How do you take care of your feet?

Joined: 22 Jun 2008 Posts: 98

Spent a good 12 hours a day standing on my feet while opening a new store. Talk about some hurting feet! From what I understand, concrete is pretty hard on your feet, joints and legs in general. Talking to a lot of the other newbie associates, I find that most everyone is suffering in one way or another. I'm wondering if anyone has any advice or tips I can use/pass on.

Joined: 14 May 2007 Posts: 26 Location: Michigan

Good workboots...That makes the biggest difference. I used to wear tennis shoes to work all of the time, and my feet would hurt pretty bad at the end. I got a good pair of redwing shoes and it made all of the difference. My back didn't hurt nor did my feet. A good insole is a must have.

Joined: 22 Jun 2008 Posts: 98

Thats a good idea! Honestly, I was a little shocked at first. I like to run, spend an hour on the elliptical, ride my mountain bike and never had a problem. Even after the long hours ended, I'm still having problems and so is everyone else. People are trying all kinds of stuff from wearing different shoes each day to wearing multiple dr scholls inserts.

Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 497

I wear dr. scholls shoes at all times. I also include a footpad in the bottom. No fatigued feet any more. I did find that because of the concrete that I got more calluses than before. Just use a bit of sugar and shower gel and scrub and it gets rid of the roughness.

Listen to your body. Don't push and work through the pain. Get different shoes, take your breaks, ice your feet at the end of your shift. Whatever works because you only have two feet for your life and they both are very important.

Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 12

Like a good building, the foundation must be sound. Start with a great (not merely good) pair of shoes or boots. I suggest New Balance if you insist upon tennis-type shoes as imo, they make shoes for feet and not endorsements.
Wolverines are good boots while again, imo, Timberland, Caterpillar and Dickie's are mainly for fashion rather than work.
Once you get your great new shoes/boots, get the best insoles you can afford. Do NOT scrimp because something is on sale or they're cheaper. Your feet will know the difference.
If you still have issues, get a foot massage type tub from target or a similar retail store and soak /massage your feet in Epsom Salts at the end of the day. There is also an awesome foot cream with peppermint in it but the name escapes me at the moment.
Keep your feet clean and dry (use a good foot powder) and get cushioned socks that wick water away from your feet.
Just remember, as with any purchase, you get what you pay for and if you go cheap, you get cheap results most of the time. So, don't buy inferior products when it comes to something as important as your comfort and health ... you're worth the extra money don't you think?

Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 54

I prefer shoes over boots, and I've had luck with New Balance and Rockports. New Balance don't seem to last as long as the Rockports, but you know as soon as you need a new pair, because your feet start hurting again.

Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 497

This is some good stuff. Too often people chose economic reasons over chosing the right product. We see that all the time in retail. Just take care of your body as you only get one.

Joined: 22 Jun 2008 Posts: 98

Bought a couple pair of those dr scholls workforce inserts. Seem to be ok but nothing to brag about. Discussing this with more co-workers, I'm shocked with how many co-workers are having issues. In fact, I plan to bring this up at the next focus meeting. If they can have Chase bank and other off the wall groups set up for the day in the break room, surely they can have Red Wing shoes and/or one of the many local podiatry clinics set up for the day.

Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 497

If they set up anything related to our feet I imagine that suddenly the work comp numbers will increase. It's not Lowe's problem if your feet hurt. They don't care to make you more comfortable.

I stay away from the dr. schoalls (sp) inserts. To me they are not as good as some of the less expensive ones. Those "gellin'" ones are a joke to my feet as well. I do wear Dr. Schoalls shoes not inserts. BIG difference. My sweetie wears Red Wings and his work actually mandates steel toes so they even give them a discount and annual funds to purchase the protective shoes.

Joined: 22 Dec 2007 Posts: 445

Just a few things to kinda keep in mind

1) "liquid stitch" is NOT good for feet....why? because they will stick to a sock and it WILL rip off when you pull it off

2) there's a type of jell like bandaid that works VERY well if you have cuts.

3) keep clean. athletes foot is the last thing anyone needs at work.

Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Posts: 7 Location: Pacific Northwest

Standing on concrete all day is not for the weak. Try Rockport Works oxfords (around $80) or Carolina CA50457 steel toe oxfords (around $95). Both will keep your feet feeling good for the duration of your shift... if they don't, something might be wrong and you'd be well advised to consult an orthopedist. Hope this helps.

Joined: 22 Jun 2008 Posts: 98

I think its starting to take its toll on everyone. I notice specialist seem to be sitting more and more. Associates seem to gather around the comfort pads around the computers when chatting. Some associates that have work stations without chairs have grabbed step ladders to sit on when doing paperwork. I've found a few things that have helped my feet but they are still trashed. Days off seem to help the most. I use to be a lot more active before working at Lowes. Gone are the days when I would come home and take a jog and then walk the dogs. Now its a blue moon with my ipod while soaking my feet. Of course everyone thinks i'm LAZY because most my friends think Lowes rates about a 2 on the scale of 1-10 as far as difficult jobs.

Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 497

Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 497

Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 3

z-coil shoes! I'd never wear anything else.

Joined: 18 Mar 2005 Posts: 256 Location: 3rd coast

I've seen Z-Coils and heard good things, but I wonder how in the world you climb ladders with those on your feet?

Personally I wear New Balance (and yeah, I've found they don't last as long either) and during colder temps, Merrell Jungle Mocs. Pricey on a retail worker's wage, but worth every penny.