Dr. Martens 1461 is a dream of many DM fans! The sales of these iconic shoes had gone skyrocketing in recent years when famous celebrities and supermodels wore them, including Kendal Jenner, Hailey Bieber, Bella Hadid, and Lisa from Blackpink.
If you want to own one of these bad boys but have a limited budget, or you want to try other shoe brands for a change, then this guide is for you!
There are seven top alternatives to Dr. Martens 1461, and they are the 1461 ALT, Solovair 3 Eye Gibson Shoe, James Vegan Leather Oxford Shoes, Golden Fox 4" Postal, Oxford Work Shoes, Grinders Regent CS, Grenson Gresham, and Nisolo Everyday Oxford. These oxford shoes are also very stylish and known to be highly durable.
Excited to know which one of the DM alternatives I mentioned above suits your taste and budget? Read on to find out more!
Dr. Martens 1461 is a classic shoe that was released on April 1, 1961. It’s a counterpart of DM 1460 boots and is made for the workers of Wollaston, Northamptonshire. Since it is low-cut, it is considered spring-ready footwear that is highly comfortable and durable.
Although overshadowed by DM 1460, the 1461 DM was continuously produced and was made famous by being worn by dancers during the 70s. It also became a Buffalo wardrobe staple in the 80s.
Until today, the iconic Dr. Martens 1461 is a favorite of many workers and even celebrities. It can be worn by any gender, and it has a flexible style, so you can wear it with any outfit you want.
To better compare Dr. Martens 1461 to its alternatives, here’s an overview of its appearance and materials used:
Aside from the 1461 Smooth Leather Oxford Shoes, Dr. Martens also offer some reinterpretations like the 1461 Smooth Leather Platform Shoes, 1461 Crazy Horse Leather Oxford Shoes, Vegan 1461 Oxford Shoes, and a lot more!
From a DM enthusiast's point of view, the 1461 oxford shoes are nothing but perfect. But if you are not a DM fan, you're probably looking for a brand that offers the same style! I am not here to judge as I know that looking for alternatives is also a good idea.
Here are some reasons why you should consider alternatives to Dr. Martens 1461:
Here are seven alternatives to Dr. Martens 1461 that you can choose from! Note that these are not arranged in any particular order as it is difficult to choose which one is the best among them.
Price: $89
Where to buy: Amazon
Dr. Martens Men's 1461 Alt 2 Strap Shoes
The first alternative on our list is actually from the same brand — the 1461 ALT of Dr. Martens.
The 1461 ALT puts a punk-inspired spin on the 1461 oxford shoes that we love. It also sports the three-eye silhouette, but it looks extra fierce with double buckle straps and details like the silver-tone hardware.
As for the upper of this shoe, it is made of Dr. Martens original smooth leather, so you can bank on its durability. The air-cushioned sole that comes with a commando thread is twice the height of regular docs to make it more noticeable.
Of course, this is also Goodyear-welted and has yellow stitchings and grooved edges.
Price: $154
Where to buy: Solovair
Solovair Black Grain 3 Eye Gibson Shoe
Another good alternative to Dr. Martens 1461 is the Solovair 3 Eye Gibson Shoe which is also England-made.
The upper of this oxford pair is made of 100% leather, and it is a Goodyear welt. It also has synthetic and leather lining and a soft suspension classic sole that's why it's comfortable to wear and highly durable as well.
One noticeable thing about this DM 1461 alternative is that it uses gray perimeter stitching — a great contrast from the yellow stitches of DMs.
Nevertheless, you'll definitely love this shoe because it has a microporous cellulose insole that comes with antibacterial protection.
Price: $241.90
Where to buy: Good Guys Don’t Wear Leather
James Vegan Leather Oxford Shoes
For people who prefer vegan leather for their shoes, then this 1461 alternative is for you. This shoe made by Good Guys Don’t Wear Leather is entirely handmade and stitched in Italy.
Currently, the James Vegan Leather Oxford Shoes only exist in black and white vegan leather. But you shouldn’t expect less because this alternative matches the quality of 1461.
For starters, they use a microfiber upper that is non-woven and is V-label or vegan certified. The same goes for the lining of this shoe since it is made of corn. Good Guys Don’t Wear Leather also claims that they used recycled lining and that it can further be recycled.
The soles of this oxford shoe are oil-based and very durable. It is also heat-sealed and reinforced with orange stitches. On top of all these, this shoe has cemented construction. In other words, after the welt is stitched, it is then cemented to the sole and heat-sealed.
Just like the DM 1946, this shoe also has three eyelets. You’ll definitely see the similarities between the two, especially since the James Vegan Leather Oxford Shoes also uses a bright-colored yarn for stitching.
Price: $55.90
Where to buy: Golden Fox
Golden Fox 4" Postal Oxford Work Shoes
These oxford shoes from Golden Fox are another cheap alternative to 1946. It is also handmade and uses polished Brazilian leather so expect that its surface is smooth and oil resistant.
Just like 1946, these shoes are Goodyear welted, so you can depend on their durability. What's more, it has a comfortable insole, and it uses Texon midsole and Rubberlon outsole.
As per customer reviews, these oxford shoes run large, so you might want to size down when ordering a pair online. If this isn't an issue for you, then go for these shoes. They aren't as heavy as 1946 as well, so you'll get extra comfort.
Price: $83
Where to buy: Grinders
Grinders Men's Regent CS Leather Shoes
Buying Grinders Regent CS will definitely save you a few bucks, but you’ll still get high-quality shoes. This 1461 alternative is also very intimidating to look at as a result of its good construction and design.
What makes these shoes unique among all the other alternatives included in this list is that it has steel toes. You can use it for work, but you can also wear it for other occasions.
The iconic 3 eyelets are also present in these shoes. It is also Goodyear welted, and it has durable leather uppers.
Price: $545
Where to buy: Grenson
Grenson Gresham Men's Oxford Shoes
Grenson belongs to the list of top oxford shoe producers, so it is no surprise that they're included in this list. Their Gresham oxford shoes, although a bit expensive, have all the qualities that can match the DM 1461.
Some of the features that make this pair of shoes stand out are its hi-shine leather upper, simple cap toe, stepped welt, black bookbinder, and triple welt leather sole.
It looks chunkier than other oxford shoes, but it appears incredibly stunning, especially when you check the soles.
Price: $160
Where to buy: Nisolo
Nisolo Everyday Oxford Shoes
Nisolo combines comfort, style, and function in its Everyday Oxford shoes. It is actually handmade with the best materials and is also highly rated by many.
The leather upper of this pair of shoes is waterproof, while its insole is made of a 5-layer memory foam that is also antimicrobial.
Some other features that you would love about these shoes include built-in arch support, vegetable-tanned leather soles, stacked leather heels, soft interior lining, and waxed cotton laces.
If you are really a Dr. Martens 1461 fanboy but aren’t a fan of its price, then try buying a secondhand pair. Purchasing a used or vintage 1461 is more sustainable, plus, it contributes to slow fashion.
Just be cautious, as there are a lot of dupes being marketed as original docs. If you don't want to be scammed, check out our article on spotting fakes from original Dr. Martens. It covers everything that can help you find authentic 1461 oxford shoes.
It is really good to check out some alternatives to Dr. Martens 1461 because some of them use even better materials for reasonable pricing.
To recap, here are the seven Dr. Martens alternatives that I can highly recommend.
As I always say, proceed with caution when buying online. Make sure that you did thorough research on the supplier of these alternatives before placing an order or settling your payment.