Figured you guys could be the ones to ask.

Pair of straight forward 'work' boots. Cheap, off the shelf steel capped 'Dealer' boots. My heels and arches are fine. But, it feels as if the balls of my feet are keeping my toes 'off the ground', in there. Toes are killing me! Feels like they're cold, underneath.

Anyone else ever found this? Balls of my feet also feel like they're walking on road grit, when first I start out. Thought it might be the socks. But, they're soft. Not all balled up bits on them.

And, for the record? It's Not like I'm trudging miles through snow either. I basically 'cross the road' in them. That's enough to set them off.

Sort of tossing up between some sort of Gel 'Toe Support' / insole and the thought that that may take up the room inside the steels, making my toes pinch. 70f + in here. Toes still feel frost bit.

How old are ya? I have the same problem. I'm 66 and cant keep my feet warm to save my soul. Or sole. Poor circulation.

Get rid of the steel toes if you can. If not look into one of the composite substitutes.

But that's just me as I hate steel toes. Seems like they conduct heat away to easily.

Next, the basics drilled in during boot camp. Clean feet, clean socks, foot powder to keep things dry and good clean socks.

Physically keep good circulation. Loosen your belt, don't sit for long periods, keep legs uncrossed and don't cinch down your laces unless needed for ankle support.

Sounds like insoles may help in this case.

You said they were "cheap boots" I'd have to believe that's the problem. I would definitely buy some better boots. The comfort of your feet are not something to save money on. I would go to the boot store and take some time trying on different pairs and walking in them. Hope you find relief

I saw this video the other day. Don't know how effective it is , but I want to try it. Cheap and easy. Video is 4:48 long.

cut pieces of refletix to put in boots under your feet.

if your feet are sweating you need to change things.

if your stationary then make sure the socks are dry and use over boots for stationary time, or take the boots off and just use warm overboots or booties with a chemical warmer in them.

Gary; That ye feet, or specifically toes? My 'feet', over all, feel ok. Hands do too. It certainly seems to be focused on those toes. 73.4f now. Toes feel like I've left them outside. Awful. Oh, and yeah; I fit in here, age wise! LOL!

Warrior; I wonder if you may have the simple point there? I wonder if it is the steel casing? Only thing that's different to the rest of the boots. Same soles and uppers ..... Good point!

Oohf! Just took a short wander there. Stepped out and came back to make a brew. Surprisingly, just Standing seems to accentuate it. My heels couldn't feel better. They're fine. Arches? Never even notice them. Balls of my feet are a bit suspect. But, yeah; It really feels like these Toes are a thing apart.

Thinking about it? It's like the pads of my toes are the thing. I'd say I can narrow it right down to them. Bones. Nails. Toes themselves? All seem fine. But, underneath the pads? Boy, yeah!

I have developed the same or similar condition in the past wo years, I'm 64.
The balls of my feet are pretty much always numb to some degree, it feels like I have saw dust or something in the ends of my socks.
Doctors have told me they think either "trench foot" or "chilbains" but not really sure. I don't have foot pain that is usually associated with those condition. Sometimes a little itching on the tops of my toes.
Just a little aggravating more than anything else.

The steel toes are what's killing you! Might a well be wearing sandals.

Cragar; Is that guy some relation to Chris Walken?

Feet aren't cold. Certainly not sweating, Marty. There's an absolute demarcation between my feet / whole body, and my toes. Like I'm wearing comfy slippers, with the toe ends cut off. It's weird.

Waggler; I Like your 'sawdust' analogy! Yes! When I put these things on, first thing, and walk down to my shed? It's just like I'm walking with sawdust / grit in there. Yet, I've checked my socks. I expected that beading effect the thicker, 'work' type socks can get. But, nope. Soft as babies.

Half hour to feeding time. I'll be up and about, in and out. I'll remain aware. Then, I'll rip these things off and examine my foot. (Hip's so gone I can only really get at the one) I'll look for hard skin on the toe pads. Wonder if that could cause it?

Here's a thing ~ hardly likely to concern / effect you guys. But; I've just recently stopped wearing Crocs. Wore them for two straight years. " Comfortable ". Yeah?

