[DelfinoPie]

Ok, I wasn't really sure where to put this...it was either here or in The Lounge, I chose here because at the end of the day it's affecting my body (health).

I started back at work today as a hospital porter and it's not unusual for me to walk 10 miles a day (18 miles on busy days) back and forth from the out patient department to the X-ray department.

We have to wear protective footwear just in case anything heavy falls on..., well, our feet. I have a pair of these:



I've had them going on two months now and they still haven't been 'worn in' no matter how much I've actually been wearing them; shit I've fucking danced in these (although regretted it in the morning). Whenever I put them on and walk for an extended amount of time, I swear to god, I take them off and my feet are 1 size smaller because they've been grinded down. Now today, knowing what a prick these boots can be I put plasters over the main areas I get blisters (heel, side of the ball of my foot) and wore my thickest pair of socks (and by thick I mean THICK).

About 4 hours into my shift my feet start to hurt in the usual problem areas.

At the end of my shift I'm limping and muttering obscenities.

So to fast forward to my point/question:

How do you guys combat blisters, and is there anything else I can do to prevent them?

I have 2 more late shifts this week (2pm till 10pm) and 1 early shift (6am till 2pm) and I'd like to be able to do them without having move myself around using an electric wheelchair

Cheeeeeeers

[philkilla]

OK. I'm currently doing a lot of training for re-entering the Army, and I spend a lot of time covering a lot of ground at a fast pace in boots.

First off, you say after wearing them for a while your feet feel smaller? After anybody spends a lot of time on their feet, they swell out.

So my questions are, do your feet have any play at all inside the boot? i.e., does the heel or toe slide or move around at all?

The two causes for blisters are moisture and friction. It's good that you are wearing thick socks, but that will only help to take the shock out of the steps (however hard and fast you move out) that go to your legs.

Have you used any kind of foot powder? That is one major helper right there. Before you put your boots on, powder your feet up very well, but make sure to remove the excess (wipe it off onto your sock).

Next, put on your socks inside-out. The reason being, it helps wick away moisture. It may even help you to wear two pairs of socks. A light poly-pro sock 1st, than a thick cotton or wool sock on top. Both inside-out.

Another thing to consider is the type of insoles you are wearing. I've tried many, and some Dr. Scholls types are good, just stay away from the bullshit gel insoles. They do nothing when it comes to alleviating shock...I'm pretty sure they were meant for women only.

The insoles I would recommend are called SOF Soles. You can get them at the sports authority. They cost $30, but they are worth every penny. You heat them in the oven for 2 minutes, than put them in your boot and they form fit to your foot.

Lastly, how you are lacing your boots can have an affect as well, but only if they are hurting your ankles after prolonged use.

If none of this helps, you may want to consider getting a different pair of boots. If you think that's the case, let me know becaues I have more to add.

[Mr. S]

I used to have a problematic pair of boots like that, my solution was to wrap my heel in duct tape, not the greatest solution but I was usually on the move at the time so it was the best I could do, I know you can buy anti blister socks that are supposed to be quite good though it sounds to me as if your boots don't actually fit you properly and it might be best if you invested in a better fitting pair

[DelfinoPie]

Originally Posted by philkilla

OK. I'm currently doing a lot of training for re-entering the Army, and I spend a lot of time covering a lot of ground at a fast pace in boots.

First off, you say after wearing them for a while your feet feel smaller? After anybody spends a lot of time on their feet, they swell out.

So my questions are, do your feet have any play at all inside the boot? i.e., does the heel or toe slide or move around at all?

The two causes for blisters are moisture and friction. It's good that you are wearing thick socks, but that will only help to take the shock out of the steps (however hard and fast you move out) that go to your legs.

Have you used any kind of foot powder? That is one major helper right there. Before you put your boots on, powder your feet up very well, but make sure to remove the excess (wipe it off onto your sock).

Next, put on your socks inside-out. The reason being, it helps wick away moisture. It may even help you to wear two pairs of socks. A light poly-pro sock 1st, than a thick cotton or wool sock on top. Both inside-out.

Another thing to consider is the type of insoles you are wearing. I've tried many, and some Dr. Scholls types are good, just stay away from the bullshit gel insoles. They do nothing when it comes to alleviating shock...I'm pretty sure they were meant for women only.

The insoles I would recommend are called SOF Soles. You can get them at the sports authority. They cost $30, but they are worth every penny. You heat them in the oven for 2 minutes, than put them in your boot and they form fit to your foot.

Lastly, how you are lacing your boots can have an affect as well, but only if they are hurting your ankles after prolonged use.

If none of this helps, you may want to consider getting a different pair of boots. If you think that's the case, let me know becaues I have more to add.

Ah right that was very informative

The comment about my feet feeling smaller was a joke I was exaggerating how much skin I'm losing as a result of the rubbing But that happens to be not a lot anyway.

I'll be looking into the in-soles, most definitely. My Dad was a marine so he knows a thing or two about this kind of stuff having experienced it himself. Just a shame I couldn't ask him tonight because he was working late.

Originally Posted by Mr. S

I used to have a problematic pair of boots like that, my solution was to wrap my heel in duct tape, not the greatest solution but I was usually on the move at the time so it was the best I could do, I know you can buy anti blister socks that are supposed to be quite good though it sounds to me as if your boots don't actually fit you properly and it might be best if you invested in a better fitting pair

I'm starting to think now that they are perhaps the wrong size, although I'm a UK size 11 and so are these boots Puzzling indeed. It might be worth investing a new pair if the insoles dont solve the problem.

[philkilla]

You can't really go by that foot sizing contraption (forgot the name), since every manufacturer sizes their shoes/boots differently.

The best way to go about buying new shoes or boots is to spend a lot of time on your feet so they swell up, than go buy them. You want to try on boots until they feel like clown shoes, than go 1/2 to a whole size down.

As far as the blisters you currently have, there are ways to treat them as well. Have you heard of moleskin? It's adhesive on one side and a semi-soft material that mimics a moleskin on the other. To use it, you cut it into a donut shape and put in around the blister to protect it, IF you decide to let it be.

However, small blisters should be left alone and monitored (your preference ultimately) because they usually aren't so far along that they can start healing themselves. Medium sized blisters should be drained on two sides with the exit facing your heel. Large blisters should be drained as well.

One trick to make sure they don't seal up, is to use some needle and thread and run in through the blister, that way it can drain throughout the day if you have to spend more time on your feet.


When I attended Air Assault school in the Army, I was a fool and wore the wrong boots for a 6-mile roadmarch (13-14 minute mile pace with 70 lbs. of gear.) and my feet were DESTROYED. I had at least 10 blisters on each foot. One that I drained with a needle shot the liquid 10 feet across my room...

To make it worse, I still had 11 days of training left...


Since your father was a marine, he should definitely have some good advice for you. If you need to develop some calluses (which it sounds like it might be a good idea) try walking around on the concrete barefoot for a while.

Oh yah, if you do get new boots, whatever you do, DO NOT try to break them in at work. You will fuck your feet up.

[DelfinoPie]

Originally Posted by philkilla

One trick to make sure they don't seal up, is to use some needle and thread and run in through the blister, that way it can drain throughout the day if you have to spend more time on your feet.

Cool, my Dad just told me the exact same thing

[philkilla]

Haha, awesome. Blisters suck for sure, and sure as hell can be painful.