Broken in once.
Worn for a lifetime
Some say it's a rite of passage. The ritual of the break-in. Those first few wears that bond you and your new pair together. But what really makes them yours is what comes after. The years of gigs and festivals, the days and nights pounding the streets. The moments, memories and marks that unite boot and wearer over a lifetime. Each scuff is a badge of individuality. Marks that prove you've lived. Everyone's boots wear different stories. What do yours show?
SCROLL TO MEET OUR WEARERS →
NAME: Sarah
Sarah left her hometown as soon as she could at age 18, looking to find herself and people within her community with a move to a bigger city. Her first pride march in her 1461 shoes was a transformative moment, and she's spent the years since setting up several LGBTQIA+ community centres around London.
"I broke mine in marching for pride on my own”
NAME: Jai
Jai is sometimes asked whether her queerness and her Indian heritage fit naturally together. Her answer is simple: "Yes, and I'll show you how easy it is." In her Indian dance fused with burlesque performances, she expresses the two most significant parts of her identity in the way that makes the most sense to her. Her 2976 Chelsea boots have always been an essential part of her curtain call.
"I broke mine in expressing the two most important parts of my identity”
NAME: Elijah
DJ to artist manager to creative mentor: Elijah has worked his way from music industry outsider to educator and expert, wearing his 1460 boots on club stages and even bigger ones – during his Yellow Squares talks on the music industry. Now he teaches young creatives how to 'rebel against process' and forge their own unconventional paths into the music industry.
“I broke mine in opening doors into the music industry”
Broken in once.
Worn for a lifetime
Some say it's a rite of passage. The ritual of the break-in. Those first few wears that bond you and your new pair together. But what really makes them yours is what comes after. The years of gigs and festivals, the days and nights pounding the streets. The moments, memories and marks that unite boot and wearer over a lifetime. Each scuff is a badge of individuality. Marks that prove you've lived. Everyone's boots wear different stories. What do yours show?
↓ MEET OUR WEARERS
CLICK FOR SARAH'S STORY
NAME: Sarah
"I broke mine in marching for pride on my own”
Sarah left her hometown as soon as she could at age 18, looking to find herself and people within her community with a move to a bigger city. Her first pride march in her 1461 shoes was a transformative moment, and she's spent the years since setting up several LGBTQIA+ community centres around London.
CLICK FOR ELIJAH'S STORY
NAME: Elijah
“I broke mine in opening doors into the music industry”
DJ to artist manager to creative mentor: Elijah has worked his way from music industry outsider to educator and expert, wearing his 1460 boots on club stages and even bigger ones – during his Yellow Squares talks on the music industry. Now he teaches young creatives how to 'rebel against process' and forge their own unconventional paths into the music industry.
CLICK FOR JAI'S STORY
NAME: Jai
"I broke mine in expressing the two most important parts of my identity”
Jai is sometimes asked whether her queerness and her Indian heritage fit naturally together. Her answer is simple: "Yes, and I'll show you how easy it is." In her Indian dance fused with burlesque performances, she expresses the two most significant parts of her identity in the way that makes the most sense to her. Her 2976 Chelsea boots have always been an essential part of her curtain call.
Made our way.
For a lifetime
Our original Wollaston factory is where the story begins. As it did in 1960. Our makers bring their own experience and individuality to the shoes they craft – just like the people who go on to wear them.
SCROLL TO MEET OUR MAKERS →
NAME: Gemma
“I broke mine in proving myself every day in a male-dominated environment”
For Gemma, joining DM’s as an apprentice was an opportunity to see behind the scenes of the boots she’d loved her whole life. And a chance to bring her mum along for a tour. She now occupies the most challenging and dangerous position on the DM’s production line and is blazing a trail for the next generation of shoemakers.
NAME: Steve
“I broke mine in passing down the traditions of our original factory”
Steve has been wearing DM’s boots since he was a teenager — and his responsibility as Dr. Martens Factory Manager is something he doesn’t take lightly. Over the years, he’s made boots for some of his musical heroes. But he’s also a vital custodian of DM’s heritage: preserving our unique attitude and traditions to ensure our Cobbs Lane factory never forgets our history — and where we’re going.
NAME: Shadeen
“I broke mine in as a DM's footwear apprentice”
Shadeen was 8 when she received her first pair of DM’s boots and discovered a fascination with our footwear and the art of shoemaking. Now an apprentice in our original Northamptonshire factory, she’s part of the next generation of DM’s shoemakers.
Made our way.
For a lifetime
Our original Wollaston factory is where the story begins. As it did in 1960. Our makers bring their own experience and individuality to the shoes they craft – just like the people who go on to wear them.
↓ MEET OUR MAKERS
CLICK FOR GEMMA'S STORY
NAME: Gemma
“I broke mine in proving myself every day in a male-dominated environment”
For Gemma, joining DM’s as an apprentice was an opportunity to see behind the scenes of the boots she’d loved her whole life. And a chance to bring her Mum along for a tour. She now occupies the most challenging and dangerous position on the DM’s production line and is blazing a trail for the next generation of shoemakers.
CLICK FOR STEVE'S STORY
NAME: Steve
“I broke mine in passing down the traditions of our original factory”
Steve has been wearing DM’s boots since he was a teenager — and his responsibility as Dr. Martens Factory Manager is something he doesn’t take lightly. Over the years, he’s made boots for some of his musical heroes. But he’s also a vital custodian of DM’s heritage: preserving our unique attitude and traditions to ensure our Cobbs Lane factory never forgets our history — and where we’re going.
CLICK FOR SHADEEN'S STORY
NAME: Shadeen
“I broke mine in as a DM's footwear apprentice”
Shadeen was 8 when she received her first pair of DM’s boots and discovered a fascination with our footwear and the art of shoemaking. Now an apprentice in our original Northamptonshire factory, she’s part of the next generation of DM’s shoemakers.
More factory stories
Sarah | Footwear Lasting Operative
“I broke mine in becoming the first female edge trimmer of the 21st century”
Lucy | Leather Inspector
“I broke mine in with my second family on the factory floor”
Ranjith | Footwear Production Operative
“I broke mine in operating high-tech machinery to cut our leathers”
Chris | Maintenance Engineer
“I broke mine in keeping machines running every day on the production line”
Sarah | Mie Sample Development Co-ordinator
“I broke mine in knowing I’m always part of the DM’s community — like a secret club”
More factory stories
Sarah | Footwear Lasting Operative
“I broke mine in becoming the first female edge trimmer of the 21st century”
Lucy | Leather Inspector
“I broke mine in with my second family on the factory floor”
Ranjith | Footwear Production Operative
“I broke mine in operating high-tech machinery to cut our leathers”
Chris | Maintenance Engineer
“I broke mine in keeping machines running every day on the production line”
Sarah | Mie Sample Development Co-ordinator
“I broke mine in knowing I’m always part of the DM’s community — like a secret club”
How to break in
The DM’s break-in is the stuff of legend. Everyone’s got their go-to approach. But which ones really work? Can you actually wear your boots in by sticking them in the bath? Or burying them in the garden? It's time to settle the debate.
How to break in
The DM’s break-in is the stuff of legend. Everyone’s got their go-to approach. But which ones really work? Can you actually wear your boots in by sticking them in the bath? Or burying them in the garden? It's time to settle the debate.