Doctor Martens has been a powerhouse in the shoe and boot industry for eight decades now. This is a feat very few giants today can claim. Even more impressive is that Dr Martens’ overall design and silhouette haven’t really been changed–tweaked perhaps, but not changed. We all know and love the yellow lace stitching on these boots!
The AirWair soles are just as iconic now as they were when they first released and even compete with modern technology, showing just how ahead of their time they were. This is a boot so cool that it’s managed to shake off bad image after bad image and still come out as one of the more stylish choices for edgy footwear, especially for modern women. If anything, the bad press pushed the boots more into the limelight. Like the products they sell, Doctor Martens is truly indestructible.
As we just said, the silhouette has not changed. What has evolved is the height range at which the soles come in. While the AirWair soles use the same technology as before, people can now get thicker soles, turning their DMs into height enhancing platform boots.
Let’s Review The Different Doctor Martens Sole Heights
The higher the sole, the more punk the shoes become! We’ve done it before, but let’s briefly go over each sole height from shortest to tallest.
The Classic DMs Sole
Truly timeless, the original Doctor Martens are still very much in style today! The standard sole is found on boots such as the 1460 Smooth Leather Lace Up Boots (i.e. the classic DMs), priced at £169 on their official website. Both these and their 1461 low-top Oxford counterparts are so celebrated they’ve even been used as wedding shoes.
The Bex Sole (Almost Platform Shoes)
The Bex sole is the next level up from the classics, yet it is not quite a platform sole. These are some of the most popular soles and commonly found attached to Dr Martens shoes like Oxfords and Mules. The soles give the wearer an additional 1.3” and are just as comfortable as the classic soles. 1460s and 1461 are priced at £189 and £159 respectively.
The Quad Neoteric Soles | Avant Garde Platform Dr Martens
Now, we’re starting to step into the true Alt territory. These soles have an amplified tread pattern with larger teeth, which can provide more traction for the wearer. The soles stand at 1.8” and are found on boots such as the Audrick, which is priced at £199 on the Doctor Martens website. This definitely qualifies as a Dr Martens platform shoe and has gained genuine love from those who view themselves as more avant-garde.
The DM Quads
The Quads debuted in the 1970s and were immediately adopted by the punk community with open arms. The soles are most famously attached to the Jadon boot silhouette, priced typically at £199. The soles give the wearer 1.85” of extra height, making them the second tallest soles Doc Martens offers. These soles can be found on their shoe silhouettes too, the Oxford quads and Voss faux leather sandals found on the online shop are immensely popular among women who lean into platforms.
The Quad Max Soles
Now these are platform Dr Martens! The tallest soles Doctor Martens have are the Quad Max soles, which stand at 2.3” and are famously attached to the Jadon Max boots, priced at £219. These are the punkest of the punk and will be all over this post.
Selection Of Dr Martens Platform Boots And Shoes
Let’s go over our favourite shoes and boots in the platform category. Sadly, the classic soles and the Bex soles don’t make the cut for today’s selection.
2.3” Platforms
Since they’re the tallest, the Quad Max soles get the first crack to impress. There are eight boots with this soul, and we’re looking at each of them today!
The 1460 Pascal Max Leather Platform Boots: The most pedestrian of all the boots fitted with the Quad Max soles, the Pascals are made from Pisa leather from Nappa. The leather is soft to the touch and is textured.
The Jadon Max Buttero Leather Platform Boots: The Jadons are one of Dr Martens’ more popular silhouettes. The upper is made with glossy full-grain leather, which is best maintained with regular polishing, and of course, the boots have the signature metal zipper down the side, which is probably why the boots are so popular.
The Sinclair Max Pisa Leather Platform Boots: Now we’re getting into some strange territory. Made with the same Pisa leather that the Pascals are, the Sinclairs have a zipper down the middle of the upper and have removable lacing that can be tied over the zip.
All three of these boots have a 4.5-star rating on the Dr Martens online shop, and all cost £219.
The 1B60 LTT Max Lace Up High Platform Boots: These boots are made from Buttero leather with a satiny finish and have the signature steel toe cap. These boots have a knee-high topline and a zip down the side so the wearer does not have to undo all of those laces.
Blaire Quad Hydro Leather Platform Sandals: These sandals are special. Not just because they’re sandals, but because they have a different sole from the others. While other DMs have the AirWair soles, the Blairs have the memory foam SoftWair soles. The upper is made with hydro leather with a smooth finish and is regarded as one of the more comfortable pairs.
The Jadon HI LTT Leather Platform Boots: These are pretty much the same as the knee-high DMs above. The leather is also Buttero, and the steel toe cap and side zipper are where they should be.
Jadon Max Vegan Platform Boots: Remember the Jadons above? These are the same but vegan. What does that mean? It means no animals were harmed during the manufacturing of this shoe. The entire upper is made with synthetic leather with that same iconic finish.
Voss Quad Leather Strap Platform Sandals: These sandals are made with hydro leather with a matt finish. The straps are comfortable and adjustable. They also have the same Software soles as the sandals above.
1.85” Platforms
There are 54 Doctor Martens boots currently attached to the standard Quad platform. It unfortunately goes without saying that we won’t be covering all of them here today. Instead, we’re going to showcase some personal favourites.
