I'm an old school DOC-girl, got my first pair to UK made DOCs over 30 years ago -.. But over the years as soles wore down and new Docs were procured, I noticed the quality shift... FF to now, my hubs was looking for a boot upgrade, your videos helped with the decision. My husband's first pair of Thursday boots arrived yesterday; went with the Captain in Terracotta. I hope he likes them! Thanks for all your videos.
@Hanging With Jen I'm sure he'll love the Captains. They're one of my favorite pair of boots. But you may also consider going with the Made in England Docs. RU-vid channel Rose Anvil made a video where he cuts them apart and compares them to Solvair and regular Docs. I have a pair of the 1460s. They're overpriced, so I wouldn't pay full price for them. But they often do sales where they're at least reasonably priced. The quality still doesn't compare to something like Thursday boots. But growing up in the 90s, I still like my Doc Martens.
I definitely agree. They're more of an attitude badboy/badgirl attraction look than anything else. A man in his 40s wearing doc martens simply looks silly and trying to hard to look cool.
@@RogerLoera doc martens are just fugking dogsh!t and just superficial looking Still want a pair of cordovan solavairs also DOC MARTENS STOLEEEEEEEEEE basically from solavair the original brand was solavair even solavair people don't know but if you Google their dates of even they were established Docs 50 years ago or something and solavair 100 years ago something like that So docs stole the whole thing and outsourced it all, WOW
@@Hupomone ah yes, I’m 50. I guess we’re both just too old for toy boots. Blue hair and a nose ring doesn’t appeal either. Nice to hear from you all the way from Texas. I love the US, but I haven’t yet been to Texas. 😁👍
Hard to compare these two brands. I agree that martens are more of a sneaker. An odd construction. It’s more of a fashion style than a real boot but people sure love them. I like the way they look. Thanks for the review and comparison.
Docs are definitely more comfy if you’re walking on concrete sidewalks. I have never been impressed with Thursday soles (except for their Vibram models) because after a few months of wear you can fell every stone through them
I had a pair of Doc moc toe 6” boots as a teenager back in the late 90s. They were pretty decent and lasted through several years of almost daily wear. Pretty much wore the sole til it was too angled to walk on properly.
I have a pair of DM Chelsea boots (plain with no stitching) that are around 10 years old. I've had them resoled once and while they look 'okay' for DM's because of their age I only wear them with black jeans in the pub. I also have some plain DM shoes that again I will only wear with jeans in a casual setting. I used to wear the DM boots for work (business casual) but they definitely give out the wrong message so I now have a couple of pairs of Thursday Captains instead.
I know from your previous videos that you really hate Doc Marten boots but this comparison video is surprisingly unbiased. You don’t trash the Docs nor steer people towards Thursday’s but leave it up to the consumer based on the usual comfort, materials, and price. Good job. Some people’s boot videos are starting to feel like commercials.
Doc Marten soles do separate at times. I had one pair separate on me so that is a big minus for Docs. Saying that, I have another pair of 7+ year old Docs I wear everywhere several times a week and the soles are still doing great besides normal wear. These Docs have been through a lot of abuse, including accidentally getting plaster splashed all over them, clay dust, paint, and other indignities done to them, but they are still going strong. As to comfort, I do add extra cushioned after-market insoles to protect my feet. I love the look of Docs, and keep buying them because of that signature look despite the criticism they receive. I usually try to buy them on sale which has ranged from $89 to $140 depending on the style, color, etc. In the future I may look into buying a pair of Solovairs or even Red Wing Iron Rangers.
I have a pair of captains. They are not dress boots by any means. They are so much clunkier and chunky than I'd ever want in a dress boot. Beckett and Simmonon is a better option if you want something truly dressy at this price point
Docs vs Thursday? Is this really even a competition? This is totally unfair. One boot uses quality materials and solid construction methods, is constantly updating quality standards while maintaining an eye to modern style.. The other is Dr Martens.
Dr Martens is by no means a giant, it’s plastic-like boots mass marketed for teenagers, appealing to a glorious past. I’m so glad I sold mine and can focus my collection on high quality heritage footwear.
One topic of comparison what Nick did not cover is weather and water resistance. Thursday wins, hands down. The Dr. Martens stitching leaks like a sieve. You really do not want to step into rain puddle wearing a pair of Docs.
