Field Test Report:
Spenco OAS Backpacker Footbeds

Product Information
Product Tested: Spenco Outdoor Adventure Series Backpacker Footbeds
Manufacturer: Spenco Medical Corp.
Manufacturer Website: http://www.spenco.com
Year of Manufacture: 2005
Sizes Available: Spenco Footbed sizes 0-6 fit the full range of men’s and women’s sizes (sizing chart on the Spenco website)
Size Tested: 5 (fits men’s U.S. size 12-13)
Weight Listed: none
Weight as Delivered: 6.1 oz (173 g); right footbed is 2.9 oz (82 g), left footbed is 3.2 oz (91 g)
Warranty: One-year unconditional
MSRP: $30.

Product Description
According to the Spenco website, “the Spenco® Outdoor Adventure Series is a new line of footbeds that are designed specifically for the needs of outdoor enthusiasts. The unique combination of stability and cushioning provides the outdoor enthusiasts with the benefits needed to experience more – more comfortably.” The Spenco® Backpacker model “is for outdoor enthusiasts that are carrying heavy packs over unpredictable terrain for multiple days at a time. This intensity of outdoor participation needs a footbed with extra cushioning, support and the additional benefit of motion control to help you experience more – more comfortably.”

Product features are (according to information on the box the footbeds came in):
OAS™ Stabilizer—a raised area on the inside edge of each footbed helps provide better support and stability.
Cool Dry™ Technology—the wicking fabric on the top side helps to keep feet dry, to reduce hot spots and blisters.
PolySorb Shox™—raised foam pads on the underside provide extra cushioning to absorb shock and help prevent over-pronation.

Test Locations and Conditions—I have backpacked with the Spenco Footbeds in my boots every week since they arrived. My use during the first two months of testing is as follows:

All testing has been in the Southern Colorado Mountains and Southeastern Utah canyon country.

Terrains include forest and desert trails, alpine tundra, sliderock, slickrock, off-trail bushwhacking, scrambling, walking in water and mud, and hiking in snow and frozen ground. I do a lot of off-trail backpacking in really rough, steep conditions, so the footbeds have been used under some challenging conditions. My estimated mileage so far is 300 miles (483 km).

How the Footbeds Were Used—The Spenco Footbeds were used in Dunham Terrastryder mid-height hiking boots, Dunham Convair mid-height hiking boots, Dunham Alcatraz water/hiking shoes, and New Balance 902 trail runners.

Field Test Report
Materials, Quality and Construction—The footbeds are well made and utilize varying thicknesses and densities of foam in different locations.

Footbed Fit—The Footbeds required about 0.5 in (13 mm) of trimming at the toe end to fit into my boots. The adjustment was easily done with scissors. After trimming, the footbeds are easy to insert or remove.

Boot Fit—The Spenco Footbeds are thicker than the original insoles that came with my boots, and reduced the volume inside my boots to some extent. The boots still fit properly with cushioned hiking socks. However, I would not want to give up any more volume or my boots would fit too tight.

Cushioning—The Spenco Backpacker model is a heavy-duty footbed compared to the footbeds that came with my boots and the Superfeet Performance Green Insoles that I have been using for some time. The Spenco Backpacker Footbeds are clearly thicker (photo below). They have a lot of extra foam cushioning on the top and bottom and more support on the inside edge. On the trail I can definitely feel the extra cushioning that the Spenco Footbeds provide. On one 80-mile (129 km) section of the Colorado Trail I hiked 20 miles (32 km) per day with no foot problems using the Spenco Footbeds.

Support—The Footbeds are much stiffer than the original insoles that came with my boots, and about the same as the Superfeet Performance Green Insoles. This is very subjective, but my perception is that the Spenco Backpacker Footbeds significantly improved the support and performance of my boots. I have not had any problems with foot fatigue while wearing the Spenco Footbeds.

Weight—The Spenco Backpacker Footbeds are a bit on the heavy side, 6.1 oz (173 g) per pair, compared to 3.5 oz (99 g) per pair for my Superfeet insoles, and 1.3 oz (37 g) per pair for my original insoles. For ultralight backpackers, who try to minimize boot weight, the extra weight of the Spenco Backpacker Footbeds is a significant factor. Interestingly, the left footbed weighs 0.3 oz (8.5 g) more than the right one.

Durability: After about 300 miles (483 km) on the footbeds, they look well-used but are still going strong.

My Expectations for the Spenco Footbeds
Following is an update of my expectations for the Spenco Footbeds:

1) The Spenco Footbeds will be high quality and will not show any excessive wear, de-lamination, or other deterioration during the four-month test period. (True so far; they have been holding up well.)

2) The Spenco Footbeds will readily fit in my boots, and will not significantly change the sizing of my boots. If it does change the sizing, I can readily adjust for it by using thinner socks or other means. (True. The Footbeds reduced the volume inside my boots some, but not enough to compress my feet. I have been able to adjust sock thickness to maintain a good fit.)

3) The Spenco Footbeds will provide noticeably better foot comfort over a variety of terrains and conditions. I will not have any discomfort or fatigue that is caused by the footbeds. (True. Wearing the same boots with or without the Spenco Footbeds, the boots are more comfortable with the Spenco Footbeds. Even on high mileage days and during hot weather I have not had any foot problems while using the Spenco Footbeds.)

4) The Spenco Footbeds will improve the performance of my boots, by means of better arch support, better lateral support, and proper stiffness. Better performance can be measured in terms of better foot support on steep slopes and rocky terrain. (True. I do detect improved performance, but not a dramatic difference.)

5) The Spenco Footbeds will minimize foot fatigue from hiking on rocky trails and on high mileage days. (True. The Spenco Footbeds definitely provide better cushioning and support.)

Tester Information
Name: Will Rietveld
Age: 62
Gender: Male
Height: 6 ft (183 cm)
Weight: 170 lb (77 kg)
Foot Size: U.S. 11.5 EEEE
Email: willi_wabbit at bresnan dot net
City & State: Durango, CO 81301
Location for Testing: Southwestern US (Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico).

Backpacking Background—I have been an avid backpacker for 47 years. I am retired and backpacking is my passion. During the summer I backpack nearly every week. During the fall, winter, and spring I backpack, day hike, snowshoe, or ski every week. I backpack in wilderness areas in Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, and occasionally in other western states.

Backpacking Style—I have been a lightweight backpacker for 30 years, an ultralight backpacker for six years, and have been experimenting with super ultralight backpacking for four months. My wife and I give presentations on ultralight backpacking in our local area, and have developed a website called Southwest Ultralight Backpacking to share information.

Acknowledgement
I would like to thank the Spenco Corp. and the Backpackgeartest Group for selecting me to participate in this test.

Will Rietveld