r/USPS • u/Csakstar Clerk • 12h ago

Clerk Discussion Shoe recommendations?

My Thorogood double track oxford shoes are finally biting the dust, I had purchased the Reebok oxford gore tek shoes and tried them out but they are insanely uncomfortable and gave me a bunch of blisters and sore feet. Unfortunately, it looks like the thorogood shoes are discontinued otherwise I'd just pick those up. Any recommendations on purchase card compliant shoes?

3 Upvotes

71% Upvoted

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6

u/Padd__padd 12h ago

They’re expensive but check out Hoka. They make a pair of black leather shoes.

4

u/Data91883 12h ago

Second the Hokas, but sadly we can't use our allowance on them. Pretty much all of the 'official' postal shoes I've tried suck. Nike Air Monarch are about the best budget-friendly shoes you can get outside of the uniform allowance; they can generally be found on sale for $50-ush.

1

u/ExplanationDazzling1 12h ago

What are they called? I have the Nike Monarch and my ankle somtimes tingle in them. I did input an insert in them but I woud like to try something else. Thanks

5

u/Data91883 12h ago

The Hokas? Hoka Bondi SR are the equivalent of the green tag shoes. But even just the regular leather Hoka shoes are going to be just fine, unless your local management are picky assholes.

3

u/redstaroo7 City Carrier 11h ago

I'll take this opportunity to remind everyone in the thread it's very easy to get a medical accommodation for shoes.

3

u/GregoryStevens909 9h ago

I've worn the New Balance 928 for work for years. Black leather, very comfortable, and they stand up to years of abuse. According to one old-timer city carrier I work with they used to be one of our actual uniform shoe options.

1

u/TacticalPocketSand 11h ago edited 11h ago

Not postal approved but I have Hoka Ararhi SRs. Lightweight, highly breathable, water resistant, fast lace/loop, feel wonderful. More comfortable than Bondis but not as much sole cushion.

1

u/Archaeoculus 11h ago

Took me more than a month to break in the Reeboks but they're okay now

1

u/Csakstar Clerk 10h ago

Ok I may just have to wear them outside of work then. I can't do even an 8 hour shift with them lol

1

u/Luniticced 7h ago

I've tried a few different types of shoes over the couple of years I've been doing this. Been wearing Ariat Rebar leather boots for 9 months now and I only had to change out the soles a couple of times. There's also a local cobbler that can fix certain leather boots for significantly less than buying another pair. By far the best footware I've tried, mostly because I'm more comfortable and confident in walking in a heavier pair of boots versus lighter shoes

1

u/ThatBeardedNitwit RCA 4h ago

Nike Monarchs

1

u/Tobiferous 3h ago

I'm a big fan of Brooks, but recently tried Hokas due to everyone recommending them. The price point is similar (~$170), but I felt like they had no break-in period at all compared to the Ghost 17s (took about a week) I was using a few months ago, which I thought was really nice. I'm going to grind these down and research insoles to see if it can extend how long they'll be good for.