Get your views, homie. I appreciate this kind of info getting out to people who may not know the difference, I know the difference now because of this channel and other great ones like it. No lies detected
Thanks Justin! For every niche "here's a tiny jacket company you haven't heard of before" i gotta do a highly searched video like this to pay the bills lol but I like the opportunity to educate guys who don't know as much. This video would have been a godsend when I was 17 and buying my first pair... which were Docs
I will never but Martin's ever again! I work in concrete and they didn't last even a week before they got extremely uncomfortable. Had to replace them within a month. It felt like there were rocks inside the sole.
My first boots I bought were docs maybe 15-20 years ago. They were $110. Wow have those prices soared. They aren’t worth $170 no matter how it is justified. At that price point, just save any additional $25-$50 and get something much better
Thursday is definitely better made than Docs, however I first had 2 pairs of Meermin and then bought me a pair captains with the stormking sole and rugged&resilient leather. I found that Meermins are a lot stiffer which makes it hard to break in but give me loads of stability. The Captains lack this stability and to me feel too floppy for the heavy sole they come with. So for me neither Docs nor Thursday boots are it. Would love to hear other opinions on it tho👌🏻
@@anteros3584 for the price point it’s hard to beat Thursday boots, they’re incredibly affordable for what you get. But yes there are more expensive/higher quality boots that beat them hands down (nicks viberg etc)
@@markopolo9936 Yeah Meermin is about the same price point. Those are made in China tho and I've heard some people genuinely dislike the stiffer leather on meermins.
I am in the UK, so really trying to aboid returns. I heard you would basically be a 10.5 in docs (but no half sizes) so wear an 11, but didn't hear your size in the thursday boot??
Thank you for your your very thorough review. I tried to compare redwing to docs given the workplace heritage and history but it was really tuff to do. I think Dr Martens wins in the Rock and Roll history category. But the similarities end there. Red Wings and Thursdays are quite well-made, comfortable works of craftsmanship, smart investment, and healthier supply chain. Kudos mate. Happy new year to all.
Have a pair of Doc's for 25 years and they're still in the rotation. Bought a pair of Thursdays Vangaurds a few months ago and the heel stack is separating.... so yeah....
In my opinion, U.S Army Issue Altama (Black) combat boots are the way to go (If you are lucky enough to find them in your size; sizes are tricky as there are D,W, and E sizes in width). I have a pair of Black Doc boots about 5 years ago for 50% off and I've taken care of them; however, they are for occasional or casual use. On the other hand, I've had a pair of Altama combat boots that I was lucky to find in my size on Ebay (8 Wide; my usual size is 8 1/2 or 9 in boots) 10 years ago. The leather is thicker, better quality and they literally outshine any Doc Martens with a dab of Lincoln Wax and light spray of water for shining/buffing. On old school (90's early 00's) black combat boots you can shine again and again without worrying about the leather peeling. I wouldn't dare do that to my Doc's, because the leather is so thin, I'm afraid that the leather would start peeling. Another thing about Altama combat boots is that they can be resoled again and again, and any cobbler is happy to do them. The break in period is a pain, but after a couple weeks of wear, they'll mold right into your feet and fit quite comfortably.
Docs are great High School/college boots. At least that is when I wore them. I have to admit seeing this video makes me sentimental for my old Docs. But I have long moved on from that brand. Currently trying to get a pair of Captains but having an issue getting the right size. Hopefully the size I just ordered works
Back when I had my Doc Martens they had lug soles . The boots you showed had soles like their shoes had back in the day . Do they not make the lug soles anymore ?
If you know anything about quality footwear there really is no comparison to a properly made boot like Thursday and Dr. Martens. One will outlast the other 10X over. Thursday isn't the end all be all of boots, but they're several tiers above something like Dr. Martens.
Docs are cheap boots made cheaply and Thursdays are cheap boots made well. Also why does Doc even bother with a stitched welt when it may as well be cemented together making them more waterproof and possibly cheaper made? Also I have never owned Docs but as far as Thursdays comfort is concerned, the insole is so soft and cushy, there is no break in period at all. If Docs have any break in period then that would be another strike against them.
The Titan has a wider toebox than the Captains, actually! Otherwise wide toed service boots, if you like Beckett Simonon's Dowler, Parkhurst lace ups, or Oak Street Trench if you want to pay a lot more
As a hobbyist leatherworker, footwear enthusiast, and military antiques collector, I object to calling doc martens and Thursdays combat boot boots "combat boots", because the true combat boots are some of the most heavy duty working boots to be found, and the fakes don't measure up to the classic McNamara Boot and ammo boot they usually imitate. I do love the look of Thursday's though
Thursday for the win. The one problem I have with Thursday is sizing I order two captain boots in size 8 one pair fit perfect the other pair fit to big I return it for a 7.5 but it run kinda tight 🤦♂️
Doc Martens are cheaply mass produced in a similar fashion to sneakers. I would say that if you want good boots your best options are going to be Tecovas, Thursday, or Timberland. Triple Threat.
