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CQR Men's Tactical Pants, Water Resistant Ripstop Cargo Pants, Lightweight EDC Work Hiking Pants, Outdoor Apparel
$43.98 (as of March 15, 2024 19:37 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)The classic Doc Martens boot has seen a huge resurgence in popularity in recent years. Their iconic ankle boots feature a chunky, durable sole teamed with supple leather uppers. While often associated more as a punk rock style statement, can Doc Martens work as hiking boots for the trails? Let’s explore the key factors when considering taking this alternative footwear choice out into nature.
Pros of Hiking in Doc Martens
Traction
- The thick, lugged PVC sole provides a decent grip on most terrain
- Treads help prevent slipping on wet ground or muddy trails
Durability
- Goodyear-welted construction means the upper and sole are heat-sealed
- High-quality leather uppers resist abrasions
- Soles don’t wear down easily from rugged use
- Signature Docs come up almost to the calf providing more stability
- Reduces the likelihood of rolling an ankle while carrying a backpack
Water Resistant
- Waxed leather uppers and seam seals keep feet dryer in rain, puddles, or light snow
- Many styles are available as “waterproof” through added protective layers
All-Day Comfort
- Plush insoles with medium arch support
- Lightweight and flexible sole construction
For less technical day hikes on maintained paths and in reasonably dry environments, Doc Martens offers versatility for hiking while looking stylishly retro. The durable leather and slip-resistant PVC outsole allow going off trail a bit while providing comfort.
Cons of Hiking in Doc Martens
Not Purpose-Built Hiking Boots
- Lack of technical performance features serious trekkers’ demand
- Materials optimized more for looks and general wear versus extreme activities
Limited Traction
- Lug depth and spacing are best suited for walking rather than climbing
- Smooth leather toes make scrambling tricky
Weak Ankle Structure
- Lack of rigid heel counters, shanks, or cutaways improving control
- The collar folds down rather than providing solid side stability
Minimal Warmth or Waterproofing
- Leather & seams leak over extended exposure to heavy rain or snow
- Uninsulated so feet get cold easily in winter
While the durable leather and hardy composition of Doc Martens boots work fine for very light casual hikes, they ultimately lack technical refinements making them less than ideal choices for repeated long-distance treks across rugged natural terrain.
How Doc Martens Compare to Actual Hiking Boots
| Doc Martens | Hiking Boots | |
|---|---|---|
| Traction | Decent all-around PVC lug sole | Deep aggressive lugs for maximized grip |
| Water Resistance | Waxed leather resists moisture moderately | Waterproof membranes and seam sealing |
| Warmth | Uninsulated leather gets cold easily | Insulation layers trap heat even when wet |
| Underfoot Support | Moderate arch support | Contoured footbeds aid stability |
| Ankle Support | Stiff leather collar May provide support | Structured rear, shanks prevent rolling |
| Durability | Goodyear welt affixes sole well | Reinforced scuff guards and toes |
| Weight | Average. Not designed to be ultra-light | Varies greatly. Lightoptions for long treks |
While both feature quality leather uppers and tough lugged soles, hiking boot engineering focuses solely on maximizing trail performance through lug depth, waterproofing, temperature regulating layers, advanced sole control systems, and rigorous field testing in extreme environments. This gives them vastly expanded capabilities for conquering all types of terrain in any weather over endless miles.
Ideal Hiking Conditions for Doc Martens
Certain environmental factors and intended hiking intensity allow the stylish retro footwear to work respectably well while enjoying beloved trails:
- Day hikes on well-maintained groomed paths
- Cooler weather without heavy rain or snow
- Relatively flat or smooth rolling elevation profiles
- Carrying little weight beyond a small hydration pack
- Avoiding loose rocks requiring stability across ankles
Think fall landscape strolls to capture the changing colors rather than completing a thru-hike of the entire Appalachian Trail over months. By understanding realistic expectations given their materials and construction, Doc Martens serves great for casual outdoor adventures. Just bring alternate footwear if the skies unexpectedly open up.
How to Waterproof Doc Martens for Hiking
While the waxed full-grain leather of Doc Marten’s boots already repels minor moisture reasonably well thanks to quality sourcing and production methods, aftermarket waterproofing sprays provide added insurance on wet hikes.
Waterproofing Sprays
- Silicone or wax-based liquids provide renewable water resistance
- Sprays formulated especially for leather gear work best
- Allow boots to dry completely after application
Weather Protectors
- Heavy-duty water guard creams soak into leather pores with beeswax and oils
- Creates durable water beading barrier once fully cured
By pretreating your vintage look boots with specialty hiking formulations, they’ll stand up to puddles and light rain considerably better. Just avoid submerging them fully underwater. Be sure to properly clean and reapply waterproofing every couple of months as the protective qualities degrade over time.
