Product Report: Dr Scholl’s Insoles for High Heels
posted by: HerberWellss in Foot Health and Fitness, General on July 2nd, 2009
I must confess I am an insole junkie. I can’t resist them. Lately, I have seen commercials with Stacy London endorsing Dr. Scholl’s high heel gel insole. They are supposed to shift weight from the toe to the heel.
I like the premise around TLC’s “What Not To Wear”, but it bothers me when they ambush, I mean, surprise someone, then spend five minutes making fun of that person’s style. If the initial comedy routine isn’t enough, when they go through the person’s closet, they are brutal. I don’t think it is fair. It draws an audience, but as hosts they should treat their guests with more respect. It is just bad manners. No wonder the guest is in tears.
Anyways, I am always game to see if Dr. Scholl’s can really make my 4 1/2 inch heels feel like I am walking on clouds. I scored the last one in Target, about $9.00. These are different because they have a thicker padding at the arch, about 1/4 inch thick.
I had a specific shoe in mind. Peep toe Steve Madden wedges that are about 7 years old. I want to love them, but they have never been comfortable, so I don’t wear them often.
The size of the Dr. S insole is supposed to fit “sizes 6 to 10.” Now, that is a HUGE difference in foot sizes. The size on the left is a 6.5 and the size on the right is a 10.5.
There were no real instructions about placement. Trial and error showed that the heel of the insole should fit the back of the shoe, but the toe of the insole was nowhere near the toe of my shoe, so there was a more pressure than should have been. Dr. Scholl’s should probably make two different sizes, 6 to 8 and 9 to 11.
They are clear so they are virtually invisible on your shoe. These will work with even the strapiest heels. If you look closely at the heel, on my shoes, you can see them.
Conclusion: At the end of the evening, my feet didn’t ache like they usually do, so yes, they work. Actually they worked quite well. If you have a size 7 or 8 shoe, these would work perfectly. I am going to look for an insole that is designed for a larger foot. If I can’t find one, then I will probably return to Dr. Scholl’s. That being said, they cannot fix shoe design problems. These shoes rub at my big toe joint, so it is a design problem. I will probably be giving them away.
18 Comments
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March 09, 2012 at 5:10 am, ComfortableHighHeels said:
I swear by Insolia inserts for high heel insoles. They make heels comfortable AND come in 4 sizes. I agree the 6-10 Dr. S size is extreme – you should check on Insolia, they might fit you better. Sizes are
here
May 08, 2011 at 11:30 pm, Sophia said:
I saw a website – shoe inserts , claiming the most shoe manufacturers don’t have high quality inserts in them, even if the shoe is very expensive, or one that suppose to be a comfort shoe. Is it true? Do I still need a better orthotic than what I have in my running shoes?
Source: http://www.shoeinserts.co
June 14, 2010 at 11:23 am, galligator said:
Kathryn, we are not affiliated in any way with Dr. Scholls. We are a blog for shoe-lovers who share up-to-date information with the many other shoe-lovers who read our blog. If you really have an issue with the way Dr. Scholl’s advertises their products, I recommend that you contact them directly by mail or email to explain your concerns and if/why you might be boycotting their products or encouraging others to do the same.
Making comments here will not get you any results other than minor exposure since we have no control over what a completely separate and independent company does with their product and advertising budget.
June 14, 2010 at 8:28 am, Kathryn Gabriel said:
I was absolutely horrified at your commercial for Jelled insoles for high heels with a dreadful woman ending the commercial with a SHUT UP remark. What a dreadful role model for the younger generation to have that expression used to advertise your product. As children we were taught never ever to use that expression it was so rude…I am amazed that this woman is being paid by you to sell insoles using such unacceptable language.
Kathryn Gabriel
June 14, 2010 at 8:22 am, Kathryn Gabiel said:
I was absolutely horrified at the woman on tv who advertises your jell insoles for high heels with her “SHUT UP” remark. When we were children we were taught never ever to say shut up – it was in the same category as a four letter word. It is a dreadful example to young people and certainly a very bad role model. I can’t imagine her geting paid for this distasteful commercial.
Kathryn Gabriel
January 07, 2010 at 9:19 am, Marianne said:
Hi, I also have used Insolia with really good success, so critical for the strappy sandals! I have tried a kazillion brands and these do work. You have to play around a bit with which way you position the skinniest end (the one pointing toward the toes), but it helps take pressure off the ball of the foot which I really need since I have Morton's Neuroma on both feet.
