OrthoSole Max Cushion Insoles
Test Series by Kurt Papke
Tester Information
Name: |
Kurt Papke |
Age: |
56 |
Gender: |
Male |
Height: |
6' 4" (193 cm) |
Weight: |
225 lbs (102 kg) |
Email address: |
kwpapke at gmail dot com |
City, State, Country: |
Tucson, Arizona USA |
My backpacking background has mostly been in Minnesota where I have
lived
most of my adult life. I
recently moved to Tucson to take a new job, and am excitedly exploring
the surrounding mountain ranges. I am acclimating to the
altitudes and mountainous terrain by doing a lot of weekend canyon
climbs,
where I hope to have the OrthoSoles protect my feet on the rocky
trails. I am recovering from Plantar Fasciitis, so I am very
attuned to arch support in my footwear.
Initial Report
Product Facts
OrthoSole Max Cushion insoles are designed to replace the insoles that
come with a pair of shoes or boots. Insoles that can be
customized by user hot-molding have been around for some time.
The OrthoSole units are unusual in that the fit of the arch and
metatarsals can be customized by snap-in support pads.
Product Information
|
Manufacturer
|
OrthoSole |
|
Manufacturer
website
|
http://www.orthosole.com
|
Year
manufactured
|
2010
|
Model
|
Max Cushion - Men's
|
Color tested
|
Only one color currently available
|
Size tested
|
12-12.5 US (11-11.5 UK, 46-47 EU)
|
MSRP
|
US $49.95
|
Weight
(measured)
|
4.9
oz
(139
g): two insoles with largest pads
0.78 oz (22 g): remaining total pad weight
|
Weight (specs)
|
None available
|
The OrthoSoles come packaged with three sets of arch pads with varying
firmness (light, medium
and firm), and two sets of metatarsal pads (light and firm). The
insoles were shipped with the firmest/largest pads installed.
Each pad in addition to being labeled with its firmness is also marked
with an L or R to indicate which foot it is for.
Initial Inspection
The insoles arrived in a compact package as pictured above. After
unpacking I inspected the gear and could not find any noticeable
manufacturing defects: no plastic molding issues, no fabric tears or
loose threads, no discoloration.
Insole bottoms: in addition to the removable pads, I noticed there is a
gray-colored heel pad as shown in the above photo. The heel pad
has a fair amount of "give" to it, so it should provide some
cushion. Surrounding the heel pad and extending up to almost the
top of the arch is a rigid plastic shell. This should provide
some protection against sharp rocks. The toe and ball of the foot
have a fairly stiff padding on the bottom of the insole.
The tops of the insoles have fabric above a fairly soft padding.
Perhaps visible in the first photo above the OrthoSoles have a fairly
abrupt transition from the flat area to the ridges surrounding the
outside of the insoles.
The pads are color-coded to indicate the level of firmness: the paler
the color, the lighter the pad.
Initial Experiences
Right after they arrived I popped them into a pair of clogs that I was
going to wear to work. It was a snug fit, but no problems getting
them to fit in the shoes. I used the pads that came installed in
the insoles, the firmest of the set. I wore the insoles all day
at work and found them to be very comfortable, though with very
aggressive support; I could definitely tell I had them on.
A day or so later I decided to do my morning run with the
OrthoSoles. I removed the two pads from each insole. They
are held in place with hook-and-loop fabric backing, and came off quite
easily. I replaced them with the lighter metatarsal pads, and the
medium arch pad. As with all hook-and-loop closures, I had to be
careful to position them properly as there is no "sliding" them around
to get the pads in the correct spot. I wore them on a 3-mile (5
km) run and found with this pad set they felt quite similar to my
custom
orthotics.
First Impressions
I am looking forward to experimenting with the different pads on my
hikes. My
initial thoughts include the following.
Kudos:
- Good foot comfort
- The pads are easy to replace
- The pads are well-marked and color-coded as to their firmness and
which foot they go on to minimize confusion
Concerns:
- The lightest firmness level of arch pads may not have enough
support for me. I would expect that with this type of product
design: after a bit of use I will focus in on 1-2 pad firmness levels
that match my needs and stick with those.
