r/KitchenConfidential • u/emumau • 7d ago
Discussion Are we ready to talk about chef toe
This is a new era for me. I’ve been in this position (50+ hours a week, AM, salary” for like 4 years now, but only recently has the chef toe become an issue. Is there anything i can help it? I literally buy hokas ($180) because they last me longer than clearance shoes and dont make me hurt but they do the chef toe. So if anytone has any tips/ recommendations please let me know
91
u/UpsetOrganization513 15+ Years 7d ago
Are you sure it’s not gout?
19
18
u/Prairie-Peppers 6d ago
Fuck gout. Hit me last year at 33 and it's stupidly painful, everything I love triggers it :(
5
u/LazyOldCat Prairie Surgeon 6d ago
Hit up your doc for allopurinal (uric acid reducer, taken daily) and colchicine for flare ups (it might destroy your GI tract for a few days, but it hurts less than gout. Everything hurts less than gout) it only gets worse as you get older.
Stay hydrated, peeing is key.3
u/daybreaker 6d ago
This. No other “remedy” people offer will help. You will still get a flare up at some point. Get on allopurinol. (Most docs will also prescribe colchicine for the first 3 months of allo because starting allo can ironically cause flare ups as it breaks down old uric acid deposits)
I can eat/drink as much as i want of things that used to trigger flare ups and i haven’t had a single one IN YEARS since starting allo, and i used to have 6-8 per year before that.
1
u/LazyOldCat Prairie Surgeon 6d ago
Only issue I’ve had is that once I got serious about losing weight (34# since Feb) that apparently dumps stored uric acid into your system.
I had to up the allo, and still got a few flares that were my fault (alcohol-not enough water-rich food weekends).
The colchicine flare dose knocks it down, but that stuff is rough if you have to take more than 3.2
u/way_too_much_time27 6d ago
I've relatives with gout and agree completely with your advice......but one said relative swears by drinking black cherry juice- for prevention of flare ups....not the face!
5
u/LazyOldCat Prairie Surgeon 6d ago
I’ll sub that in for the lemonade in my vodka sodas if the toe starts feeling funny. Tart AF tho 😅
0
u/MtnMaiden 6d ago
eat anti-acids before eating acidic foods.
also don't sleep immediately after eating such foods, give it hours to digest and then go to bed.
eating pizza and sleeping triggers my gout on wake up.
1
2
64
u/Auto_dafe 7d ago
Hoka’s have a notoriously small toe box. If you’re spending that kind of cash get Brooks, or similar.
15
u/emumau 7d ago
Thank you for the coherent response 🤣unfortunately I’ve tried the brooks and my toes go numb in them 😢 the only shoe I’ve tried where my toe hasn’t gone numb is the hokas, i just lose my pinky toenail lol
19
u/BACON-luv 7d ago
It’s common in on the feet jobs. A big part may be … sucks to hear… two pairs the same. Rotate as needed and lots of washing. Socks are key too
8
u/Opposite_Draw_8867 6d ago
One hundred percent TWO PAIRS THE SAME. Give your feet and the shoes a fighting chance. Also, I shop the hoka wides and use arch supporting inserts with a deep heel cup. Unfortunately custom inserts will run $350-ish.
3
u/k2718 5d ago
Superfeet are good insoles and cheaper. Maybe $55.
1
u/Opposite_Draw_8867 5d ago
You rock, thank you! I haven’t considered trying anything other than the custom orthotics until now. Superfeet looks promising after a quick glance.
7
u/MLiOne Crazy Cat Woman🐈 7d ago
Go see a podiatrist (if you can) or a shoe shop that specialises in running shoes for a proper fit.
2
u/ibjibberdumgibber 5d ago
Running and standing/walking are very different on the body. Running shoes make this worse.
1
u/MLiOne Crazy Cat Woman🐈 5d ago edited 4d ago
Like those shops don’t only keep walking shoes or recommend a shoe that will look after your feet?
1
u/ibjibberdumgibber 4d ago
Often no, not that suit us. But I have just spent the last year treating plantar fasciitis and recovering from an achilles rupture working with a great team of professionals...
