having worn dm's for over 12 years now, i should warn everyone that you're going to get what you pay for nowadays... i still have two pairs that are close to 10 years old and the leather is just fine on both of them (one are black steel-cap and the other are oxblood, polished alternately with red and black polish for the antiqued look, both 10-eyelet boots). these days, docs are designed to fall apart after a couple years, which is why you can find them in every mall, and the real underground shops which used to sell them won't touch them anymore. if you want a good pair of boots, go with gripfast. they'll last you longer, and they're just as comfortable.
-syf3r.