I fear the white because of the NE winter...not sure where you live? I think the cherry red color is fabulous, but since I don't have a pair of tall black boots, I did opt to start with "smooth black" - ordered yesterday.

MPJ, I live in Colorado. It snows but usually isn't slushy for days like in New England.

I just discovered the black/silver color online - that looks kind of cool as well.

I've only seen the black/silver in the 14-eye...did I miss them in 20?

You nailed it - it's the gross, slushy stuff that I think would make the white boots less than fab for me - but you might be okay. :)

Hi Medusa, I think the silver/grey that Tanya and a few others have is really nice and versatile. The red is always tempting. I think white is great too. Oh such choices.
I was not going to get into the Doc's resurgence but it just so happens I found a brand new pair at a consignment store yesterday that I coundn't resist so I bought them. They are black 14 eye. This is an odd style with a zipper on each side of the laces in the front. I had not seen this kind before.

I had white docs back in the day, and they are hard to keep clean. Mine forever had big black scuff marks on them.

Yay! I'm so excited about my Docs. I really want to drag them off to the cobbler right now, but I need to wait because I think getting them shortened is going to be expensive. For me, it was a toss up between the white and black pairs. I opted for the black pair because I don't currently have any boots at all, and black would be more versatile in my wardrobe. If you already have a pair of plan black boots, I would go for the white or silver ones. I may think about picking up a second pair of white ones in the future.

It will be interesting to see if Ana's shaft shortening experiment works! So far, no one under 5ft 6 has been able to wear the 20 eyelets as is. (They are very tall).

I have the black and white 20 eyelets. I LOOOOOVE them. (I’m a Docs gal through and through). I think you should get the red or silver grey *if* they fit.

A word of warning though – these boots eventually feel like slippers and will last for 20 years, but you have to wear them in. That will take time. For me, Docs are 10-hour walk on ice, in snow and in slush shoes. Also perfect for the rain.

I could see you in the black, silver/black or cherry. Would they also work with your orthotics? If so I think they would be a great investment for you.

I have a pair of shorter Doc boots in purple that I got in the 90s - they definitely took a while to break in but they became very comfy. They work with orthotics and fit well, so that's a huge plus. I think the length will work for me - I'm just under 5'6", but I have proportionally long legs, and I really want tall boots. Fingers crossed.

MPJ, I haven't seen the 20-eyelet silvery/gray a lot of places, but they do seem to be available:
http://www.shoebuy.com/dr-mart.....one-_-none

It sounds like the consensus is leaning towards the silver or the red, which is what I'm thinking as well. I'm leaning slightly toward the silver because I don't own any metallic shoes. Hmmm.

One other question for Angie (or others) - do these boots work well for skinny calves out of the box, or did you have to get them altered? Zappos says they have a 14" opening, but maybe with the laces you can tighten them down....

Mine are just a little loose around the calf when laces are tightened all the way. I have 13'' calves. My guess is that it also varies with the style and size - I think the red ones are made out of stiffer leather than the silver, and the shaft might be a little narrower. Mine are black, and I was going through this exercise last year, so I am a little vague on it :)

I have a 13 inch calf too! I wear my Docs with hose and frocks, or over skinnies because you can adjust the width with the laces.