Dr. Martens Real vs. Fake Guide 2025: How Can I Tell If It Is Real?

Where to Buy Dr. Martens for the Cheapest? 

Buying from official Dr. Martens stores or reputable online retailers significantly reduces the risk of getting fakes. 

• Dr. Martens UK(up to 2% cash back)

• Dr. Martens AU(up to 5% cash back)

• Journeys(up to 6% cash back)

• Urban Outfitters(up to 2% cash back)

• Dicks Sporting Goods(up to 2% cash back)

• Saks Fifth Avenue(up to 2% cash back)

Saving Tip:

If you like online shopping, don't forget to sign up at Extrabux！(What is Extrabux) , then you can enjoy up to 30+% cashback on your purchase from Extrabux! Sign-Up Bonus: Free to join it & get $20 welcome bonus! Student Benefits：As long as you are a student at school, you can get a free whole year long VIP Card worth $199.

Extrabux.com cooperates with many merchants, such as: Walmart (Up to 4% cashback), Sephora（4% -5% cash back)，Dior (Up to 6% cash back), Moosejaw (5% -6% cash back), LOOKFANTASTIC (Up to 10% cash back), Microsoft (Up to 7% cash back) and so on. You can save on buying daily necessities, fashion, beauty, electronic products, broadband installation, mobile communication, air tickets, hotels and other aspects of life!

How to Spot a Fake Pair of Dr. Martens?

1. The Shoebox

1) Real Dr. Martens will come in a sturdy cardboard box with a logo on the lid and the side of the box. Ensure the size, font, and placement of the logos are straight and look the same.

2) Dr. Martens shoe boxes feature a white label on one end detailing size, style and colour. Check that the shoe details match those of your actual shoe.The size and product code will be inside the uppers of the shoes.There is a barcode on the label. When reading it using the application, you go to the official website.

3) There is a drawing on the bottom of the box. It has the shape of boot tread prints. The drawing is a signature feature of Dr. Martens. For fakes, the packaging does not have an image of the soles.

4) "Martins" are never packed in an additional plastic bag and are not labeled NEW.

2. The Inside Tag

1) Dr Martens shoes detail the size and product code on the inside upper of the shoes. It should contain basic information.Check that these details match those found on the shoe box label.

2) New Dr. Martens often have a yellow inspection sticker, but its presence isn’t a guaranteed indicator of authenticity. While the sticker is a common sight, particularly on boots near the ankle or tongue, there are instances where genuine Docs might lack it.

3) Seek out typos on the "Dr. Martens" logo inside the shoe, as many knock-offs will misspell the brand.

3. The Insole

1) The real Dr. Martins have a logo with clear contours on it. Older styles often feature 'Original' and 'Made in England', whilst newer styles feature 'Air Cushioned Sole' or 'Bouncing Soles'.Ensure all the words are spelled correctly, and the letters are evenly spaced.

2) The branded insole has perforations in the form of small holes along the edge. 

3) The inside of the boot is made of leather. The use of foam rubber or other artificial fillers is unacceptable.

4. The Outsole

1) The outsole of REAL Dr. Martens shoes feature unique brand markings and copy. And there is no sizi number in the real.Fake Outsole has sizi number and no brand logo.

2) At Dr. Martins, it is not rigid, but elastic. Her air cushion is translucent with yellow diamonds. The fakes have painted soles. You can see defects on it.

5. The Stitching

1) Stitching on all Dr. Martens shoes is of the very highest quality. Check carefully that it is evenly spaced, straight, tight, and is neatly finished.Fakes are most often made in artisanal conditions and on cheap equipment.

2) Look around the base of the shoe for the authentic Doc Marten's yellow stitching.

3) It is important to pay attention to the heel. There, bad seams are most common, as they are not immediately evident. Fake stitches have different lengths. In fakes, you can often see traces of glue showing through.

6. The Lace Hole Insides

Stitching, material and even the lacehole metal is inferior in the fake.Original stitching and fabric are superb in the original.

7. The Spare Laces

Previously, with every pair of Dr. Martens sold spare yellow laces in a bag with a logo. Now they are not found in every model.Dr. Martens is known for its excellent quality, so the details on your shoes should look flawless. Misspelled logos, uneven fonts, or poor stitching are telltale signs of fakes.

