Winter styling Doc Martens means a classy combat look, premium quality leather materials, practical design, and enhanced comfort. On the other hand, Doc Martens means extra expense and a bit of special care. So, people often wander around the internet in search of - our docs good for snow? Or, will doc martens get ruined in the snow? Can I wear Doc Martens in the rain? These are where we jump in to help.
However, if you decide to wear Docs out in the cold anyway, this article will come in handy. In this guide, I’m going to break down whether or not Docs are good for snow, and if they’re waterproof, and show you how to waterproof your Doc Martens.
ARE DOC MARTENS GOOD FOR SNOW?
WHAT ARE DOC MARTENS?
Doc Martens is a famous British footwear brand, though they manufacture a range of shoe care products, accessories, clothing, and bags. You’ll be excited to know that the brand produces around 250 styles and generally sells nearly 7 million pairs of shoes each year.
When they first stepped into the UK market in 1960, they would cost under $3 for a pair, but these days a shoe pair could set you back $225. Docs footwear is hard-wear, highly comfortable, and supportive for long-distance walking, so ideal for postmen, policemen, and factory workers.
Most Doc boots come equipped with unique air-cushioned soles instead of the traditional hard-leather sole to aid various foot problems. The Doc Marten footwear is incredibly durable and can withstand bad weather. They will last for years through bad winters and stormy weather.
ARE DOC MARTENS GENUINELY GOOD FOR SNOW?
Light snow that can be brushed off won’t be a problem for such heavy-duty shoes. Since the Doc Martens are made with naturally porous leather material, so they are not 100% waterproof. That’s why melting snow could seep through the seams of the boots and cause discomfort’ even damaging the insole.
You can stand in the heavy snow wearing Docs for a short period, but after 30 minutes of standing snow could get melted and clog the leather pores, cracking later.
However, the brand has introduced an exclusive line of winter boots to cope with such situations and make your life much easier during winter. Let’s have a look below.
WHICH LINE OF DOC MARTENS ARE BEST TO CONSIDER FOR WINTER?
The winter line boots are constructed with water-resistant and waterproof leather and come equipped with added fleece linings, faux fur, and more traction than others. Check out the most reliable Doc Martens for winter.
1. Doctor Martens DRYWAIR Boots
Most western regions get snowfall and rain during winter, so they need a pair of winter shoes; that can withstand cold and wet climates. Drywair boots of Doc Marten’s rain boots series are double sealed and made of rich, oily leather, preventing all sorts of liquid from seeping through to your feet.
2. Doctor Martens WINTERGRIP Boots
If you live in areas where winter comes with plenty of ice, you’ll need a pair of specialized boots. Otherwise, you’ll face a lot of trouble navigating on slippery icy surfaces.
Doc’s Wintergrip boots are the savior here; they provide excellent traction on the icy surface and efficiently withstand such harsh and treacherous environments.
These boots have specialized outsoles; equipped with grooved cleats, which offer a firm grip on slippery surfaces. The specialized leather material is easy-to-clean and not only resistant to water but also protects the boots from salt and grit.
3. Doctor Martens WARMAIR Boots
The warmair line boots are ideal for the wintertime, which is just cold not wet, though they are made of water-resistant leather to withstand melting snow. The faux fur boots are relatively thicker, and the added fleece lining protects your feet from getting chilled.
4. 1460’s Doc Martens Boots
Among all winter line Doc Martens boots, the combat style 1460 waterproof boot is consistently popular. The transparent outsole, contrastive yellow sole stitching, and shiny upper give these shoes an iconic look. The strong leather construction, quality stitching, and steel shank are an additional bonus; that makes walking easy for you during chilled snowy winter.
ARE DOC MARTENS SLIP-RESISTANT?
Dr. Marten’s thick sole is made of AirWair material, which is quite soft and bonus on wet concrete. The thick sole Doc Martens generally provides decent traction in the snow but doesn’t help at all with icy conditions. The heavy rubber lug soles offer the best grip.
ARE DOC MARTENS WATERPROOF?
Docs are made of water-resistant leather, but the naturally porous material is never 100% waterproof. So, wearing untreated leather Docs in rain is okay for 15 to 20 minutes, but the water may seep through the leather pores and make your feet wet and uncomfortable.
You can make them 100% waterproof by applying any waterproofing sprays, waxes, and other water-repellent substances.
ARE DOC MARTENS WARM AND COMFORTABLE FOR SNOW?
Now you know, with the help of additional waterproofing, Docs will provide dry feet while walking in the rain and even through snow. But what about warmth?
The leather material is quite thin and doesn’t insulate well. So, if you’re determined to wear Docs in the snow, try wearing a pair of thick wool socks to give your feet the required insulation and warmth.
DO DOC MARTENS NEED BREAKING- IN?
Yes. It is not even a matter of overnight. Doc Martens boots need 4 to 6 weeks to break in. During this initial break-in period, you can use a pair of thick cotton socks during the initial days while walking and keep the boot inserted with a boot stretcher during the nights to enhance the toe area.
ARE ALL DOC MARTENS COMBAT-LIKE BOOTS?
The brand is famous because of its quality, comfort, and product diversification. They produce different kinds of footwear. So, all Docs are not combat-like boots.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Does Snow Ruin Doc Martens?
Docs can withstand light rain for a limited amount of time (15-20 minutes or so). However, in the case of heavy rain and storms or if the boots get submerged in water, some water may get inside the boots, which may damage your boots after a couple of hours of exposure.
2. Are Doc Martens Insulated?
Docs are lightly insulated. So you can wear them in colder weather, but try to avoid wearing them in heavy snow.
3. Are Doc Martens Suitable for Hiking in The Snow?
The winter line boots of Doc Martens are okay for hiking but not ideal. They are heavy, don’t breathe well with waterproofing treatment, and their stiff sole could cause blisters and discomfort on the trail.
CONCLUSION
Doc Martens footwear is a timeless fashion staple. There never was any doubt about their material quality, comfort, and durability, but some questions were raised about their affinity in the snow.
Now you know the pros, the cons, and the solution to the cons. To conclude, the exclusive line of winter boots is great for mild urban snow and requires additional waterproofing treatment when the snow starts melting.
However, if you still have any doubts, feel free to ask below in the comment section. If you find this guide article helpful, please share it with your friends, specifically looking for a winter boot.
Charles is a Registered Nutritionist with a Master degree in Clinical Nutrition from New York University and a Bachelor degree in Nutritional Sciences from The Pennsylvania State University. He actively contributes to all trending fitness products and aims to provide consumers with reliable information and review fitness products. Thomas Berumen has an extensive fitness background. He has been working as a personal trainer for the past eight months. He is so dedicated and passionate to lead an active and healthy lifestyle and motivates his readers to do the same.