I Love my Doc's

One of the dad's that walks his girl to school has a sweet collection of Dr. Martens. The pair he was wearing this morning made me reminiscent and prompted me to dig these out of my closet. These are my Mary Janes. I have had them for years and they still look nice.
I love how they are made to last FOREVER. They are air cushion soles. Oil, fat, acid, petrol, and alkali resistant. They are the best shoes on the planet!
I got this pair maybe 12 years ago at a Tilly side walk sale for $20. They were the floor model, hence the two tone. And the laces have been replaced many times.
I wear these often for rainy days, hiking or cold evening outings. They have outlasted all the generic shoes I ever owned.

Look how unworn the soles look!
My first memory of Dr. Martens was a lucky find at the local thrift shop.( 20 years ago) Black steel toe boots for $6! They were one size too big but I did not care, they became my life blood and made me feel invincible when I went out at night in my raver days. They were a little heavy to dance in, but I felt safer wearing them as I often imagined what damage the steel toe could do if I was ever "bothered". I think I played too much arcade Street Fighter to have those thoughts. :)
Although the boots were meant to last forever, they sadly did not. I remember my friend pulling up curbside in front of the local movie theater to let us out. He accidentally pulled forward a bit as I had one foot out. Split second later the back tire ran over the back of my foot, mutilating the boot which ended up saving my foot, since they were one extra size too big, I was able to quickly shove my foot into the front cavity of the boot.
Those boots saved my foot!
So do you have a favorite collection that has lasted the years? Do tell!