Feels like a dumb question, but I haven’t ever worn a pair of boots that didn’t hurt in some way. Is this just a feature of boots, or am I doing something wrong?
All my boots are made for walking. And that’s just what they do.
Find a well -rated outdoor store nearby, and go in and ask them to help you find a good pair. Be completely open about having no idea how to fit boots, and try to be as descriptive about the most common issues you’ve experienced. You can usually get free return if you wear them inside the house for a day or two to check fit.
It can be time consuming to find the right pair, but once you find a good pair it’ll make a huge difference and give you somewhere to go from one they eventually wear out.
Don’t take specific brand advice from the internet because everyone’s feet are different shapes. It’s a very individual thing.
To add to this, you might be able to find a store that analyses gait. Usually it’s on treadmills or a machine you stand on.
My final advice is inserts. You might find your most comfortable boot is actually a boot + insert. Orthopedic stores can make custom inserts, too.
I only have comfortable boots, i dont bother with footwear that’s uncomfortable, my lifes too short for hurting feet.
But fashion!
Yea, im not falling for that scam again 😅
I just buy some cheap Van’s, but maybe I’m too young to understand the boot supremacy.
Either you’re buying bad boots, the wrong size boots, or not breaking in your boots.
Hiking boots tend to offer the best comfort IMO.
Second the hiking boots. My day to day lambofeeties are a pair of hiking boots.
Work boots: check red wings, Irish setters, Georgia boot, Wolverine, timberland pro, Thorogood
Casual: check Clark’s desert chukkas, timberland 6”, red wing heritage, Thursday boots, blundstones, Jim greens.
Haven’t owned them all but I have spent a lot of time researching boots for comfort since I’m a big dude on his feet all day. Currently have traction tread lite 6” red wings steel toe for work. Going on 7 months, swapped insoles twice (I like walk hero from amazon for arch support, $20.), and they feel better every day. Seriously worth it in my opinion.
Work boots or casual work, add Mucks.
Surprised nobody’s mentioned this yet– What kind of socks are you wearing?
Boots used to always suck for me. Double check your sizing, and I recommend mid to heavyweight socks. Quality insoles help a lot, too. (Darn tough socks have been a game changer for me)
Timberland, classic for a reason. I originally got them for doing DIY work around the house (and they have saved me from a nail in the foot at least twice so far) but now I legit pick these over my sneakers just for going out for a walk sometimes because they are comfier.
If you don’t mind heavy-as-f***, Carolinas. Insulated, composite toe, waterproof to a foot and change deep. I learned about these from a guy who wears them to fight forest fires in the dead of winter. They’re very comfy and put in a lot of work but holy gods are they heavy.
I don’t remember the exact reason anymore, but sometime back on reddit someone told the story how all his life his feet and shoes felt bad but he got used to it. Until at some point he found out he had some foot disease, I think it was athlete’s foot or something.
Unless of course its only boots that bug you, not other shoes, then carry on…
Most likely it was plantar fasciitis, which means that he just needed arch support. Same thing happened to me. I thought I was just cursed with sore feet forever until someone explained what it was and how simple it was to fix. It’s amazing what good arch support can do!
You might have flat feet or need more arch support, go to a place where they’re specialized in selling shoes and boots and tell them you’re always uncomfortable.
Also, cute looking shoes are more often than not not built to be good for your feet, I can’t believe the number of girls/women I’ve met that freeze all winter because they refuse to wear actual winter boots because they’re ugly…
Redbacks are the most comfortable boots I’ve ever tried yet.
I always go for the wide shoes whenever I can, because I know my feet are wider than average, and arch supports because I know I have flat feet. You might want to find an expert who can show you many different shapes of shoes or a foot and ankle specialist who can diagnose if you need extra support or anything.
I have iron rangers that took about two weeks to break in, and now they’re like an extension of me. So comfortable. But the break in period was…trying.
I’m ready to go to a foot dr whenever I can find the time. I work 10 hr days (sometimes 12-14 hrs when I’m on the road for work). Most if not all on concrete. I’ve tried Keen boots, Sketches, Timberland Pros, etc. Different insoles as well. They all fail way too quickly. I think it’s my feet. I’ve spent well over $400 this year on boots and insoles alone. I’m thinking of trying the Timberland Pro Mudsill boots as my last resort since they have built-in arch support, which is what I think I need. I feel a tearing on the middle of my feet after a long day’s work, which I believe is the plantar fascitis thing.
You might need custom orthotics but you can’t expect your boots to last if they’re your work boots and you walk on concrete all day. I would go through 3 pairs of shoes/boots a year as a valet.
My employer gives a $75 voucher for boots per year. Would be great if I could find a solution to make them last that long. I should probably invest in an anti-static mat I can put at my US general box since it’s my desk/standing desk lol.
Not to be a downer but you’ll never make 75$ last a year. We had a 300$ budget and that didn’t last. No matter the quality our shoes/boots would be ok to wear outside of work after six months, but not to wear all day at work. Shit sucks but just like anything, if it’s used 40h+/week then it will need maintenance, shoes can’t be maintained so they need to be replaced 🤷
I have some absolutely amazing work boots with steel toe, shank and heel that are very comfortable, but they’re goddamned heavy.
I also have kinky boots that are not comfortable but very stylish.
I do not.
I would recommend blundstones. Very comfortable, lasts long, functional, and versatile to style. Great beginner boot
