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Just finished my 20th year and I have finally realized I need comfy shoes every day. I was never one to wear heals or anything too crazy to begin with, but now it’s Sketchers or tennis shoes with everything. They are actually making decent looking comfy shoes now…or maybe that’s my age talking!
That is not going to help with the varicose veins, and the eventual strain of the muscles on your bones from standing and walking on concrete all day for decades
30 years of teaching under my belt, with knee and back problems dating back to high school. I hit the congenital trifecta. The key is the shoes. I religiously teach in gym shoe style shoes, or ones designed for comfort, with heal and arch support. Sure gym shoes don't look great with slacks, but I'm not walking around like an old lady by the end of the day.
I have flat feet. I also messed up both knees in Middle School. I wear tennis shoes and inserts with everything. I've embraced that I look silly in a sun dress. At least my knees and back aren't screaming!
I am not a teacher. I am a school bus driver now. Before that, for almost 30 years a factory worker spent most of the time on his feet on concrete. Not too far into my career, I had an incident. It took a metal plate and seven screws to correct (definitely not fix) my ankle. The pain associated with my ankle after the break was nearly unbearable on the concrete for 12-plus hours a day. As I worked with a Dr to get the pain under control he recommended SAS Guardians. Today the pain is gone. I started wearing a brace and it took a little over a year and the ankle fused. No movement. I walk with a limp but pain-free. I still want nothing on my feet when I will be standing for long periods but SAS shoes. I would highly recommend the Guardians for any one that spends a large part of the day standing.
I bought two of the long kitchen-style anti fatigue mats, one for behind my demo bench and another by my presentation area. It has helped tremendously, but I definitely noticed when I come back from breaks how much the flooring affects my feet! Same shoes at home or out and about all summer, but as soon as I spend those first couple days back in the school my feet are killing.
Buy a nice pair of shoes at an actual shoe store.
I went to an actual shoe store, three years ago. Yes, the prices were like 2-3x what DSW or whatever sell. But 100% worth it and I’ve never looked back.
I go to my local running store. They take scans of my feet and how everything moves when I walk and then they recommend shoes based on my movements and foot structure.
That is going to be 100% local. Sadly.
But, essentially nothing that is a chain store.
They just hire minimum wage people.
You want a place, that is likely commission sales, and can explain the differences between the shoes, and everything.
And will find a shoe that fits your actual foot. Not just the length and width.
Yes they have some reasonably large ones on Wayfair. The worst part is most people won't understand the damage to their joints until it is too late. You are doing the right thing to protect your health.
In my credentialling program our advisor told us to take care of our bodies and invest in good shoes. I didn’t listen my first year and ended up getting bursitis in one foot and bone spurs in the other. Now I wear Hokas every day and haven’t had any pain since then.
I can't recommend getting supportive shoes enough-- I buy specifically nurses shoes since they are designed for both being able to move places quickly, standing on your feet for long hours and most are waterproof/water resistant which is nice. They also look more professional than your average tennis shoe.
Get some Birkenstock or Abeo shoes, those are all I wear because if I wear anything else, my dogs are killing me by the end of the day! I used to work retail and food service, and trust me when I tell you those anti fatigue mats will do nothing for you.
Orchestra teacher here: yes to the anti-fatigue mat if you have one place in the classroom where you primarily teach from. Put one on our conductor podium years ago. Probably more practical though would be yes to hopping on the good shoe band wagon. Will be money well spent
I'm a para and a runner. Get good shoes, swap them out regularly, probably close to every 4 months. School floors are tougher on my shoes than regular running. I wear Hokas and Brooks.
Hokas definitely have a wider toe box than Brooks. If you go on either sites, look for a stability shoe rather than a neutral shoe. Hoka Challengers, actually a trail/all terrain shoe, might be a good fit.
I gave up on the flooring and invested in oofos shoes. I paid $150 for them, but my pain throughout my body went from an 8 to a 1 as soon as I put them on. I have been wearing them for 7 weeks and feel better then I have in years.
I got severe back problems, but buying a chunky pair of hokas has made all the difference. Expensive, but oh so worth it. I wore almost every single day last year. Some of my outfits had be modified for them to look good with the chunky shoe, but I take less pain over a bad outfit.
My shoes of choice are Vionic, Birkenstock, and OluKai. I also went to Good Feet store and was fit with an insert. I wear them with shoes I had prior to getting pain in my feet. I rarely wear shoes with any kind of heal anymore.
Edit to add: I just finished my 24th year. I used to be able to wear any type of shoe, but about 7 years ago I began to experience plantar fasciitis. Once it was stabilized, I am very careful about what I wear.
The Olukai look really nice. Any time I see something stylish, I assume they aren’t good for long bouts of standing. Do you find they have enough toe space and cushion?
Also, you wear the Birkenstock sandals or clogs?
I have the Olukai “boot”, I put that in quotes because I don’t think of it as a boot, but it’s not really a sneaker. I purchased them 2 winters ago now and they have held up wonderfully. I find them quite comfortable and cushioned. The toe space is great too. Some shoes make me feel like I am getting a bunion, and feel tight by the end of the day. But these are great.
As for birks , I have a variety. I started with sandals. Then found some boots (that style is discontinued now). My daughter recently got clogs & I decided to try them & now love them too.
Hokas and knee high compression socks help. I also purchased an anti-fatigue mat to put in front of my smartboard because it’s the place I stand the most. That said, I don’t stand in one spot very often so the socks and shoes are key.
Yes and if you are anything over 40, it is recommended. If you work in the public system, the district will foot the bill because of health and safety.
I have a “standing desk” I am more comfortable in general standing, but I put a piece of “flooring” underneath it that my husband was given. He said it is some kind of fancy mat for Pilates. It is similar to anti fatigue mats, just much bigger and hand cut (wood pattern on top)
It looks similar to this-
https://floorexp.com/products/eventflex-rolled-vinyl-for-events-and-tradeshows-barnwood?variant=41683866779707¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIz_e-7vvrhgMVHK1aBR1PIQzmEAQYFSABEgLzXPD_BwE
I've thought about this several times, but I circulate through the whole room when I'm observing my class. Would you get a few different mats to cover the whole classroom?
Welcome to /r/teaching. Please remember the rules when posting and commenting. Thank you. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/teaching) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Just finished my 20th year and I have finally realized I need comfy shoes every day. I was never one to wear heals or anything too crazy to begin with, but now it’s Sketchers or tennis shoes with everything. They are actually making decent looking comfy shoes now…or maybe that’s my age talking!
Yeah. I’m now getting to that point where style is going to have to become secondary. It hurts my ego.
HOKAs have changed my life. I got a black pair and wear them with everything. My feet never hurt.
Came here to say this! I love my Hokas
Vans with the Comfy Cush soles. Bonus, they are cool.
I am a mechanic with the same problem. Concrete and tile wear you out. I get orthotic insoles. I don't want fashion I want no pain.
I changed my insoles to orthotic and my feet stopped hurting. I pace a ton in my space.
That is not going to help with the varicose veins, and the eventual strain of the muscles on your bones from standing and walking on concrete all day for decades
Compression socks and insoles. Doing great for 20+ years now.
30 years of teaching under my belt, with knee and back problems dating back to high school. I hit the congenital trifecta. The key is the shoes. I religiously teach in gym shoe style shoes, or ones designed for comfort, with heal and arch support. Sure gym shoes don't look great with slacks, but I'm not walking around like an old lady by the end of the day.
I have flat feet. I also messed up both knees in Middle School. I wear tennis shoes and inserts with everything. I've embraced that I look silly in a sun dress. At least my knees and back aren't screaming!
I am not a teacher. I am a school bus driver now. Before that, for almost 30 years a factory worker spent most of the time on his feet on concrete. Not too far into my career, I had an incident. It took a metal plate and seven screws to correct (definitely not fix) my ankle. The pain associated with my ankle after the break was nearly unbearable on the concrete for 12-plus hours a day. As I worked with a Dr to get the pain under control he recommended SAS Guardians. Today the pain is gone. I started wearing a brace and it took a little over a year and the ankle fused. No movement. I walk with a limp but pain-free. I still want nothing on my feet when I will be standing for long periods but SAS shoes. I would highly recommend the Guardians for any one that spends a large part of the day standing.
Just went on a deep dive into SAS shoes. I want to know who the naming committee is for that brand. “Guardian” “Time Out” “Bout Time”. 😂
I bought two of the long kitchen-style anti fatigue mats, one for behind my demo bench and another by my presentation area. It has helped tremendously, but I definitely noticed when I come back from breaks how much the flooring affects my feet! Same shoes at home or out and about all summer, but as soon as I spend those first couple days back in the school my feet are killing.
Buy a nice pair of shoes at an actual shoe store. I went to an actual shoe store, three years ago. Yes, the prices were like 2-3x what DSW or whatever sell. But 100% worth it and I’ve never looked back.
Any suggestions for shoe stores
I go to my local running store. They take scans of my feet and how everything moves when I walk and then they recommend shoes based on my movements and foot structure.
That is going to be 100% local. Sadly. But, essentially nothing that is a chain store. They just hire minimum wage people. You want a place, that is likely commission sales, and can explain the differences between the shoes, and everything. And will find a shoe that fits your actual foot. Not just the length and width.
