Loaded toe walks that build bulletproof calves and ankles.
Stay as high on your toes as possible and never let your heels drop down.
Walking on the balls of your feet with dumbbells in hand keeps the calves under continuous isometric tension while forcing them to stabilise every single step. That balance-and-hold demand builds calf and ankle strength in a way regular pumping raises miss. Slot it at the end of leg day or into a circuit when you want your lower legs to earn their keep.
Different job. Calf raises train the full stretch and squeeze, toe walks train the calves to hold and stabilise under load. Do raises for size, walks for endurance and ankle strength, ideally both.
Set a distance you can cover without your heels sneaking down, and turn around when you hit it. The set is over the moment you cannot stay tall on the balls of your feet.
The small muscles in your feet are stabilising every step, and they are probably not used to working. That burn is normal, ease off if it turns into cramping.
