Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

best way to toughen feet ??

Comments

28 comments

  • kimi
    Lots of walking is one way, the longer and faster the walks, the better. Good luck to your son.
    0
  • Mercury
    He needs insoles in his boots. 99% of boot insoles are broken down very quickly, and should be replaced. The best ones I have found are Super Feet. They cost about $40 on amazon. There are knock-offs on ebay, don't buy them, as they don't last!

    A pair lasts me about 6-8 months, and is well worth the money. When they wear out, my feet start hurting me almost immediately.

    Merc
    0
  • 84Bravo1
    I went through that at my current job. (Same scenario.) All I can tell you/him in addition to quality boots, get some quality gel type insoles. In addition, use quality socks. (High end synthetic and wool hiking socks are the best.) Avoid cotton, your feet sweat a lot and cotton just absorbs it, stays damp and flattens out.

    Gold Bond Mentholated Foot Cream/lotion is excellent for sore feet and rejuvenating them. Soaking them periodically in Epsom salt is a rare treat as well.


    If all that does not work - Just talk very sternly to them. (The feet) That should toughen them up. [:D]
    0
  • Marc1301
    I'm on my feet all day,...concrete 90% of the time, and have been for over 35 years.

    All I can say is I have rarely worn boots. I get the best quality 'athletic' type shoes I can find, and I use a good fitting orthotic insole, and change them frequently.

    If he requires toe protection, you can find steel/composite/alloy toe athletic shoes that will fill the bill at most places of employment.

    Other than that, all I can suggest is to tough it out, and it should get better with time.
    0
  • Wild Turkey
    Two pair of good insoles and rotate them. Even better would be two pair of boots and rotate them.

    Does he have to wear boots, or just "steel toed" footwear -- there are some steel-toed athletic type shoes.

    Also look at his workday and see if he can find times/places to sit down for even a few minutes will help.

    I taught school and spent most of my days on my feet on concrete floors and rotating my shoes really help -- the pair getting the "day off" would dry and the cushion rejuvenate.

    HTH[:D]
    0
  • ATHOMSON
    Good tight fitting boots and heavy wool socks.
    0
  • sharpshooter039
    He is required to wear boots,,they even gave him a list of what is acceptable so he just bought new Ariat Workhog's . I will ask about his socks,,I already told him to soak epsom salt as much as possible. years of sitting on his butt has just made his feet soft,,
    0
  • Ditch-Runner
    I worked construction 13 years my feet never complained other than being cold half frozen or wet as you would expect
    I went to work in a factory in no time my feet killing me hurt to walk out in the evening .

    cut to the chase I went to a foot doctor, he told me majority of his patients were factory workers standing on concrete all day ( or walking ) made me a set of insoles ( custom made ) over time
    I just went with generic insoles but made 100 % difference

    my wife still working at the same place but has learned she switches (rotates several pair ) shoes sometimes a couple times a week and also gel insoles helps a lot
    have to take care of your feet
    0
  • Horse Plains Drifter
    Here ya go, the best boots on earth: https://whitesboots.com/#/page/home

    Are they cheap? No

    Are they good? The best.

    You send in measurements of your feet, and these boots are made to fit YOUR feet.

    You don't need a bunch of insoles and stuff when the boots fit.
    0
  • mlincoln
    I worked in a butcher shop and stood all day. We had these big heavy rubber mats they'd put down for us to stand on. I always thought they were to stop us from slipping.

    One week the mats were gone from cleaning. I was stunned at how badly my legs and feet started hurting. If there's a way he can put down some of those mats, they really do make a difference. I believe they're called anti-fatigue mats or something like that.

    I also found that moving around and going up and down stairs and getting the blood flowing really helped. I'd always volunteer to run things up and down the stairs or walk around the store and help a customer. That helped.
    0
  • joshmb1982
    Three years ago I broke my right ankle. I went from on my feet 12+= hours a day 2 weeks at a time to on my ass for 3 months. When I went back to work my feet hurt so bad. I was about in tears a few days, Hurt to stand in the shower, hurt sitting on the couch. It just hurt. It was about the closest ive come to +*/+ this and walking off. They gave me no time to toughen back up. It was straight back in to 12+ hour days.

    The entire first 2 weeks were hell. The second 2weeks we're not much fun. After that I was fine. Just takes take time and being stupid enough ( ME) to stick with it.
    0
  • Marc1301
    quote:Originally posted by sharpshooter039
    He is required to wear boots,,they even gave him a list of what is acceptable so he just bought new Ariat Workhog's . I will ask about his socks,,I already told him to soak epsom salt as much as possible. years of sitting on his butt has just made his feet soft,,

    Pull on boots are probably the worst choice he could make to stand on concrete all day,....of course that is only my opinion, and YMMV.
    0
  • montanajoe
    • Community moderator
    The boots he has are fine
    needs good insoles
    needs good thick socks
    0
  • DirtyDawg
    Lace up with ankle support is the best. I've worn Red Wings for years....like 25 years......I'm on my last pair or model #2263. They quit making this boot a few years ago. But I can run a 5k in these boots, and have. Best boot ever.
    0
  • texaswildman
    Tell him when he gets home to sit on the side of the tub and let cold water run down his legs from his knees to his feet. It's an old trick my great Aunt taught me. She was an RN. After a few weeks he will get accustomed to it.....
    0
  • grumpygy
    Just have to ask being a truck driver how is his weight.