8. The Back Tag

There is a tag on the back of the boots. The inscriptions on it are clearly embroidered with yellow thread. Pali often lacks a tag. If it is still a network, then it can be difficult to read the inscriptions on it.A yellow sticker with the letters INSP BY QC indicates the authenticity of the purchase.

9. The Other Elements

The fake shoes often have Dr. Martens and Original in different locations. These are additional tags, inserts, packages. This is how surrogate manufacturers try to draw attention to their products.Even the print on the outside of the boot is now abandoned.

10. The Shoe Color

Martins offer a wide range of colors. However, there are no unusual colors in the model lines. Therefore, if a pair of non-standard colors is found on sale, you need to refer to the information on the home page and make sure that the selected product was produced at the official factory of the brand.

11. The Shoe Cost

Authentic Dr. Martens are made from quality materials. Therefore, a branded item cannot be cheap. The price on the Dr. Martens official website ranges from $130 to $420.Therefore, any product with a recognizable logo that sells below the indicated amounts is at best a good replica, and at worst a fake from the basement workshop.

Doc Martens vs Dr. Martens

You might be wondering if there is a difference between the two names. Both are real; one is simply a nickname. Dr. Martens is the original brand name derived from the founder, Dr. Klaus Martens. Over time, younger fans playfully shortened the brand to Doc Martens or Docs.You can call the brand whatever you like, but genuine shoes always have the full Dr. Martens logo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Martens good quality?

Dr Marten's boots are famous for their durability and many of its wearers attest to their boots lasting for up to 20 years and even longer. When properly cared for, Dr Martens boots can last a lifetime as they're made from the highest quality leather or vegan equivalent, rigorously tested to ensure their strength.

Are authentic Dr Martens made in China?

Dr Martens shoes were exclusively made in the UK during the early years, but somehow they decided to release the asian-made version in 2002. Don't worry, both of them are still authentic and carry the same quality. The only difference is, you can find a brand imprinted on the side of Asian-made Dr Martens.

What makes Doc Martens so special?

The footwear is distinguished by its air-cushioned sole, upper shape, welted construction, and yellow stitching.

How long do Doc Martens usually last?

Docs usually last a minimum of 5 years but can last up to 20 years thanks to their quality construction and excellent durability. The amount of time your Docs last for is dependent on the level of care and love you show then along with how often you wear them and what you wear them for.

Are Dr Martens shoes comfortable for walking?

Built to move. Made to last. Docs are tough enough for any adventure—whether you need comfortable shoes for walking, waterproof travel boots, or lightweight options to throw into a carry-on before takeoff.

Should I size up or down in Dr Martens?

Dr. Martens fit true to size, and they are great for wide feet. If you do have narrow feet, you may want to consider sizing down. If you are struggling with wearing them whilst you break them in, stick a sanitary pad around the heel to avoid getting blisters.

Can you wear Doc Martens in the rain?

Most Doc Martens will have a high degree of water resistance. So if you're walking through puddles or you're caught in a drizzle, your Doc Martens should be fine under these lighter conditions. However, if you're looking to wade through rivers in your 1460s, you're going to end up with wet feet and damaged leather.

Can you wear Doc Martens in the summertime?

You can wear them with anything – from cute girly outfits on hot summer days to more grungy outfits when it gets cooler on an evening. You can also wear them to dress up outfits that need that extra edge – and dress down more 'formal' outfits to give them a casual look.

【Read More】

Dr. Martens vs. Blundstone vs. Redback vs. Thursday Boots: Which Brand is the Best?

Dr. Martens 1460 vs 1461 vs. 1461 Bex vs. 8053: Differences and Reviews 2025

Timberland vs. Dr. Martens vs. Red Wing vs. Solovair: Which Brand is the Best? (History, Quality, Design)

Fantastic Deals On Dr. Martens Boots, Shoes And More: Up To 30% Off Sale Items & Free shipping!

Extrabux is an international cashback shopping site, offering up to 30% cashback from 10,000+ Stores!

24S, SSENSE, MATCHESFASHION.COM, Shopbop, NET-A-PORTER, FARFETCH, YOOX, Eastbay, End Clothing, Macys, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks OFF 5TH, Bergdorf Goodman, Selfridges, Bloomingdales, Coggles, Harrods, Kohl's, Urban Outfitters, ASOS, Missguided, etc.

Join to get $20 welcome bonus now! (How does Welcome Bonus work?)