There's is no comparison, RW wins hands down, construction, leather quality and fit are just better. If you can swing it, get the RW, and often times if you shop around you can find them about $150 or so, even at msrp the price difference is still justified. I still have a brand-new pair of Dr Martens sitting in the closet that I will never wear, now that I've gotten 3 different pairs of RWs.

I would go with Docs myself, but thats the Oi in me talking. Been wearing them for 18 years

Between those two I'd get the Red Wings. If I ever get Dr Martens it's got to be the classic 1460, and maybe the 1461 since I used to wear the 1461 everyday back in middle school.

I'm still choosing which pair to get. Its either this

http://www.redwingheritage.com/boots#&f=&m=/detail/212-heritage-us/212-red-wing-lifestyle-mens-200-series-moc-oxford-boot-oxblood

or this

http://www.dmusastore.com/p-2388-1461.aspx

Sigh. Any help guys?

I'm still considering which pair should I get. Its either this

http://www.redwingheritage.com/boots#&f=&m=/detail/212-heritage-us/212-red-wing-lifestyle-mens-200-series-moc-oxford-boot-oxblood

or

http://www.dmusastore.com/p-2388-1461.aspx

Sigh.... any help guys? 

Get the Red Wings. Never cared for that ugly Dr Marten sole.

And things like this don't do much for their rep:

http://www.dmusastore.com/p-2718-1461.aspx

I like my 1460s, but mine are vintage, Made in England boots I picked up off of ebay for like $20. I love them even more after adding an insole. However, given the choice between NEW Docs and NEW Red Wings, I'd probably go with the Red Wings as the quality of the modern MIC 1460s just isn't there anymore, even with significant savings on price. I happen to love the air soles on the Docs, but you also have to understand that getting them resoled is probably not a viable option for most, whereas you can get RWs resoled.

Having said that, I personally find those particular moc-toed/crepe soled RWs to be pretty fucking hideous and would stick with the Beckman GT, IR, or maybe (just maybe) the Alden Indy clone, but at the prices those run, you might as well just buy the Indy.

Docs go with a lot more and the shape is a fuck of a lot better than Red Wings.

I haven't had experience with either in slushy winter weather, I hear that they're both a pretty slippery proposition on icy pavement. If you have any utilitarian concerns (make living as a foot courier of ancient vases, etc.) then you might be better off with some Blundies.

Those docs are ugly, no offense meant. But I've never been a fan of red wings myself. If it snows where you live then get neither.

I don't like boots that look like I've just come off a construction site or a trek across Alaska i.e. Red Wings.

That said, there are dozens more styles of DMs that look far better than those red Chelsea boots.

 

NB: DM don't make oxblood boots anymore, haven't done since a few years before the sale to China.

Oxblood Docs are only made by Solovair. 

 

Hey FX, I like your monkey boots. many years since I saw a pair in the flesh.

RED WING 9016 BECKMAN, any discount price in the near future

Neither of these things describe the Beckman. It's a clean, classic boot.