Brand · American foot-care est. 1906

Dr. Scholls

A podiatrist's century of comfort — over a thousand foot-care products, and counting.

Dr. Scholls
Re-checked daily
Dr. Scholl's is an American footwear and orthopedic foot-care brand started in 1906 by podiatrist William Mathias Scholl, who is credited with designing over 1,000 foot-care products.

Scholl's company made the Fortune 500 in 1971, the same year it went public, and the brand became a household name for comfort on both sides of the Atlantic — sold as 'Dr. Scholl's' in North America and simply 'Scholl' in many other markets. Its ownership traveled through Schering-Plough, Merck and Bayer over the decades.

Since 2021, global rights to the brand have been held by investment firm Yellow Wood Partners, through its Scholl's Wellness Company — reuniting the Scholl and Dr. Scholl's businesses under one roof for the first time in over 40 years.

The Dr. Scholls pieces worth knowing

Original Sandal
1959 · Wood Sole
Original Sandal
The wooden-soled Dr. Scholl’s sandal that turns foot-care heritage into a recognisable summer silhouette.
$119.99 at DSW
Time Off Sneaker
Viral Travel Sneaker
Time Off Sneaker
A clean platform travel sneaker that became Dr. Scholl’s modern comfort-shoe shorthand.
$75 at DR. SCHOLL’S SHOES
Madison Slip-On Sneaker
Everyday Slip-On
Madison Slip-On Sneaker
The easy-on Madison turns Dr. Scholl’s comfort language into a commuter-friendly slip-on.
$49.99 at DR. SCHOLL’S SHOES
Nova Slip-On Sneaker
Platform Slip-On
Nova Slip-On Sneaker
A thicker-soled slip-on with the comfort details that made Dr. Scholl’s casual sneakers widely stocked.
$55 at DR. SCHOLL’S SHOES
Custom FiT Pain Relief Orthotic Inserts 3/4 Length
Custom Fit Orthotics
Custom FiT Pain Relief Orthotic Inserts 3/4 Length
The kiosk-era Dr. Scholl’s insert line built around matched support numbers and targeted lower-body relief.
$54.99 at DR. SCHOLL’S
Energizing Comfort with Massaging Gel Advanced Insoles
Massaging Gel
Energizing Comfort with Massaging Gel Advanced Insoles
The blue-gel comfort insert that makes Dr. Scholl’s insole technology instantly recognisable.
$15.56 at DR. SCHOLL’S
Work Insoles with Massaging Gel
Work Comfort
Work Insoles with Massaging Gel
A hard-surface workday insole made for the tired-feet problem Dr. Scholl’s owns best.
$15.56 at DR. SCHOLL’S
Plantar Fasciitis All-Day Pain Relief Orthotics
Heel Pain Relief
Plantar Fasciitis All-Day Pain Relief Orthotics
A targeted heel-and-arch orthotic for one of the most searched foot-care problems.
$17.96 at DR. SCHOLL’S
Tri-Comfort Insoles
Heel · Arch · Ball
Tri-Comfort Insoles
A compact 3/4 insole built around the simple Dr. Scholl’s promise of targeted comfort zones.
$11.96 at DR. SCHOLL’S
Odor-X Ultra Odor-Fighting Powder Spray
Odor-X
Odor-X Ultra Odor-Fighting Powder Spray
The bright yellow Odor-X spray brings Dr. Scholl’s foot-care authority into freshness and shoe care.
$6.44 at DR. SCHOLL’S
Freeze Away Max Wart Remover
At-Home Treatment
Freeze Away Max Wart Remover
A drugstore treatment icon that packages Dr. Scholl’s foot-care know-how into a one-action freeze applicator.
$28.98 at DR. SCHOLL’S

Dr. Scholls shopping FAQ

Are Dr. Scholl's sandals actually worth it?+

For everyday comfort, most wearers say yes. The brand's whole reason for being is foot care, so the sandals lead with cushioned, contoured footbeds and arch support rather than runway drama. If you want a slide you can walk in all day without thinking about your feet, that is exactly the trade Dr. Scholl's is built to make.

Do Dr. Scholl's insoles really work?+

They are a sensible first step before anything custom or clinical. Dr. Scholl's makes inserts aimed at cushioning, arch support and shock absorption for common aches from long hours on your feet. Results vary by foot and by which model you pick, so match the insole to your specific need rather than grabbing the first pack on the shelf.

What is the famous Dr. Scholl's wooden sandal?+

It is the contoured wood-soled slide that made the brand a fashion name as well as a foot-care one. The shape pairs a sculpted toe-grip footbed with a single leather strap, so it reads as both retro and minimal. It is the piece people picture first when they hear the name, and a good entry point if you want the signature look.

Where should I start if I am new to Dr. Scholl's?+

Decide whether you want footwear or foot care, because the brand does both. If you want shoes, the comfort sandals and slides are the most recognisable starting point; if you want support inside shoes you already own, begin with a cushioning insole. Either way, prioritise the fit and arch feel over the styling.

Who was the original Dr. Scholl?+

Podiatrist William Mathias Scholl, who started the brand in 1906. He is credited with designing over a thousand foot-care products, which is why the name became shorthand for feet rather than fashion. That clinical, problem-solving origin still shapes how the line is designed today.

Is Dr. Scholl's an American brand?+

Yes, it originated in the United States, though in some countries it is marketed simply as Scholl. So a sandal sold as "Scholl" abroad and a "Dr. Scholl's" pair at home share the same roots. The two halves of the business were even brought back together under one owner in recent years.

Who owns Dr. Scholl's now?+

Since 2021, the global rights sit with investment firm Yellow Wood Partners, through its subsidiary Scholl's Wellness Company. Yellow Wood bought the North American rights from Bayer in 2019 and the international rights from Reckitt in 2021, reuniting the Scholl and Dr. Scholl's businesses for the first time in over forty years.

Why is Dr. Scholl's so popular?+

Because it solved an unglamorous problem well, for a very long time. A podiatrist-founded line of over a thousand foot-care products built deep trust, and the wood-soled sandal then carried the name into fashion. That mix of medical credibility and a recognisable shoe is rare, and it is why the brand keeps coming back into style.

How should Dr. Scholl's sandals fit?+

Aim for the arch of the footbed to sit under the arch of your foot, not ahead of or behind it, since the support is the whole point. On the wood-soled styles, expect a firmer, more structured feel than a foam slide. Give them a short break-in period before judging the comfort.

When is the best time to buy comfort sandals?+

Sandals are easiest to find in spring and early summer when ranges are fullest, while end-of-season clear-outs can be kinder on price if you do not mind last year's colours. Either way, buy for the fit and footbed first; a comfortable shoe at any time beats a bargain you will not wear.

How do I take care of the wood-soled sandals?+

Treat the wood and the leather strap as the two things to protect. Keep them out of standing water and let them dry naturally if they get damp, since soaking is hard on wood, and condition the strap occasionally so it stays supple. Stored dry and away from heat, the footbed holds its shape for years.