Field Report: Shock Doctor Ultra 2 Footbeds

Biographical Information:

Name: Chuck Carnes

Age: 34

Gender: Male

Height: 6’0” (1.83 m)

Weight: 175 lbs (79 kg)

Email address: ctcarnes1(at)yahoo(dot)com

City, State, Country: Taylors, South Carolina, United States

Date: August 16, 2004

Backpacking Background:

I love the outdoors – I’ve spent time camping in the outdoors since I was born, and have been actively hiking and backpacking for the past ten years. I consider myself a lightweight hiker, usually carrying 20 – 30 pounds (11-13 kg) for hikes up to a week in length. I hike at an easy pace, averaging 2 mph (3 kph). I am a one man tent camper for now until something I like better comes along. I like to carry a single trekking pole when I hike to help relieve stress to my legs and knees. I like to get out on the trail as often as I can.

Product Information:

Manufacturer: Shock Doctor, Inc.

Size: 9.5 – 10.5 (Men’s US)

Year of Manufacture: 2004

URL: www.shockdoc.com

MSRP: not listed by manufacturer

Listed weight: no weight listed by manufacturer

Weight as delivered: 5 oz (142 g) (pair)

Features of Shock Doctor Ultra 2 Footbeds:

• CONTROL BAR stabilizes the heel and controls pronation.
• ADAPTIVE ARCH supports high, medium and low arches.
• Metatarsal support relaxes the foot and helps relieve Plantar Fasciitis pain.
• Composite foams absorb shock under heel, arch, midfoot and ball of foot.
• Anti-Microbial Air/FX top cover reduces friction and controls odor.
• COMFORTEMP microspheres maintain a temperature balanced environment; cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s cool.

Field Information (Weather and Temperature)

            During the course of this month of testing the temperatures have been in a range of 75 F (24 C) for a low and 98 F (36 C) for a high. Individual temperatures will be noted below as they pertain to the time and activity. The weather during this test period has been mostly dry. There have been a few occurrences where rain was falling and the SD Ultra 2 Footbeds were in my shoes. This will also be noted below as to when this occurred.

Field Testing of the Footbeds

            I can’t believe I have gone this long without discovering these wonderful footbeds. I have continually switched them from my hiking boots to my trail running shoes to my asphalt running shoes. I would estimate that I have put close to 90 miles (145 km) on these footbeds and they still remain as comfortable as the first day that I tried them.

Hiking Boots:

            I backpack and sometimes hike in a pair of Asolo full grain leather boots size 8 ½ USA. Supperfeet footbeds have been my choice of footbeds for these boots in the past. I removed these footbeds and inserted the SD Ultra 2 Footbeds for testing. As I removed the old footbeds I noticed that I kept the original footbeds in the boot and had inserted the old footbeds on top, creating an extra layer of cushion. I haven’t really had any problems with this so I thought I would do the same for the SD Ultra 2 Footbeds. After inserting them in the boot and then putting them on, I found out real quickly that my toes were jammed into the top of the toe box. I removed the original footbed and placed just the SD Ultra 2 Footbed in the boot. This had a much better fit than both footbeds in at the same time.

            With the SD Ultra 2 Footbeds in these boots I have backpacked in them once and hiked in them once. The backpacking trip was to Jones Gap near Caesars Head in South Carolina.  We backpacked for a total length of 8 miles during this trip with almost flat trail conditions. The footbeds were great. I never felt any fatigue in my feet or my lower legs. My feet were very snug in the boot and I never felt any hot spots or blisters forming. I was able to experience a heavy rain storm during our hike. The storm lasted for about 15 minutes but it was a down pour. I would say at least .25 in (.64 cm) of rain fell in the 15 minute time period. The temperature, according to my Casio altimeter watch, was 82 F (27 C). The rain pants that I wore during this rain storm covered my boots to prevent any water from entering in the boot. The footbeds did not get wet; they stayed dry the whole time.

            The hiking trip was to Mt. Mitchell in North Carolina, the highest peak east of the rockies. The elevation on Mt. Mitchell is 6684 ft (2037 m). Our total hike was 9 miles (14 km) with an elevation difference of 400 ft (122 m) to 600 ft (183 m) over five different peaks. I have to say that most of the descents and ascents were very strenuous. Most steps were 2 ft (61 cm) to 3 ft (91 cm) high making the hike almost a climbing expedition. The temperature during this hike stayed around 85 F (30 C). At one point at the end of the hike I started to feel a blister forming on the top of my left pinky toe. I removed my boot, wrapped it with some medical tape and put the boot back on. I kept the laces loose at the bottom and that seemed to do the trick.

Trail Running Shoes:

            The trail running shoes that I use are Montrails size 9 ½ USA. During this period of testing I have been on a couple of day hikes and runs in these shoes with the SD Ultra 2 Footbeds in them. I removed the factory insoles and inserted the SD Ultra 2 Footbeds in the Montrails. With these shoes and footbeds on my feet I am able to really feel the difference of factory insoles and nice footbeds. The trails that I have hiked and run were soft dirt to compacted dirt. As I run in these on the trails my feet feel very relaxed and I don’t feel my toes pushing off the footbeds as I do with the factory insoles. It seems like I don’t have to put much effort into pushing my feet off the ground. As my heel comes down to the ground I have a very nice cushioned landing. The heel cup keeps my heel stationary in its intended place. I would say that I have about a medium arch height and the footbeds fit my arch very well and give good support.

Asphalt Running Shoes:

            My everyday running shoes that I use are Saucony running shoes size 9 ½  USA. These shoes are really the test on the SD Ultra 2 Footbeds. Running on asphalt and concrete really puts a strain and pounding on the foot. Although the Ultra 2 style is not really designed for asphalt and concrete use, I found them to be very comfortable and more supportive than the factory insoles. I feel the same comfort and support in my everyday running shoes as I do in my trail running shoes. I did have the opportunity to run in sand with them at the beach. My calves started getting tight at about 1 mile but it was from running in the sand and had nothing to do with the footbeds. My feet stayed comfortable through out the run.

Observations Made: 

Fit: (very nice) The footbeds fit very well in my boots as well as my trail and everyday running shoes. I have found them to form nicely to the bottom of my feet. They are soft for comfort but stiff enough to give support. They certainly meet my comfort expectations.

Insulation: I can’t really comment on the insulation factor for cold weather at this point of the test. I have not experience cold enough weather to find out if the footbeds insulate my feet from the cold ground. Upcoming winter weather should give me this opportunity and will report on it in my LTR.

Wicking or Moisture Control: (excellent) After my hikes and runs I monitor the wetness that might be present in the footbed from sweat. I am very happy to say that footbeds have been dry for the most part. The technology that is put into these footbeds to control moisture seems to be working well. My feet have not experienced any friction or movement on the footbed due to moisture.

Durability: (very good) The only area that I have noticed any wear is on top of the footbed where the logos are placed. The logos are starting to fade and become almost transparent. The footbeds are still in the same shape as they were the first day. I do not detect any deformity or breaking down at this point in the test period.

Odor: (not bad) My shoes do not normally stink. They have a slight sweaty smell but nothing that will curl ones nose hairs. So far the odor of the footbeds is not bad at all, just a slight sweaty smell.

Future Test Plan:

            I will continue to use the SD Ultra 2 Footbeds in my hiking, trail and everyday running shoes. I will continue to monitor the observations that I have already made and note those in my LTR. I plan to backpack, hike and run many more miles during the complete testing period. I also plan to attach pictures in my LTR showing new, one month and six month wear on the footbeds.

Thank you Shock Doctor and BGT for the opportunity to test these footbeds.