Dr. Martens Vonda Boots > Reviews (2)

I think these have to be the most beautiful boots I've ever seen. I came across them in 2010 at a shop in London, but hadn't seen them since except for a few select places online. They're not cheap, but they've got the looks and the durability that make them a fantastic investment piece, and one that will get you noticed and put a smile on your face each time you set out in them.

Dr Martens kicked off their popularity in the 60s, becoming trendy as a more 'rebellious' brand of footwear. But it actually all began back in Germany with Dr. Klaus Maertens in 1945. They've branched out now to make various styles of both shoes and boots that are internationally sold and loved, and the name itself has reached a point of notoriety that I'd be hard pushed to find many people that haven't heard of them.

What are they? The Vonda boots are 14 eyelet calf-length leather boots, with the trademark thick sole and yellow loops at the top that make them recognisable as being Dr Martens. What makes Vonda so distinguishable is the floral pattern the outer side of each boot, and because I've not actually seen anyone else wear these (apart from myself) they're a lesser-known and more original style that will stand out from the crowd.

The boots are made from leather and tie up with laces to the top. I've owned Dr Martens before but sent them back because they had this style; the laces were simply too difficult to keep doing up and undoing each time I wanted to put them on or take them off. The great thing about these ones are that they're calf length, so not the full 20 eyelet knee ones, and they have an inside zip. This makes them far easier to wear as you can keep them constantly tied up.

The floral detail is very vivid. The flowers are roses and the pattern is rich red and green in colour, so it really stands out. Although DMs may appeal more to a 'youth' culture, I wouldn't say these look tacky, and neither do they seem to be over-worn, because like I said, I haven't seen anyone else with these yet. I love the design because it looks beautiful and yet quite classic, adding a lovely feminine twist to the chunkier style of boot.

As for the soles, they're the sturdy, thick yellow rubber that distinguishes DMs. As with the classic design, they're very robust, being both oil and fast resistant whilst providing good slip resistance. The heal height is around 28mm, with a 'platform' height of 12mm, so that gives you a rough idea of the thickness of the soles.

These are classed as being 'Goodyear-welted', because the boot upper and the sole are sewn with a Z welt-switch along with a heat-sealing process. This is a bonus in my opinion because many shoes/boots are simply glued, so I feel more confident in these boots being robust and standing the test of time. The leather itself is a full-grain leather that has a relatively soft feel.

The overall sense I get from these boots is one of high quality. You can tell that time and technology has gone in to making these as robust yet visually appealing and comfortable as possible, which makes them a good investment for your feet because they should last.

What I will say about these is that, as is the case with most if not all DMs, is that they need to be broken in. The leather may be classed as having a soft feel, but as with any genuine leather boot they are harder to start with. I made the mistake of walking a long distance the first time I wore them and they rubbed against the back of both heals, leaving me to hobble home with my socks stuck to my ankles with blood. This is, however, just a temporary thing. Or at least it should be. I've had mine for a few months now and it only took a few occasions of wearing them for short periods of time to soften them up a bit; you notice your foot positioning and the moulding of the boot change, by which point they were no longer rubbing on my ankle.

Wearing these is a pleasure because they're so comfortable and so gorgeous. The airwalk sole makes them ever so slightly bouncy, and they encase your foot and leg well (depending on how tightly you decide to tie them), giving you good support whilst walking. They're not as heavy as some leather DMs, possibly because they're more calf than knee length, but they still have the chunky, sturdy feel to them. It's a bit like wearing stomper boots; I feel more confident when wearing these, they put a bounce in my step and make me walk with purpose.

Overall I would definitely recommend these. The design is beautiful and fits with my 'style', and I love the feel of their chunkiness mixed with the feminine design. They're excellent quality and offer comfort for your feet and an enjoyable walking experience that in turn makes them a good investment for your wardrobe.

RRP around £100-120 (can be found on Amazon.co.uk)

Overall... Beautiful boots that are a worthwhile investment for my wardrobe.
[Also reviewed by me, Cazkins, on DooYoo]