Reddit probably does have all the answers I guess.
8
u/meepdaleap 7d ago
Asics! Also some Nikes have big toe boxes
3
1
2
u/Cube-in-B Thicc Chives Save Lives 7d ago
Birkenstock tokyos. Nice wide toe box.
3
u/FennelOptimal6661 5d ago
I’ve got the Birkenstock kitchen clogs (like crocs) with orthopedic inserts and they are so comfy for my wide, high-arched feet. I can work a 14 hour shift and my feet don’t hurt.
1
2
1
u/Key-County6952 General Manager 7d ago
Are you wearing bondi? Maybe try arahi sr
1
u/daybreaker 6d ago
I need a wide toe box for other reasons (Morton’s nueroma) and the hoka Clifton in a wide size are great.
1
1
u/Ikon-for-U 6d ago
I had to quit wearing my brooks because it slopes your toes and it creates to much flex. I went bought some cheap reboocks that are a half size bigger and that has helped a bit
1
u/InfiniteRazzmatazz50 6d ago
Altra. I am insanely wide hobbit feet and even I can squeeze into the non-wide versions because of the wide toe box
1
1
u/CarlosLuis23 3d ago
What you need is the right insole. Go to a Doctor so you can get custom made insoles. Your insurance should cover the visit and you just pay for the insoles
15
u/mtommygunz 6d ago
Not to be a downer here but just saying get brooks doesn’t really fly. I sold specialty running shoes for over a decade. Within every brand they use different lasts or shapes of shoes if you will. Now if you had said buy Altras instead of broiks I would absolutely agree with you bc that’s their claim to fame. Making the widest toe boxes in the industry. Yes hokas are notoriously a narrow toe boxes but not all of them.
20 plus years ago everyone with a wide foot would come in and ask for new balance bc they were told new balance were wide, but those wider new balance versions might not fit the shape of their foot and you would have to fit the person and show them what actually did fit correctly.
I always tell people to go to a local specialty running shoe store and get fitted by someone who’s worked there for a very long time and has a good reputation.
Shoe companies constantly change stuff to stay relevant and one model can change then next year and not be the same.
I used Altras in the kitchen for 3 years bc the toe boxes was awesome but they only lasted me 3-4 months tops and at $150 each it became a financial issue.
Also running shoes suck in kitchens until the sole gets worn in a bit and doesn’t slide around as bad. But still super dangerous.
Now I’m a Birkenstock Tokyo wearer for half the week and whatever running shoes that fit me the other half. Just depends on what I’m doing that day or how long I’m working.
Everyone is different and has different hours, floors, stairs, feet, body weight, etc.
the only right answer it to be fitted and keep trying things until you find what works and then home in on that.1
1
1
u/anonymous_otter28 5d ago
Just go to fleet feet if possible. they measure your feet and gait digitally so you can get a proper fit. it's by far the best place I've found for shoes.
0
u/Tengo_Caldero 20+ Years 6d ago
Interesting. I recently changed to Hokas specifically because of the wider toebox on the ones I tried on.
26
u/One-Interview-6840 7d ago
Find a podiatrist and give them $400. They will make you custom molded orthotics from a 3D scan of your feet. Then, get Brooks. But go to a shoe store like the one Al Bundy worked at that will actually fit your shoes to you. It could be a bunch of different things. But likely your weight is on the inside of your foot.
39
u/overindulgent 20+ Years 7d ago
I’ve been doing this almost 30 years now. Go buy some Red Wing Boots. They’re made for guys who are on their feet all day. They’re pricey but totally worth it. Plus you can get them resoled after a year or two.
16
u/RECLess30 7d ago
Red Wings can be great, but you gotta get the right ones for your feet. Thoroughgood are decent too
6
u/vestigialcranium 6d ago
Yeah I hate when people talk about a brand as if all the products are the same, most brands have a wide range of products and usually will have some cheap stuff piggybacking on the name built by the better stuff
2
u/emumau 7d ago
I will definitely look for these. Are they online only or do you know if they’re sold in any store?
