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Orthotics for duty boots

1K views 13 replies 11 participants last post by  steveksux 
#1 ·
Does any use orthotics for foot support in duty boots? Maybe I'm just getting old, but I'm having noticeable foot problems / pain lately from my patrol boots. My agency issues Danner's whenever we need them (usually every few years for me) and my first few pairs caused no issues so I didn't think much of it.

My last two pairs felt horribly stiff out of the box, and broke in a bit after a couple weeks but remained extremely tight (same size as always) and too small in the toe area. I developed painful callouses (corns?) on my pinky toes, and symptoms of plantar fasciitis along the bottom of my right foot.

I switched back to my old Danner's for now (way more comfortable) but they are lacking arch support. I have an old set of the Dr. Scholls insoles that you get after standing on the foot scanner in the Walmart pharmacy... they are okay but I've had them several years and they probably aren't accomplishing a whole lot.

So, I'll get a bigger size of new Danner's but figured some quality orthotic insoles would be a good idea too... since my walkers appear to be so fragile!

Any suggestions appreciated...
 
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#2 ·
Orthotics and liners help some people
Remember however they take up space, and U might need a larger size of shoe by 1/2...
Try off the shelf first, and Spenco brand has always worked for me...
Last alternative is custom foot molds/orthotics which are more sizzle than steak and can be pricey..in my area they charge 750$ + prof. fees...No Level I randomized power tested blinded prospective controlled scientific literature has proven they are significantly superior...
 
#3 ·
I get custom orthotics due to a work injury but my doc did have me try Lynco products. They work almost as well as custom ones. Custom ones they can put in a metatarsal arch which I love but others can hate.

Rockys have wider toe boxes than Danners. Look at the Portland model. They have fabric uppers which break in easier. I also have two pairs now so break in is done. Redwings in town will resole for the city. Even if out of pocket it is 80 bucks.
 
#4 ·
The new Danners are not the same. The last couple pairs of Stryker IIs I had were pretty terrible.

I used the Dr Scholls gel inserts for several years when I worked a lot of stand around and look pretty OT details.

Now I ride a bike and wear New Balance tennis shoes to work, no more foot problems....just knees, elbows, and wrist pain.
 
#5 · (Edited)
High arches? Where is your pain? Heels? When you stand up after sleeping or sitting for a while, you get heel pain? Typical for people with high arches.

If that's the case, I have the same issue. Went to a podiatrist about 6 weeks ago. He showed me an exercise to stretch your calf muscles which made a world of difference.


If you're desk bound or sit around a lot (like in a police car), do this once an hour. Stretch at least one minute for each calf. Also do it after you wake up.

I have a pair of custom orthotics. Plus 2 commercial inserts in walking shoes and running shoes. I use them all, plus the stretching, as a holistic approach to heel pain. Works great.
 
#6 ·
I bought a set of insoles for my ski boots. Place in oven, stand on them for 15mins, the form to your feet. Cheaper than going the custom route.

I bought a pair of Danner boots about a month ago, came with a plastic heal mid sole insert. I did not like them and went with a DR Scholls dimpled insoles. So far so good.
 
#7 ·
Patchman thanks... my wife is a personal trainer and also recommended calf stretches. I need to be more deliberate about that, as well as icing my plantar facia. I've found a frozen water bottle that I can roll back-and-forth under my foot works well for that.

I just checked and my old Danner boots (that worked fine) are Stryker II GTX. My new ones (that are/were terrible) are Striker Torrent. So I don't know what changed between those two models, but it is significant... to my feet anyway.

I bought a set of insoles for my ski boots. Place in oven, stand on them for 15mins, the form to your feet. Cheaper than going the custom route.
Sounds pretty interesting... what are these called?
 
#10 ·
I have tried every kind of insole, from Superfeet to the ones you stick in the oven to the scanner ones. None of them work, only custom orthotics have worked.

When I stand barefoot my feet and legs form a J. With the orthotics they are a T. My knee pain is gone as well. Orthotics here are $300 and my current insurance doesnt cover it.

Call a Podiatrist and ask what cost is with and without insurance. I had insurance that did cover it and it was $100. I should have gotten them before I switched jobs.
 
#11 ·
I work for Red Wing. I suggest you get your feet properly measured...I meet plenty of guys who swear they are a size they've worn for years, yet when measured are completely different. Plus, feet change, get bigger. Get measured after work, when your feet are at their biggest.
We sell a mold able insert that most customers who try it love...$59. At our store, we usually give LEOs a discount, 10% or something...and we would take the insole back, if they don't work out.
Get your new boots before you need them, so you can break them in slow, switching back to the old ones as needed.
Finally, take the original insert out of the boot...many people try to stack them up in the boot, but that makes the boot too tight.
 
#12 ·
After several years walking the flightline with XX pounds of duty gear strapped to my back, I noticed I was 25 and labored to walk. Once I switched to being a MTI I noticed the labored walking subsided but gave way to major foot pain AKA Plantar Fasciitis. I did a couple of things to address it:

Stride/gait analysis at my local podiatrist and running store. Found out what type of shoes/orthotics I needed (Stability with arch support).

Two pairs of custom orthotics for my duty boots/running shoes.

Generic Lynco insoles in the rest of my shoes.

Massage/stretch OFTEN.

Anti-inflammatory meds as needed.

The frozen water bottle is good for some and it reduced the swelling but it was uncomfortable to me.

I used a golf ball instead of the frozen water bottle as it wasn't painfully cold, didn't make my feet/socks/floor wet, and I can use the ball literally anywhere as one stayed in my duty bag.

Good luck
 
#14 ·
High arches? Where is your pain? Heels? When you stand up after sleeping or sitting for a while, you get heel pain? Typical for people with high arches.

If that's the case, I have the same issue. Went to a podiatrist about 6 weeks ago. He showed me an exercise to stretch your calf muscles which made a world of difference.


If you're desk bound or sit around a lot (like in a police car), do this once an hour. Stretch at least one minute for each calf. Also do it after you wake up.

I have a pair of custom orthotics. Plus 2 commercial inserts in walking shoes and running shoes. I use them all, plus the stretching, as a holistic approach to heel pain. Works great.
Funny. I pictured you looking totally different. :whistling:

Randy
 
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