Ballotte Heel Protectors (2 Pairs) - Fast Foot Pain Relief - Plantar Fasciitis Cushions - For Bruised Foot, Sore Feet, Spurs, Running Shoes Protector Pads Wrap Men and Women (4)

4 stars simply because, any "gel" product will break down over time. Got these for my wife who suffers with DH (dry heel), BS (bone spurs), PF (plantar fasciitis) and AT (achilles tendon) pains. She asked me to try them also, but I have not worn them enough to give a thorough review. I barely notice them so far, which is good. As for my wife, they do help with cushioning the heel fairly well and give reasonable relief to BS and PF. A support wrap would probably go well over these for AT pain. The gel makeup of these can be a plus or minus. If you have dry, cracked heels, they are a plus. If you have wet, sweaty feet, you will probably need Gold Bond. Socks or slippers should be worn over them to keep them clean. "Rolling" socks when putting them over the protectors will help prevent the gel from rolling or moving out of position. More severe cases of BS or PF may benefit from a heavier protector with a good (deep) heel cup (keeps them in place). The drawback of the heavier protectors is fitting them in your shoes. Everyone's feet are different and what sucks for one works miracles for another. At the price, these are well worth a try.

As far as these absorbing the shock, I’d say yes they work. I definitely noticed a difference in the pain I normally feel in my heels and that, in itself, makes it worth the purchase and especially if your feet hurt the way mine do during the day. I’ll do anything for relief! Okay so here is where I think they fall short...(and still, it isn’t a deal breaker for me). I put them on as soon as they arrived and got started on my evening duties. The pain was reduced but of course, since they make your feet wider than usual at the heel, while wearing them, I was not used to walking in them and so the silicone kept catching the floor and causing me to trip a little. Also, the bottom of the silicone kept rolling up on my foot when I sat on my counter stools so when lever I stepped back onto the floor, I’d quickly realize that I’d be walking on my bare feet instead of the silicone. But overall, they work and I believe they will work well paired with the toeless sleeves I purchased for plantar fasciitis. I plan to wear them both while on my feet for 7 hours at work. I need relief and I really do think these can help me.

Every year since I can remember, and for no apparent reason per my doctors, my heals will crack, split, and bleed. I essentially limp off and on for 6 months of the year through various seasons. I found these cushions and figured that I couldn't go wrong with a pare. As I lose things in an instant, I ordered the 4-pack. So far, so good. However, the worst of the season doesn't start for around 3 ish months.One thing that is annoying is that they pickup EVERYTHING on the floor. I have a dog that sheds like crazy and they are almost always covered in dog hair. Also, while they start out as a clear-opaque color, they don't retain that very long. Even in brand new shoes, they turn to a murky gray color quite quickly and I have not been able to restore them to their original shine as of yet. I am also worried that one pair is currently showing signs of disrepair and I'm worried it won't last me the winter. Another reason to buy the multipack.I think they will do what I need them too. Check for updates as I will post them. So far, only cosmetic and lint roller issues, thus the rating. Not a bad product despite the flaws.UPDATE: 6 Months LaterNone of them have "torn" per se, but they aren't functional as I need them. You wear them around the house and they yuck-ify QUICKLY. You try to wear them in shoes and your quickly overheating, there's this weird uncomfortable feeling and you have to "endure with it." You wind up taking them off and flinging them across the room. While the "moisture" they produce causes my heels to be much softer, I'm sure you can infer that it's sweat, body skin, and other little buggers that are getting trapped by the silicone. IDK if I would buy these again, and I have currently stopped using them. Not hopeful, but apparently I'm using them for a purpose other than intended so it may color my review. 3 Stars

Seems to help my sore heels a bit, feels good to wear them but getting socks over them is very difficult. I can get footies over them ok. Not comfy to wear to bed, they stick to the sheets and your feet don't slide around easy. If you walk around barefoot with just them on, any fuzzy or pet hair on your floor sticks to them. I ordered more because if you are not careful taking them off they will tear at the seam, but I believe they are helpful so I will deal with that. I wear safety shoes and walk on cement for my job, my feet feel less fatigued at the end of the shift. I wish I had found these before my feet got so sore, I think they would be a great preventative!

LOVE these heel pads. I sleep in the at night to relieve the worst of the morning pain and wear them all day long. They have made a remarkable difference and I have tried hundreds of dollars worth of products; these are inexpensive and effective. I hope they last a while!

These are awesome! I have plantar fasciitis in just my left foot (!?!?!) ... and so when I walk barefoot around my house, I wear one of these and it eases the pain. Immediately. They're GREAT!!!!

These heel sleeves are really helpful. I just slip them on and it helps to relieve some of the pain and cushion my heel when I walk on it. Easy to wash and hang up to dry. I wear these more than the other heel items, although the orthotic inserts are also good.

wore on my trip overseas in the Sahara walking the dunes and walking miles of unpaved and cobblestone walkways most which lead to narrow stairs up the sides of mountians and was without pain.