One of the Most Iconic Boots Ever Built Gets a Vintage British Heritage Upgrade

These classic combat boots are transformed into something more suitable for dressier occasions, such as tea time.

Close-up of brown leather shoe eyelets with brown laces and multicolored wool fabric.Dr. Martens

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As far as combat-style boots are concerned, none are quite as legendary and iconic as Dr. Martens (AKA “Docs”.) Yet, for all their history, these British boots aren’t exactly what one might call refined.

Although that might change, at least for those lucky enough to get their hands on a pair of the Dr. Martens 1460 Pascal Made In England boots. These boots swap the classic upper of the brand’s most iconic silhouette for more grown-up, heritage materials.

Brown leather lace-up boots with houndstooth fabric panels and black soles with yellow stitching.
These stunning boots boast Harris Tweed from Scotland and calf leather from Leeds-based tannery C. F. Stead.
Dr. Martens

From gritty combat to grandma’s couch

The base boot is still largely crafted from leather. In fact, the toe, heel, eyestays and even the collar are all crafted from the material. However, this isn’t the standard leather the boots usually come with.

Rather, it’s Classic Calf leather from Leeds-based tannery C. F. Stead — an icon of the tannery industry that’s been in operation since 1895. That means, not only is this a fine material, but it has history attached to it. And that’s not the only bit of heritage to be found.

Pair of brown leather and houndstooth fabric lace-up boots with black soles and yellow stitching.
While the iconic silhouette is unchanged, the material swaps really alter the overall vibe of the boots.
Dr. Martens

The other part of the boot — the shank and shaft — is made from Harris Tweed. Per the brand, this tweed is “dyed, blended, spun, woven, finished, examined and stamped only in the Scottish Outer Hebrides by local crofters and artisans.” It’s also made from 100-percent virgin wool.

Not only does this combination add refinement to the typically rough and rugged boot, but it also helps keep your feet warm in cooler weather, as wool is an excellent insulator.

Pair of brown leather and multicolor houndstooth fabric lace-up boots with black soles and yellow stitching.
The boot’s signature hallmarks, like the yellow stitching and the oversized pull tab, remain intact.
Dr. Martens

New looks, same old stompers

While the upper materials of these boots make for quite the stylistic departure, they are still, at their core, a pair of 1460s. That means they have the same classic silhouette, eight-eyelet height and more.

In fact, some of the construction is faithful to the standard version of these boots. For instance, they maintain the signature yellow stitching on the sole and large pull tab at the top of the collar.

Brown rubber sole of a shoe with textured grip and embossed branding details.
The boots still feature the iconic Goodyear Welt “Bouncing Soles” that they have always had.
Dr. Martens

But it’s not just that; the soles themselves are a mainstay for this boot and just about everything else the brand makes. Called “Bouncing Soles,” they’re rubber and treaded enough to handle some uneven terrain.

More importantly, these boots have a Goodyear Welt construction. Not only does that make for a strong, waterproof seal between the sole and the upper, but it means you can resole them as necessary, helping extend the lifetime of these boots tenfold.

Brown leather and houndstooth fabric lace-up boots worn with navy wide-leg pants.
If you can’t ditch your Docs, even when it comes time to get a little more dressed up, these are a great middle ground.
Dr. Martens

Pricing and availability

The limited-edition Dr. Martens 1460 Pascal Made In England boots are now available on the brand’s site for $260. However, they’re selling extremely quickly, so act fast.

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