| |
Gear Reviews
Documents
Tools
|
Manufacturer's
Comment - Shock Doctor Ultra 2 Footbeds
6 September 2004
I thought it best that I comment on the three
[Field Report - ed.] reviews that have been reported on our footbeds. I'm impressed with the thoroughness of all of
them, the objectivity is genuine and I trust the results are as accurate as they can be.
However, I have observed that Chuck Carnes and John Corrigan are likely using too large a footbed, which can cause a couple of problems. But
first the sizing:
Our footbeds size out about 1/2 size longer than marked. A 9.5 shoe should usually use a 8-9 footbed. A 11 shoe should usually use a 9.5-10.5
footbed. We have also observed, depending upon the last and listed sizes on shoes and boots that most shoes and boots run shorter than listed size.
Our footbeds are based on a true size scale, but shoes vary so much. We have seen, for instance, a 11.5 in one brand equal a 10.5 in length of
another. My point is we find that it's best that when on the edge of the size scale use the smaller size.
This is not just for length reasons, because the position of our Y shaped metatarsal arch in the mid portion of the footbed could be too far forward
and too wide if the footbed is too long for the foot. Instead of the footbed's metatarsal arch being just behind the metatarsal heads filling
the metatarsal cavity/arch in the foot...which relieves the pressure off of the metatarsal heads (ball of the foot) and the first met head and big
toe...the front end of the footbed metatarsal arch is actually under the leading edge of the foot's metatarsal heads themselves promoting pressure
and soreness to the foot's metatarsal heads and not relaxing those metatarsal heads and correspondingly the toes. This can create
discomfort.
In addition, a too large footbed usually has too wide a heel cup for the smaller foot and the heel's fatty tissue is not as well contained and
stabilized as it would be in a smaller, more accurate fitting heel cup shape. If this happens then the likelihood of movement and friction is
much greater and irritation and blisters may arise.
Now for the testers sizing, etc.
Despite Chuck Carnes positive results Chuck is using a 9.5-10.5 Ultra2 footbed in a 8.5 hiking boot. This is too big a footbed to be cut down
this much, as well as the heel cup of this footbed will likely be too wide for the boot and the heel of the foot will not be cradled very well.
In Chuck's 9.5 trail shoes the fit should be better, but I think Chuck would be better off with a 8-9 Ultra2 which measures out best for a 8.5
and a 9.5. I would expect a better fit all the way around, as well as a better match of the
biomechanical shape of the footbed to the foot's anatomic shape.
John Corrigan's shoe size is listed as a 9.5, and he rightly checked his trimming and fit of the footbed and he was satisfied of a good fit. After
observing the photos of the footbed, although they have stood up to many hours of use, I think he may find the 8-9 a better fit and likely could
increase the "cushion" effect of the footbed due to the metatarsal arch of the footbed more correctly placed behind his met heads and properly
relieving the pressure that may account for the lack of cushion effect. In fact the larger met arch of the current footbed may be placing extra
pressure on the ball of the foot and make the footbed feel harder. As for the separation of the gray heel stabilizer, that should not happen and is
an anomaly even if it doesn't affect performance. The parts are compression/adhered but it is rare that they would separate.
Alas, as for Andrew Priest's test I can't gauge the size differential other than a snug good fit in the New Balance shoes. I am
disappointed in the fatigue factor when used in the Scarpa hiking boot. If the boot is
smaller than the shoes, that could be an issue. As always individuals and their specific needs and results differ and one footbed can't work for
everybody.
Read more reviews of Shock Doctor gear
|
