soled Addinas – the latter of which were reworked in velvet for a collaboration with Heaven by Marc Jacobs.
The 3989 brogues
The 3989 shoes are “brogues made the Dr Martens way”. They feature traits of a classic brogue, with bouncing “Airwair” soles and detailed, perforated accents on the upper – making them the smartest shoe in the DM offering.