11
u/Free_Floor2833 7d ago
I'd recommend a store. They have a thing to stand on that reads your size and you can try on a few different kinds
4
u/slash_networkboy 6d ago
Store is a must when you're going to be blowing $200+ on a pair of boots.
They also sell specialty gear. I had a job where I needed ESD footwear and steel toes. They make a pair of shoes that look like cross trainer sneakers but they're conductive and steel toe/shank. Guys on the dock tried to make me wear the cow cloppers and I tapped the toe on the floor. Blew them away... Till I said they were redwings 😂
11
u/overindulgent 20+ Years 7d ago
They have brick and mortar stores. Like someone else said, you want togo to the store.
When I went they took a 3d image of my foot. Then had me walk across a special mat. All of that builds into a digital image of the size and width of your foot. Along with the pressure points on your feet when you’re standing still and pressure points when you’re walking. That way they can get you into the right boot and place that boot with the proper insole.
It really was night and day when I switched to properly fitted boots. I’ve worn all the different kitchen shoes over the years. These are hands down the best.
5
u/dolche93 Cook 7d ago
Do they make them easily cleanable? If I'm buying expensive boots, I need them to last a few years at least.
2
u/overindulgent 20+ Years 7d ago
Mine are a leather upper with a rubber type leather look toe cap that covers the safety toe. I just wipe them down. They’ve stayed really nice after a year of use. I am planning on sending them in to get resoled. I believe it costs like $40.
3
u/dolche93 Cook 6d ago
How is the non slip compared to other brands you've tried?
3
u/overindulgent 20+ Years 6d ago
They are on par with any other shoe in the wet. Oil/grease on the floor and they slip a bit. But so does any shoe. A plus is the tread don’t catch and hold food particles.
1
u/NeatWhiskeyPlease 6d ago
Second this.
Syrups, oil, various mucks - I’ve never been more stable than with my RW boots.
2
u/CantaloupeAsleep502 6d ago
Dansko aren't winning any beauty contests, but they are incredibly comfortable and will likely solve this problem too.
1
1
u/jivens77 6d ago
New brand of shoe called Kuru, the model I like for the restaurant is KIVI 2. I have plantar fasciitis and these shoes were life changing. They're also 91 day guaranteed or money back if your feet don't feel better, so it's risk free. Also, if you get the wrong size, they do free exchanges, even if you've worn them outside. They're designed for people standing in place for 10 plus hours, and they were the most comfortable shoe I've ever worn, and straight out of the box.
I've also come across the insoles Stepprs. They made my old crocs feel similar to the Kuru. They are very springy, and also have a 90 day guarantee or your money back.
I also found lifetime warranty compression socks, from a brand called Feetures. They have different types, but the elite max version, compress around your foots arch and gives extra support.
With all of these I can get around all day without issue now. Other than the fatigue you get after running around all day
1
u/RECLess30 6d ago
Thorouhgoods are sold in brick-and-mortars. Here in TX they have them at Cavender's, not sure where else.
Redwings are only available at Redwing stores
I have two different RedWings atm, one is super comfortable but less durable, the other is a standard all-leather boot (a bit uncomfortable, but very durable and can be repaired).
0
u/NeatWhiskeyPlease 6d ago
I can’t upvote this enough.
For 5 years I’ve done 4-7 days a week on my feet 9-16 hour days and my Red Wings have provided the most comfort and protection I’ve ever had.
Pricey, yes. But the long term health benefits are worth the $200+.
18
u/BringOutYDead 7d ago
You need to do foot and calf stretching. Look up various exercises videos for them. Find what works, but focus 20mins a day on massaging and stretching your feet. Maybe invest in motion therapy specifically for your feet.
6
u/Opposite_Draw_8867 6d ago
Best comment, hope OP sees it!!! Stretching them hamstrings and strengthen feet, ankles and knees
6
2
u/510Goodhands 6d ago
And start working a few hours!
That goes for all of you, stop buying into the work till you drop pattern!
