Working and being on your feet all day?

[ce2two]

I was wondering how many of you electricians ,out there have problems with there feet such as fallen archs or what-ever the problem it might be and what did you do about it ?

 

[480sparky]

 

[charlietuna]

how much are you spending on your shoes?? would you consider throwing your 9 inch kliens in the garbage and going to work with toe nail clippers? my choice was a shoe made by "CLARK" and they run about $100+. but they keep my feet happy--they are a tool--buy the best !

 

[brantmacga]

i dropped 20lbs (from 200 to 180) and that helped more than anything. i've been using dr. scholls inserts too; they work okay, but wear out quickly.

 

[brian john]

I crushed my right foot when I was 21, I have always had problems with extended stays on concrete. I have tried all the shoes and inserts out there give me a few hours servicing or repairing a switch where I stand in one place and I have issues.

 

[JohnJ0906]

Buy good, well fitting boots - not cheapos. I personally prefer Red Wings because they have B width (I have narrow feet)

I use inserts as well.

 

[GilbeSpark]

I've got feet problems but I have ever since I could walk. When I was a kid my mom took me to the orthopedic specialist and had custom fiberglass arch supports made and that helped tremendously. Now as an adult my feet have been fine for many years but have in the past year been killing me again. I've tried every insert and support out there that you can get over the counter and none of them are doing me squat. I'm making another appointment to see the orthopedic specialist again to have some supports made.

 

[ItsHot]

insoles

insoles

I like the Timberland boot. I am on a lot of concrete all day, sometimes 16 hours!! Go with a little wider width to permit "gel" insoles to fit. I have even worn two pairs of insoles over the original insole!! I think the key is that all boots, regardless of brand will break down. Mainly the center arch support first!! The boot seems real comfortable but you have lost the support. Then it is like working in a pair of flip-flops! I have often heard to alternate your foot wear. Makes sense to me.

 

[mdshunk]

The best thing I've found is to rotate between two or three pairs of boots throughout the week. Don't wear the same pair two days in a row, in other words. My feet are happier for it, and in the summer it just makes good sense. An extra day for them to dry out.

 

[wbalsam1]

My new "Wolverines" make my feet happier than Sarah Palin at a Turkey Pardon! My heels used to ache after a few hours, but they're good to go now.

 

[cadpoint]

Frankly, for me I've done the shoe rotation thing off and on, but for me its two good pair of socks, one thin and one thick pair.

 

[mdshunk]

Frankly, for me I've done the shoe rotation thing off and on, but for me its two good pair of socks, one thin and one thick pair.

What happens if you put the thick pair on first?

 

[cadpoint]

What happens if you put the thick pair on first?

I'll be a long day of slip / sliding

 

[Speedskater]

I'm seeing a lot of interest in compression socks in the triathlon and distance running groups. Some people train in them others use them for recovery. Brands available at the drug-store are Ace, Futuro and Jobst. They definitely help my beat-up feet more than my custom inserts.

 

[George Stolz]

Funny this should come up, I've been having problems for the past couple weeks. I had a situation where it felt like my ankle just really really needed to pop and wouldn't. When I rotated an ankle to just before the limit it would twist unassisted, it would hurt pretty bad.

I tightened the laces on my Redwings up top, thinking the extremely uneven footing on the job I'm on was taxing my ankles. As it turns out, I tried arch supports and that fixed 90% of it in a couple days.

My folks directed me to an insole shop in Fort Collins, Good Feet, where my dad got some insoles that helped him a lot. They warned me they were expensive but worth it - when I asked the salesman he said they ranged from $90 to $250 a pair. I cruised down to Walgreens and bought some gel arch supports for $15, they were good enough for me.

I think I'll buy a second pair of boots, but mine are nearly worn out anyhow, so I don't know if I'll be able to alternate for too long.

 

[jtanner]

The best thing I've found is to rotate between two or three pairs of boots throughout the week. Don't wear the same pair two days in a row, in other words. My feet are happier for it, and in the summer it just makes good sense. An extra day for them to dry out.

This is what I do as well. I've got two pairs of shoes and I alternate every day. My understanding is that they last longer not just because you're wearing them half as much (duh) but also because the extra day in between wearing each pair allows them time to dry out and rebound to their original form, extending their lifespan even further.

I had considered insoles for a while, but now I just have two pairs of shows and that has worked out well for me. Of course everyone's feet are different though :wink:

 

[K8MHZ]

My new "Wolverines" make my feet happier than Sarah Palin at a Turkey Pardon! My heels used to ache after a few hours, but they're good to go now.

Are they still made in Rockford, MI? I am working about 10 miles from there.

I have to bear nearly excruciating pain due to a fractured heel on my right foot 3 or 4 years ago and stasis ulcers on my left leg due to a bad knee fracture over 20 years ago. My uneven walking also is rough on my back.

It sure would be nice to be able to work without such pain. I will be reading this thread as it progresses.

 

[joebell]

Buy good, well fitting boots - not cheapos. I personally prefer Red Wings because they have B width (I have narrow feet)

I use inserts as well.

I just purchased a pair of Red Wings and have been wearing them for a little longer than a month. They are by far the best work boot I have ever worn. Well worth the $$.


Joe

 

[brian john]

i'll be a long day of slip / sliding

........................away?

 

[Fulthrotl]

I was wondering how many of you electricians ,out there have problems with there feet such as fallen archs or what-ever the problem it might be and what did you do about it ?

i am 6'2", and shoe size is 12 EEEEE. the most success i've ever had with
work shoes is when i went to a shoemaker, and had an imprint taken and a
set of lasts made. it was pricey, but i have never regretted it... the first time
i put them on, i ended up spending 12 hours in the rocks in a switchrack,
and walked out grinning.

if you really have problem feet, it's something worth considering...

the thing about rotating two pairs of boots, so you aren't in the same
pair every day is very good advice. better for the feet, and better for
the boots.