Reviews > Footwear > Footbeds and Insoles > Spenco OAS Backpacker > Russell Curry > Initial Report

INITIAL REPORT
SPENCO OAS BACKPACKER FOOTBEDS

Tester Biography:

Name:                            Russell Curry
Age:                               58
Height:                           6'0" (1.83 m)
Weight:                          190 lbs (86 kg)
Email:                            mrqcace@yahoo.com
City, State, Country:       Orange, Texas, USA
Date:                              August 5, 2005

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 help me "carry heavy packs over unpredictable terrain for multiple days at a time".  Its features include a "stabilizer to help provide proper support and stability for the foot", "Cool Dry Technology - Ultra wicking top cloth keeps feet dry and helps reduce hot spots and blisters", and "PolySorb Shox with Anti-Roll technology - Exclusive cushioning system absorbs shock and helps control over-pronation for better comfort".  The footbed is molded in the shape of a foot, with a combination of pads and stabilizers to provide cushioning and motion control. Perforations in the footbeds aid in air circulation. There is padding under the metatarsals in the forefoot area that "provides energy rebound for easier walking".

Product Properties:

Size:                 Men's 12D (Euro 46)
Weight:            6 oz (170 g) as received, weights not indicated on the Spenco website

Initial Observations:

This is by far the most complicated looking footbed I have ever seen.  No matter where I look, there is some type of support or cushioning built into this footbed. The heel area alone has two cushioning/stabilizing pads, along with another opposite my arch. The arch support rolls up and cradles the side of my foot, and is reinforced with added ribs and cushioning. The area under the ball of my foot also features cushioning and has perforations for increased air movement. The entire footbed is rather stiff, but is still comfortable for me to wear (so far anyway, I have yet to harness up a heavy pack and try these out under a load).


Inverted Footbeds - a lot going on here with the pads, stabilizers, ribbed
support for my arch, perforations and cushioning in the forefoot area   

When I place my feet on these footbeds, I can feel support across the entire length of my feet. The footbeds cradle my feet and fit my size 12 hiking shoes (46 Eur) or my hiking boots with no problems.  The footbeds came a little long allowing me to trim them for an exact fit to my shoes.


My left foot is larger, and the extra length of the footbeds allowed
me to trim them for a good fit to my shoes.

Once I had trimmed the footbeds, they slid easily into my Saloman XA Pro trailrunners, my Vasque Sundowner hiking boots, and the Dunham Alcatraz Waffle Stomper trail shoes that I am also testing.  The fit inside each of the different shoes is tighter than my normal gel type insoles, but once inside the various shoes, they feel comfortable no matter which shoe or boot I am wearing.


Closeup photo of the pads and stabilizers on the underside of the
footbed. I especially like the long blue pad underneath the arch.

I have always had problems with my flat feet on long hikes, and even though I have yet to hike a long distance with these footbeds, I can definitely feel a difference in my feet after wearing these around town. The cushioning is a little firm, but feels comfortable so far on my limited outings with these footbeds.


The area under my metatarsals on the forefoot part of the footbed.
Perforations are claimed to increase air flow around my feet.

Test Plan:

I have several hikes of varying lengths coming up in the near future. Among these are hikes down the North Kaibab trail at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, lasting 5 days, then off to the Never Summer area in the Rocky Mountain NP for a 7 day trek, followed in the fall with my annual weeklong adventure to Big Bend NP.  These 3 hikes alone will allow me to test these footbeds in terrain varying from desert to high mountain treks, involving some bouldering, water crossings, and many other types of conditions. There will be some very strenuous treks in Colorado on high mountain trails carrying heavy loads that will bear directly on the ability of the footbeds to provide cushioning and support for my feet.  On the lighter side, I have shorter hikes scheduled in my area on trails in dense forests and at my local beach, which will bear on the ability of these footbeds to perform in wet, muddy, and sandy conditions.  I will be wearing these footbeds in either my trail runners or my hiking boots in temperatures ranging from 40 F (4 C) to 95 F (35 C), at elevations varying from sea level to 13,000 ft (3900 m). My pack loads will vary greatly depending on the hike, ranging from 8 lbs (4 kg) to 25 lbs (11 kg).  Based on the wide range of hikes and conditions that I will be using to test these footbeds, I believe it will become evident just how well they perform their stated purpose, to provide extra cushioning, support and the additional benefit of motion control for hikers carrying heavy packs over unpredictable terrain for multiple days at a time.

Conclusion:

Preliminary conclusions are that the Spenco OAS Footbed is a solidly built, comfortable insert for my different types of hiking shoes or boots. They fit my feet well, providing good support, and are comfortable for me to wear.  They cradle my feet and provide arch support and stability that I have found lacking in my other footbeds.

Likes:

Oversize allows me to custom fit to my shoe or boots
Good arch support for my flat feet
Cushioning feels good so far
My feet do feel more stable inside my shoes, especially my trailrunners

Dislikes:

None yet

Thanks to Spenco and Backpackgeartest for giving me the opportunity to review this product.

Russell Curry

Reviews > Footwear > Footbeds and Insoles > Spenco OAS Backpacker > Russell Curry > Initial Report