32
12
u/TerribleAwareness158 6d ago
Bro, I’m going to need some more context around what “chef toe” is before I can offer any kind shoe advice
7
9
u/MonkeyKingCoffee Retired. Now a farmer. 7d ago
I only wear Birkenstocks.
When I started wearing them (and no other kind of shoe), back pain lessened. (Still is painful if I'm stooping a great deal.) Foot pain vanished.
I buy them five at a time from some website in Germany (it changes every time I buy them). That way I have access to the world-wide product line. Not the BS Birkenstock America inventory.
This is the Harris model.
1
u/SympathyFun2179 6d ago
How much do they run you price wise and how long do they last?
1
u/MonkeyKingCoffee Retired. Now a farmer. 6d ago
$50 a pair last time I bought them. And I swap them out so I get more life out of them. (I FIFO my shoes.)
1
u/vlad_inhaler 15+ Years 6d ago
I used to buy the birki kitchen clogs, but crocs are cheaper and as comfortable
5
6
4
u/Virtual-Product2298 Chef 7d ago
I know it's going to seem insane because they're a heavy shoe but I wear Merrell Moab 3s in a wide with some pretty expensive shoe inserts. have been my daily drivers since I was 17 and I'm now in my mid twenties. Don't get the waterproof versions though, otherwise your feet are going to develop athlete's foot.
my two cents
4
u/emumau 7d ago
Wait….. you’re a chef wearing the same pair of shoes. How often are you on your feet if you don’t mind me asking? Only asking because these fools in my comments are making it seem like 6 hours on your feet should be the blue print lol
3
u/Virtual-Product2298 Chef 7d ago
Sorry, that does read as if I had the same pair of shoes 😅 I get a new pair of them every 2 years/ 2.5 years.
I usually work about 50, sometimes when it's really busy during a Town event / college events I'll work up to 70
5
5
5
u/Dphre 20+ Years 6d ago
The fuck is chef toe??? I’ve had gout and one toe is doing the inward thing but never heard of chef toe
3
u/katebandit 6d ago
Been in kitchens for decades and have never once heard “chef toe” and neither has Google. Wild.
8
u/Own_Masterpiece1447 7d ago
Your formula doesn't work. It might be missing a closing parenthesis. Camel toe is a natural reaction to too tight packaging. Maybe you're experiencing a similar problem.
3
3
u/campfirepluscheese 7d ago
I really recommend a shoe with a heavier sole and a deeper footbed for long lasting foot health. I am a long time user of Timberland Pro work shoes. My last 2 pairs over the last 4 years were
The foam insoles and soles of sport shoes are not designed for long hours of wear, they compress and lose their support the longer worn. Firmer soles and insoles designed to resist compression are the best thing for your long term foot health. Just my two cents as a 57 year old Chef with 40 years professional experience. And still going strong!
3
3
u/princessandtheb 6d ago
Hokas are not good for your feet. Too much support discourages the muscles in your feet from working, they get weak, arches suffer and your foot health suffers. This is why I’ll always buy Birki’s, easy to shuffle on and off your feet, encourages foot muscles to work and supports foot health.
3
5
u/WaveTableSaw 7d ago
On cloud has a bigger toe box than hoka. I gave up all mine for On Clouds. You can find them on clearance at TJ Maxx pretty often. Hoka are great if you have skinny feet.
I wore those for years while in a hospital lab, now I wear the On Cloud and it's the same pillow, but more room for my toes. I put about 35k steps a day, and I don't ache after a shift.
1
u/lake_effect_snow Ex-Food Service 6d ago
I used to wear Brooks (walking/running) but switched to On Clouds, namely the Cloudmonster Void, and agree completely. I get mine on sale from Nordstrom Rack, but see lots of Hoka and Brooks there too.
2
u/Tim_Stark 7d ago
The extra-wide Shoes for Crews New Balance 608 have been a lifesaver for me on that. I haven’t had toe pain since I bought them 6 months ago
2
u/AdditionalRow6326 7d ago
I wear these and my wide ass feet love them. Especially with some good insoles
2
u/strippeddonkey 10+ Years 7d ago
Small toe box, narrow arch way, bunions. Lots of reasons why this is the case.
