When shopping for a good pair of Doc Martens, you have a lot to consider. Even if you know what style you want, you have to choose the correct size.
And unfortunately, sizing isn’t consistent across the brand. Some styles run big, while others are true to size.
Do Doc Martens run big or small? Read on to learn more about sizing for Doc Martens.
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Do Doc Martens Run Big or Small?
Most Doc Martens are true to size for their classic shoes and boots. There are some Dr. Martens that run big. They only come in whole sizes so if you wear a half size shoe, you’ll have to round up and choose to size up or size down.
Which Doc Martens Run Big?
The 1460 boots, which are the classic combat boots, tend to run big. If you want to try this style, you may want to go up a size, especially if you wear a half size. However, people who wear whole sizes can try a larger boot.
Do Doc Martens Chelsea Boots Run Big
Doc Marten Chelsea boots also tend to run big. You may be able to wear your regular shoe size if you wear a whole size. If you wear a half size, you should size down to keep from choosing boots that are too big.
Do Doc Marten Jadons Run Big
Another style that runs big is the Jadons boots. The platform boots can be difficult to walk in if you aren’t used to that style. You may want to go down a size if you’re a half size, but the extra space in the whole sizes shouldn’t affect you too much.
Do Doc Martens Sandals Run Big
Some people say the Doc Martens sandals also run large, but others say the sandals feel bigger. Compared to other sandals, they are a bit clunky, so try a couple of sizes to determine if you should get your regular size or a size smaller.
Which Doc Martens Are True to Size?
Aside from the 1460s, Chelseas, and Jadons, most Doc Martens run true to size. The sandals may feel a bit large, but that shouldn’t be enough to make you get a smaller size. However, you can tighten the straps on the sandals to get a better fit.
Other styles, such as the Oxford shoes, the Nappa boots, and the Leona boots run true to size. Assuming you wear a whole size, you should be able to fit into these boots if you get the size you usually wear.
People who wear half sizes will need to size up or down. With shoes that fit true to size, you have to make the tough choice to get a larger or smaller size. If possible, try multiple sizes in the same style to see which works best for you.
How Doc Martens Sizing Works
When considering the best size of Doc Martens to buy, you should know how the brand sizing works. Doc Martens is a UK company, so the shoes and boots use UK sizing by default. If you know your American size, you’ll need to convert it to find the correct size of Docs.
Unfortunately, Doc Martens only come in whole sizes. If you wear a half size, you may need to try a couple of sizes around your true size to find one that works. In general, you should be able to go down a size if you have narrow feet and up a size if you have wide feet.
However, consider if your feet are slightly larger or smaller than the half size. Then, you can get the right size of shoe to meet your needs. If you’ve never bought Doc Martens, try to find a store near you that carries them so that you can try them before purchasing a pair online.
Read Also: Doc Martens Alternatives
Doc Martens Size Chart
Dr. Martens Size Chart for Men
| US | EUR | UK | CM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 36 | 3 | 23 |
| 5 | 37 | 4 | 23.5 |
| 6 | 38 | 5 | 24 |
| 7 | 39 | 6 | 24.5 |
| 7.5 | 40 | 6.5 | 25 |
| 8 | 41 | 7 | 25.5 |
| 9 | 42 | 8 | 26 |
| 10 | 43 | 9 | 27 |
| 10.5 | 44 | 9.5 | 27.5 |
| 11 | 45 | 10 | 28 |
| 12 | 46 | 11 | 29 |
| 13 | 47 | 12 | 29.5 |
| 14 | 48 | 13 | 30 |
| 15 | 49.5 | 14 | 30.5 |
| 16 | 51 | 15 | 31 |
Dr. Martens Size Chart for Women
| US | EUR | UK | CM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 36 | 3 | 22 |
| 6 | 37 | 4 | 23 |
| 7 | 38 | 5 | 23.5 |
| 8 | 39 | 6 | 24.5 |
| 8.5 | 40 | 6.5 | 25 |
| 9 | 41 | 7 | 25.5 |
| 10 | 42 | 8 | 26 |
| 11 | 43 | 9 | 27 |
How to Choose the Right Size of Doc Martens
The best way to choose the right size of Doc Martens is to try on a few pairs. Look for the styles you want to buy, and try on a couple of sizes around your true size. Then, you’ll be able to see if the size and style is comfortable.
If not, you can test out different sizes and styles until you find your perfect match. You may even find that your current shoes are the wrong size. So, be patient and take your time as you try on different Doc Martens.
As you try on different shoes or boots, you should consider a few factors. Before you choose any pair to try, it may help to measure your feet. Then, you’ll have an easier time choosing the right size for you.
Measure Your Feet
Even if you think you know your correct size, you may want to measure your feet. At a store, you can use a Brannock device, which helps you find your shoe size. You can ask an associate to help measure each foot for you.
If you’re at home, you can use a piece of paper and a pencil. Mark the back of your heel and the tip of your big toe, then measure the distance. Do this for both feet to see if one is larger than the other, and use the larger foot to choose the right size.
Whether you measure your feet at home or in a shoe store, you should compare the measurements to a Doc Martens size chart. That way, you may be able to choose the perfect size, and you can account for the conversion from US to UK sizes.
Decide on the Fit You Want
Next, you should figure out if you want your boots to fit a bit tighter or looser. This is particularly important if your true size is a half size since you won’t find that from Doc Martens. If you like a more snug fit, you can choose to go down a half size.
Alternatively, you may want to go up a half size if you like having some room. Of course, having too much room can be just as bad for your feet as having to squish your feet. So, try the shoes on before you buy them to make sure you like how they feel.
