Footwear

[redneck]

The footwear provided by our esteemed employer has started to cause me some problems, so much so that I have resorted to ordering the dreaded company Doc Martens as per myroyalmail/dimensions website. I remember these causing some horrendous soreness at the back of the heels on a previous occasion, but I have found the Magnum shoes and Anvil trainers too painful on the toes and heel in recent times,and thought I'd give them another go. For sure our feet get a battering over the years on the rounds.

Does anyone know of a way of softening the backs of Doc Martens prior to use to prevent blood loss (sensible suggestions please, not like the unhelpful verbal drivel I was given earlier today in the office from 'colleagues'!)?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

One thing you can do is get a damp bar of soap and rub on the inside of the heel..this softens the leather. Really rub it in and then pull the leather round the heel for a bit, thus stretching it a tad.

You can also clean them in saddle soap (available from most tack shops for about £2...best thing to clean any leather)...and then clean them in this, really rub round the outside of the heel to soften the outside.

If they are tight across the bridge of the foot, get some vodka and wipe over this area...or if all else fails, get a hair dryer, blow across the bit you want to soften and then try them on.

Another solution is to wear blister plasters on your heels - before the blisters appear.

There is also the caveman approach. Sit on the floor, turn on the TV and hit the floor with boot, and also flex the boot.

The final solution, and yes it does work, is too pee in them, it works but you have to make sure you clean them properly after softening them.

[spiderj]

Wear em in a warm shower to soften then use dubbin/kiwi

You will look mental but it works

Make sure you polish them after they dry and pack them when drying

If your really suffering try asking your gp for a fit note explaining you are struggling with provided footwear

RM give £30 towards footwear
I wear hiking boots in bad weather and shoes/trainers karrimor work for me.

Anything which doesn't twist/allow lateral foot movement is good also toe bumpers and a breathable inner.

[redneck]

Thanks for the advice, clearly doing nothing is not an option with them when they arrive. I might try all of them out.

Just a couple of choice suggestions from earlier:

1. Put my foot in a vice
2. Put my head in a vice
3. Find a spare piano and put the offending Docs under one of the legs and allow to rest for a while.
4. Slice the rear of the Doc Martens in half with a sharp knife.



RM give £30 towards footwear, how do you claim that please?!

[TrueBlueTerrier]

4. Slice the rear of the Doc Martens in half with a sharp knife.

Mad as it sounds thats not a bad idea, a very small cut (barely visible) will help ease the pressure.

RM give £30 towards footwear, how do you claim that please?!

Visit the doctor, get a note and present it to the manager. Purchase the shoes, with receipt and claim.

[glenfiddich]

i like the docs but take a couple of weeks to break in by taking trainers with me and change before blistering but theyre heavy to wear on a 5 hour delivery

[Harv12]

personally i think the YDS trainers are the best iv had in the 16 year iv been with royal mail , i noticed you didn't mention them on your post, give them a try,

the anvils are probs the worst iv had same with the doc martins,

[redneck]

personally i think the YDS trainers are the best iv had in the 16 year iv been with royal mail , i noticed you didn't mention them on your post, give them a try,

the anvils are probs the worst iv had same with the doc martins,

I haven't tried the YDS ones, my partner was complaining of blisters so I was put off. A lot of people do like them though, so I will try them if the docs don't do the trick.

[GT85]

I had to go up one size from my normal and add custom insoles to get my YDS trainers comfortable.

[DB1100]

personally i think the YDS trainers are the best iv had in the 16 year iv been with royal mail , i noticed you didn't mention them on your post, give them a try,

the anvils are probs the worst iv had same with the doc martins,

I haven't tried the YDS ones, my partner was complaining of blisters so I was put off. A lot of people do like them though, so I will try them if the docs don't do the trick.

A good way to avoid blisters is to buy some surgical spirits from a chemist's shop and rub this in to your feet with some cotton wool,usually takes a couple of days to a week to work,very good stuff as most forces people will agree.

[mailroyaly]

Personally prefer the cat trainers to the new versions, managed to get a pair off ebay & reverted back to them, so much lighter than the anvils.
They might not be waterproof but I'd rather have wet feet than sore feet.

[redneck]

After a very quick delivery from the supplier via the Dimensions website (myroyalmail.com), I received them yesterday. I bashed the heels on the frame a bit creating a stir in the office, then used them on delivery for 2 hours before changing for a pair of my own trainers. Not bad. Then today did the same but the right heel was starting to get a small blister after the leather at the heel had scythed through a sock and was starting to engage with the skin at the end of 2 hours. They are very comfortable in all other aspects, just the damned heel as usual. I've now got them under the shower for a bit on return home, see if that works after they've dried out.

[Claudiasdad]

Cut two lines down the back with a Stanley knife, one either side of the stitching this works a treat , I have personally used this method with around 10 pairs over the years and no cuts at all

[redneck]

Successful delivery today of 4 hours, no bleeding heels and surprisingly no cut socks on either foot (I had to bin two pairs last week). Thanks for all the advice, hoping for a good run (I mean walk) with these.