Well, I stopped wearing them, day in, day out. Doctor gave me pain killers, for my hip. It took a good ten years or more off me! Looking back? I was shuffling down the road. If I got on my knees? I had to phone a friend to come help me back up! I was Terrible!

Bought these 'proper' boots. Now, I'm great ~ except for my toes?! Crazy.

Dunno, guys. Haven't sat and thought so long and hard about my feet in a Long time. And it's sunk in too: 'It only hurts when I have these boots on'. Not rocket science then, is it? Think maybe Dale and Warrior both have a point: Loose the boots!

Yep. I think I just need something more comfortable. I wonder about a pair of those Crocs? LMBO!

Went the cheap route on shoes before....they're the ones that didn't get wore out.

It hurts, but quality shoes are the only way to go.

This! Had the same problem with my steel toed work boots. One day I had to ware another pair since my streel toed ones where wet and noticed right of the difference. Composite is the only way to go!

Its a symptom of becoming insulin resistant, ie diabetes setting in. Change your diet or they might eventually have to be amputated. Diabetes is a circulatory disease it effects the ends of your extremities first, you dont get blood anymore from calcified capillaries. so the bottom of your feet, fingers or toes goes numb or tingles.

The best way to keep your feet toasty warm is put dry grass in your boots for insoles. Try it works better than any wool socks or boot liners, it's what Eskimos put in their mukluks and go out in extreme weather. I do it myself.

Sounds like diabetic neuropathy symptoms to me.

w

I've worked with steel toed boots or ceramic toed boots all my life and never had an issue with my toes getting cold.
Done the arch thing all kinds of changes in lifts angel and socks, does nothing, some days better than others though

Your problem is exactly what I am dealing with now later in life, 69 here and have done the research on it and talked with doctors

Always the same en-route Diabetes, if you don't change your diet, so I've lightened up on sugars and red meat

It has helped immensely !!

You should get checked for Diabetes now !!

Like Grit guy on timeline here as well. Not tried the change of diet yet. I did find some temporary relief with this stuff. Outback

If I use it too much though makes my feet sore like a chemical burn type pain. Mainly I think am not moving around like I used to before retired.

That is one of the other things the Dr. checked me out for; diabetes, nope everything perfect in that regards.

That's goods news then, eliminated one of the cause's, however there is still an issue causing it.

Maybe you should visit a foot doctor, they are not what they used to be, or maybe a nerve doctor.

I've not done either because the change I made has improved it, but I did invest in a blood sugar meter
says I'm fine that way as well, so I've just kept at it and it's changed drastically.

Good Luck

Its a symptom of becoming insulin resistant, ie diabetes setting in. Change your diet or they might eventually have to be amputated. Diabetes is a circulatory disease it effects the ends of your extremities first, you dont get blood anymore from calcified capillaries. so the bottom of your feet, fingers or toes goes numb or tingles.



That is one of the other things the Dr. checked me out for; diabetes, nope everything perfect in that regards.[/quote]

Your doctor is not wrong, you may not have diabetes, but probably have prediabetes. Becoming insulin resistant, have a fatty liver.

We can do a self-diagnoses right here if you want.

Lets see do you have to frequently urinate ? how about getting up at night ?

Are you thirsty a lot? always drinking water?

Do you snore loudly ? (thats a swollen tongue,) often wake up with a pasty mouth.

Skin tags ? do you have little skin boogers hanging of your neck or armpit or anywhere ?

headahces ? Blurred vision / dizzy? vision getting worse every year? (those tiny blood vessels in the eyes remember)

Pot belly, (swollen liver).

High blood pressure ?

fatigue?

skin problems like eczema,acne, thick, skin on your feet,and thick toenails ?

Do you eat/ drink alot of carbs ? bread, rice, potatoes, grains, sugar every day? eat alot of fruit ?

What happens next the numb feet might get sores and ulcers out of the blue that wont heal, but I explained about that already

The good news is its all preventable and can be reversed but not the damage that's already done.

Just have to stop eating grains,bread,rice,potaoes,noodles, sugar,fruit and beer, its that simple.
Grit guy is wrong on the red meat. Its the perfect food.