Hiking Sock Recommendations for Doc Martens
Proper hiking socks provide vital cushioning, moisture-wicking performance, friction reduction, and blister prevention during long miles on the trail. Pair select styles with Doc Martens to maximize comfort:
Darn Tough Coolmax Light Cushion – Alternating dense and air channel knitting keeps feet drier while preventing hot spots. 59% Coolmax, 39% nylon, 2% Lycra spandex. Made in Vermont.
Danner Light II Mini Crew – Merino wool blended with nylon creates a soft yet supportive fit. Polygiene treatment resists odors. 61% Merino wool, 35% nylon 4% spandex. Made in USA.
SmartWool PhD Outdoor Light Crew – Relied upon by Appalachian Trail thru-hikers for its durability and breathability. Uses merino wool lining Terry loops on the outside to manage moisture. 67% Merino wool, 31% nylon, 2% elastane. Made in USA.
Injinji Trail 2.0 Crew NuWool – Uses soft NuWool merino lining to wrap toes individually reducing friction. Enhanced met pads add forefoot protection. 64% NuWool, 34% nylon, 2% Lycra. Made in USA.
Features Merino 10 Light Cushion No Show Tab – Ultralight with targeted compression. Deep heel cups prevent slippage. 69% merino wool, 30% nylon, 1% Lycra. Made in USA.
Pairing moisture-wicking technical hiking socks with your Doc Martens boots helps regulate temperatures, stabilizes feet to mitigate fatigue, and makes long miles considerably more enjoyable. Having spare dry socks offers quick relief once the first pair gets damp.
Recommended Insoles for Doc Martens Hiking
Quality insoles customized to your feet provide vital underfoot cushioning and arch support mile after mile. Consider swapping out the generic stock insole in your Docs with upgraded alternatives offering enhanced comfort technologies:
Superfeet Green Insoles – Medium-density foam base with structured heel cup and odor-fighting top cloth. Firmer support works well for medium arches and pronation.
Powerstep Pinnacle Maxx Insoles – Rigid arch support built in with double-layer cushioning. Designed especially to remedy plantar fasciitis and pain.
Sof Sole AIRR Orthotic – Gel pads under the heel and forefoot add shock absorption while air bubbles keep feet cooler. A neutral shape is good for most feet needing moisture control.
Dr. Scholl’s Work Massaging Gel Advanced Insoles – Lower profile gel pads redistribute weight away from pressure points while oils reduce friction. All-day cushioning for those on feet all day. Designed for boots.
Swapping out Doc Marten’s generic insoles allows customizing fit for your specific foot shape, arch type, and desired support. Combined with quality socks, it bolsters overall comfort for hiking miles.
How to Care for Leather Doc Martens After Hiking
The full grain leather of Doc Martens boots features oils allowing scruffs and scuffs to buff out wonderfully with some TLC. Proper leather care also ensures longevity through years of beloved wear:
Gently Brush Debris – Use horsehair brushes avoiding synthetic bristles to clear dirt or dried mud stuck on after hikes. Removes abrasives that damage leather.
Clean Grime Away – Mix gentle soap with lukewarm water in a rag. Wipe leather exteriors clean without oversaturating. Rinse debris. Allow drying naturally away from direct heat.
Replenish Lost Oils – Massage leather conditioners containing natural oils and waxes into uppers. Wait 10 minutes then buff gently with a clean cloth. Repeat monthly.
Avoid using dish soap, detergents, chemicals, or heat to dry that risks stripping essential moisture from leather or even cracking finishes. With occasional TLC, quality full-grain uppers like Doc Martens develop beautiful wear patterns over time directly reflecting your adventures.
Are There Vegan Doc Martens Boots for Hiking?
Traditional Doc Martens utilize animal byproducts like tallow, a rendered beef fat, along with fish oil in the curing process necessary to create such supple durable leather boots. However, the brand now offers an expanding line of vegan boots featuring synthetic uppers and outsoles as a cruelty-free ethical alternative.
Most feature intertwining polyurethane and canvas fibers to mimic leather aesthetics while remaining water resistant. They come in both traditional eight-hole ankle height as well as taller models. Traction, slip resistance, and general sole durability remain similar to the original PVC versions.
For vegans and vegetarians wanting sustainable animal-free footwear without sacrificing signature Doc Martens style, the ethically produced faux leather boots serve wonderfully while holding up respectably well out on trails. Just expect a lesser overall lifespan versus real leather models.
