[ryanInayr]

I've picked up a 2nd kitchen job now as a line cook for a high end restaurant. i've noticed that my feet have been getting more and more blisters on them.

My question is, would it be a good idea to get a different shoe and switch them when I go to my other job? Or is it natural to conjure up blisters when you're running around for 18 hours? Right now, I have a pair or birkenstocks, and I love them, but they leave me some nasty blisters.

Also, do socks play an issue? i've been ripping more and more holes into my socks, i'm almost running out of a pair. I've been through a few different brands, but none of them can hold out for long.

Any suggestions/thoughts would be much appreciated.

[adamm]

Probaly swtiching socks between jobs might help, or air your feet out on the drive between jobs.

[chubyalaskagriz]

and I keep 2 pairs of black 8-eyelet Doc Martens on hand, rotating them every-other-day to make sure they're good 'n dry when I slip them on. Obviously a guy my size is hard on footwear and these are the ONLY shoe/boot that give me multi-hour support, that'll last me a full year. I doubt that I will ever wear anything else- been buying them since the late 80's!

Also, I've been told that two things contribute to blisters- wearing shoes that are too tight- or too loose.

[boar_d_laze]

If you're really on your feet 18 hours a day, you need to maintain a clean, dry environment for them. Whether or not you change shoes between shifts, give your shoes at least one day off to completely dry and air out.

Working those kinds of hours you need shoes with plenty of support. I liked good athletic "court" shoes and SAS shoes, but there is no best shoe for everyone. Just the most comfortable shoe for you. That being said, socks are very important. Perhaps even more so than shoes. Don't cheap out -- get well padded athletic socks and replace them as soon as they show signs of wear.

Between my time as a cook, and my current career, I was a dolly grip for many years -- a job where footwork is incredibly important and 15 hour days are average. I powdered my feet and changed socks at least once every eight hours. This not only helped protect my tootsies, prolonged shoe and sock life, but was very refreshing. I also found that having several different brands of shoes -- each of which felt slightly different, but each of which was comfortable -- was helpful.

BDL

[kuan]

Get some nice smartwool socks and rotate them. You don't really have to wash them a lot.

[durangojo]

i wear a light ski sock(fox river)in the summer and a thicker padded ski or hiking sock in the winter, as they are made to wick the moisture away from your foot,which obviously keeps them dry..i also have two pair of work shoes that i rotate out...although birkenstocks may feel comfy, i don't think they offer the support you need for that kind of wear and tear on your body, and i don't care how young you are!..comfort is one thing, but support is what counts...good shoes will help your back, ankles and hamstrings as well...there are obviously shoes made for chefs, doctors, nurses and other professions that stand up for long periods of time with comfort and support in mind...i wear dansko and naot, but like most things its a personal choice..sounds to me as though your socks are too big mostly
joey

[foodpump]

What everyone else says....

Feet sweat, shoes absorb moisture, and moisture does bad things to the durability of the shoe, as well as to your foot. Best thing to do is to trade off/rotate at least 2 pairs, better 3 pairs on a daily basis. Sunlight has a pretty good effect on drying out and killing off bacteria in shoes too.

Socks.. One trick I learned in the Army when dealing with new boots was to.. wear pantyhose! Well...at least the foot part of the pantyhose, masking-taped to my shins, then a loose pair of socks over the panty-hose sock. This produces virtually no friction,= no blisters. One of the best socks to wear is polypropelne (sp?) as this material wicks away mositue from the foot. Stay away from cotton or nylon socks.

[GhettoRacingKid]

Like Lt Dan used to say.

Take care of your feet. Everytime we stop change your socks. Keep em dry.......

I got a pair of Dr Shoels (sp?) with a built in gellen thing. they were only $40 and i got 2 pairs and ill usually switch them on and off during the week.

Im a bigger dude too adn the weight has a lot to do with it.

[m brown]

Dansko Clogs, closed heel or open, GREAT SUPPORT.
I have had birkenstocks and they are too roomy and cause blister issues.
cotton socks, change in between jobs.
think about support hose. You are on your feet, think about your legs too.
Oh, and be careful of hemmorhoids. (don't laugh).