The British Boot Company — Local services in London

My experience went like this:

I had decided to spend the day in Camden Town and take the opportunity to visit the Dr. Martens store to buy a pair of boots that had caught my eye. Once I had purchased the boots, I went for a meal, and upon leaving, I spotted a little shop that also sold Dr. Martens. Out of curiosity, I decided to check it out to see if they had anything new or if the prices were more budget-friendly than the original store. The shop in question was The British Boot Company, and I had never heard of it before in my life.

Naturally, I walked into the store, examining the displayed boots. My initial thought was that perhaps these were limited edition or collector's boots because the prices on those boots were exorbitant. When I turned towards the counter, a man (who must be the owner, as he later mentioned that his grandfather had founded the store and such) started reproaching me for what I had in the Dr. Martens bag, calling it Chinese junk. He asked me to show him what I had bought, and I politely obliged. He took the shoe and began telling me that what I had purchased was worthless, made in Vietnam, and would fall apart in just 3 months. He claimed that those shoes were made of pure plastic. He went to the back of the store under the pretense of conducting a test on the shoes to determine the leather content. Naively, I believed that they were honest people, and that the test was genuine. He returned after 5 minutes and claimed that the shoes contained only 15% leather. I had no choice but to take his word for it, as he never explained the test or provided any evidence (which seemed rather suspicious).

After this, I took my shoes back because I was fed up with the lecture I was receiving from the owner, who continued to insist that I should return the "junk" I had bought and that I'd be foolish not to do so.

I didn't return my shoes.

However, at this point, I am convinced that something was done to my shoes during the so-called test, as two days later, rashes and marks began to appear on the leather that he took to the back of the store, while the other pair remained in perfect condition. I don't think it's a coincidence. I have attached photos where these marks can be clearly seen.

As a side note, I'd like to mention that while they claim to be the original store for the world's best boots, there's no reason for them to take out their frustration on people who bought shoes elsewhere. Additionally, from my limited knowledge, I'd like to ask a question: if this is the original store and only they have the true Dr. Martens boots, why is Dr. Martens company allowed to sell their boots? It's something I'd like to know, and I haven't found any information about it.

In conclusion, in my opinion, these people are frustrated individuals who try to cause trouble for anyone who doesn't buy from them and overcharge those who do with...

I can't believe I've spent 32 years on this planet and have only just visited this magical place, it's essentially Mecca for any real boot fanatic. This store truly is the Ollivander's of British made footwear; instead of wands inside the ceiling high stacked boxes you'll find the most vast British shoe and boot collection of any brick and mortar store I've ever visited.

It was an absolute pleasure meeting Nick and Colin. Nick the owner is a fountain of knowledge, I left not only with multiple pairs of boots (I have a problem I know) but also an education; a living breathing footwear encyclopedia he really knows his products inside and out and exudes passion for the subject, further educating me on the history of the British boot trade. As a customer you really are in safe hands; the customer service is second to none.

Being a vintage Dr. Martens collector I was like a kid in a candy store. Literally whilst I was in the shop a guy came in with Asian made Dr. Martens less than 6 months old with the sole's coming apart on both shoes. This just perfectly illustrates the complete disparity in quality between what now passes as "Dr. Martens" in the "Official" Dr. Martens stores and genuine vintage Made in England Dr. Martens. If it absolutely has to be Dr. Martens I recommend if at all possible you buy pre 2003 Docs which were actually manufactured in England to a higher standard than the "made in England" fare that they currently peddle in the Dr. Martens stores. They have a most impressive collection of such deadstock at The British Boot Company - the best of both worlds vintage boots that have never been worn. Otherwise I'd highly recommend giving another one of the great British brands that they stock a try: Grinders, Gladiator, Solovair, George Cox, Loake etc. It really is worth the extra money and becomes more cost effective in the long run - buy better and wear longer, not to mention the added perks of also being more ethical and sustainable.

I cannot recommend The British Boot Company highly enough. Give them a visit and see...

I recently visited London for some college work and I KNEW I had to stop by here and upgrade from the low quality Docs I'd bought and had been sporting in the states for years. I was lucky enough to come when Nick was working and let me tell you, that's a man who knows his stuff. I originally came in looking for a pair of Solovairs but fell in love with the Grinders the moment I set my eyes on them and Nick was a great help in picking out the right pair for me. It's unparalleled knowing the person helping you out is truly invested and knowledgeable in the product they own.

As for the boots, these are the most comfortable pair of boots I've ever owned in my life. I was a bit wary of the break in period and had planned out my next day to include a stop back at my accommodations to switch out boots, but it all ended up being moot thanks to how comfy they are. The leather feels supple and durable and my pals had a field day knocking on the steel toe. Not only are they fully functional for stomping around all day, they've also got a great style that turns heads and prompts compliments without shouting in people's faces. I've owned them for a little over a week now and my opinion of them only improves every time I wear them out.

If you consider yourself even a bit of a punk, need a durable and comfortable pair of work boots, and/or want to invest in a product that uses high quality materials and doesn't seek to actively exploit people in their production, you owe it to yourself to give this...