BEING RESPONSIBLE BOOTMAKERS
At Dr. Martens, we believe the most responsible thing we can do as a bootmaker is to maximise the longevity of each pair through the creation of timeless, hardwearing, repairable footwear. At the same time, we have a duty to consider the impact our business has on both people and the planet, which we take incredibly seriously. Below, you can discover more about our approach and ambitions.
OUR SHOEMAKING HERITAGE WAS CENTERED AROUND CREATING TIMELESS FOOTWEAR WITH A DISTINCTIVE DESIGN, FUNCTIONAL BENEFITS AND LONG-LASTING DURABILITY.
Based on the Griggs family business' legacy of quality footwear and the progressive outsole creations of Dr. Klaus Maertens and Dr. Herbert Funck. Our manufacturing heritage lays the foundation upon which our modern products are built.
-
Our classic silhouettes are designed to be worn season after season and passed down from generation to generation. Each element carefully chosen to create the distinctive design language of Dr. Martens. From our AirWair heel loop to the grooved outsole to our standout yellow welt stitch.
-
Decades of Griggs family manufacturing expertise combined with German technical innovation and resulted in the creation of the 1460 boot. From the long-lasting and repairable Goodyear welted and heat-sealed outsole to the uppers secured with our distinctive and extra strong Puritan stitching, Dr. Martens has produced timeless, durable products to maximise longevity for over 60 years.
-
Quality materials are central to our production of long-lasting footwear and have been since the very beginning. Leather has been used on Dr. Martens footwear for over 60 years due to its characteristics of durability, flexibility, versatility and breathability, which makes it particularly good for shoemaking. Our air cushioned outsoles made from PVC are used on the majority of our footwear products. They provide a great mix of comfort, durability and repairability. At DM’s, any alternative to leather or PVC must meet our high durability standards to be considered.
CARE AND REPAIR
One of the additional benefits of Dr. Martens approach to our original designs, particularly the Goodyear welt stitch combined with the PVC outsole, is that it makes our footwear practical and repairable. Historically, each pair would come with instructions on how to do basic repairs at home with a hot knife (which is something we explicitly do not recommend today for safety reasons). Leather, when properly maintained, can be worn for years and years which is why we offer an extensive range of shoe care products.
We’ve never been a company to stand still. Here are some of the latest strides we’ve made to make us a more responsible company and to keep each pair of Dr. Martens boots and shoes going for longer.
-
We’ve partnered with The Boot Repair Co. in the UK to offer an authorised repair service for selected DM’s footwear. Through this service, we use the same quality of materials & construction to breathe new life into old footwear. Enabling wearers to keep their favourite pair going for longer, and provide options to customise too, from choosing the colour of a welt stitch to the style of the outsole. This service is currently for wearers in the UK only but watch this space to see how we expand this service in the future.
-
For many of our wearers their first pair are pre-loved, passed down from friends and family or bought on the second-hand market. We launched our first official second-hand service in the UK via Depop in 2022. We’ve also launched ReWair, our official second-hand service in the US. Through both these services, we restore worn boots, shoes, sandals and bags to their former glory, helping make the most of our products so they can be worn again.
-
We continue to adopt new opportunities to reduce the impact of the materials we use. Some examples of the changes we’ve made include using 100% recycled materials in our classic heel loops, removing 25% of the materials used in our standard shoeboxes, and committing to sourcing all our leather from Leather Working Group certified tanneries.
WE HAVE BOTH LONG AND SHORT-TERM GOALS AND AMBITIONS TO CONTINUE OUR IMPROVEMENTS WITHOUT FORGETTING ABOUT OUR ORIGINS OR LETTING PERFECT GET IN THE WAY OF PROGRESS. BELOW IS A SNAPSHOT OF WHAT WE HAVE PLANNED.
-
We’re currently exploring new materials that meet our high durability standards whilst reducing our impact on the planet. This includes identifying sources that limit the impact of our leather, as well as innovating with new alternative materials. Genix Nappa is our latest progressive material created from waste leather offcuts.
-
Looking ahead we’re committed to utilising a sustainable vegan upper material by 2028 and a sustainable alternative to our PVC outsoles by 2035. By 2040 we aim to have 100% of our footwear made from sustainable materials, 100% of our products to have a sustainable end-of-life option and 100% of the natural materials used in products to be sourced from regenerative agriculture. These actions will guide us to becoming a net-zero business by 2040. The full list of our goals can be found here.
