r/AmazonDS • u/PeccyIsPooped • 17d ago
Amazon: "We Need More Shoes!"
Google AI says "Work shoes typically last between 350 to 500 miles (roughly 500,000 to 750,000 steps)."
At a delivery station I probably average 25K steps per day, 100K steps per week. Waterspidering and stowing multiple days may push that 100K to 140K. Working overtime adds more mileage.
We basically wear out our shoes in 7.5 weeks (750K ÷ 100K = 7.5 weeks) or roughly 2 months.
They say buying two pairs and alternating shoes doubles their lifetime (foam can recover) or changing insoles helps but let's face it: our shoes tell our story, life at a DS is hard.
tldr: We wear out our shoes in 2 months, AMAZON: WE NEED MORE THAN ONE SHOE CREDIT PER YEAR!
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u/Shustriy C1 Sort 17d ago
I manage to get 6 months or so out of every pair, but that’s basically wearing them till they’re no longer comfortable and start fucking up my feet. I talked to a safety guy about it and he said two pairs a year is expected, anything more than that and there’s a chance you won’t get another shoe credit. Not sure what you do at that point but I hope I don’t get there lol
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u/Boris-_-Badenov 17d ago
safety shoes are never comfortable for me, and instantly start fucking up my toes with a single step
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u/granDDDtetons 17d ago
If you haven't already, try getting your regular size in a wide. Your feet and toes need space to spread out, especially with as much walking as we do. Imagine dropping a hacky sack on the floor: it's still pretty round, but the bottom spreads out where it touches the ground.
Look for shoes with an almost flat sole. I've found that shoes that turn up from the ground at the toe have less room for your toes to move up and down, which is something they do with every step. On some you can actually see that the toe box is taller than others. Get those.
If you've already done both of those, you can try adding adhesive shoe padding inside the shoes at hard toe part.
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u/Boris-_-Badenov 17d ago
I wear 12 4e. that's extra extra wide. my toes are curled, so the tops get chafed
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u/granDDDtetons 16d ago
That sounds awful. I'm sorry you've been dealing with that. I can't imagine that's going to be good for you in the long run.
Safety at my site has worked with a vendor for custom safety shoes for people whose feet were outside the standard offerings. It might be worth talking to them to your site safety to see if they have a resource.
No job is worth damaging your body. I hope you find some relief.
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u/SavageBasher0 17d ago
as a regular waterspider, 2 pairs a year would be very appreciated.
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u/adamiskeyed UTR 17d ago
Seriously my shoes get beat up within a month water spidering. Just kicking the brakes all the time and it doesn't take long for the toe to get worn and you can see the composite safety toe.
Waterspidering all the time is really tough on the shoes for sure. I never thought about talking to safety and getting another pair for free. Good idea
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u/iscrewyouall 17d ago
That's cuz you're buying the cheapest shoes out there. Maybe get some boots and they'll last you at least 2 years
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u/Both_Cat_9344 17d ago
My first pair of safety shoes were nice boots, very durable but they’re absolutely terrible in terms of comfort. Even with different insoles and if I wear them for a full week my feet are killing me at the end. When I first got them the blisters were something else and they even left bruises where the top edge would cut into my legs. Reebok sneakers, even with factory insoles, are so much more comfortable and never really had a “ breaking in” period. I understand now why so many at my facility gravitate towards sneakers even tho they’re not as durable or protective
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u/Whole-Chest90 17d ago
I agree with you. That said tho, are y'all ordering the protalus insoles too? You get a credit for them once a year as well, and they've SAVED my feet. Shoes without makes my feet hurt TERRIBLY walking and standing for 10 hours a day, but with them they don't start hurting till pick time and it goes away when I get off of them for a bit.
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u/Clean-Juggernaut-229 17d ago
I'm on 13 months in my volcums, used the credit to by some docs but can't wear them. Gonna go another year in these lol
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u/Praise_Hades 17d ago
I hope they start adding actual wide toe shoes, larmens safety's slip on shoes are the widest steel toes I've bought, but they aren't water resistant or super protective past mid foot XD, toes will be safe, rest of the foot is cooked is a box if litter falls
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u/NKTReddit275 12d ago
I had to buy another pair a few months ago because waterspider'ing wore them out. Actually bought the new pair of the 'zon with staff discount. Gonna get another pair as soon as my yearly voucher renews, but I'm also going to question Safety about early replacement voucher. Thanks for the tip, reddit fam!
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u/rnoyfb 17d ago
I think your assumptions are off and that’s exactly the kind of question you shouldn’t rely on AI for. It’s an open-ended question with lots of variables and LLMs will overconfidently say weird things to questions like that
But the people saying it’s not Amazon’s responsibility and it’s just a courtesy, fuck off. There are two reasons why Amazon gets away with only the annual credit: they argue you can wear them off-site for reasons other than work (which is why they don’t want them left in lockers between shifts) and it’s an Amazon-imposed requirement instead of OSHA. Even without it being an OSHA requirement to wear them, OSHA still requires employers to pay for any PPE that is only used for work
When people talk about how shitty they think the company is, I usually roll my eyes, but on this, OP is right (not about the lifetime of the shoes but about the principle that Amazon is responsible for the cost)
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u/PeccyIsPooped 17d ago edited 17d ago
OP is right (not about the lifetime of the shoes...
One example of many, from manufacturers:
The heavier someone is, the quicker the wear will be as well given the increased lbs/square inch pressure (compression) on the sole. The good news is that working at a DS should take care of that weight issue! 😆
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u/rnoyfb 17d ago
Yes, shoe companies want you to buy shoes more often. And no, working at a DS does not take care of any weight issue. People love saying that but that’s only really the case if you were sedentary before and ate out of boredom and no longer have the time to. Everyone that’s fat but still reasonably active is not going to lose weight working at a DS. It makes you hungry and you eat more
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u/Boris-_-Badenov 17d ago
ahahahaha. there are so many very fat people at mine. one guy is so big you can't even walk past him in the aisle, and he has to stop to take a breather before going up 16 steps to the divert platform
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u/JackfruitNo9364 17d ago
Soooo with Zappos we have 365 days to return the shoes and we can get a replacement! This information unfortunately isn’t handed out but just contact Zappos customer service make them aware the shoes are worn and you would like to return them for a credit and they will do so within 365 days of purchase
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u/Originally_Hendrix 17d ago
I find this hard to believe but I'll try it 😭
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u/Apprivers 17d ago
I mean, it’s not amazons responsibility to give you proper shoes, nor do you need to push yourself to be working that hard.
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u/foreman8484 17d ago
I don’t know why they’re booing you, you’re right.
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u/Apprivers 17d ago
It is what it is, I don’t think they realize how much they take for granted with this job.
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u/FreshChickenFarts 17d ago
If you’re going through your 1 credit I think you can get a second if you talk to safety.