    I find I were out those insoles way to fast what used to last me 6 months now barely make 3 month.

    Does he move around or work in the same spot. Cause if its the same spot those rubber mats(as was already mentioned) do wonders.

    We have had a hard time keeping employees so have been going to great lengths to make work more comfortable. Those mats are one way.

    Just had to add if that does not work have him get some Combat boots a nice heavy pack and tell him to go on a 20 mile Hike. Make sure it is hilly terrain and give him a time limit to do it.

    May not help with toughening his feet bit will for sure make what he is doing seem less painful.[:D]
    0
  • big mango
    BALL PEEN HAMMER TO EACH TOE JOINT..!!!!
    0
  • toad67
    Before you spend a bunch of $$$$ on garbage you don't need, try to figure out EXACTLY where his feet hurt.. Is it in the ankles, instep, toes or what? Does it hurt up into his knee and hip area? Throwing money away foolishly won't help the problem..
    0
  • Warbirds
    quote:Originally posted by sharpshooter039
    He is required to wear boots,,they even gave him a list of what is acceptable so he just bought new Ariat Workhog's . I will ask about his socks,,I already told him to soak epsom salt as much as possible. years of sitting on his butt has just made his feet soft,,


    Resole those Ariats with Goodyear rubber and he will be much happier. My guy does it for $60
    0
  • dpmule
    quote:Originally posted by Horse Plains Drifter
    Here ya go, the best boots on earth: https://whitesboots.com/#/page/home

    Are they cheap? No

    Are they good? The best.

    You send in measurements of your feet, and these boots are made to fit YOUR feet.

    You don't need a bunch of insoles and stuff when the boots fit.


    +1
    And rebuildable


    Mule

    Mule
    0
  • Aztngundoc22
    OK :

    Remember 'Grasshopper' on the t.v. show "Kung-Fu" , walked everywhere bare footed !!!

    Thanks !!!
    0
  • randomnut
    Those Ariats are more of a cowboy style workboot aren't they? A lace up work boot with less heel would probably help. I'm on my feet pretty well 18 hours a day. My favorite boot for the last several years have been Danner.
    0
  • mogley98
    Heck with all that just have him draw SS disability like everyone else :)

    JK
    0
  • dreher
    Ask Zola Budd!!
    0
  • dreher
    Ask Zola Budd!!
    0
  • grumpygy
    quote:Originally posted by us55840
    Start by walking, then jogging on asphalt bare foot.

    Then running on asphalt bare foot.

    Walking, then jogging on a gravel road bare foot.

    Work you way up to running on a gravel road, bare foot.

    Soon you will be able to run on cinders 'cause your bare feet are calloused.

    Grew up on a farm and always went bare foot as a kid. I would run barefoot a mile and half to the neighbors on a gravel road often and since cinders were free and gravel cost $$, Dad always put cinders on the driveway to the farm yard and in the driving area of the farm yard.

    Heck, I could even run across a alfalfa field after it was mowed.

    Years of wearing shoes has made me a "tenderfoot" now.
    [:0][:(]


    Used to go Bare foot out in the desert. Walked everywhere Bare foot. Now Grass Hurts.
    0
  • Mr. Perfect
    quote:Originally posted by Horse Plains Drifter
    Here ya go, the best boots on earth: https://whitesboots.com/#/page/home

    Are they cheap? No

    Are they good? The best.

    You send in measurements of your feet, and these boots are made to fit YOUR feet.

    You don't need a bunch of insoles and stuff when the boots fit.
    This. Exactly this.
    0
  • toad67
    quote:Originally posted by Mr. Perfect
    quote:Originally posted by Horse Plains Drifter
    Here ya go, the best boots on earth: https://whitesboots.com/#/page/home

    Are they cheap? No

    Are they good? The best.

    You send in measurements of your feet, and these boots are made to fit YOUR feet.

    You don't need a bunch of insoles and stuff when the boots fit.
    This. Exactly this.


    Not so fast there cowboys... they don't have any measurement for your arch when they build them, which is as important as the length and width. White's, Hathorne's and Wesco's (which I've owned all) all come with a standard arch configuration, and is not asked when you make your foot tracings. If you have flat feet with a high arch boot it will kill you. Also, these boots come with a high heel that can be very uncomfortable on flat surfaces..
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity