My Feet Hurt....

[50th VA Corporal]

My feet hurt - and it's not limited to my Brogans. It matters not what shoes I wear, how often I change them out - just too many years on concrete.

However, to minimize the pain in the Brogans I would like to find, or better yet, construct period correct insoles. I thought I have seen refrence to some made from sheep wool or cork bound / trimmed around the edges.

Does anybody have any thoughts on sources for purchase, or guidelines for constructing a set?

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

I've had success with making cork insoles in the past. The hard part is finding good sheets of bendable cork that don't rip apart. I'm sure someone will pipe in on here about a good cork source (mine went out of business). The trick is to get a good 1/4 inch or so sheet and cut it out to fit your shoes, and bind it with strong cotton or wool tape around the edges.

[indguard]

I think this question gets perilously close to a "health" question, and with health I don't play is-it-authentic games.

I have worn professional, modern arch supports for years and would NEVER go without them at an event just because I want to be "authentic" in my leg, knee and back pain!

Another reason not to eschew your professional arch supports if you need them: wear and tear. Brogans are expensive and if you walk badly and modern podiatry has helped solve your crooked gait, it would be a bit absurd of you to do without your supports in your brogans. After all, if you need to wear professional arches in your shoes, chances are that walking without them tends to break down your footwear at a faster pace. You want your brogans to last as long as possible, so don't ruin them prematurely by not wearing your supports.

If you don't need arch supports, then the cork idea above for comfort would not be a bad thing. But if you are someone that needs podiatric help, don't go without it just because it isn't "authentic"!

Thanks

WTH
The GoldenArch mess

[Pvt Schnapps]

I had a pair of cork inserts from Jarnagins that worked well for several years before breaking down. I now have a pair, several years old, of shearling wool inserts from Missouri Boot and Shoe that I find quite comforting over the course of a ten mile walk.

[Poor Private]

If your looking for cork sheets. Try at a Plumbing supply house, or motor(electric) shop. They use the cork sheets for gasket material for pumps and the like. Only costs a couple of bucks for a sheet. You can get it in various thicknesses, and sizes. But like "Inde" says if it's health related-heck with being period correct, your health and well being is more important. If you got to be "gellin" per your doctor stick with it.

[Jeffrey Cohen]

Go to your shoemaker and get a set of full length Medico inserts. They will give you the arch support the brogans are lacking, and cushion your tooties as well. Medicos cost a few $$$ more but they are worth it.
Forget about the other crap, take my advice and get it right the first time.

[cjdaley]

I'd recommend buying a pair of 19th century shoes from Ken Treese and the shoemakers at Colonial Williamsburg.

You can find details on how to buy these shoes here: http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?20844-1858-Bootee-run-from-Colonial-Williamsburg-shoemakers&highlight=colonial+williamsburg

They'll be more comfortable and better fitting than any pair of sneakers you've ever owned.

[Mint Julep]

If your feet hurt all the time, you need orthotic inserts in your shoes, not just some cork padding. The purpose of those cork sole liners is to pad your foot, but they do not provide any support.

I developed a case of plantar fasciitis (Learn more HERE (http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/plantar-fasciitis-topic-overview)) and have used inserts ever since. You may have a similiar issue.

[bkylehand]

Missouri Boot and Shoe makes insert made from sheep wool.

[hanktrent]

I also had plantar fasciitis in my left foot for years. What solved it was building up a custom arch support in my modern shoes with several layers of thin foam rubber from an old shoe insole. No off-the-rack arch support was high enough for my foot, for some reason. Couldn't walk pain-free without it, no pain with it.

I did the same thing in my period shoes except with several layers of thick leather.

After a few years it got better, but I still like the extra-high arch supports in both my period and modern shoes. Makes my feet feel less tired at the end of the day, though obviously it would only help someone whose feet need extra arch support.

I've tried period cork and wool insoles in my period shoes, but found that for the shoes I already have, the extra thickness caused more problems with a tight fit than any benefit, especially on a long walk when my feet swell, which of course is also when one wants the benefit of the insoles the most. If you have extra room in your shoes, that wouldn't be a problem, of course.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

[Rob Weaver]

I've had plantar fasciitis as well, and it's taken the better part of 2 years to heal. I use inserts in my everyday boots and reenacting shoes. I find that if I spend much time in low heeled shoes, the pain comes back. I run a lot and pay a lot of attention to how my feet feel.
I'm with the posters that say that this is a health issue rather than an authenticity issue. I believe there were plenty of pensioned granted for foot ailments. Good inserts that both cushion shock and provide support are really important.

[wheres_my_horse]

+1 plantar fasciitis. Too many miles with too many pounds on my back.

If you are having an issue fitting inserts into your shoes/boots, there is a way to tape your foot to create the support you need.

[hanktrent]

If you are having an issue fitting inserts into your shoes/boots, there is a way to tape your foot to create the support you need.

Yep, I forgot. I also found that a cloth bandage wrapped tightly around my arch/instep and then tied off around my ankle solved the problem, before I added the leather arch supports. The only hassle was redoing it about once a day, but it stayed all day.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

[LibertyHallVols]

with health I don't play is-it-authentic games.


Here, here!

Take Care of your feet!!!!!

No one would criticize you for wearing a pace-maker, for Pete's sake!
(and, yes, I have known reenactors who were wearing a pace maker and they did just fine!!!)

John Wickett
Company of Health and Safety Historians

[Mint Julep]

Yep, I forgot. I also found that a cloth bandage wrapped tightly around my arch/instep and then tied off around my ankle solved the problem, before I added the leather arch supports. The only hassle was redoing it about once a day, but it stayed all day.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

You can purchase a modern elastic band that is made for this purpose and I used those daily for about a year and it helped tremendously and almost immediately. I have worn these under my socks at events, also.

You only get issued one set of feet. Take care of them.

[hanktrent]

You can purchase a modern elastic band that is made for this purpose and I used those daily for about a year and it helped tremendously and almost immediately. I have worn these under my socks at events, also.

You only get issued one set of feet. Take care of them.

Yes, I wore the elastic band in modern life. Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if some enterprising rubber-manufacturer in the period came up with something similar. Yep, here we go (http://books.google.com/books?cd=1&output=html&id=q7GtKPDlaNwC&dq=elastic+bandage&jtp=36)--the ankle is pretty close to the arch. When I had my bad foot, it was before all this easy research on the internet. :(

However, I don't see the point of necessarily choosing a modern solution to a minor health problem if one can find a period solution that works equally well. I really applaud the original poster's attitude. Sometimes it's possible; sometimes it isn't. If it isn't, then obviously discreet modern solutions are the answer. I've used them just like anyone else.

However, if there's no need to even try to find a period solution, then we're right back to using hidden coolers for meat and bike shorts for chafing because they're just as practical a solution to health issues as properly cured meat or period drawers--and I've actually heard people justify them and recommend them for that exact reason. So there are of course different reenacting philosophies.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

[50th VA Corporal]

Yes Hank,

That is what I was looking into, period correct solutions. Having authentisizing all of my gear, sans brogans, I was considering / exploring period solutions. My next step up is to afford a pair of custom fitted brogans from MB&S.

I no longer trust orthopedic podiatrists. In the 80's one told me the bone in my left toe was 1/2" too long - so he cut the 1/2" out. It never resolved the problem. A decade later I went to another and he told me the bone in my left toe was 1/2" too short... Then the last visit was told they could break my ankles and reset them.

So, consequently I swap out my different shoes every other day and it helps.

Brogans are a hard fit having one foot 1/2 size different than the other. However, this last week I took my one year old USA made sutler row brogans, soaked them in water for a day, and reshaped the areas of concern. I tried them on, found that they fit and felt better but needed yet some minor corrections so I went through the whole process again.

Now I feel I have a pair of brogans that actually fit. I will be finding some sheep wool or cork and trying my hand at making PEC inserts.

Thanks all for chiming in.

[MMurphy]

Yes Hank,

That is what I was looking into, period correct solutions. Having authentisizing all of my gear, sans brogans, I was considering / exploring period solutions. My next step up is to afford a pair of custom fitted brogans from MB&S.

I no longer trust orthopedic podiatrists. In the 80's one told me the bone in my left toe was 1/2" too long - so he cut the 1/2" out. It never resolved the problem. A decade later I went to another and he told me the bone in my left toe was 1/2" too short... Then the last visit was told they could break my ankles and reset them.


Thanks all for chiming in.

I hate those doctors that say "In order to fix you, we have to break you some more..."
No thanks...

I stress foot care a lot to our troops also...

And Jas. since you have been talking about having your brogans ready to go, and the concept of marching makes my feet hurt, could you do me a favor this year and do all my marching for me? I'll just find a nice shady tree to sit under...
;)

[Rob Weaver]

Tape! I forgot all about tape! I'm having trouble with a pair of Soviet highboots for that other period I reenact - that would solve it! Thanks!

[50th VA Corporal]

I hate those doctors that say "In order to fix you, we have to break you some more..."
No thanks...

I stress foot care a lot to our troops also...

And Jas. since you have been talking about having your brogans ready to go, and the concept of marching makes my feet hurt, could you do me a favor this year and do all my marching for me? I'll just find a nice shady tree to sit under...
;)

Mike,

As much as I do like you I believe you would not only be letting me down if you declined marching, but also your company pards and the other members of the battalion. Remember your duty comes first.

I did, by the way, marched in a parade about two miles long this weekend in the reshaped brogans, on pavement, with only one pair of socks and a set of jute military surplus insoles and had absolutely no problems.

So I have no excuse to not march and nor should you.

See you on the march in May, good friend!

[PvtMudflap]

Suffered for more than five years. PM me for my cure....

D Harrelson

[filecloser63]

I has surgery last year for planter Fasc. I had it done on my right foot. As a vet of the Iraq war AND the Persian Gulf War the years in boots have taken the toll on both my feet and ankels.. Tape 'em up like you were gonna play football..Most events are 2-3 days of heavy pounding NOONE is gonna critisize you for wrapping up..Do it at your car or in your tent..Just because were reliving the experiences of our "brothers" from the past doesn't mean we have to "hurt like them". Get some good insoles too.
Everyone who wrote has a very good point hope you take something from all.
Enjoy & have fun....