Well i JUst got my Docs today and i feel that the Forigen made Docs get a bum rap. First off I'm surprised how light they are in comparison to other shoes i have worn for some time. The Sole seems to have a pretty good amount of give to it and aborbs shock well. The leather is still realitively thick, I just have mine broken in it just took a night at work to do it. Now there are some key things to remember with any shoe. Just like tires the softer the tread the quicker its going to wear but its going to stick like glue, Taking care of a pair of shoes is also important, Regular polishings with a good polish will give water resistance and keep them looking good. Letting them dry after they get soaked will help too. I plan to give more information. I got these boots for 5 bucks cheaper here then on the Doc Martins website. Now if you have no problem dropping 220 for made in england thats on you but i know myself personally that i didn't. I feel these are just as good its just Doc Martins customers are a picky lot and want it their way. When i have the extra cash i will try the Solovairs and will report my observations. I will say this people owe it to themselves to give products an honest try before they speak. Just give things a chance before you complain

Well I found out how they make a smooth leather. I had a bubble form in my break in line the other day like when you get a paint bubble on a car paint job. After rubbing it for a couple of minutes i found that something flaked off. Turns out they are made of real leather they have some kind of coating on them for appearence. I had to pull as much away as i could and fill the blemish in with shoe polish. nobody is really going to notice it unless they look right at it but still seems kind of strange to me. to add the cloth lining on the inside is starting to peel away from the heel counter as well. A few minor fixes but it shouldnt happen. I can't say enough about the sole though it is really soft and cushiony. I like it so much i might buy a pair of DMs industrial for work cause i need a met guard at work. Turns out Doc Martens had the ironbridge a boot made for exactly the type of job i do. Good boot just with the smooth wasan't a coating but a real black dye.