Even if you wear a whole size, you may want to consider the fit you want. If you decide to get a boot that runs large, you can decide to choose your regular size if you want extra room. Or you may size down if you don’t mind a tighter fit.
Wear Your Choice of Socks
When you try on any pair of Doc Martens, wear the socks you plan to wear with them. For one, this will help you make sure that the socks and shoes are comfortable to wear together. However, it will also help you determine the correct size of Doc Martens.
For example, maybe you wear a half size, but you plan on wearing thicker socks. You might decide to size up so that you’ll have room for your feet and socks. On the other hand, if you prefer thin socks, it may make sense to get a smaller size.
If you have multiple pairs of socks you like to wear, bring them all when you try on Doc Martens. Then, you can make sure the shoes will work with all of your socks. And if they don’t work, you can find a different size or style.
Consider Insoles
Maybe you try on a bunch of Doc Martens and use your favorite pair of socks. However, you still find that the shoes are either too big or too small, and no size is comfortable. In that case, you may want to look for a good pair of insoles.
You can get some insoles to add to the bottom of the shoe. Then, you may be able to go a size up, and the insole can help keep the shoes from being too big on your feet. You don’t need to get insoles with a ton of support if fitting into a pair of Docs is your goal.
But if you want extra comfort for the bottom of your feet, insoles are also useful. You can choose a pair that adds some padding to the bottom to help your feet feel good. Then, you’ll be able to find some shoes or boots that you’ll look forward to wearing.
No Heel Slip
When you find the perfect pair of Doc Martens, you may know you found a good pair. But if you aren’t quite sure, you should walk in the shoes and see if your heel slips. Ideally, you should have no heel slip or only a slight heel slip.
Even if your heels slip a little, you may have the correct size. When your heel slips a lot, that’s a sign you should look for a smaller shoe or boot. Going down a size is essential because the boot can feel bigger as you break it in.
So, if your feet are slipping too much now, that may worsen after you wear the boots for a while. A little slip or no slip at all is the best-case scenario. That way, you’ll be able to wear the Docs even after the leather stretches and adapts to your feet.
Rubbing the Heel
When you first try on a pair of Doc Martens, you may feel your heel rub against the back. This can be disturbing, and you may think you need a larger size. However, the rubbing is pretty normal, especially before you can break in the shoes.
As you break in your new pair, the rubbing may go away. Now, if the rubbing is significant and you have other issues, such as pain, you should try a different size. A slight amount of rubbing is okay, and if it’s the only problem, that’s a good sign you choose the correct size.
Be sure to have some bandaids or something similar on hand in case you get a small blister. Then, you’ll be able to continue breaking in the shoes to get the rubbing to stop. And if it doesn’t stop, you might need to find a new size or style that better fits your feet.
No Arch Pain
You should also make sure the Doc Martens don’t hurt your arches. If the arch is in the wrong place, you may need to find a different size. Be sure to walk around the store or your home when testing out a new pair of Docs.
If you do have a bit of pain, it may be your feet getting used to the shoes. However, if the pain is excruciating and makes it hard to walk, look for a different size or style. Then, you may find a pair of Doc Martens that won’t cause those symptoms.
After trying multiple pairs, you may still experience some arch pain. In that case, you can look for some insoles to provide a bit of support. The Docs provide a bit of comfort, but you may need more if you have foot problems, such as plantar fasciitis.
No Squeezing
Of course, you want to make sure that you don’t have to squeeze your feet into your Docs. If your feet feel squished, that will be uncomfortable at best and painful at worst. Even a small amount of squeezing can lead to pain if you plan to wear your new boots all day.
Unfortunately, you may not always be able to avoid problems like this. If you’re in between whole sizes, you’ll have to choose between a snug fit and a loose fit. But if the snug fit leads to squeezing and pain, consider going up a size.
You can always wear an extra pair of socks or use an insole to make the shoes feel smaller. Then, you’ll be able to wear them more comfortably.
Space to Wiggle
Your toes need some space to wiggle around. While the leather can stretch and conform to your feet, you don’t want to wait to break in that area to feel comfortable. As you put on the shoes, see if you can wiggle your toes without causing pain.
Be sure the toes don’t have too much room to move around either. If that’s the case, you may need a smaller size to keep your feet from sliding around. Try walking around to see how your feet move to confirm the sizing issue.
Think about your current favorite pair of shoes and how much room your toes have. Then, you can compare that spacing to the spacing in a potential new pair to make sure the shoes will fit well.
Focus on Comfort
You can learn all about Doc Martens sizing, but your feet and your comfort are more important. Depending on your feet, you may have to choose the “wrong” size. But if your feet feel better in that size, you should get that pair.
Consider how the shoes feel when you first put them on. You may need to break them in a bit, but if they’re really bad, you should look for a different size or style.
When it comes to any shoe or boot, comfort is the most important thing. Knowing your size can help you narrow your search, but your size may not always be the right one for you.
Do Doc Martens Run Wide or Narrow?
Dr. Martens don’t really run wide or narrow. They have a standard medium-width fit. But it’s always best to try them on first before purchasing Dr. Martens. However, their boots are not available in wider (E) widths.
Do Doc Martens Stretch?
Yes, the leather on the shoes will stretch to fit your feet over time. However, it is not a good idea to buy a smaller shoes in hopes that they will stretch later.
Will You Buy Doc Martens?
Doc Martens have some of the most popular boots on the market. For better or worse, the standard 1460 combat boots run a little large, and so do a few other styles.
However, some of the styles run true to size, so you may not need to go down a size. But you will need to convert your sizing to UK sizes to find the best fit. Then, try on a few pairs to make sure that you choose the right size.