What do you wear for shoes at work?

Baer Charlton

SPFG, Supreme Picture Framing God
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This is a start of a more in-depth research project about framers health.
There are four questions/sections.

What do you wear? This is geared toward the day in and day out of work. The shoes that you wear 80% or better to work at the shop and stand in all day.

What do you stand on?
This has to do with the floor that you stand on to do the fittings. Most shops have carpet in the "public" areas and behind the design table..... but this is about where you spend the "labor time".

Have you needed to see a doctor relating to your feet/ankles/knees/hips? This is about issues arising from standing all day.

Do you suffer from ____?
Problems arising from standing all day.

Well heck! I can't figure out how to build a poll... so just consider these to be the questions and you can post your answers...except I was hoping for some anonymity as to the answers, and some guidance as to the foot-wear and floors.
So folks, this is what we got.

(thanks Mike.. I tried.)
 
I wear jeans and flannel or denim shirts during the cooler months - change to short sleeves during the hottest of the months.

I wear Ariat western boots most year-round.

The floor is wood. Never had a problem with any "part" other than migraines, which have nothing to do with framing.

Been doin this for 17 years.

No anonymity here!
 
A flat shoe with a hard sole was my favorite until I got painful scars on the bottoms of my feet from accidents going barefooted. Now I get around those problems you mentioned with orthotics. I need a shoe deep enough to hold them, which, in my case, is a New Balance running shoe.

My recommendation is a podiatrist/orthopedic surgeon combo who can figure out how to make you stand and walk without pain.
 
Dr Scholls' walking/standing shoes with orthodic inserts, 100% of the time. For "dress", I wear the clean ones. Who cares what they look like.....if the shoe fits, it's ugly!!

Concrete with padded carpet, entire shop, including work area.

Both hips joints replaced, knee to be replaced soon, bone-on-bone. Other things have contributed to this, but Dr. said standing/working all day for years didn't help. Unloader knee brace is worn all day. Waiting for the day they can replace feet!

Collapsed arches, bunions and "hammer toes" due to damage prior to getting orthotics.

Going on hour #12 for today....feet ache. Oh well, just part of "the deal".......at least hip joints are great now!!

New Crocs should be here tomorrow UPS..........that may change things soon! Yes, Baer?? Please say yes, Baer. Ow-ouch.

Baer, you didn't answer your own questions.....
 
I wear whatever shoes are comfortable - with good arch supports and thick comfy rubber soles - Tevas (with socks) in the summer. Just found a nice pair of Rockport moccasins at the thrift store for $3.95 -they need new soles - then they will be comfy and good looking to boot! (so to speak!)

Floors are old wood with old linoleum tiles. Don't have enough work to do that my feet are bothered.

30 years ago when I worked on cold concrete floors wearing flat Chinese slippers or waterbuffalo sandals (!) I finally bought one of those rubber mats to keep my feet from aching.

No foot or leg or knee problems but I go to a chiropractor once a month to keep in alignment.

Hips and upper leg bones ache in the morning before I arise (probably due to the fact that I never move all night - I wake up in the exact same position I fell asleep in!) (Sorry, Captain English!)
 
this isn't a joke! ...........

I have worn Rockports for many years for needed foot support in the shop. I probably started wearing them in the early 90's and would not be without them for work or play. My average purchase of Rockports was almost a hundred bucks a pair on sale, more if I bought the newer styles of walkers or dress shoes.

I had a good friend who raced catamarans in competition and he was also a good customer of mine. One day in the summer of 2002 he came into my art gallery with the most homely looking pair of black shoes on his feet that I had ever seen!!! I asked him where he got them and he told me that he was in a race in California and bought them on a whim on the recommendation of a sailing friend out there. He bet me the price of these shoes that I would love them and thus began the beginning of my transition to Crocs!!! I bought a pair of "Beaches" on the internet as I could not find any locally and I couldn't believe the feel of those shoes on my feet!!

I have some residual chronic pain from an old military injury to my left leg and foot and I always left work in pain which lasted well through the evening even if I got off my feet and rested. These shoes changed all that. I haven't had foot pain in the past 5 years to speak of and I don't have to worry about whether I will be able to enjoy myself of an evening out with friends. And I spend thirty bucks a pair compared to the hundred I spent for Rockports.

