Summary
These insoles may not be the softest ones out there. Still, they feature the brand’s exclusive Anti-Fatigue Technology that impressively protected my feet from fatigue over long hours of standing and walking.
The Timberland PRO Anti-Fatigue Technology ESD Insoles showcase remarkable features in a low-profile design. They’re the most lightweight insoles I’ve tried so far, and I’m impressed that they have the high-performance features I expected from much bulkier options.
The ESD protection provided the safety enhancement needed to guard the feet in environments prone to static electricity build-up. These insoles come in different sizes corresponding to 2 shoe sizes, so there’s virtually no need to trim them to get a comfortable fit. I loved the Ortholite top cover that strongly resisted flattening even when I regularly used the insoles while working double-time to manage the moisture and heat for even better foot comfort.
Performance Analysis
Comfort
It’s obvious from the first time I used the Timberland PRO Anti-Fatigue Technology ESD Insoles that they’re not the most comfortable insoles I’ve used – but they certainly helped me stay on my feet for longer during the busiest workdays. This technology is designed to absorb the shock produced by continuous walking on hard surfaces and spread the impact, ensuring that the muscles and joints of the lower body are protected from extreme discomfort. In addition, this fatigue-fighting technology helped prolong my feet’s energy, making it easier to keep walking and staying upright for longer.
These insoles are fairly comfortable overall, particularly in the heel pads. The deep design of the heel area nicely cradled my heel in place, ensuring that my feet mostly stayed in the proper alignment. This resulted in securing my footing more firmly inside my boots, even when I needed to walk quickly over challenging ground conditions. However, these insoles are not as soft as others I’ve tried, which greatly reduces their comfort level. I also noticed that while these insoles had a deep, well-defined heel portion, the rest of the structure felt quite flat – which didn’t help matters when it came to comfort.
Even if they’re not the softest insoles out there, I did appreciate the addition of an OrthoLite top layer, as it helped improve the comfortable experience. It didn’t provide the ample cushioning I was looking for, but I liked how it softened the top portion. The material also resisted flattening, maintaining the insoles’ proper shape and structural strength to keep up with the regular use and abuse.
Weight
With a weight of 6oz, these turned out to be the lightest insoles I’ve tried so far.
I welcomed this lightweight profile as it didn’t contribute a lot to the boots’ total weight, and the interior didn’t become too tight or bulky as well. I recommend these insoles to those looking for the lightest insoles that won’t significantly affect the weight of their footwear.
Fit and Sizing
I tried these insoles in size large (L), corresponding to a US size 10-11. I’m glad that with the size I chose, I didn’t need to trim the insoles to make them fit perfectly into my Timberland or Timberland PRO boots – although they can also fit easily into other boots. Additionally, these insoles are available in the following sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, and XXL, each covering 2 shoe sizes. The different sizing options greatly reduce the need to trim the insoles to the correct size to fit into boots.
Breathability
These insoles have a top layer of OrthoLite that helps increase breathability. I appreciated this material’s open-celled structure that kept the air moving continuously, helping prevent heat buildup so the insoles stayed cool and felt fresh for longer, even with prolonged use. In addition, the OrthoLite material had odor control and moisture-wicking properties that drew the sweat away from my skin, so my feet didn’t feel unbearably sweaty or smelly at the end of a long day of continuous boot use.
Arch Support
These insoles had a flat shape that resulted in weak arch support. This was a shame, as the deep heel cup would’ve worked even better if the arch area had a bit more elevation to support the arch and keep the foot secured in a properly aligned position. As a result, the insoles didn’t offer the strong support that was needed to prevent the arches from falling after hours of staying upright.
Quality and Durability
The Timberland PRO Anti-Fatigue Technology ESD Insoles are the lightest insoles I’ve tried, and I loved how they didn’t add much to my boot’s total weight. The lightweight profile ensured that the interior of my boots didn’t feel overly tight or bulky, giving my feet the space needed to shift to maintain a comfortable walking experience. The minimized weight doesn’t mean that the insoles are lightweight in features, though, as they showcase the high-performance features that I enjoyed in high-quality insoles with heavier structures.
The ESD protection is a welcome enhancement that increases the insoles’ ability to protect the feet, especially in work environments at risk of exposure to static electricity.
The insoles help dissipate the charge to the ground, increasing safety in static sensitive settings. This ESD design also makes the insoles suitable for use with EH work boots.
These insoles feature Timberland’s exclusive Anti-Fatigue Technology, with a base built with an inverted cone design to absorb most of the impact of walking on hard ground and keep the force spread evenly. This impressive technology worked to keep me working on my feet for much longer as the insoles delivered more energy to my steps, making it possible for me to walk and stand throughout the day without experiencing extreme discomfort. Even more impressive is that this strong shock absorption was delivered without making the insoles feel too weighty and bulky.
However, the insoles didn’t offer strong arch support because, apart from the heel area, the structure had a relatively flat shape that didn’t protect against fallen arches – especially after hours of standing or walking.
The insoles feature two layers of materials that work hard to soak up the force of continuous walking without excessive weight. I loved the defined heel pad as it cradled my foot in a stable position, preventing it from slipping unintentionally so I could walk more securely, even with quick movements in tricky ground conditions.
The OrthoLite top layer provided multiple benefits I enjoyed the longer I used the insoles. The material didn’t flatten easily, so I enjoyed the light cushioning as it easily bounced back to its original shape even when I used the insoles extensively for long periods. This material had a lightweight feel, so it didn’t feel too bulky when the insoles were placed inside the boots. The OrthoLite top cover also allowed the air to move freely throughout the insoles, preventing overheating and promoting a cool feeling for longer. It also dissipated the moisture and provided odor control so that the insoles didn’t become excessively hot or foul smelling even with long hours of use.
Even with the OrthoLite top layer, these insoles still didn’t feel as cushiony soft as other premium insoles that I’ve tried.
With that said, I will only recommend these insoles to people looking to make their boots softer. However, these insoles are offered in different sizes that correspond to 2 shoe sizes instead of one size that needs to be trimmed to get the right fit. These sizes can easily fit not only into Timberland and Timberland PRO boots but also in other boots and may require minimal to zero trimming to achieve the perfect fit.
Other Versions
The Timberland PRO Anti-Fatigue Technology ESD Insoles are also available in a version with a dynamic arch design and another using FCX technology for enhanced arch support. The Anti-Fatigue Technology impressed me as the insoles absorbed the impact of walking on hard surfaces and worked to disperse the shock, saving my feet from an uncomfortable experience. The shock-absorbing structure also helped my feet feel more energized, so I could walk for longer periods without feeling intense foot fatigue. I liked the addition of ESD protection to the insoles, making it possible for me to walk more safely in static-sensitive surroundings. These insoles are the lightest ones I’ve tried so far and are suitable for those who don’t want bulky insoles to add a lot of weight to their footwear. These insoles are relatively flat, so they don’t offer much arch support. They also don’t offer exceptional softness, so I won’t recommend it for people who are after insoles that can make their boots feel significantly softer.
Conclusion & Verdict
The Timberland PRO Anti-Fatigue Technology ESD Insoles are good quality insoles that enhance foot comfort and offer decent value for money. They are ideal for those with Timberland Pro boots and those after insoles with electrical hazard protection. They can enhance the overall comfort of your boots or shoes. However, they are not suitable for those who want insoles with strong arch support.
- ESD protection
- Anti-fatigue technology
- Lightweight
- Moisture-wicking OrthoLite layer
- Weak arch support
- Not very soft