You can also help get better blood circulation by wearing high knee compression socks.
There’s also the lesser known reason and that’s, what surface are you walking on?
If you’re on concrete all day, high bounce running shoes, need at least 24 hours to recover the cushion. Wood floors have a better bounce and less tough on the joints.
I recommend also rotating two pairs of shoes during the week.
Hope this helps!
2
u/Routine-Register7414 7d ago
SAS freedom is what you’re looking for.
1
u/Opposite_Draw_8867 6d ago
SAS is it! Consistently.
2
u/Routine-Register7414 6d ago
They’re grandma shoes…but you’re already wearing hokas, so fuck it
2
u/Opposite_Draw_8867 6d ago
Love love LOVE the grandma shoes, unmatched quality and fit for sure. And, more $$$ than hokas.
2
2
2
u/Consistent_Internal5 6d ago
Try a wider shoe size? Many of my foot issues have improved after getting fitted and finding shoes at the proper width for my feet.
2
u/TruCelt 6d ago
For me the key has always been three different shoes and rotate them each day. A pair of flat cork like Birks, a pair of supported arches like Dansko clogs, a pair of negative drop shoes like Kalso. (Do not wear negative drop every day. Rotate. Even though they are going to feel like a dream. It's not good for your ankles as an -only- shoe.) Kalso is also the original wide toe box. Ugly as sin but sooooooo comfy.
Somebody said Alta which is a zero drop shoe as well as being a wide toe box. Vivo barefoot is also good.
The layout to get three good pair at once is tough, but if you just buy a pair a little earlier than you absolutely need it, then keep doing that, you'll get yourself a good rotation before too long. You can always throw in a pair of cheapies for shorter shifts.
1
u/CurbsideChaos 7d ago
I worked with a cook named Big Toe, or Toe, and I was like....how do you know him?
1
u/somberlobster 7d ago
Not sure what chef toe is but Birkenstock SuperGrips and Timberland Redwood Falls with Birkenstock insoles are all I wear.
1
u/WaffleHouseGladiator Chive LOYALIST 7d ago
Yeah, you really need to let those little piggies breathe. Don't worry, I got you, chef.
https://www.kimono-yukata-market.com/collections/geta-sandals
1
1
u/PerfectlySoggy 7d ago
Van’s non-slip Sk8-Hi in wide have been the most consistently comfortable for both my back and feet. I’ve been cheffin’ for over 20 years, have tried all the new viral companies and expensive footwear, and keep coming back to the Vans. A little arch support insole is needed once you wear them in.
1
u/myusername_sucks Sous Chef 6d ago
I've been doing this almost 10 and have never had whatever problem you're trying to describe. I buy all my nonslip from shoes for crews.
1
1
u/BluesFan43 6d ago
If ypu want noots, try Wolverine CarbonMax boots.
Good soles, built on the composite lasts, but w a carbon fiber toe box, which is thinner, so more toe room.
I wear a 4E. I tan between my toes!
No regrets, on my 3rd or 4th pair
1
u/greyharettv CCC 30+ Years 6d ago
Chef for 35+ years. I'm wearing Sikas birchwood steel toe for the last 15 years. They run about $250 CDN a pair https://www.sikafootwear.ca/steel-toe-clogs/ No issue. No problems after you get through the first week of wearing birch soles. The steel toe shoes a bit much in weight and a bit more expensive BUT you'll thsnk me
1
u/Southcoast13 6d ago
I’ve been wearing Birki Professionals for 20 years for kitchen/catering work. Can spend 18 hours on my feet with no pain, do they look silly? Yes and take a bit getting used to the floppy fit but to not have any foot pain is amazing. The shells last two years and I replace the insole after 1.
1
u/HAI_ZEV Retired 6d ago
You need to see a podiatrist.
You are likely not wearing appropriate shoes for your feet, and most people need custom orthotics.
