Dr. Martens has a long and illustrious history, beginning as a small family-run boot-making operation before eventually ballooning into the fashion and footwear icon that it is today. And with April 1, 2025, marking the 65th anniversary since the British brand’s first-ever pair of boots were made, Doc Martens has opted to celebrate the occasion via a limited edition run of boots that honor its inaugural pairs — or what Dr. Martens is calling “a love letter written in leather.” Introducing the 1460 Love Letter Boots.
A Name With A Story
Dr. Martens’ 1460 Love Letter Boots feature a moniker that’s derived directly from the date that its very first pairs of boots left the factory in Northamptonshire. The “1460” portion of the name is owed to that date — with the “1” representing the first of the month, the “4” representing April (or the fourth month), and the “60” denoting the year of 1960.
Old-World Material Selection
Arguably the finest boots Doc Martens has released in recent history, each pair of 1460s are constructed around a set of uppers made from C. F. Stead’s full-grain Classic Calf leather. Sporting a burgundy hue, the leather boots are also outfitted with signature heel loops cut from the same burgundy leather, plus are stamped with “1.4.60” logos on the tongue. What’s more, thanks to its blend of natural waxes and oils, this premium calf leather will form a unique patina over time with regular use.
Turning Back The Clock On Craftsmanship
Rather than being mass-produced on an assembly line and heavily relying on machines for production, the 1460s take a decidedly more old-world approach, with each unit being meticulously made by hand in the UK. The top-shelf leather uppers come paired with a set of vintage Trans DMS outsoles that are mated to the boot using an ultra-rugged Goodyear welt construction and archive-inspired accent stitching.
Never-Ending Old-School Charm
It’s abundantly clear that Doc Martens put an enormous amount of time into designing these boots and meticulously selecting every minute detail. And that shows through small elements that come together to collectively elevate the boots as a whole. This includes details such as the boot’s antique gold eyelets, and the matching tonal burgundy laces that they ship with from the factory.
Why We Love It
The 1460 Love Letter Boots really do see Dr. Martens return to its roots in the best way possible. With the current rise of fast fashion and manufacturing race-to-the-bottom, it’s genuinely really refreshing to see an established brand revert to old world craftsmanship, materials, and construction techniques. Though it no doubt requires markedly more effort — and commands a steeper price — the immense effort that goes into the production of these boots alone makes them beyond special. It also doesn’t hurt that the end result looks fantastic. The same goes for the fact that this particular pair is practically guaranteed to offer a lifetime of use — before potentially being passed down to future generations, as the 1460 Love Letter Boots no doubt make for an excellent modern-day family heirloom.
Spec Sheet
Brand: Dr. Martens
Model: 1460 Love Letter Boots
Primary Material: Pascal Full-Grain Calf Leather
Construction: Goodyear Welt
Closure: Laces
Outsole: Vintage Trans DMS
Production: 1,460 Pairs
Manufacturing Origin: UK
MSRP: $460
Pricing & Availability
Limited to only 1,460 pairs worldwide, the Dr. Martens 1460 Love Letter Pascal Leather Lace Up Boots are available now, with pricing set at $460.
Recap
Dr. Martens 1460 Love Letter Boots
Doc Martens celebrates the 65th anniversary since its first pair of boots left the factory with an ultra-limited, ultra-premium run of handcrafted calf leather boots.
