Dr. Martens
Dr. Martens plc · United Kingdom
Dr. Martens is a British footwear brand built on an air-cushioned sole developed in Germany by Klaus Märtens and Herbert Funck in the 1940s and licensed to R. Griggs in 1959. Dr. Martens plc has been listed on the London Stock Exchange since 2021. The 1460 boot remains its defining product.
| Origins | 1947, Seeshaupt, Germany |
|---|---|
| Founders | Klaus Märtens and Herbert Funck |
| Owner | Dr. Martens plc (LSE-listed since 2021) |
| Headquarters | Camden, London, United Kingdom |
| Chief executive | Ije Nwokorie (since 2025) |
| Signature product | 1460 boot (1960) |
| Website | drmartens.com |
What is Dr. Martens?
Dr. Martens is a British boot and shoe brand known for its yellow welt stitching, grooved air-cushioned sole and black-and-yellow heel loop. Dr. Martens plc, headquartered in Camden, London, says the brand sells to consumers in more than 60 countries and operates around 240 of its own stores.
History
German army doctor Klaus Märtens designed an air-cushioned boot after injuring his ankle in 1945 and went into business with university friend Herbert Funck in 1947. In 1959 the British shoemaker R. Griggs Group acquired the UK rights, anglicised the name and added the yellow stitching. The 1460 boot was launched in Wollaston, England, on 1 April 1960, followed by the 1461 shoe in 1961.
Private equity firm Permira bought R. Griggs in 2013. The company listed on the London Stock Exchange in January 2021. Ije Nwokorie has been chief executive since 2025.
Products and positioning
Dr. Martens is a premium footwear brand. Its range covers:
- The 1460 boot, which the company says accounts for more than 40 per cent of sales
- Shoes such as the 1461
- Vegan footwear, offered since 2011
- Bags, clothing and shoe care
Most production is in Asia, while a factory in Wollaston, Northamptonshire, continues to make shoes in England.
Business model and distribution
The company sells through its own stores, its e-commerce sites and wholesale partners worldwide. Wikipedia reports revenue of £764.9 million for the year ended 29 March 2026.
Why it matters
Few footwear products are as closely tied to subcultures as the 1460, and the company notes its appeal across youth culture and subcultures over six decades. As a listed company, Dr. Martens is also a bellwether for how heritage footwear brands balance direct-to-consumer growth, wholesale relationships and dependence on a single icon.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Dr. Martens?
The brand belongs to Dr. Martens plc, which has been listed on the London Stock Exchange since January 2021. Before the listing it was owned by private equity firm Permira, which bought R. Griggs Group in 2013.
Is Dr. Martens German or British?
The air-cushioned sole was invented in Germany by Klaus Märtens and Herbert Funck in the 1940s, but the boots as known today were created by British manufacturer R. Griggs from 1960. The company is headquartered in London.