I'm minimalizing everything in my life and I've hit my wardrobe recently. Going over my expenses, I realized that I've spent 70.00 to 90.00 a year for winter boots... that only last one year. I wore Docs when I was in college and have known people who've owned their pair for ten years or more. I'm hoping these last at least half that (I worry about the zipper a little, but the originals are really hard to come by from reputable sellers).

So far, I've very, very pleased. The boots are as sturdy and well-made as I remember and the leather seems much softer. I do recommend replacing the insoles with something a little softer. I use a thin pair of memory foam sport insoles and, combined with the Dr Marten 'Bounce,' it's like walking on air. The zipper and all the stitching are very nicely done; clean and strong. I wear them with dresses and skirts with tights or leggings. The rest of my wardrobe is pretty bohemian so these really 'pop.' They're a bit odd, but they don't break any rules; even in my corporate casual office. I've gotten quite a few compliments on them!

I'm sort of startled by all the reports of people who have to spend a year breaking these in. I conditioned mine, put them on, and wore them for 14 hours, walking about three miles on the first day. I do not have a blister anywhere on my foot.

I urge everyone to Get The Proper Size! Underline that and put in bold, please: Get. The. Proper. Size. These boots shouldn't ever hurt when you put them on - if they do, they are too small or they've been laced incorrectly.

When you put the boots on, your toes should never touch the front of the shoe. There shouldn't be any pressure on your heel, either. If there is a little pressure on the sides of your foot, this is okay as they will strech in width (but they will NEVER stretch in length).

The laces should be the tightest along the front, bottom half of your calf - this is going to keep them in place and keep your heel from sliding around inside the boot. The laces across the top of your foot should be snug, but comfortable. At the very top of the shaft, the laces should be a little less snug as your calf muscles need to flex. You can actually cause the boots to get pushed down your leg if you do them up too tightly at the top.

You're going to have to lace and re-lace these boots quite a few times when you first get them - be prepared for that and don't get frustrated. Once you've got them properly laced, you can use the zipper for ever more (or at least until they stretch too much or you lose or gain weight).

Wear GOOD socks. I highly recommend sport socks - the kind with a little padding on the sole. Also, knee high or thigh high, thick cotton and wool socks are great as well.

Flex, flex, flex! Crouch a few times, kneel in them and get back up, bend your toes back, and rub conditioner into the leather WHILE you're wear the boots. This will help soften them to the shape of your foot. Feeding the leather some mink oil is excellent as well.

Please don't listen when people tell you Docs always hurt - they really shouldn't. No shoe should hurt, even when you first get it. If it does, it's not fitted correctly.

I highly recommend these boots... in the proper size, of course!