I have tried a pair of knockoffs to see if they have the same effect on my feet and they didn't come close to Crocs! The closed cell "Croslite" resin that Crocs are made from have the ability to shape to your feet when warmed by your body heat and they conform to your foot shape as you wear them. I can attest to the fact that they are as comfortable on bare concrete as they are on carpeted wood floors. I have worn them on every type of surface and they are as dependable as morning for me!

If this sounds like a testimonial for Crocs shoes I meant it to be. I have read some of the joking on this forum about the shoes over the years and I meant to set the record straight about their value and their comfort. I wear Crocs almost everywhere now with the exception of the times I switch to my Earth Shoes slides for a change of pace. But you will rarely see me in anything else on a day to day basis.
Ok, I'll climb down off my :soapbox: now.
 
Oh, feet.... I wear New Balance 811s, with custom orthotics. I replace the shoes about every 3 months. They seem to break down in some way, and when my feet and back start to hurt more than usual with no apparent cause, then a new pair of shoes generally puts me right.
I work on wooden floors mostly, but I cut mats on a concrete floor in the basement, with Barefoot mats in all the standing places.
I suspect if I lost 50 lbs, I would have a lot less foot pain, but that seems unlikely as long as there is ice cream....
 
I wear anything that keeps Mr Ankle, as I affectionately call him, from hurting too much. I've had arthritis in one ankle for over a decade. I still miss my running days. I'm in an old house so, hardwood floors thru most of the shop.

Good running/walking shows with a high arch. Buying shoes is tough for me, too flat of a shoe is as painful as too high of a shoe. The ankle unfortunaltey has a limited range of motion, so I need to find the right height in the shoe dictated by the ankles most comfortable position.

But like Ellen said losing weight would help....oooh but its ice cream season.

Though seriously, Max and I have been going thru a lovely and somewhat rugid wooded trail near the shop every morning. It's great for both of us!
 
Brown Vans Sneakers or equivalent
Have grey foam cushion over tile in the workroom and commercial carpet in the showroom.
No problems so far.
 
My building is built on a concrete slab with vinyl tile in the fitting area and front. All work stations and front desk have single or double anti-fatigue pads.

Shoes - Rebock cross trainers - with thick soles .... My feet are fine

The lower back, thats another story.... injured in '76
 
I wear these for everything bar 'going out'


boots.jpg


Clarkes - extremely comfy, the studs are air cushioned.

Whole place is concrete and quite rough concrete in the workshop.

Tiled in the shop. Workshop, all around the bench is either deep pile carpet - offcuts from our home or ditto with cushion flooring

No problems with feet/legs - do you want to see my calf muscle again?
 
Footwear:

Preference: Bare Feet

Reality: Because of glass chards ...comfortable shoes: Dockers or whatever I slip into.

Clothing:

Preference: None

Reality: Because of shedding chest hairs ...Clean T-Shirt.


Flooring:

Preference: My old shop ...wood floors worn from almost a hundred years of ancestors fitting up pictures at the fitting table and pounding nails around the vise. Worn flooring around the checkout counter almost a quarter of an inch trough in the flooring.

Reality: New shop ...concrete floors covered with carpet and rubber mats to ease tiredness from working all day standing (except when I Grumble!).
 
What do you wear?
Mephisto's ... expensive but simply the best ... once you have worn Mephistos you'll never wear anything else. Also they offer a complete refurb program so after the initial investment they'll last and last and last for not a lot of additional dollars.

What do you stand on?
Heavy duty fatigue mats.

Have you needed to see a doctor relating to your feet/ankles/knees/hips? Nope! And as a preventative I take 1500mg of glucosamine & chondroitin.


 
No problems with feet/legs - do you want to see my calf muscle again?
ACK!! NO!! That was no calf muscle, that was a dang burl! Or an alien. Good grief, I've never seen anything like that.....are you sure that's your calf, John?? Holy cow.....:icon9:
 
You're right Val, but then... I don't have too. Tom out did me. I'm late to the party when it comes to Crocs. And I wasn't turned on to them by my surgeon (he told me, I just didn't listen) who stuffed 1/2lb of titanium in my left foot that resulted in a 12EEE to match my right 12D.
I didn't listen to my orthopod or my re-hab guy either...

It was my waiter who I was talking about the stock market.... he took off his UuuuuuuuGLeeeeeyyyyyyyy shoes and told me to put it on and walk across the street and back. (left foot was still in Darth Vader boot).... 2oz of Croslite... and the height matched the surgical boot.... I never crossed the street.