You used to be able to buy insolia at CVS but I don't see them anymore so I think online at their website is the best bet.
September 26, 2009 at 4:28 pm, galligator said:
Another decent insole to try is Insolia. I found it works best when shoes are too close-fitting for a full insert to be practical. That brand comes with insert instructions & takes 5-10 minutes to get placed properly. I also recently tried the AIrplus for her "Ultra Arch" which is one of the only "arch-only" styles I have found than the Insolia.
The main difference is that the insolia, when properly places, helps to shift walking weight from the ball of the foot to the heels. The Ultra Arch is a higher arch-only support that you can place wherever your arch falls in your specific shoe; it adds needed support, but is not specifically engineered to shift weight away from the ball of the foot as to provide support.
I use just about every brand of arch support available to deal with high arches. What works best in one shoe varies, so I sometimes trade out several to see which is best for a given shoe.
Good Luck.
September 26, 2009 at 7:42 am, Brigitte said:
Hi! I wear size 5 and was looking for some insoles at Rite Aid as that was the closest store in my time crunch. I grabbed these very insoles you're talking about. I'm wondering about the placement… As soon as I put them on my heels and started walking I had *the worst* arch pain ever. The insoles fit inside my shoe but… They don't fit the positioning of my foot.
any ideas on how to make them work or recommendations for new insoles?
August 11, 2009 at 12:51 am, shoefiend said:
Thanks! They are heels with an open toe…think I might buy a pair and just see how I get on…
August 10, 2009 at 11:40 pm, r5bales said:
Depends on the kind of shoe. A sandal: it might work. A pump: it will help you from sliding forward, but it will not help your heep from slipping. A heel pad will help that to a certain point.
August 09, 2009 at 7:43 pm, shoefiend said:
Hi, I have a pair of new shoes that are about 1 size too big (I am a 4 and they are a 5 but they are perfect with a dress I've bought for a friend's wedding so I couldn't resist!). Does anyone know if these insoles might help with the fit? I've used insoles in other shoes that are too big and they have helped them fit better but wasn't sure about these Dr Scholl ones…
Thanks!
July 15, 2009 at 8:00 pm, Fußpfleger said:
this gel-insoles are very good. the transparent colour hidden it under your foot. Good product
July 04, 2009 at 2:10 pm, Aqua said:
Sorry to hear about the Steve Madden shoes. I know he hates women. Many many pair of his killers have proved that. Don't ever support his brand.
BUT thanks Dr. Scholls!!
October 30, 2010 at 1:21 pm, lane said:
You said it. I have been boycotting Steve Madden shoes for years, and even told my teenage daughter and friends that he "hates women." It's so obvious. Is "he" even a real person? Ladies, we've got to vote with our pocketbooks. stop supporting shoemakers who don't make a comfortable shoe. As for high heels.certain shoemakers–BCBG and Kenneth Cole, among others– know how to put cushioning in the footbed but only do so on select shoes. Boy does it make a difference! It's a bout a trillion times better than any insole you can find and they don't slip around, need to be cut to sized, placed into different shoes, etc. But most shoe designers completely bypass this technology, probably because it costs more. Once you try the padded high heels you'll never go back. It's time to take a stand. No more high heels without padded fototbeds! No more high heels without padded fototbeds! I love my 5" padded BCBG heels!
May 21, 2012 at 7:39 pm, Mikka said:
I would just like to say I have MANY pairs of Steve Madden heels and I love all of them, save one pair that were on sale for being defective. I didn't check the defect and it turns out they are slightly different sizes, not quite a half size different. THAT was my fault. However every other pair has been wonderful. I love the designs, the affordability of most, and the fact that not everything is entirely leather. I see no reason to boycott I perfectly good brand YOU simply don't like.
July 03, 2009 at 6:27 am, r5bales said:
Meream: I have a pair of insolias that cover two sizes. I haven't used them yet. All Dr. S women's insoles cover sizes 6 – 10. It is cheaper. I would guess a size curve of shoe buyers would be similar to a bell curve. They cover the majority of shoe buyers, and those on each end of the spectrum just have to cope. Whadda ya gonna do?
July 03, 2009 at 3:53 am, Meream said:
6-1o? Sounds ridiculous. They really should make 2 sizes. And it's sad that you're giving those shoes away. Those look cute. I've been looking for something similar for months!
July 02, 2009 at 8:36 am, Robyn Marie's S said:
Thanks for the heads up. I have insoles in all of my closed toe pumps, but I have never been able to find anything for strappies. Yaaaay