The 2976 Quad Smooth Leather Platform Chelsea Boots: In the 1970s, Dr Martens manufactured its first Chelsea boot. The 2976 Chelsea boot is now a sleek, unabashedly fashionable style that suits all body types. Its elasticised gusset makes it simple to put on and take off, and it fits true to size. The upper is made of original DM leather, polished smooth, and elastic on the sides.
The Jadon Smooth Leather Platform Boots: Commando-style hefty tread: the Quad Retro sole was designed to give power. Seen on the hugely successful Jadon boot. A classic DM Polished Smooth leather 8-eye silhouette layered on a 1.85-inch outsole.
The 8053 Quad Smooth Leather Platform Shoes: Similar to the 1461 but with a higher topline, the 8053 is built with comfort in mind. The top line is padded, and the upper is made of 100% polished leather.
The Audrick 22I XTRM Lace Leather Boots: Talk about high-tops, what about thigh-tops? Sleek Nappa Lux leather is used to construct this tall boot, which is fastened with a 22-roller trim lacing system and gunmetal hardware. Equipped with a SoftWair insole for increased comfort and an inside zip for simple access.
The Jetta Platform Boots: These boots are made with Sendal–a natural-looking, semi-aniline nappa leather with a full-grain texture that is pleasant to the touch. The Jetta boot has a prominent front-facing zip with a leather pull button in place of laces. Constructed from smooth Classic Pull-Up leather, this piece reveals new hues with each bend and fold. The boot has extra-long Puritan stitching across the vamp and is embellished with antique gold hardware.
The Blaire Felix Rub Off Vegan Sandals: It’s Vegan, crafted with Felix Rub Off, a pliable and velvety synthetic substance. This Dr Martens sandal has a lightweight ripple sole, a cushioned collar for comfort, a little wedge for height, and, in contrast to most sandals, a strong, long-lasting Goodyear welt.
The Jadon-Hair On Cow Print Platform Boots: Cow print? That’s right! There used to be a time when women would stay as far away from anything resembling cow print. Those times appeared to have changed. Genuine hair and leather are used to create Hair On, an all-natural printed material. Built from bold all-over Cow Print Hair On leather, this unique take on the Jadon boot is sure to turn heads. The boot is situated on the Quad sole platform.
The Jadon Smooth Leather Platform Boots: Time to showcase one of DM’s signature white boots! It’s the same as the Jadon Platform boot but in smooth white leather.
The Sinclair Milled Nappa Leather Platform Boots: These are a current best-seller on the Dr Martens website. The Sinclair is made out of milled Nappa leather, so it will feel worn in from the first time they’re put on. This is a big bonus for those who fear the dreaded breaking-in process infamous with leather boots.
The Neoterics
Of course, we need to showcase some of the avant-garde footwear Doc Martens has to offer. The Neoteric Line has 17 items in its catalogue, and we will present the most interesting.
The Audrick 10I Platform Boots: Looking like they come right out of a Blade film, the 10Is are suited for creatures of the night. The 10-eyelet silhouette has soft Patent PU leather accents, an extra-high tongue, a toe piece, a moulded heel and a Velcro ankle strap. It is constructed from Nappa Lux leather with Ajax leather. Interestingly, the boot has a SoftWair insole fitted for optimal comfort.
The Ricki Nappa Lux Leather 3-Strap Platform Sandals: As we’ve all probably guessed, these sandals are made from Nappa Lux leather, too. An antibacterial cork footbed that is moulded into each pair keeps feet fresh throughout the summer. On top of that, these sandals also have the Software memory foam insole.
The Audrick Quilted Platform Chelsea Boots: From vampires to spaceships, these boots might as well be the official footwear for the Mars mission. The boots are built for cold climates, with insulated fabric and water-resistant leather and stitching. The boot has an elasticated gusset that extends from the collar to the toe and, you guessed it, a Software insole for added comfort.
The Audrick 8I Quilted Platform Boots: The Chelsea boots and these are one and the same, just with a different silhouette. These were perfectly designed for comfort and cold conditions. Both insulated and water resistant, these boots have an additional toe cap for extra durability.
The Ricki Nappa Lux Leather Platform Gladiator Sandals: Are you not entertained by this article? These are certainly one of the more interesting designs DM has come up with. Crafted from the comfortable Nappa Lux leather we are all so familiar with, their striking 5-strap design adds even more height. An antibacterial cork footbed that is moulded into each pair keeps feet fresh even in hotter climates.
The Audrick 3I Quilted Platform Shoes: Water-resistant Rubberised leather and panels of Warm Quilted, an insulating fabric, combine to create volume and texture in this 3-eye shoe. The shoe has a toecap stitch design and an eyelet for roller trim. Basically they’re everything the two other Audrick Quilts are, in a more compact build.
Like most shoe stores, platform boots and trainers are targeted at women, and DM is no different. That being said, Short Kings in the lil foot club can and have gotten away with wearing some of these. Many male punk rockers have donned a pair of platforms on stage.
One of the best things about Doctor Martens is that while immensely popular, their boots rarely sell out. When they do, they are quickly restocked. DM is an all-inclusive brand that aims to have something for everyone. As we’ve seen above, they also cater to those who would prefer their footwear not to have materials from animals. This brand sits alongside giant companies like Nike, Adidas, and Timberland in the footwear industry, and it seems like it won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