I went and bought my first 300 shares to fund my IRA. THEN went and bought a pair... I was shy .... they were black. Two months later I had Red and blue.

Americana Frame has commercial carpet through out. I used to wear Brooks orthodics with inserts. Still wear them at the gym.

At WCAF, Monday I wore my old soft orthodic black shoes. At the end of Monday, when we all sat down in the bar, Frank turned to me and admitted his feet were killing him. I smiled.

"What are you smiling about?"

"My feet hurt like heck. But tomorrow, I'll be teaching in the morning and then coming right to the show floor." In answer to his puzzled look I continued, "I won't be stopping to change shoes, so I'll be standing in my Red Crocs all day."

Now I'm wondering if I'll be seeing Frank in crocks next year. :D
 
Savety Teva's?

Ok, so I should wear something that at least has a toe, but the Teva's are very comfortable. I can stand all day, and not get those dull throbbing shin aches that most other shoes cause.

I labor under the illusion that I can jump out of the way If I should drop a lite of glass........what a fool.

In cold weather I wear my cool orange 'trail shoe'....oo ooh.. they are made by Teva also.

I also love my red Crocs, but they are a bit hot. Over all, I really should spruce up my wardrobe .....Tshirts and a floppy over-shirt may not be the best for the sales counter, but I dress for the shop.

Smile away
Nancy
 
Anything that Clarks built. Best shoes made in my opinion. Good arch supports and great on the heels. Concrete floor with a pad at work areas. Just got the pads, had to insist, concrete even with Clarks is brutal!
 
Mar, I don't know what nancyg is wearing that are "a bit hot", [unless she means "Hot" is a "hot sexy" sort of way... :D], but that is the very point about Crocs... they aren't made from rubber.. so they aren't hot and don't make your feet sweat and get fungus and jungle rot.....

Croslite is a proprietory cross polyester that has an anti fungus and anti-bacterial compound in them so they combat athlete's foot instead of causing it.

People think it's all the same and buy the knock-offs at K-mart for $18, then wonder why Croc Heads rave about their gooney shoes.

Untill you try em, you'll just be clueless.
 
Mephisto? Oh yeah I can see the day I spend over $200 on a pair of shoes! NOT!

So, Baer - most of the closed-toe Crocs look the same - which kind do y'all prefer? I see there are a whole whack of stores near me that carry them.

I do like the red ones - and I'm sure Val would like the PURPLE ones!
 
Purple ones next!

I'd LOVE the purple ones! But I'm pulling a sneaky, or as Baer not-so-gently reminded me, I'm "Being a Good Mom"!

My daughter sent me a pair of Seafoam Green Crocs for Mother's Day, but they're too small and hurt my toes. So, rather than send them, or wait to take them back or even tell her they're too small and I can't wear them, I sucked it up (Baer again) and went online (local store didn't have that color) and ordered a new pair, next size up. I expect them to arrive any day.

Anyone want a brand-new, only-worn-across-the-carpeted-living-room-once, Caymen style Seafoam green Crocs, women's size 7? $29.99, shipping's on me.
 
Already bookmarked, Val - already bookmarked!

Speaking of cool comfortable shoes I have found a company called Born which makes the very coolest looking shoes - they look like they were made by little elves in the Black Forest - very comfy and under $100. Maybe I'll buy a pair of those for my birthday present to myself next year!
 
Andrew, had Mephistos.... gave me shin splints... doc told me to stop wearing them. Went back to Rockport Pro Walkers for years.. then moved on to Brooks and then Brooks with orthodics.....

then as most older Grumblers know.... Brook with orthod and a Darth Vader
replace4.jpg


now its Crocs "Beaches" 90% of the time. But I'm getting some Athens for the summer.
 
I wear the alternative of crocs - Quarks

These are similar to look of crocks without the holes on top - look more like a clog. My feet hurt all winter at the end of the day (Landsend shoes, but the least hurtful of others I've tried), but as soon as spring came and I slipped back into the Quarks, the hurt went away. Went and bought another pair of PURPLE (the first are lime green) and I'm thinking I'm going to go buy the red and whatever other color they have. I think its time to leave a pair at the shop all winter and wear them inside.

I did notice, that my feet don't hurt, but they do sweat - maybe they are a different material than the Crocs???? Not sure, but I didn't like the Crocs when I stood in them because of the slope backwards. Take care of the sweat by washing them out!

I have had both hips replaced - not related to framing all day; just too many accumulated impact injuries from sports over the years.

