Doc Martens Sizing: Size Chart, Fit, Are They True to Size
- By Team Shoethority
Doc Martens sizing is generally consistent and true to size. They deliver a comfortable fit but do not offer half sizes. This means that if you are somebody who usually wears a half size, you should size down.
If you’re looking to buy a pair of Doc Martens and want to choose the perfect fit, keep reading. Our top tips will tell you everything you need to know about Doc Martens sizing. We’ve even included size charts for men, women and children.
Disclaimer: This guide was created for educational purposes and neither offers nor replaces medical advice.
Table of Contents
Doc Martens Size Guide
Doc Martens only offer whole sizes. If you usually wear a half size, you should size down, rather than up. Generally, Doc Martens shoes and boots fit true to size. Going up a size will only change the length of the shoe, rather than the width. Therefore, those with particularly wide feet may struggle to find the perfect fitting pair of Doc Martens.
Doc Martens sizing is generally consistent but does vary across gendered products. For example, if you are wearing shoes or boots in a women’s style, they are likely to be more narrow than the male equivalent.
To find out what size your Doc Martens are, you can look on the shoe or boot tongue or the ankle strap on sandals. All of the products offered on the US site will be in US sizing, however, ‘Made in England’ styles will show the UK size.
To find out what size you are in Doc Martens, you will need to measure your foot from the heel to the big toe in inches. You should be standing and also be wearing any socks that you plan to wear with the shoes. Once you have measured your foot, compare your measurements against the insole length on the chart. You’ll need to consider whether you prefer a loose or snug fit too.
The following shoe sizing charts are a good reference.
Women
| US Womens | US Men | UK | EUR | JP | Inches |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 | - | 3 | 36 | 22 | 9.21" |
6 | - | 4 | 37 | 23 | 9.54" |
7 | 6 | 5 | 38 | 23.5 | 9.88" |
8 | 7 | 6 | 39 | 24.5 | 10.21" |
9 | 8 | 7 | 41 | 25.5 | 10.55" |
10 | 9 | 8 | 42 | 26 | 10.88" |
11 | 10 | 9 | 43 | 27 | 11.22" |
Men
| US Men | US Womens | UK | EUR | JP | Inches |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4 | 5 | 3 | 36 | 22 | 9.35" |
5 | 6 | 4 | 37 | 23 | 9.68" |
6 | 7 | 5 | 38 | 23.5 | 10.02" |
7 | 8 | 6 | 39 | 24.5 | 10.35" |
8 | 9 | 7 | 41 | 25.5 | 10.68" |
9 | 10 | 8 | 42 | 26 | 11.02" |
10 | 11 | 9 | 43 | 27 | 11.34" |
11 | 12 | 10 | 45 | 28 | 11.69" |
12 | - | 11 | 46 | 29 | 12.03" |
13 | - | 12 | 47 | 29.5 | 12.36" |
14 | - | 13 | 48 | - | 12.70" |
15 | - | 14 | 49.5 | - | 13.03" |
16 | - | 15 | 51 | - | 13.36" |
Junior Footwear
| US Kids | UK | EUR | JP |
|---|---|---|---|
11 | 10 | 28 | 17 |
12 | 11 | 29 | 18 |
13 | 12 | 31 | 18.5 |
1 | 13 | 32 | 19.5 |
2 | 1 | 33 | 20.5 |
3 | 2 | 34 | 21.5 |
4 | 3 | 36 | 22 |
Infant Footwear
| Age | US Kids | UK | EUR | JP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0-3 Months | 1 | 0 | 16 | 8 |
3-6 Months | 2 | 1 | 17 | 9 |
6-9 Months | 3 | 2 | 18 | 10 |
9-12 Months | 4 | 3 | 19 | 11 |
12-18 Months | 5 | 4 | 20 | 12 |
18 Months | 6 | 5 | 21.5 | 12.5 |
24 Months | 7 | 6 | 23 | 13.5 |
2 Years | 8 | 7 | 23.5 | 14 |
3 Years | 9 | 8 | 26 | 15 |
4 Years | 10 | 9 | 27 | 16 |
1
How Do Dr Martens Fit?
Doc Martens generally fit true to size, however, they are known for being difficult to break in. The stiffness of the leather can initially create an uncomfortable wearing experience.
To combat this, Doc Martens have begun to release boots that are made from more soft and flexible leather. This doesn’t dig into your heel as much and results in fewer blisters. There is also a shorter breaking in process.
