Cyanides Boot list (idfk)
Hi im Cyanide or just Cyan, i'm your friendly neighborhood bootblack and a massive pervert about boots. as a bootblack locally w/i the leather community(im know around town but am not a pillar) and online (tumblr, bluesky, and instagram) i've been asked by several follower about good boots, because i suppose this is a Doc Martens hate account(hyperbole for internet entertainment..kinda)
doc marten is a quintessential boot for punks, goths, dykes, fags, queers all around, and whoever wishes to own doc martens. BUT they suck, they haven't always sucked but they do now(2010s+) they're low quality leather that's hard to break in, subpar construction, and difficult to repair.
"but Cyan, i like the look of Docs" i love that, they look good and are ICONIC, but there are other options of better made boots. like:
vintage/older Doc Martens: the boots weren't always crappy, they earned their position as THE boot by being well made... in the past. sites like Ebay, Depop, Poshmark, Marketplace, etc. are a great place to find genuine Doctor Marten's boots that are good quality. w/i reason, these are most likely used and may not be in the best condition from use. but gems can be found
2. evolutionary mimicry: Docs are indeed iconic and because of that there are many copycats. some good, some worse than Docs themself. two that I like are; Solovair. exact dupes, the best form of mimicry. they look exactly like docs. Steel. steel boots fit the ecological niche of docs but with a slightly different form. these are punk boots for a punk look. a bit of an exaggerated shape, but fun
3. just get modern Docs. yes i'm a boot snob, i like high quality boots. but Doc martens are affordable (debatable) and what people know. longevity comes from care, if you thrash you boots and don't care for them after, of course they'll fail you, Docs can (technically) last.... I, Cyanide, just hate them and honestly that's a strong position i don't fully hold(oh yes i do, but they're your boots not mine, i'll care for them as i would any boot tho)
"okay yeah, but do you know other boots? like work boots?" YES i do
Carolina boots; these are my current work boots, i like the logger look that the brand has
Red Wing; these boys are buck wild expensive, but they're no. this brand has cheaper options than their "Heritage" styles and are solid work boots
Caterpillar; these work boot were my longest lasting pair of work boots(3 years w/ no care) they look haggard now, but they'll last (based on my experience in demolition/construction)
"what about BIG STOMPY boots?" honestly just one brand that i (personally) fuck w/. New Rock, they're made very sturdy and with very good leather. you can also straight up just buy the metal bits that they have and put them on other boots.
"i have so much money tho. do you know really really good boots that cost so much money?" yes, if you're willing to throw down the dosh there's JK Boots and Whites
"oops wait, i have less money than that." Thursday boots
"what boot's do you wear, Cyan?" my daily wear non-work boots are Rocky jump boots, with my own personal touches
Your boots are your foundation. if you're starting a leather journey, start at your feet, learn to take care of your boots, even mildly. go to local leather events, the community will welcome you in
there's a couple sites i pull from for boot care (anyonecanshine.com, bootblack.wikidot.com) and other bootblacks i learn from (Buck Harder on tiktok, and my local folks) as well as trial and error, it's kinda hard to fuck up a boot in a way that is irreparable. i'll also answer any other questions y'all have and point you were i can when i don't know.
i also can not be your only guiding light in boot care, make a constellation of people to learn from and your own exploration will serve you well