Field Report
Field Use
Date
|
Saturday May 1, 2010
|
Saturday May 8, 2010 to Saturday May 15, 2010
|
Sunday May 30, 2010
|
Monday May 31, 2010
|
Saturday June 12, 2010
|
3-4 times per week throughout the test period
|
Location
|
Catalina State Park and Coronado National Forest
just North of Tucson, Arizona
|
Streets and paths of various cities in
Switzerland: Lucerne, Zug, Lugano & Berne
|
Globe, Arizona
|
Catalina Mountains near Tucson, Arizona
|
Tortolita Mountains near Tucson, Arizona |
Oro Valley, Arizona
|
Trail
|
Sutherland: exceptionally rocky, as some
segments are horse and/or ATV use
|
Cobblestone streets and paths
|
Round Mountain Trail, just north of the city
|
Linda Vista
|
Wild Burro
|
biking paths & sidewalks
|
Distance
|
8.2 miles (13.2 km)
|
~20 miles (32 km) total for the week
|
3.3 miles (5.3 km)
|
3 miles (4.8 km)
|
5.5 miles (8.9 km)
|
~10 miles/week
(16 km/week)
|
Terrain
|
High desert
|
Cobblestone streets and paths, some flat (around
lakes), some more steep (Lugano)
|
High desert mountain
|
Mountain foothills
|
Desert wash, very sandy
|
flat, paved
|
Weather
|
70F (21 C) mostly sunny and breezy
|
50-60 F (10-16C) mostly cloudy & rain
|
70F (21 C), sunny
|
80 F (27 C), sunny
|
85 F (29 C), sunny
|
65-85 F, sunny
(18-29 C)
|
Altitude range
|
2700-4100 ft
(820-1250 m)
|
900-1400 ft
(275-425 m)
|
3600-4200 ft
(1100-1280 m)
|
2500-3150 ft
(760-960 m)
|
2700-3300 ft
(823-1006 m)
|
2700 ft
(823 m)
|
Shoes
|
Oboz Hardscrabble trail runners
|
Oboz Hardscrabble trail runners |
Oboz Hardscrabble trail runners |
Oboz Hardscrabble trail runners |
Oboz Hardscrabble trail runners |
Adidas Supernova running shoes
|
Pads used
|
medium arch, light metatarsal
|
medium arch, light metatarsal |
medium arch, light metatarsal |
medium arch, light metatarsal |
medium arch, light metatarsal |
medium arch, light metatarsal |
Usage Notes
Sutherland Trail:
this
was
a
fairly
gradual
but
steady climb and descent of
1400 ft (425 m) on an exceptionally rocky trail as can be seen in the
photo at right. It was rocky enough that I turned my ankle a few
times, but no damage was done. Hiking on this kind of rock
surface can be punishing on my feet, particularly when I am not wearing
hiking
boots
with
stiff,
protective
soles.
When I completed
the hike my feet were really fatigued, though I had not stretched as
much as perhaps as I should have. I was happy with the arch
support and the protection my feet received, despite the trying
conditions of the trail.
Switzerland:
I spent a week in Switzerland for my job, and while there did about a 3
mile (5 km) walk every morning to get some regular exercise. We
did make it to a few other cities, and the picture at left shows the
steep cobblestone streets of Lugano leading down towards the lake from
the train station. The cobblestones were very hard on my feet,
but the Orthosoles did a great job of protecting and supporting me.
Regular road running: I try to run about 3-4 times/week, most
mornings about 3 miles (5 km). During the test period I used the
Orthosoles in my road-running shoes with good results.
One obvious observation from the usage table above is I did not
experiment much with different pads during this test period. I
did not want to take any chances with foot injury.
Summary
I have been very satisfied with the Orthosoles. In addition to
the conclusions from my Initial Report:
Kudos:
- The insoles are easily moved between various shoes on a regular
basis
- I noticed no degradation or wear of the product during my use
- Excellent foot protection on rocky trails and cobblestone streets
Concerns:
- It'll be interesting to see how much I vary the pads in the next
test period. I do want to experiment a bit, but I am also quite
cautious about avoiding problems with my feet.