Clothing: depends on the weather. Cotton t-shirts, shorts, jeans - cotton reduces all those flums

Have fatique mats everywhere I stand - wood floors underneath.

I think today I will buy the red Quarks!

Elaine
 
too too hot

Baer
I am (was) definately h:icon11: t.......except now I am flashy hot cause I'm 50 something and it's not the same thing. , so almost anything makes my feet sweat.....I know, ick...

But the crocks are great and I have them at the studio to change into when I ride my scooter to work. Cause even I won't ride in Teva's!:p

Coooool

Nancy
 
My most comfortable pair of shoes to wear at work are my Dr. Martins. I love them to death and the toes show the wear and tear of the job but have to find another suitable pair of shoes to wear since they dont look so hot with shorts lol. I may try the Crocs but for now, my adidas sneakers will have to do (although after about 2 hrs of standing, my heals start to bark at me). I really want to wear my columbia flips but afraid of the glass meeting toes thing. I like all my toes.
 
no open toed here

Just the idea of glass breaking scares me.

I've had arthritis in my feet since 16 (lucky me). I had orthodics but can't stand the look.

Shoes I live in: Joseph Siebel, Clarks, Borns, Naots, Danskoes. I have to change it up each day otherwise my feet start to hurt. When I need to feel sexy I have some Brighton pumps and Franko Sarto boots. I read this thread yesterday and dreamt I went out and bought Crocks. I'm just don't think they'll go with the wardrobe though.

I agree with the ladies that if I dropped 50+ pounds my feet would be better (and now my back). I'm too young for this carp!

Oh, I stand on wood floors, with fatique mats at the matcutter. Used to work on concrete for 4 years.
 
On a shoe note aside: today at the shop I noticed the inner linings of my thrift store comfy shoes were coming out so I re-glued them with.......

.....Frank's Fabric Adhesive!!!!!

Betcha never used it on yer shoes, huh Baer?!?
 
It peels off the Crocs Mar. :D

auntiesarahjayne, Crocs came out with Mary Janes... very cute. And with the Croc Butter, they can stay nice and shiney. They just don't come in my size. :D
 
Those Crocs must be some amazing material because I use Frank's Fabric Adhesive as a base coat on rubber and vinyl to make sure top coat paint stays put (for the Art Horse projects).

Frank's sticks to everything, doesn't it??? ;)
 
For the past 25 years: Sears “Craftsman” brand work shoes. On par with shoes that cost twice as much.

I have three different styles , all very chic.
 
There is no scientifically proven benefit of using Fatigue type shoes and Anti-Fatigue matting at the same time.........

On its own the right matting provides great benefit for those who have to work in a standing position.

In fact if the surface you stand on either with shoes or mats or both is too soft, ergonomically you may be doing more harm than good.............the imperceptibly movement of the body may be to much and take more energy and effort to have a good standing working position .........

The university of Michigan USA and Loughborough University in the UK have carried out testing in this area that proved positive with respect to Anti-Fatigue matting

Some Crocs build up a very high static charge and could cause some problems in a framing workshop................I understand that one hospital in Sweden is in the process of banning them as the static build up charge by the Crocs is interfering with some of the very sensitive test and monitoring equipment .......
 
ZOT !!

Some Crocs build up a very high static charge and could cause some problems in a framing workshop................
"Some "Crocs? Which ones? Some don't? (I hope the ones I just ordered are the ones that don't !)

Oh dear, because of our very dry climate, I already have a bad static problem in my carpeted shop, and constantly get zapped by my equipment. Have had the grounding checked in the building's electrical, all's well...it's just the climate. A humidifier is not an option. That would be worse in the frame shop. My husband and I even have to touch an arm first, or that little good-by ZOT on the lips leaves more to remember each other by than we care to!

Baer, what's been your Zotting experience in the frame shop with those big red Crocs?
 
Hi Val

I don’t know which ones......one of my customers in a pharmaceutical manufacturing with a cleanroom facilities told me about it....they could not use them due to the danger of static causing explosions ...............someone else told me that crocs have versions with anti-static strips built into them I would be very sceptical of that solution given some of the knowledge I have of static problems....

http://www.esdjournal.com/articles/Crocs/crocs.htm
 
I can't wear clogs in the shop, even though I'm told they are very comfy for people who are on their feet all day. I just don't get good foot-feel when using the foot-operated v-nailer. I can't drive in clogs, either -- I can't feel the gas pedal. Even slip-ons are harder for me to use than lace-up shoes, in terms of foot-feel.
 
