Looking for Combat Boots

BethT

My daughter is looking for a pair of lace up, knee high, combat boots. Dr. Martens makes a pair that she loves and I would be willing to shell out the $180 for them if they are worth it. I've been reading some reviews where the non-England made shoes don't have the same quality that people expect from the Dr. Marten brand. Any thoughts?

My daughter is only 13 and in 8th grade, but I'd rather spend $180 on a pair of boots that will last her years (at least through HS), instead of buying her a cheapy pair of $40-50 boots every year. We are pretty sure her feet have stopped growing (we hope!) and I know she will wear the heck outta them.

I'd rather not spend more than $200, if possible. I see options on-line, but am not familiar enough with most of the brands to know if they are worth my $$$.

10 years ago

Shopping

10 replies

Latest reply was from abc

Elly

Veteran

I have a pair of non-England Docs that I wore 3+ days a week last winter and they still look brand new. I think I picked mine up for right around $100, but they aren't knee high. I think good boots are an investment worth making, even for kids.

My concerns would be more about her feet or style changing-- knee high combat boots are a "look" and her calf size or height could change-- just because they lace up doesn't mean they can't become uncomfortable. Is she really responsible? Some kids are, but others "lose" shoes especially if they play sports or go on school trips. $180 is a lot of money for shoes if she doesn't wear them as much as you thought.

10 years ago

kkards

Veteran

I'd spend on the low end of your budget, because it's hard for me to imagine that what your daughter wants to wear at 13 will be the same as what she wants to wear 4 years from now, but its been a long time since I was in high school so maybe its changed.
one way my mom and I solved this issue, was my mom would pay what she felt was fair, and if I really wanted a specific brand, then I had to pay the rest.
i'm not sure about Dr Martens quality, but most of the styles on Zappos have 4 or 5 stars --which seems pretty good.
also added a find, at a really good price point.

Zappos

Circus By Sam Edelman Quinn

$50.00

View Info

Top Pick

10 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

What about looking at a workboots store or an army/navy surplus store? The latter is where I got my combat boots in HS and they were sturdy and lasted several years.

10 years ago

BethT

Active Member

Good points to consider, ladies. Thanks!

She has been doing her own "style" for the past few years and it's still evolving, but she's definitely been heading down the same pathway for a while. She has always been a tough, tomboy, usually covered in dirt, so combat boots are right up her alley. She's not Goth or Emo, but is inspired by a lot of those fashions and by anime.

We are going shopping this weekend, so I'm hoping to find something that will work instead of having to go the Dr. Marten route. Maybe we'll wait on those until High School.

10 years ago

Beck

Active Member

It would be worth checking Amazon. Their prices fluctuate a lot and I know that the 20-eye knee-high Docs are under a hundred bucks there currently, in black and my size anyway.
I don't think the quality of Docs is what it was when they were made in England, but the classic styles, the lace-ups that are said to require such break-in, are still super sturdy. I have a pair that I bought not long after they moved production to Asia that saw weekly use the whole way through undergrad and are still going strong 10 or 12 years later. And I am not light on shoes ... as my mum would be happy to attest ... I wore through the soles of a lot of shoes as a foot-scuffing teen and haven't really broken the habit as an adult.
I will say that some of the fashion styles do not seem sturdy. I bought a pair of buckle-up ones recently that are made of very soft, almost flimsy leather ... OK for the clearance price, but I do not expect them to be with me for a decade.

10 years ago

Glory

Veteran

Many of the girls in my area like the Steve Madden combat boots. There are several models but I am not sure if they are a better price than the Docs. Do you think her feet have stopped growing? My older daughters feet stopped at 15 but my younger at 14.

10 years ago

BethT

Active Member

Ooh the Amazon price is only $111 for her size. Why don't I ever think to check clothes there? I buy everything else from them?

Glory, I'll check on the Steve Madden boots and see if they have what she wants. Her feet may stretch a bit, but she's probably about done. She's in between sizes now and always buys up. So yay! we wear the same size. I keep stealing her chucks from her.

10 years ago