|
| Home | Guest - Not logged in | |||
|
» Register
» Login
Gear Reviews
Documents
Tools
» Contact
|
Reviews > Footwear > Footbeds and Insoles > Spenco OAS Backpacker > Russell Curry > Field ReportFIELD REPORT
SPENCO OAS BACKPACKER FOOTBEDS 
October 14, 2005
Tester Biography: Name: Russell Curry Age: 58 Height: 6'0" (1.83 m) Weight: 185 lbs (84 kg) Email: mrqcace@yahoo.com City, State, Country: Orange, Texas, USA Backpacking Background: My hiking experiences began in the 1960's. My experiences include hikes in Europe, the Mediterranean, Canada, Alaska, and most Eastern and Western states in a variety of terrain. I hike in all seasons, in temperatures as low as 5 F (-15 C) to as high as 110 F (43 C), in rain, shine and snow and from desert to forest to mountain. My pack weights vary from 25 lbs (11 kg) to 10 lbs (5 kg). Product Identification: Item: Backpacker Footbed Manufacturer: Spenco URL: www.spenco.com Year of Manufacturer: 2005 MSRP: $30.00 Product Description: The OAS (Outdoor Adventure Series) Backpacker Footbed is an insert for hiking shoes and boots that is designed to provide cushioning, support and motion control while undertaking strenuous outdoor activity, including carrying heavy loads over varying terrain for multiple days at a time. For more information on these footbeds please review my Initial Report. Field Testing: After trimming the footbeds to fit my Saloman XA Pro trail runners, I found they also fit very well into my Vasque hiking boots and the Dunham Alcatraz Water Escape Trail Shoe that I was given the opportunity to test along with these foot beds. The foot beds fit a little differently than my normal gel insert. The arch support seems rather high and curves nicely around my arches. I have flat feet so at first this felt a little strange. I did have to remove my existing insoles in my Salomans and Vasque boots in order for the Spenco footbed to fit and still have some "overhead" room above my feet. They felt reasonably comfortable when I first stepped into my shoes but I could tell there was going to be a break in period either for my feet or the foot beds. For the first week, I wore them every day in my Saloman shoes and found them to be comfortable. The way they cradled my foot, especially around my arches, definitely added some motion control to my feet. I half expected to feel some lumps on these foot beds due to the cushioning pads that are fastened on the heel area and under the arch, but once I had my feet on them, I could feel no lumps. The cushioning felt a little firm, but still very comfortable and supportive. I experienced no problems during the weeklong break in period, I was just not use to having so much support under my flat feet. I wear nylon socks so I was initially concerned that my feet would slide on these footbeds and possibly cause hotspots, but so far this has not happened. I have ample overhead room above my feet, and the foot beds have not caused me any discomfort so far. I have always had a problem with insoles riding up out of my shoe on my right foot, but this has not happened with these foot beds. However, I will be using them shortly on strenuous hikes with pack loads around 25 lbs, (11 kg) so I will get back to this later on how they do under a load. I used them with the Dunham Alcatraz Water Escape Trail Shoe on an 8 mile (13 km) hike at my local park in wet and muddy conditions. The motion control part of the foot bed, the ribbed arch support and cushioning felt very good to me and I liked the stability it gave me. At the end of the hike, I examined the foot beds and found that they did not absorb any water. I was able to do a quick wipe down and they were ready to go for the next trek. I allowed them to air dry after wiping them down and subsequently over the next few days I examined them several times to determine if any delaminating had or was taking place on the insoles. I was unable to find any failures, and I could discern no odors from the insoles being used for the wet 8 mile (13 km) hike. Subsequent to this hike in the Dunham shoes, I put them into my Saloman shoes and wore them every day, also when biking on my road bike. They have continued to perform well so far and I have no discomfort when using the insoles. My feet seem to have adapted very well to the motion control part of the insole and to the arch support that they provide. Bearing the Load: I
joined
7
other
hiking
club
members
for
a
7
day
trek
to
the
Rocky
Mountain
National
Park,
in
the
Never
Summer
area
in
late
August
and
early
September.
Elevations
ranged
from
10,250
ft
(3,100
m)
to
12,300
ft
(3,750
m),
temperatures
varied
from
30
F
(-1
C)
to
65
F
(18
C).
Terrain
consisted
of
mostly
rocks
and
boulders,
with
loose
scree,
rock
falls,
and
generally
rough
footings
throughout
the
7
day
trip.
Pack weights started at 31 lb (14 kg) and ended at 21 lb (10 kg).
Weather was bright and sunny the entire 7 days of the trip.
One of many rock falls we had to cross on our 7 day trip. The
insoles
did
an
outstanding
job
in
providing
me
the
comfort,
stability
and
cushioning
I
needed
for
my
flat
feet
during
the
7
days
in
Colorado.
I
suffered
no
blisters
or
hotspots.
My
feet
were
tired
at
day's
end,
but
not
aching,
throbbing
or
hurting
as
has
happened
with
other
insoles
that
I
have
tried.
I was not used to the stability that the insoles afforded me, and this
really helped out when crossing so many rocky paths. I found answers to all of the questions I had on
my application to test these insoles. Fit - the foot bed could pose
a problem working its way out of my right shoe or boot - it never
happened. Once I had trimmed the insoles and had them in my shoes, they
stayed put. Comfort - I did have to wear
them for several days in my different shoes to get my feet used to the
feel of the insoles. I have not felt any lumps or parts of the insole
that caused me any discomfort. The insoles do take up a little more
room in my shoes, but still fit well and do not force the top of my
feet up against the top fabric of my shoes. Adjustments - the insoles can
easily be trimmed for proper fitting into my shoes. I have been able to
wash them and then a quick wipe with a cloth to dry them. I hiked in
water with them and they did not absorb water, or appear to
become damaged in any way. I found the comfort level to be very
high while wearing the insoles in my different hiking shoes and boots. Miscellaneous - I have not
noticed the insoles causing or retaining abnormal foot odors. Usage - I will be further testing these insoles
in
desert type terrain, also in the Yucatan, on sandy beaches and dense
hardwood trails. Additionally, I will be wearing them whenever I wear
my trail runners around town, which is nearly every day. I have already
put 10 days of hiking on these insoles, 7 with varying pack weights,
and will be doing more on the long term testing. In addition to
wearing these while hiking, I have also been wearing them in my biking
shoes for long road trips. Summary - so far I am impressed with
the comfort and stability that the insoles have offered me. They have
worked better than anything else that I have tried so far. I
normally do not use insoles of this caliber though, so I can only
compare it to the gel type inserts that I have used previously and the
low dollar inserts that are available at my local discounter. I plan to
continue wearing these every day and to engage in more hikes with loads
to verify how they perform long term. Russell Curry Read more reviews of Spenco gear Read more gear reviews by Russell Curry Reviews > Footwear > Footbeds and Insoles > Spenco OAS Backpacker > Russell Curry > Field Report | |||