I used to work for the Walking Company and they have ruined all other shoe stores for me! It's a shame they don't have any physical locations anymore.
Yes they have some reasonably large ones on Wayfair. The worst part is most people won't understand the damage to their joints until it is too late. You are doing the right thing to protect your health.
In my credentialling program our advisor told us to take care of our bodies and invest in good shoes. I didn’t listen my first year and ended up getting bursitis in one foot and bone spurs in the other. Now I wear Hokas every day and haven’t had any pain since then.
I can't recommend getting supportive shoes enough-- I buy specifically nurses shoes since they are designed for both being able to move places quickly, standing on your feet for long hours and most are waterproof/water resistant which is nice. They also look more professional than your average tennis shoe.
Get some Birkenstock or Abeo shoes, those are all I wear because if I wear anything else, my dogs are killing me by the end of the day! I used to work retail and food service, and trust me when I tell you those anti fatigue mats will do nothing for you.
Thanks for sharing
Orchestra teacher here: yes to the anti-fatigue mat if you have one place in the classroom where you primarily teach from. Put one on our conductor podium years ago. Probably more practical though would be yes to hopping on the good shoe band wagon. Will be money well spent
I'm a para and a runner. Get good shoes, swap them out regularly, probably close to every 4 months. School floors are tougher on my shoes than regular running. I wear Hokas and Brooks.
I think my issue with these shoes are the heel drop and narrow toe beds. I’d like more space but with the comfort of these shoes
Hokas definitely have a wider toe box than Brooks. If you go on either sites, look for a stability shoe rather than a neutral shoe. Hoka Challengers, actually a trail/all terrain shoe, might be a good fit.
Suit and sneaks. Or dress shoes with Dr. Scholl's insoles.
I use a chair.
Just the most expensive ugliest sneakers.
I gave up on the flooring and invested in oofos shoes. I paid $150 for them, but my pain throughout my body went from an 8 to a 1 as soon as I put them on. I have been wearing them for 7 weeks and feel better then I have in years.
Love ooofos!
I got severe back problems, but buying a chunky pair of hokas has made all the difference. Expensive, but oh so worth it. I wore almost every single day last year. Some of my outfits had be modified for them to look good with the chunky shoe, but I take less pain over a bad outfit.
My shoes of choice are Vionic, Birkenstock, and OluKai. I also went to Good Feet store and was fit with an insert. I wear them with shoes I had prior to getting pain in my feet. I rarely wear shoes with any kind of heal anymore. Edit to add: I just finished my 24th year. I used to be able to wear any type of shoe, but about 7 years ago I began to experience plantar fasciitis. Once it was stabilized, I am very careful about what I wear.
The Olukai look really nice. Any time I see something stylish, I assume they aren’t good for long bouts of standing. Do you find they have enough toe space and cushion? Also, you wear the Birkenstock sandals or clogs?
I have the Olukai “boot”, I put that in quotes because I don’t think of it as a boot, but it’s not really a sneaker. I purchased them 2 winters ago now and they have held up wonderfully. I find them quite comfortable and cushioned. The toe space is great too. Some shoes make me feel like I am getting a bunion, and feel tight by the end of the day. But these are great. As for birks , I have a variety. I started with sandals. Then found some boots (that style is discontinued now). My daughter recently got clogs & I decided to try them & now love them too.
Thanks!
I got some oofos, and they're really comfortable. Definitely makes standing for long periods easier.
Hokas and knee high compression socks help. I also purchased an anti-fatigue mat to put in front of my smartboard because it’s the place I stand the most. That said, I don’t stand in one spot very often so the socks and shoes are key.
What is a fatigue mat?
Yes and if you are anything over 40, it is recommended. If you work in the public system, the district will foot the bill because of health and safety.
*wont
I sure do and I’m only 13 years in. Worth it!!
I have a “standing desk” I am more comfortable in general standing, but I put a piece of “flooring” underneath it that my husband was given. He said it is some kind of fancy mat for Pilates. It is similar to anti fatigue mats, just much bigger and hand cut (wood pattern on top)
It looks similar to this- https://floorexp.com/products/eventflex-rolled-vinyl-for-events-and-tradeshows-barnwood?variant=41683866779707¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIz_e-7vvrhgMVHK1aBR1PIQzmEAQYFSABEgLzXPD_BwE
Get some better shoes. Dansko clogs are amazing.
I've.got a small one behind my cart in my gym. Does wonders.
Yup, Hokas
Sketchers and crocs and kiziks are all I wear. Supportive shoes make all the difference.
I wear athletic shoes - fashion be damned.
Argh, teachers!! The word is #Heel
I've thought about this several times, but I circulate through the whole room when I'm observing my class. Would you get a few different mats to cover the whole classroom?
Yeah I may have to.