style guide

Here’s Why We’re Wearing Dr. Martens To Our Next Music Festival

Dr. Martens says its shoes can make your music festival experience better. They’re right

By Oscar Hartzog

Oscar Hartzog

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April 17, 2024

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dr martens for festivals

Dr. Martens

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Choosing the right footwear for a music festival is no easy task. You’ll need something comfortable enough for hours on your feet, durable enough to withstand stomps, scrapes, and mud, and, of course, stylish enough to match the lively atmosphere. One brand that meets all of those criteria? Dr. Martens.

The longstanding footwear brand has been a festival favorite for decades — both for attendees and the artists on stage (Gwen Stefani recently donned a pair of Dr. Martens boots for her performance at Coachella). Dr. Martens shoes, boots, and sandals are some of the most durable out there, and they’re not so expensive that you’ll worry about scuffs in a crowd (we think they actually look better a little beaten up). After some wearing in, they’re also just as comfortable as sneakers — especially if you opt for a pair that has the brand’s SoftWair memory foam footbed. Plus, with any pair of Dr. Martens you choose, you get the timelessly punk style to match fun, bold festival outfits.

If you’re thinking about picking up some Dr. Martens for an upcoming music festival this year, shop the brand’s curated collection of festival-ready styles here. If you’re still not sure, scroll down for some of our editors’ favorite Dr. Martens festival styles. We chose these shoes for their comfort, durability, and style, and made sure to only include options that have a 4/5-star average customer rating. We also selected a few different options for both men and women, even though most of Dr. Martens shoes and boots are gender-inclusive.

The Best Dr. Martens for Festivals

1460 Lace-Up Boots

(available in 8 colors) Dr. Martens

$170

Buy 1460 boots at dr. martens

You can’t go wrong with the classic Dr. Martens: the original 1460 boots. The eight-eye boots are some of the most recognizable shoes ever, featuring the brand’s now-iconic air-cushioned sole and rugged build. Plus, you now get tons of great color options, from classic black to green to purple.

Blaire Strap Sandals

(available in 2 colors) Dr. Martens

$110

Buy blaire sandals at dr. martens

Sandals can be a good move for those extra-hot music festivals, but you still want something substantial to keep your feet protected. These Dr. Martens Blaire sandals fit the bill, showcasing a thick, protective sole (which also helps you see over people a bit better) and a comfortable memory foam footbed. Thanks to the ankle strap, you can also rest assured — er, walk and dance assured that the sandals will stay snug and comfortable throughout the day.

8065 Mary Jane Shoes

(available in 2 colors) Dr. Martens

$140

Buy mary jane at dr. martens

Somewhere between a shoe and a sandal is the Dr. Martens Mary Jane. It’s an amazing music festival choice (for men or women) because you get breathability via the T-bar fastening and perforations on the toes, as well as all-day support from the AirWair sole. Plus, they offer a playful yet edgy look that’s great for festival fits.

1461 Bex Crazy Horse Shoes

(available in 1 color) Dr. Martens

$150

Buy 1461 crazy horse at dr. martens

Dr. Martens Crazy Horse line uses the full grain cowhide for an already-lived-in look right out of the box. This is great because the only downside of Dr. Martens (for some) is those first couple weeks where they look a little too clean. We love the Crazy Horse leather on these 1461s shoes, lending a nice rugged touch to some classic oxfords.

Combs Boots

(available in 1 color) Dr. Martens

$130

Buy combs boots at dr. martens

These Combs boots feature a classic look similar to original Dr. Martens boots, only they’re more lightweight — ideal for long days of walking and dancing at festivals. The leather, called Wyoming, has a slightly different, more oily finish than the regular smooth leather Dr. Martens.

Sinclair Boots

(available in 4 colors) Dr. Martens

$145 $210 31% off

Buy sinclair boots at dr. martens

Want to go a little bolder? Check out these platform Sinclair boots. They feature a removable zip closure, meaning you get to choose between a regular lace-up style or a more unique, quick-access option. Plus, you get almost two extra inches of height from the platform sole, meaning a better view of the stage from the crowd.

Iridescent Translucent Mini Backpack

(available in 1 color) Dr. Martens

$110

Buy iridescent backpack at dr. martens

Dr. Martens doesn’t only make punk footwear. The brand also has some surprisingly good accessories, like this cute iridescent backpack. It feels almost tailor-made for music festivals with a compact 7-by-10-inch size and a transparent exterior that should adhere to any music festival bag rules.

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