I have Solovair boots, doc martens both made in Asia and made in England. In my experience of walking a lot in all 3, solovair wins hands down, second Asian made docs and last, the made in England docs. The made in England docs are the worse in my opinion and experience, they are badly made, bad leather etc, for the price, they are really not worth it and my feet are in pain all over. ! I do not have Thursdays boots. Is the leather full grain, or corrected grain ? Are the soles hard or soft to walk on ?
I ordered a pair of loafers from Thursday and they're quite comfy. The leather isn't the *best* quality available but it's certainly good quality and lovely to look at. The only moderately annoying thing is rather than smelling like leather, they have a slight chemical smell. I ordered a pair of Thursday chelseys for my dad, and they're beautiful. But they smell even more strongly. They don't smell like leather, they have a strange stink. He took them to the garage and now literally the entire room has a faint smell of those shoes, seriously. I looked it up and there's a reddit page of people with foul-smelling Thursday products. Has anyone else had this problem? They really are nice-looking shoes, but this one issue is... an issue.
if its rugged n resilient line that leather has a ton of oil to make it more weatherproof and sturdier i just let it air out for a couple days then its fine
I'm sorry did you just say Timbs now cost over $200? Like US dollars? What the absolute F.. Thursdays are definitely the best value boot for the price. I've never owned them, I prefer a bit higher tier, but I would easily recommend them to a newcomer over getting the usual crappy doc, timb, blundstone, etc
One huge plus for docks is that they are oil slip resistant. I really hope Thursday makes same studded soles but from rubber like Solovare does. That would be great solution and new to market because all of the studded soles i know of are not oil resistant at all
Why would a grown man that allegedly knows boots for a living, even think about Thursday or doc martens?. It took me 1 year to find nicks boots, and that's the starting point now. If you're not bringing nicks boots quality and materials to the table, what are you even doing? What's the point of a boot that might last 6 months? Complete waste of time and money.
Same. However, when the waxed flesh is beat up to a wonderful patina, I'll throw on a commando sole and they will look ace. Gonna take a while though...
I was noob as boots lover, maybe 10 years ago. I had workboots & tactical boots. And I was think Doc are awesome. You know like punk, skinhead etc. But now.... Doc are it's overated boots. thin upper, no shank & foam layers. That is low quality
@@Stridewise They are on the increase. I have several pairs and also Gripfast, made at the same factory in Northampton, great comfy boots. As for the Asian made docs, from my experience and wearing them a lot, compared to the made in England docs, they are better, the made in uk docs are way over priced in my opinion, badly made and have pained my feet bad, compared to the Asian made docs. 👍
@@martinsmith1525this would apply to Docs made in the UK in the last 10 years. The Asian Docs are better. Of course the Solovairs are superior to both. So when a comparison has the Doc winning I seen the other brand as pure trash. I hope people save their money and buy a quality pair of Solovair books. Either the Derby’s or the steel toes version.
Docs look like plastic, poor fitting and creases everywhere.. Very unappealing boot, they don't look very comfortable either.. I'll stick with my Captains..
Can't bring myself to buy that plasticky looking Doc Martens... end up buying the crazy horse leather 1460 Gaucho. Got Thursday President, and of coz it is way better than Doc Martens.
Thursday boots are 1,000 percent better than Doc Martens. There is no comparison. Doc Martens are garbage. I just laugh at people when I see them wearing them .
@@jbeezostl spend the extra 100. Get a pair of oaks street, maybe spend an extra 200 and get a pair of whites. Or, spend 200-300 on lightly worn higher end boots. I’ve gotten several pair of high end boots from eBay. And, this always works for me. I have received a pair on occasion that don’t fit great and just reposted them didn’t lose any money. Take a look and thank me later
@@keenobservations3050 I know this might sound crazy, but believe it or not some people don't want to spend $300+ for a pair of boots, especially when they're just getting into the hobby. Are Thursdays the pinnacle of boot making? No, but they are an amazing gateway into the world of boots and allow people to try the style at an affordable cost.
