[Rerun]

Regarding footwear:

Apparently,
there is only puncture resistant not, puncture proof.

The shoes either use heat bonded kevlar materials included in the construction of footwear that is only resistant to punctures or,

A thin sheet of metal, usually Stainless Steel of 0.5mm thickness that is puncture proof against a 16 Penney nail.

Both costs from around $60 - 125 a pair.

Beware cheap footwear as they are known to substitute lesser material.

I was thinking of using 16 gauge SS material as an insert to my current footwear.

The danger of this is the material could allow punctures along the edges because it has to be smaller than the sole of the footwear in order to fit inside the shoe/boot.

My research shows 0.5mm to be about 1/25" inch thickness (25 gauge) but, maybe I've used the wrong fraction.

Rerun

 

[RACHGIER]

Well they can never say "proof" because lawyers exist but if I recall correctly an ANSI rated puncture resistant boot is designed to withstand a puncture force up to at least 250lbs. So if you stepped on a nail it would require 250lbs of downward pressure for the nail to begin to puncture the protective layer. Hopefully you would notice it before then?

*275lbs. I looked it up.

Also, I don't recommend adding a flat metal insole? It's flat and not conformed to your foot so will create "hot" spots of excess pressure and wear which may cause blisters and other damage that can lead to bad things if you already didn't notice a nail in your foot.
It also has edges that can cut or pinch you if it shifts as you walk.

 

[greg_r]

Regarding footwear:

Apparently,
there is only puncture resistant not, puncture proof.

The shoes either use heat bonded kevlar materials included in the construction of footwear that is only resistant to punctures or,

A thin sheet of metal, usually Stainless Steel of 0.5mm thickness that is puncture proof against a 16 Penney nail.

Both costs from around $60 - 125 a pair.

Beware cheap footwear as they are known to substitute lesser material.

I was thinking of using 16 gauge SS material as an insert to my current footwear.

The danger of this is the material could allow punctures along the edges because it has to be smaller than the sole of the footwear in order to fit inside the shoe/boot.

My research shows 0.5mm to be about 1/25" inch thickness (25 gauge) but, maybe I've used the wrong fraction.

Rerun

Curious about your insurance? Your shoes should be covered. All you should need is a prescription from your podiatrist or your endocrinologist. I get several pairs a year. Usually at no cost to me. As a diabetic I seem to meet my deductible early in the year. Even $125 a pair seems cheap though. Mine seem to be twice that much or more!

The pharmacy/ medical supply store should measure your feet, and make impressions. The inserts will be custom made from these measurements and impressions. My shoes always come with 3 pairs of inserts to be changed out at 60 day increments. When I put the 3rd pair in, I go back and get refitted, pick out my next pair, and send in the order. It generally takes about 2 weeks for the new shoes to arrive.

I would not be putting anything in my shoes other than the supplied inserts. I think you will be asking for trouble.

All of my shoes, except the last pair have had the steel in the shoe. The last pair used the Kevlar. All the rest of mine will have the Kevlar as it is so much more comfortable. The Kevlar is more pliable I think and the shoes just seem to wear better. I can take any of my shoes and twist them in my hands. The Kevlar shoes just twist much easier. Just to be redundant, it’s much more comfortable.

Although this is obvious, the only difference between the diabetic shoes and regular shoes is the puncture resistant insole. And often times regular shoes, especially boots, have steel insoles. The inserts make the shoe fit your feet.

 

[Rerun]

Insurance?

What's that?

I'm a part time security guard in Texas.

Paying for insurance would consume 2/5's of my paycheck.

Rerun

 

[Rerun]

Curious about your insurance? Your shoes should be covered. All you should need is a prescription from your podiatrist or your endocrinologist. I get several pairs a year. Usually at no cost to me. As a diabetic I seem to meet my deductible early in the year. Even $125 a pair seems cheap though. Mine seem to be twice that much or more!

The pharmacy/ medical supply store should measure your feet, and make impressions. The inserts will be custom made from these measurements and impressions. My shoes always come with 3 pairs of inserts to be changed out at 60 day increments. When I put the 3rd pair in, I go back and get refitted, pick out my next pair, and send in the order. It generally takes about 2 weeks for the new shoes to arrive.

I would not be putting anything in my shoes other than the supplied inserts. I think you will be asking for trouble.

All of my shoes, except the last pair have had the steel in the shoe. The last pair used the Kevlar. All the rest of mine will have the Kevlar as it is so much more comfortable. The Kevlar is more pliable I think and the shoes just seem to wear better. I can take any of my shoes and twist them in my hands. The Kevlar shoes just twist much easier. Just to be redundant, it’s much more comfortable.

Although this is obvious, the only difference between the diabetic shoes and regular shoes is the puncture resistant insole. And often times regular shoes, especially boots, have steel insoles. The inserts make the shoe fit your feet.

I wear diabetic shoes issued by the VA.

They are definitely NOT puncture resistant.

Rerun

 

[greg_r]

I have a few pairs of my dad’s VA supplied diabetic shoes. I can not think of the name of them. They are comfortable shoes. Never stepped on anything that would puncture them though, so I can not speak from that aspect.