As I am planning to have both knees replace after the first of next year shoes and knee pain are a constant part of my day. I find Irish whiskey or a good local Zinfandel a help after days end. But shoes are critical. I have found the best in the world. They are called Swiss Masai - MBT. Check them out on line. for those with bad backs, bad knees or bad feet they are a true answer. and I don't even get a commision.
 
As I am planning to have both knees replace after the first of next year shoes and knee pain are a constant part of my day. I find Irish whiskey or a good local Zinfandel a help after days end. But shoes are critical. I have found the best in the world. They are called Swiss Masai - MBT. Check them out on line. for those with bad backs, bad knees or bad feet they are a true answer. and I don't even get a commision.

Found them here with local dealer listing. Will try them on soon. Thanks.
 
As I am planning to have both knees replace after the first of next year shoes and knee pain are a constant part of my day. I find Irish whiskey or a good local Zinfandel a help after days end. But shoes are critical. I have found the best in the world. They are called Swiss Masai - MBT. Check them out on line. for those with bad backs, bad knees or bad feet they are a true answer. and I don't even get a commision.

BOTH knees within one year? That's ambitions, isn't it? This will be a surgery down the road for me. Surviving right now with cortisone shots twice a year, and Synvisc, which I tried once. The recovery from knee surgery is not easy. Just watched a friend go through it.
 
Are you, Dennis or Kirstie, using a knee "unloader brace"? I was scheduled for replacement last Christmas, but chickened out, having "had enough" for one year with both hips replaced 6 months prior (6 weeks apart, no choice).

The unloader brace isn't lovely, or inconspicuous, but has enabled me to put in my normal 8 to 12-hour days on my feet with not much more than an occasional Aleve. Without it, I can't be on my feet more than a couple hours without extreme pain and swelling, as the knee joint is well into bone-on-bone. I could not do my job without it.

Ask your doctor about an unloader brace. Insurance will cover it's "prescription" by your physician. It's engineering distributes the weight and pressure (unloads)past the knee joint down to the lower leg area, via the connecting contraption (don't have a clue what it's called!) Without it, I'm incapacitated. With it, I'm a framer on my feet all day, without injections or pain medication.

Plus, it will help you get into the "handicapped" line at the airport so you don't have to stand in those long lines!:D
 
Val, do you wear this over your slacks or jeans? I guess I should try it. I would need one for each knee. What a sight.
 
Kirstie, there's a store in the East Bay called Foot Solutions, and I think they sell the Masai brand. I can't remember exactly where the store is, although Alamo keeps coming to mind. I know it's through the tunnel.
 
New Balance sneakers do me right... no inserts yet, though I could be "gellin'" in time...


Cheers
KJ
 
Thanks for the tip, Paul. I will look for the shop. It seems a few stores in Berkeley have them as well.

Part of my problem is that our shop is on two levels. I'm upstairs in the office now having lunch. Custom framing and art storage is up here too, so we are up and down, up and down, all day. I send the younger framers up and down for me, but can't all the time. Same at home--3 flights of staris in the house--hilly lots here, as you know. This has affected my knees over the years, along with age, and a wee bit of weight gain;) I get shots before WCAf and travel.

I dread surgery because of the recovery time, and I may not be there for the insurance. I'll look at the shoes. Wearing Asics or Mephisto these days. Flip flops around town--bad, I know.
 
Ooooh! Aaaah!!

Crocs!! I got my new Crocs!! I've worn them all day for 3 days, and all I can say is WOW!! My feet don't hurt (yesterday was a 13-hour day, on my feet all day) at all at the end of the day. They are the most comfortable shoes I've EVER worn. Hubby got a pair yesterday....he loves them too. Who cares what they look like........my feet don't hurt for the first time I can remember!! And my knee isn't as uncomfortable....I even forgot to wear the knee brace yesterday all day, and so far today, have gone without it. Unbelievable!

Kirstie, the knee brace is worn over the pants. Even going up and down stairs (we have stairs at home and stairs to the basement here at the shop), is less painful with the unloader brace. Not the most fashionable thing, but the significant pain relief is well worth it.

Ask your doctor. It has bought me a lot of time until surgery.

Titanium hip joints, an unloader knee brace and seafoam green Crocs.....how do I spell relief???
 
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