I've never used aftermarket insoles in any footwear before. My only yardstick are the stock insoles in my size 14W 'Men's Delta Gore-Tex 9 Inch ICS Waterproof Boot'. Those insoles broke in quickly resulting in a decrease in the cushiony feel, so I thought I'd try an aftermarket replacement.
1-the scholls are virtually IDENTICAL to the bates in length and width. It is freakish how perfect the match is. After inserting them, I felt around the periphery of the scholls in the boot and the fit all around, wall to wall. This was my primary concern and reservation as far as aftermarket insoles, and I'm blown away.
2-I don't find the arch on the scholls too prominent, but more so than the bates. Just slightly. It feels great. Sloghtly better than the broken in stock bates. That was my second concern with aftermarket insoles. Second, cause if they weren't comfy I figured my bates are still good, so no biggie.
3-the heel pad is cushiony. Feels great. Hopefully it lasts. I think the curved cup like shape of the heel part that receives my heel is more cup like than the bates.
4-the forefoot part of the scholls is thinner than the bates. It readily folds and flexes. The bates is ridged or more resilient. Doesn't readily fold. Retains its shape. But when I wear the boot, the forefoot feels great. No different than with the bates. Hopefully the thin, flexible nature of it doesn't cause it to wear or begin to bunch up. I'll update this if it does.
5-here the interesting part: the scholls also fit perfectly on top of the bates insole, so I can wear them that way for extra cushion. I have worn the boots all day with the scholls only, with thick socks, and with the scholls on top of the bates, with thin socks, and it feels great both ways-more support the latter way of course. Each insole may be an eighth of an inch thick in the forefoot, so stacked, the forefoot of the boot feels more snug with thick socks, compared to with just either insole.
6-So, I got crazy, and cut off the forefoot portion of bates insole, stacked them with the scholls on top, and now have superb cushion while eliminating the snugness in the forefoot of the boot. I couldn't be happier. Again, they feel great just by themselves, but I'm 6'3" and 325lbs with sore feet, so I'll stack them if I like, thank you very much!
7-the finishing skin (smooth nylon type material) on the foot surface of the scholls is reminiscent of the ones I used to find in sneakers years ago, that began to peel off after months of foot heat and pressured ratcheting of the foot on the material working it loose from the glue that holds it to the undersurface. But that's just a feeling. We'll see how it holds up. The bates skin is a courser feeling nylon and for some reason seems to be more ruggedly adhered to the undersurface like it's a singular structure. Different than the scholls.
8-I'd love the see a thicker version of these scholls, so I could have the supreme cushion without having to stack insoles. Hint hint. These still get five stars cause they are comfy just by themselves and fit so perfectly in my boots, if you swapped them for the stock insoles without telling me, I wouldn't have noticed, other than them being a bit more comfy since they're new and have not lost that cushiony feel like the broken in bates.
9-I'll update this after more wear to see how they hold up to wear and tear. Realistically they must have a finite life span, but I have no idea what it is. The bates insoles are in perfect condition and are probably designed more ridged and rugged in the forefoot to last presumably the life of the boot, but they broke in and lost the cushiony feel quickly (in a couple of months). Maybe the scholls are designed with occasional replacement in mind. We'll see.
Overall I am absolutely psyched that I've found an affordable big foot insole that I can purchase when I need to, and the quality and feel surpasses my wildest expectations.
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This Item  Dr. Scholl's P.R.O. Pain Relief Orthotics for Heavy Duty Support |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | — | -29% $13.53 List: $18.99 | $13.10 | $14.97 | -7% $12.97 List: $13.99 | $14.97 |
| Price Per Unit | — | $13.53 / Count | $13.10 / Count | $14.97 / Count | — | — |
| Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Support | ||||||
| Comfort | ||||||
| Pain relief | ||||||
| Sold By | — | Knupp Co. | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
| material | — | Plastic | Foam | Foam | — | Foam |
| size | — | Puncture Resistant Men's 8-14 | Trim to fit Men's Shoe Sizes (8-14) | Trim to fit Mens 8-14 | Men's 8-12 | 2 Count (Pack of 1) |
| insole type | Arch Support Insole | Arch Support Insole | Arch Support Insole | Arch Support Insole | Arch Support Insole | Arch Support Insole |
| arch type | Low Arch | — | Stabilizing | Low Arch | Low Arch | Low Arch |
| form | Pad | Foam | Whole Bean | Pad | Pad | Foam |
Reviews with images
Must HAVE!
Great for your feet!This is a MUST have if you work in a environment that required standing or walking for a long period of time.I bought two; one for my work boots and for my running shoes and they work.•great price•comfortable shoes•deliver on time
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