Best Hiking Practices When Wearing Doc Martens
Get the most enjoyment out of Doc Martens boots exploring natural spaces by following certain best practices:
Break In Slowly – Wear initially for short periods allowing the stiff leather to mold gradually to your feet before long treks to mitigate blisters.
Monitor Conditions – Check the weather not just immediately but in upcoming days to avoid getting stuck in storms these boots won’t withstand. Have backup shoes accessible.
Use Aftermarket Insoles – Replace generic insoles with higher-performing options adding support, stability, and shock absorption to make miles easier.
Select Low Impact Trails – Choosing smoothly graded established paths over extremely rocky technical terrain reduces the likelihood of ankle rolls and trips.
Limit Pack Weight – Travel ultralight with smaller hydration packs over bulky multi-day backpacks to keep centered over feet without stability compromising torque from extra weight.
Treat & Maintain Leather – Apply specialty waterproofing formulas allowing vintage boots better weathering while nurturing uppers after each use keeping them lasting for years.
The iconic Dr. Martens boots make a fashionable statement anywhere from punk rock shows to strolling city streets. And with smart precautions, they can reasonably handle-less intense hiking adventures as well! Just optimize socks, insoles, and trail choices to play to their durable rugged strengths while minimizing technical shortcomings.
The Verdict? Doc Martens Work for Casual Hiking Fun!
Can you hike while wearing those beloved Doc Martens boots with the signature yellow contrast stitching and funky laces? Absolutely! Their materials and construction allow reasonably capable performance on many easier well-groomed trails in dry conditions. Just don’t expect them to offer the technical prowess demanded by hardcore hikers exploring mountain summits.
Do Doc Martens work for hiking in all conditions? Certainly not. Challenging elevation gains, extensive mileage, unstable footing, and inclement weather quickly showcase the boots’ limitations versus alternatives engineered specifically for backcountry trekking. But that doesn’t mean you still can’t enjoy them exploring the outdoors!
By understanding exactly where retro footwear excels versus where actual hiking boots prove vastly superior, you can make informed decisions regarding which adventures suit them best. For mild day hikes in cool weather on flat lands, Doc Martens offers a wonderful nostalgic style letting your feet roam free in hip comfort. Just make sure to give those leather uppers proper TLC afterward!
So consider grabbing your favorite vintage boots when heading out to capture fall’s vibrant colors or enjoy a fragrant spring jaunt admiring wildflowers rather than ascending lofty 14,000-foot peaks. Allow their charming resilience and rebellious attitude to guide you happily along as beloved old friends while supplying reasonable function as well through the miles ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hiking in Doc Martens
Here are answers to some of the most common questions regarding how suitable Doc Marten boots ultimately perform out on trails:
Are Doc Martens good for hiking?
With their thick lugged soles and ankle-supporting leather construction, Doc Martens work reasonably well for short casual day hikes on moderate terrain in dry weather but lack the necessary technical refinements for hardcore extended backcountry hiking.
Can you hike all day in Doc Martens?
The minimal cushioning, heat-trapping leather, limited water resistance, and mediocre traction mean all-day hikes across multiple hours and miles push Doc Martens to their limit. Overlong use of hiking in Docs frequently results in exhausted legs, sweaty feet, blisters, and potential slips.
Do Doc Martens have enough ankle support for hiking?
The rigid leather collar around the ankles supplies basic sideways structural support but lacks flexibility, cutouts, or pronounced rigidity improving control, so rolling ankles becomes a concern when navigating loose terrain with a backpack shifting your center of gravity.
Are Doc Martens better than hiking boots?
Standard hiking boots offer vastly expanded durability, grippy traction, waterproof breathable membranes, structured stabilizing plates and frames, shock-absorbing midsoles, and precise engineering explicitly for traversing all types of environments safely and efficiently at speed. So quality hiking boots ultimately outperform Doc Martens considerably for serious trekking applications.
Should I wear Doc Martens to hike or buy real hiking boots?
If planning primarily casual day hikes on flat dry trails and yearning for a stylishly punk attitude, then Doc Martens work wonderfully. But for repeated extensive hiking across truly rugged, wet, or unstable terrain, invest in expertly engineered trail-running shoes or backpacking boots precision crafted through decades of experience supporting elite global adventures.
We hope this guide helps you decide if beloved Doc Martens boots can reasonably handle your next fun hiking adventure! Let us know if any other questions come up regarding maximizing their performance on trails. Enjoy wandering paths comfortably wherever they may take you!
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$17.99 (as of March 15, 2024 19:37 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