2
Should You Size Up Or Down In Dr Martens?
As Doc Martens fit true to size, you are not recommended to size up or down when buying a pair. The exception to this rule is if you usually wear a half size.
As Doc Martens do not offer their boots and shoes in half sizes, you will need to size down. It is worth remembering that Doc Martens do take a little time to break in.
This means that while they may feel a little tight when they are new, the leather will stretch over time and better accommodate your feet. If you buy a pair of Doc Martens and feel like they are a little too big, you can always buy a pair of insoles to help you fill them out.
3
Sizing of Other Models and Sandals
When most of us think of Doc Martens, the iconic 1460 boot is likely to be what springs to mind.
However, Doc Martens produce a wide range of boots and shoes. As well as the traditional Docs, there is also the Chelsea range, Jadon range and sandals. These other models also run true to size.
4
Do Doc Martens Stretch?
Over time and with frequent use, Doc Martens will stretch and mould to the shape of your feet. This ultimately leaves you with a very comfortable pair of shoes that are practically bespoke to you.
If you are finding the breaking in process of the Doc Martens too uncomfortable, you can accelerate the stretching process. For example, some recommend donning your thickest pair of socks, putting on your shoes and then hair-drying them on the hottest setting. Others prefer to stuff the shoes with water bags before freezing them.
It is worth mentioning that although Doc Martens shoes and boots were always made of leather, there are now vegan options available. Some claim that these are easier to break in than their leather counterparts.
5
How Do I Break In Dr Martens?
Even though many people will attest to the comfort of Doc Martens once they are broken in, there is no denying that there is a long battle to get to this point. Breaking in the shoes is likely to be a hard slog which will result in a lot of blisters.
When you have purchased a pair of Doc Martens from new, you should ease yourself into breaking them in gently. Begin by walking around inside for short periods and getting used to how the shoes feel.
As your feet build up a resistance to the stiffness of the leather, you can start to increase the time that you are wearing them. If you feel pressure at the top of your foot or toes, you can remove the inner sole for a better fit. Likewise, if your Dr Martens feel too loose, add insoles to keep the feet in place.
Doc Martens do sell products to assist with the breaking in process. The first of these is their Wonder Balsam. This blend of lanolin, beeswax and coconut oil can be rubbed onto the outside of the boot or shoe to encourage the leather to soften.
They also sell Double Doc Socks. These thick socks have extra padding on common pressure points which protect your feet against blisters. Wearing thick socks while you break in your Doc Martens will encourage the leather to soften. It also offers a more comfortable breaking in period.
6
Are Doc Martens Bad For Your Feet?
With such a long and hard breaking in process, it is understandable that you may have your reservations about Doc Martens when it comes to foot health.
However, wearing Doc Martens is not bad for your feet. Once the footwear has been broken in, you’ll find yourself with an incredibly comfortable pair of shoes that will last for years to come.
Doc Martens Sizing FAQ
How do I clean my Dr Martens?
Leather Doc Martens can be cleaned using the brand’s own Wonder Balsam or using a standard soapy water mix.
It is generally recommended that you do a full clean, condition and polish every three months to keep your footwear in tip-top condition.
As Wonder Balsam contains beeswax, it is not suitable for Vegan Docs. They should be cleaned using soapy water solution only.
Are Doc Martens Good For Wide Feet?
Doc Martens are a good choice for people with wide feet. This is because they are generally roomy with a generous amount of space around the toe box. Doc Martens footwear also stretches and moulds to your feet over time.
Are Dr Martens unisex?
Much of the footwear produced by Doc Martens is unisex. Most styles come in both male and female versions of the design which are only slightly altered. As a rule, women’s footwear tends to be narrower. On the sizing charts, a conversion between the male to female size is also included.
Do Doc Martens come with a lifetime warranty?
In the past, Doc Martens came with a “for a lifetime” warranty. If your shoes wore out, the company would have to replace them, repair them, or refund you (at 2x the shoe’s price). This warranty no longer applies as of May 2018.
Good To Know
- Doc Martens run true to size
- If you are a half size, size down
- Women’s versions are generally narrower
- Leather softens over time
Final Thoughts
To ensure you get the right sizing for your Doc Martens, you should measure your feet before buying shoes. You can do this in-store or at home. If you are measuring your feet at home, don’t forget to use our sizing chart to find the best fit for you.
