Thanks for your replies. It's funny how everyone hit on somethig I was thinking <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />. Delamination is was it reminds me of. My heels are fairly calloused on just a regular basis; the depth of the blister below the callous gave cause for pause when someone suggested draining them. Too much chance for infection. With regard to the cushion, I think these boots are 6 years old; they've seen a lot of the country.
I have heard a lot of good things about the superfeet inserts, but I talked myself out of them, and the fit of these boots prohibits anything more than my socks. The good news is I already have an appointment with a podiatrist for another issue, and new boots are on the Xmas list!