Work boots

[Steel]

I have a pair of black, high topped leather steel toed and steel heeled Stanley work boots. Tough. Durable. Look good.

But they kill my feet. It's not that they're uncomfortable, because any shoe you work in for 10+ hours a day will get uncomfortable, but they're killing my feet! I'll come home at the end of the day and take my boots off, and my feet will be all sweaty, even if i've been cold all day. And now its to the point where the skin is peeling off of the bottom of my feet

Are there any construction worker/ auto mechanics/ military/ laborers who know how to combat the rotting of the feet in your boots?

[Oz]

Try two thin pairs of socks to reduce friction.

[Moppie]

Ahh the wonders of living in work boots.

I currently have 3 pairs in my apartment, an old pair from many years ago that have gone mouldy and should be thrown out, a pair I got about 2 years ago that are still servicable, but the leather has split around the steel cap and so don't look good enough for my job, and a new pair I got about a month ago.

All 3 have some important things in common.

They are all lace up.
Forget easy slip on ones, or ones with zips.
Your feet need surport, and only proper laces ups can provide it.

All have a high, raised instep.
VERY IMPORTANT!
Otherwise you will suffer from bad feet later in life.
It should be high enough that when you first wear them its a little uncofortable, but your feet will adapt and thank you for it later, especialy after a 60+ hour week.

All have strong, re-inforced heels.
Like the instep, very important for good ankle and upper foot surport. .

And, all are leather, with some form of padded inner sole made of light weight free breathing material, and sock absorber of some sort build into the sole.

Even after spending 12 hours in them, in mid summer heat and Aucklands high humidity Iv never had a problem with excesivly wet or sweaty feet.

And, they are all relativly expensive.
About NZ$250 retail, or about NZ$130 trade (company limit).


I tend to wear thick, light or open weave woolen, or wool blend socks, and wear a CLEAN pair every day. I own more pairs of socks than anything else, and replace worn ones frequently.
Iv found that buying lots of the same brand means odd socks can be matched to make new pairs, and pairs with only one holed sock can be parted and paired with other single socks (my sock draw is a veritalbe swingers party).

I also let my feet breath when I get home, no socks, no slippers for at least half an hour.

It sounds like you need some proper boots that allow your feet to breath, some decent socks made from some good light weight yet strong material, and prehaps a trip to the doctor or chemist for some good foot powder.

Also be aware that a lot of socks advertised as being "boot" socks, are infact ment for tramping, are designed to retain heat, they are basicly a thermal sock, and will make your feet sweat, even in cold weather. They are only any good in the depth of winter if your feet are also getting wet in the rain etc.


Also, make sure your boots are stored somewhere they are able to dry out over night.
Leave them with the tounge out, and the laces loose and the tops open. Make sure its not out side, and not somewhere exposed to high humidity.

[kornflakes28546]

^good point^ also, i finally gave in to buying those gel insoles that the shoe stores always try and get you to buy i have always figured it was just a gimmic... but believe it or not, they are wonderful. they make my shoes so comfortable, my job requires me to stand and walk around for a good 7-8 hours a day and with the insoles my feet don't bother me at all when i get home. even though im not wearing work boots, they have made a huge deference...you should defintely consider trying them out.

[Steel]

Well, i can forget the instep part because i have very VERY flat feet. No arches here...pfft, arches are for pussies anyhow. I LOVE lower back pain . I think i should see a podiatrist to get some certified really high quality supports to make my life a bit easier.

Moppie: what brand and style of boot do you wear? I want to find the 'perfect' brand of boot and stick with it. My current ones aren't too bad, but i know theres room for improvement. IMO, military boots are awesome, except for the job i'm in, the fact that they're so high and not very oil resistant makes them hard to work with.

I've also heard that police boots/ swat boots make good work boots too, any have opinions on those?

[Moppie]

Im currently wearing some Blundstones, model BB0781.

Thier Australian company, but actualy made in NZ. and bloody good!
They have a great antislip sole, which is also oil and chemical resistant, and also a very wide build which fits my wide flat feet.

The only small problem I have is two pieces of tred have been knocked out on the right boot, from the grip pattern on the cab step. But I only just noticed it looking at the sole.

We have stores here called NZ Safety stores, and they sell all sorts of industrial safety and work equipment. Everything from day glo spray paint, to overalls and work boots.
Its where Iv got all my boots from, and sounds like the sort of place you need to visit.

But see a podiatrist first, I had a 15min consultation with one and learned more than I ever thought I could know about my feet, and what sorts of shoes and boots I should wear.
I think its something everyone in any kind of manual labour job should do on a regular basis.

[mospeed1]

i wear my workboots in mostly wet condition. wet grass etc
i almost never have a problem with wet feet
i ussally buy a cheap pair of steal toe from walmart
the last pair i bought wear 30 bucks.there steal toe,water restante and had a air gel thing(like nike's)..i ussally have to buy a newpair around every 4 0r 5 months

during your lunch break take your boots off and relax for a lil bit and then but a new pair of socks on
.. if your feet are sweety try some footpowder like goldbalm or mexanna

[Ridenour]

I've got a pair of Magnum Hi-Tech tactical boots - Best boots ever. They fit comfortable as hell, you can move easily in them ( i wear em in paintball as well as everyday ) and they're waterproof all the way to the top. They also have a lining that really seems to dry off sweat fast. When I bought a pair about 1 1/2 years ago they were like 90 bucks i think. Probably less now. All around, they're sturdy, waterproof, comfortable, quick, and keep your feet dry and cool. It's also easy to feel with them (eg. driving) I'd buy a pair again in a heartbeat

[fredjacksonsan]

Originally Posted by Steel

Well, i can forget the instep part because i have very VERY flat feet. No arches here...pfft, arches are for pussies anyhow. I LOVE lower back pain . I think i should see a podiatrist to get some certified really high quality supports to make my life a bit easier.

My feet make a duck's look arched. The podiatrist made some quality orthotics, took away knee and lower back pain. Really worth it!

[pennypicher]

Sweety feet? how about thin poly propolene socks and wool outer socks. Inside socks wick away sweat and outer ones absorb it keeping your feet cool all day.I do this when back packing all day.

[Ridenour]

^ ^ That's what I do when I go hiking. I put on a pair of dress socks, and then a pair of wool socks. Works great for keeping dry, and reduces calloses and stuff majorly.