Doc Martens has been everyone’s favorite boot brand since the 19th century, when they first started supplying their robust footwear. Not only do their products look good, but they are celebrated for their durability, and how comfortable they feel.
If you are vegan, you may be wondering if Doc Martens’ footwear is still made from leather. After all, leather is the material of choice for many shoe brands.
In this article, we will look at whether Doc Martens, as a brand, have gone vegan.
Why Are So Many Brands Going Vegan?
Most durable boots, no matter the brand, are made from leather. This is for a number of reasons, with the number one reason being that leather is an extremely durable material, suitable for any weather.
Leather is a tough, flexible material is used for a number of types of shoes, most notably being boots. The material can withstand the weathering effects of rain, snow, hail, or any wet weather.
For this reason, leather boots are often bought and utilized during the clothes during the colder months of the year.
Unfortunately, while leather is a very useful material to create shoes, it is made of animal skin; most popularly, the skin of cattle.
The skin of animals, such as cows, are very handy for making clothes, but only once it has been tanned or dyed with specific chemicals. Once this process has been completed, the skin does not decay, and bacteria cannot form and grow on it.
Due to this, tanned animal skin – AKA leather – has been a popular material to use to create clothes and shoes for centuries. In fact, the first uses of leather have been dated back to the Middle Ages, when it was used to create seats for chairs.
While this is a handy material for all sorts of aspects, it has come to light over the recent decades that it is cruel to kill animals to use their skin for these purposes.
Yes, humans have been hunting animals for food since the dawn of time, yet this can, at least, be justified in the sense that we humans have to eat to survive.
When it comes to making clothes, and even creating aesthetic pieces of furniture, the prospect of killing and skinning animals becomes even more unjustifiable.
This is especially true now that we have discovered other ways to create durable, tough materials to replace leather.
For this reason, many companies have opted to become vegan, and cruelty-free.
Are Doc Martens Shoes Vegan?
So, since so many other brands are deciding against using animal skins to create clothes and shoes, what about Doc Martens? Are their products vegan?
The short answer is both yes and no.
Doc Martens’ main line of shoes are not currently vegan. They are still being manufactured with leather, as they have been since the very beginning, when the company was first created.
However, Doc Martens does have a vegan line. This line has been available for several years now, and more and more people are opting to buy their vegan products over their leather products (see also ‘Is PU Leather Vegan?‘).
What Are Vegan Doc Martens Shoes Made Out Of?
Most of the items in the Doc Martens vegan line are constructed of a polyurethane formulation. It is an artificial non-leather fabric that is more ventilated than PVS, and considerably less harmful to make.
The uppers really bend and give in nicely, much like traditional leather, and they do so without splitting in the places where normal cranking happens. That indicates that Doc Marten’s vegan boots and shoes have a decent lifespan in terms of appearance.
Nevertheless, numerous nations possess laws requiring ventilation controls in companies to restrict the amount of emissions. Admittedly, the development of more sustainable production techniques will lead to the advancement of artificially made vegan leathers.
The tops of vegan Docs have a substantial depth that gives them the coveted Doc Martens luxury feel, while still feeling smooth and expensive. If anything, it can be rather challenging to identify their vegan boots apart from their standard leather ones.
Are Vegan Doc Martens Shoes As Durable As Their Leather Shoes?
Thankfully, the vegan line from Doc Martens is no exception to the brand’s reputation for dependability, regarding footwear. The minimal endurance period for these shoes is about twenty years, and they are built with a lifetime warranty.
If you treat the shoes appropriately, they should last you upwards of twenty years since they are built of sturdy components and have amazing, meticulous craftsmanship.These vegan boots should fit the foot snugly and are virtually unbreakable.
The fact that vegan Doc Martens are weatherproof is an additional noteworthy feature. In addition, their line of vegan boots, which are composed of synthetic fibers that don’t easily absorb moisture or become damp, is their best known feature.
The artificial substance they are constructed of is to their credit.
The same as their conventional leather shoes, vegan Docs come in a multitude of different hues and designs. For this reason, these products are just as popular as the conventional leather shoes.
These sneakers are extremely sturdy, versatile, and ventilated. They are regarded as the most comfy shoes available.
The slip-resistant soles on vegan Doc Marten footwear are hand-sewn and much more robust than a bonded sole, much like conventional Doc Marten shoes. This company’s wide range of vegan fashions, which admirers can select from, is yet another positive aspect.
Final Thoughts
In summary, Doc Martens, as a brand, have not gone completely vegan just yet. They still supply their iconic leather footwear, and thousands of people are still buying them.
However, the fact that the brand has started a vegan line is definitely a step in the right direction. As we mentioned earlier, there is barely any difference between their vegan and leather shoes, so who knows? In time, we may see Doc Martens go completely cruelty-free.
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