7 hole Doc Martens

[ccga3359]

My company just purchased for me some new work boots. I am planning to break them in with my kilt. they are 7 hole Doc Martens (first ever Doc's). Do I lace them up fully or do I just lace them at the first 3 -4 holes then try to splay the uppers and flop the tounge forward? I know I should scrunch the hose down but it's going to be cold tonight (in the negative numbers) for a kilt night.
Thanks

[McMurdo]

I would say do 'em up.

[RockyR]

Lace them ALL the way up and tie them tight... they break in best that way.

Also... wear the hose all the way up (with a pair of flash if you have them).

[porrick]

You'll be pleased with your new boots! I got my first Doc boots last autumn, and just can't figure out why I left it so late

LAce them all the way up when your hose is up. When hose pulled down I often only lace up 4 or 5 holes because it is quicker. However, I always make a neat bow...
I find that with the Docs I can wear shorter socks too, as below

[Tattoo Bradley]

Yep, what the rest said.

[mudd]

Are Doc Martens really that good? I have heard that they are over-rated and the quality has gone down of late. I've never owned a pair.

[ccga3359]

Are Doc Martens really that good? I have heard that they are over-rated and the quality has gone down of late. I've never owned a pair.

First pair so I can't compare. These are work boots though so will end up seeing a lot of abuse later. For now they are for the "younger girls" that my kilt attracts

[ozone]

I have been in Doc Martens for over 10 years. Never has a problem with quality. They are the best for standing on a cement floor all day or for hiking. I recommend them to my patients all the time since Docs are so much less impactful on the feet and on the back.

They are also great for diabetics because of a wide and deep toe box. Custom diabetic shoes can cost $400...you can get 4 pairs of docs for that price if you know where to look.

[Erisianmonkey]

Are Doc Martens really that good? I have heard that they are over-rated and the quality has gone down of late. I've never owned a pair.

I've never owned a pair. The flap about how the quality is going down stems from about 10 years ago when Doc Martens became a subsidiary of Nike. For boots, I tend to buy surplus field boots. Until my last boot purchase, that is. I broke down and bought a pair of Western Chief zip sides from Sportsman's Guide. They may be considered a "no-name" brand, but for $30 I got some of the best boots I've owned. The quality on them is as high or higher than the surplus field boots I usually get, and a pair of field boots usually lasts me about 4-5 years. All that being said, if I ever break down and spend the $$ to get a pair of name brand boots, I'm gonna get Bates, not Docs.

[RockyR]

I wear "Grinders"... basically look like Docs but I find them even more comfortable and of better quality. You can get them online at "Berlin Wall":

https://www.fortune3.com/Grinders/