Long Term Report
Field Use
Date
|
Tuesday June 22, 2010 |
Saturday July 10 through Sunday July 11, 2010 |
Friday August 13 through Sunday August 15, 2010 |
3-4 times per week throughout the test period
|
Location
|
Picacho Peak State Park northwest of Tucson,
Arizona |
Aravaipa Canyon wilderness north of Tucson
Arizona |
Pinaleno Mountains near Safford, Arizona
|
Oro Valley, Arizona
|
Trail
|
Around south side of Picacho Peak |
This was a canyoneering hike with a mostly
unmarked trail |
Ash Creek: very steep canyon descent
|
biking paths & sidewalks
|
Distance
|
4.3 miles (6.9 km) |
10.6 miles (17.1 km) over 2 days |
8.2 miles (13.2 km) over 2 days
|
~10 miles/week
(16 km/week)
|
Terrain
|
Mountain foothills |
Canyon bottom with ankle to knee-height water,
gravel, sand and rocks |
Sky Island canyon: rocky trail, steep descent
& ascent, some wet conditions
|
flat, paved
|
Weather
|
95 F (35 C)
sunny |
85-100 F (29-38 C) with high humidity and a few
raindrops |
50-75 F (10-24 C), rain during the evening,
sunny during the day
|
80-95 F (27-35 C), sunny to partly cloudy
|
Altitude range
|
1850-2325 ft
(564-709 m) |
2600-3000 ft
(792-914 m) |
9500-6900 ft
(2900-2100 m)
|
2700 ft
(823 m)
|
Shoes
|
Oboz Hardscrabble trail runners |
Oboz Hardscrabble trail runners |
Oboz Hardscrabble trail runners |
Adidas Supernova running shoes
|
Pads used
|
medium arch, light metatarsal |
medium arch, light metatarsal |
medium arch, light metatarsal |
medium arch, light metatarsal |
Usage Notes
Aravaipa Canyon:
This
was
a
canyoneering trip, though an easy one as there are no steep ascents or
descents, just a lot of walking in the water and gravel. The
insoles got wet
within 10 minutes of starting the hike and stayed that way for the
entire two days I wore them. They dried out overnight, but were
wet again within minutes of starting out on day two. The one
issue I did have is lots of sand and gravel in my shoes as shown in the
photo at left, so I had to empty them several times per day. This
was pretty hard on the insole top fabric, as the grinding of the sand
into it all day long could have created some real wear, but I noticed
no fraying of any kind, just some lightening of the color.
The Orthosoles did a great job of supporting my feet on the entire
trip. They were not fatigued at the end of the day despite
clambering over small rocks all day.
Ash Creek Trail: as can
be seen in the photo at right this trail is mighty steep. The
Pinaleno Mountains are the highest in Southern Arizona, and jut up
right out of the surrounding valley. We started from the top to
get some relief from the Tucson heat, as it was supposed to be 107 F
(42 C) there.
We started our descent early in the morning, and within an hour my
quads were aching. The OrthoSoles protected my feet on the rocky
trail.
We turned around at about noon, as this was a new trail for both I and
my companion and we didn't know how painful the ascent would be.
About 15 minutes into the climb my partner had a bout with dehydration
and perhaps some heat stroke, so we had lunch by the creek, took a
snooze, then walked just a bit further to a spectacular campsite
overlooking the rushing creek. The next morning we got up early
completed the return to our vehicles with no problems.
On the ascent my Achilles tendons got quite sore, but I think I have
been over stretching them lately with my frequent running and it has
nothing to do with use of the insoles.
Summary
The OrthoSole Max Cushion Insoles have performed well for me over the
entire test period. They have been comfortable, I've had no
blisters on the bottoms of my feet, and I've had no flare-ups of
Plantar
Fasciitis. I have had some issues with Achilles heel
inflammation, but I believe this has been due to the frequency of my
morning runs, and has been unconnected with my use of the insoles.
The following pictures illustrate the condition of the insoles at the
conclusion of the test:
Tops of the insoles
Note the wearing and loss of color right at the arches. This
seemed to occur during the Aravaipa hike where the sand ground into the
insoles over 2 days. This appears strictly cosmetic and did not
diminish the insole performance.
Bottoms of the insoles
Again there is slight wear of the "OrthoSole"
printing on the bottoms, but a cosmetic issue only. The bottoms
also show a bit of accumulated dirt and grime; I guess I need to clean
them up a bit. I should note that I did not attempt to launder
them during the test period.
In addition to the notes from the Field Test:
Kudos:
- I noticed no degradation of the product during my use, though
there was a bit of color loss on the wear areas, but this was cosmetic
only. In particular, I noticed no degradation of support or
cushioning
Concerns:
- None to speak of. I had no problems with the product during
the entire test period.
If I reflect back on my use of custom insoles, I wish I had a pair of
these when I first developed Plantar Fasciitis. It would have
allowed some experimentation so I could determine just how much support
I needed. On the flip side now that I have become very aware of
my needs, the extra expense of an adjustable insole might not make
sense
to me unless I suspected that my feet were changing.
Many thanks to OrthoSole
and BackpackGearTest.org for the
opportunity to
test this product.
Read more reviews of OrthoSole gear
Read more gear reviews by Kurt Papke
|