Thread: Help sick of walking on a bed of nails

Good sports type innersoles - if you get two sets, you can swap them daily so they don't compress, and that keeps them a little cleaner. Like Ivan, sorbothane is my choice.

Thick cotton socks, or a thin pair of cotton dress socks and another thicker pair. - Feet breath and you get more padding.

Lucas' Paw Paw ointment or Eucanol (lanolin and eucalyptus oil mix) - to rub on to revitalise the compressed skin at night. The compressed skin can be responsible for a lot of that burning pain, so anything to help the skin repair/recover will assist.

Steel shank boots - they are more expensive but seem to distribute the weight more evenly, which stops all the weight going on one spot, creating 'hot spots'.

Goretex - I don't like it as when it fills with dirt/crud, it stops being able to breath... a preference but I just like leather better.

A physio - To measure your leg length and see if there is enough of a difference in leg length to create problems. A person that has both legs of the exact same length is a statistical freak, the amount of deviation in length can cause lots of dramas. Sometimes a small heel block to compensate can do wonders for heel pain, back pain, and any recurring knot in one side of the neck.

I have been wearing boots all day for a long time... for me my feet are more likely to get very painful when I have to stand on concrete without moving much.
All of the above help, but so does turning up to work with some work floor matting for when you have to stay in the one spot. The sorbothane inners are the workmat you put in the boot.

Last thing.... its a pain in the proverbial, but remove boots at lunch... at the very least just to put on fresh socks.

Originally Posted by scooter

If you have hot feet I reckon the explorers make your feet sweat (& stink) too much.

I'm on my feet all day on concrete, & thick all cotton sport socks work for me.

Get 'em at those "Aussie Socks" type kiosks at the shopping centres, or at the local market.

Thats why good boots are breathable even thought they are waterproof. The one's I've got now recon that the motion of walking pumps air around the foot..probably aload of old boloxs.



My python boots were too tight
I couldn't get them off last night
Now its July
and my girlfriend she cries...etc etc.

Hi Lou
I can empathise with you mate!
I am a diabetic and bad feet come along with the malady.The blue dogs are the most comfortable boot I have tried to date and come recommended by the podiatrist.There are arch supports and padding in them already
Yes! they are dear about $159 or so 18 months ago,but cheaper than Redwings which can be had up in our shops with steelcaps. In metalfab ,steelcaps are mandatory.

Thick woollen socks are necessary and make sure there is no nylon in them.If you get molten slag in them cotton or even worse nylon will burn.The nylon will melt on to your skin as well.

Go put you feet up for the break EH!
seasons greetings
to all
Grahame

Thx to all that have been willing to help me out on this one...................
All I can say is muchly appreciated!

I now have a map of options to keep the feet happy................All great experiential advise bound to help me come up with a solution and save some dollars experimenting with half a dozen boots before I find what works!

Thx Fellas pretty much sums up the spirit of our forum!

Regards LOu

I used to wear Blunnies (Lace up, saves ankles) and Explorer socks.

Not the bottom of the barrel boots, they had some shock absorbing sole of some kind.

Nowadays, I couldn't say what's worth going for, other than to make sure the socks are up to the job. If they aren't, then even the best boots aren't going to solve the problem.


Lucky me who doesn't get smelly feet, unless I don't wear socks.

Originally Posted by NewLou

Thx Fellas pretty much sums up the spirit of our forum!

Regards LOu

A good rub and a Scrub does them the world of good.
Stimulates them and gets the Blood flowing.

I will sometimes ......When I have a BATH.....use a ScotchBrite to give them and Legs and Hands a thorough cleaning if I've been doing anything dirty.
Mowing the Lawn in Bare Feet
Maintenance on Bike or car

A good Splash and Rub with Metho then also does them well.

Oh!!
Was thinking 'Spirit'

Hmmm....If I gave them a rub with Bundy would my Feet be HAPPIER?

They would surely smell Nice

I have the Steel Blue Whyalla boots and have found them excellent. Note however that I am a casual user ie working around the house/garage etc etc. They are probably the most comfortable shoes I have ever owned.

Only thing I would say is that they are a little on the heavy side to use as everyday footwear (but I am sure that versus other boots they are comparable).

I have never heard anyone say anything bad about the Steel Blues.

Originally Posted by NewLou

Thx to all that have been willing to help me out on this one...................
Regards LOu

Lou,

I cannot see where you have said that your Boots are SteelCaps,
or is that being assumed?

I have a couple of pair [4 pair] of DrMartins
2 casual and 2 Highsided 'Work' boots; not Steelcaps.

I find these most comfortable and have good cushioning.

Originally Posted by Ivan in Oz

Lou,

I cannot see where you have said that your Boots are SteelCaps,
or is that being assumed?

I have a couple of pair [4 pair] of DrMartins
2 casual and 2 Highsided 'Work' boots; not Steelcaps.

I find these most comfortable and have good cushioning.

YEah soz m8

Were not allowed into the workshop without steelcaps..............thats what I'm after..........

Regards Lou

I am working in Steel Blue Argyle's. They seem like a pretty light boot to me. I have had plenty of boots that were a lot heavier, especially when I was working in the Commercial Kitchen and boots were getting wet all the time and stuff like fat etc that stuck on sank in and added weight. The Whyalla is a shorter boot so I guess it is lighter I guess it comes down to what you are used to. If you work in an office in leather shoes you might find steel toed boots heavy by comparison. A boot too is made from thicker stronger leather than shoes as they must take various blows and still protect the wearers foot. Same goes for soles they have to hold up to a fair amount of use and abuse.

The Steel Blues are very comfortable and personally I am happy wearing them all day.

Studley

Gidday

Well I finally decided to take the plunge and went with Steel Blues.................

I got some Portlands as i required a high ankle due to stuffed tendons from a Bike accident some years ago. The Portlands have delivered excellent results n i havent keeled over once in the workshop from dodgey ankles giving way.............

http://www.steelblue.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=56

These boots are expensive but feel fantastic right from the 1st try on and are easily one of the best boots i have ever slipped into. Grab a spare pair of laces on the way home though as the ones supplied are an afterthought (Mine broke & fell to bits in 3 days).

Unfortunately I still struggled for some time despite having some quality boots BUT relief was finally found when I tried some orthaheel inserts.

http://www.chemistdirect.com.au/orth...742c17a4116584

These took my workboot wearing experience from daily agony to Workboot Nervana!

Highly recommended for any of U blokes having foot hassles.

REgards Lou

Pretty much my experience with the Steel Blues.

You know what they say about quality you get what you pay for.

Studley

Lou

definitely second the benefit of insoles
Depending upon how flat your feet are and the extent of any pronation it's worth getting them fitted to your feet


ian

Lou, I read the whole thread, & I see you got your boots, I can't stress enough, the importance of Steel Caps in a boiler making / Welding shop, & I can't believe that some people think that they will be ok if their boots look like steel caps.

To those that do, Please do not give this sort of advice to newbies asking for help. Steel caps may not be as comfortable, but SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY. If you can't handle the boots, stay out of the workshop, because if if this is your line of thinking, you are not only a danger to your self, but you are danger to your work mates.

Lou, dont forget the Explorer Socks. I was in the office for 5 years after being a boilermaker, & I have been retired for just over ten now, & they are still the only socks I wear.

Steve