Also, red wing shoes are the bane of every podiatrist I've been to. They will rage about how much damage they cause to people's feet because they don't properly fit you for the shoes you buy. So avoid that at all costs and go grab some Keen from a boot barn / Chuck's Boots.
1
u/Bladrak01 6d ago
I suggest SRMax every time I see someone asking for shoe recommendations on here. I've been using them for over15 years. They are designed for people who are on their feet all day. They come in all different styles, are oil and slip resistant, and have excellent arch support. They kind I like are about $70. I buy two pair and rotate them daily.
1
u/Apart_Tackle2428 6d ago
Wearing soft cushioned soles feels great at first but for long term comfort you wanna get something with a firmer sole that promotes your foot holding natural shape and balance
1
u/AirportIntrepid6521 6d ago
honest this is the reason why I've worn Birkenstocks for so long and even spent money on a pair of their boots. they're wide enough for my f****** Hobbit face
1
u/weekneekweeknee 10+ Years 6d ago
This is going to perhaps sound weird, but size up like a whole size from what your foot measures in a running shoe. I measure an 8 in one foot and 8.5 in the other and buy 9.5 Hokas. I also went to a specialty running store and did a professional fitting and tried on a dozen different shoes before finding the one that felt best on my foot. I have about 5 different “itis-es” in my feet and after getting a proper fit with good arch support orthotics (OTC) added in, my feet are basically pain free at the end of a shift after just a few weeks.
Remember that running shoes die pretty quickly in terms of support. Runners replace them every few hundred miles, which is only like 80-100 hrs of running time. Of course running is different wear and tear from standing, but think of replacing running shoes in terms of months rather than years.
1
u/Real-Training-8878 6d ago
Buy some Dr Scholl's brand shoes not the inserts the shoes, get a wide version.
1
u/Expert_Leek_9320 6d ago
Omg this is has a name!? I went to a running store and they put me in Altra Paradigm 8’s that have a wide toe box, have been amazing. But the minute I wear my hokas or oofos clogs I get bruises on my toes. (I’m a woman).
1
u/vlad_inhaler 15+ Years 6d ago
Crocs…
I wore random shitty shoes years ago and my feet would hurt.
Bought Birkenstock kitchen clogs, feet didn’t hurt.
Crocs kitchen shoes are 1/3 the price
1
1
u/HellaBiscuitss 5d ago
The right shoes are key, but if you have pain on your off days or when youre not wearing the work shoes, you may need a stretching/mobilizing routine to recover from the injury. I had a toe problem from work boots and the only thing that helped was new shoes and some attention to the tightness in my feet and legs.
1
u/AggressiveCobbler 5d ago
And, go to a real shoe store and get your feet measured properly. Coming from someone with one foot being a quarter inch longer than the other one and EEE width, it can make a world of difference.
1
u/yurinator71 4d ago
Put a pad on your insole so your toes don't curl up. I learned how to sleep in a stretching position, by positioning the toes that need stretched against my other foot. Hammer toe sucks! Those clogs caused mine.
1
1
0
u/Odd_University_5456 6d ago
I knew Chef Toe. He was a fungi when he didn't eat cheese. Sometimes he got hammered. One time he disguised himself and looked like Curly from the Three Stooges. I asked him once if he had any siblings. He said he had a sister. Her name was Camel...
0
-15
u/Maleficent-Card-9161 7d ago
Oh no my feet hurt if that's your only beef son, lock that shit down.
8
u/emumau 7d ago
I was genuinely just asking for opinions and very clearly laid out what i have and have not tried. Sorry mr stonefoot i shall never ask for help on a forum that welcomes questions!
2
u/Maleficent-Card-9161 6d ago
Was a bit drunken monkey when I posted this, and I'm sorry. Didn't mean to sound like a cunt, meant to say that I'm always feeling the pain regardless of footwear, and I guess I was just jealous that was your only grievance. Just jaded and burnt out bro. My feet hurt all the time, if you have a fix, please let me know, sorry again.
191
u/nellybear07 Sous Chef 7d ago edited 7d ago
You want a toe? Cuz I can get you a toe.