Reviews > Footwear > Footbeds and Insoles > Spenco OAS Day Hiker > Jennifer Williams > Initial Report

Initial Report: Spenco Day Hiker Footbeds

TESTER BIO
Name: Jennifer Williams
Age: 27
Gender: Female
Height: 5 ft 3 in (1.6 m)
Weight: 120 lbs (56 kg)
Shoe size: 9.5 women (US)
Email: jensmail78 (at) yahoo (dot) com
Sunnyvale, CA, USA
Date: August 9, 2005

Backpacking Background:
I grew up horseback riding, camping, and hiking, but I just started backpacking about two years ago. All of my trips have been one or two night stays. My trips normally range from coastal trails in the redwoods to mountainous terrain in the Sierra Nevadas. I tend to hike where I encounter rain and dampness. This year I am looking forward to making some longer trips in northern California and gaining more experience. I am not a lightweight backpacker yet, but would like to reduce my current pack weight significantly.

PRODUCT INFORMATION
Manufacturer: Spenco
Year of manufacture: 2005
URL: www.spenco.com
Listed weight: not given
Weight as delivered: 2.25oz each (65g)
Size: 3 (US Women 9/10 or US Men 8/9)
MSRP: not given

Product Description:

The Spenco Day Hiker Footbeds are shoe insoles from Spenco's Outdoor Adventure Series specifically designed for hiking and backpacking. The footbeds arrived packaged in a small cardboard box with a front panel cut away so that one can see the footbeds. The package and the footbeds are both a dark green color (as opposed to the blue Backpacker Footbeds from the same line) and the box contains a small green carabiner with the Spenco label on it. The front of the box clearly states that they are "Day Hiker Footbeds for Light Hiking/Trail Walking." On the lower half of the box it states that the footbeds are intended for use with a pack size of 0 - 25 lbs (0 - 11 kg) and a trip duration of 1 day and are guaranteed for 1 year. The back of the box explains the features of the footbeds such as the OAS Stabilizer that "provides proper support and stability for the foot," and the PolySorb Shox System that "absorbes shock and helps control over-pronation." The footbeds also have a wicking top cloth to help keep feet dry and cool.

The instructions are also printed on the back of the box and are easy to follow. They instruct one to remove the existing insoles from your shoes (even if it is glued down) and insert the Spenco Day Hiker Footbeds. If necessary, trim the footbeds with scissors. The footbeds can be hand washed with warm water and air dried. The box also claims that the footbeds are approved by the National Outdoor Leasdership School.

Initial Evalutation:

I ordered size #3 because I wear womens' size 10 shoes. I removed the insoles from the trail shoes that I am currently using (see Teva Steep XCR reports) and tried to insert the Day Hiker Footbeds. They were a little too long for the shoes, so I removed them. I trimmed about half an inch (1 cm) from the toe of each footbed. It was easy to trim them with regular household scissors and the foam and top cloth remained in tact and did not fray or disintegrate. While trimming them I noticed that the intended shoe size is molded into the bottoms of the footbeds. I inserted the footbeds again and they fit in the shoes well. They seem true to size since I only had to trim them a small amount for my size 10 shoes.

The tops of the footbeds are covered in mesh-like fabric. There are tiny holes punched in the footbeds to provide airflow in the area where the balls of the feet would be. Also noticeable on the tops of the footbeds is a slightly raised area of extra padding where the arch meets the ball of the foot. The main section on the bottoms of the footbeds is the OAS Stabilizer which is a brown, firm plastic arch support that extends from the heel cup to just before the ball of the foot. Set into the OAS Stabilizer are three sections of extra padding that make up the PolySorb Shox System. Two of the sections are green and extend along the outer edge of the heel and arch. The third section is yellow and is located under the inner edge of the heel. This section seems more firm than the other two sections. There is a large section of black padding that starts at the edge of of the OAS Stabilizer and extends under the balls of the feet. This section has horizontal ridges in it and seems to allow the footbeds to flex easily. The remaining area under the toes is a thin, grey foam and is the softest section of the footbeds.

I wore the footbeds to work in my trail shoes and immediately noticed that the arch support is more substantial that the footbeds that I typically use. The extra arch supports feel very comfortable under my flat arches and seem to help keep my feet from rolling inward (pronating). The footbeds take up a lot of extra volume in my shoes, which made it easier to get a tight fit for my low volume feet. I also noticed that the areas under my big toes are more cushioned than other insoles I have used. So far, I have only worn the footbeds during light walking around work and while running errands. They seem very comfortable and I do not expect that they will require much of a break in period.

Initial Likes:
*Supportive arches
*Cushioning under big toes

Initial Dislikes: None

Field information

Central and Northern California Coasts:
Locations will include multiple state parks and national forests ranging in elevations from 0 to 6000 feet (1800 meters). I will take multiple day hikes and a two or three day backpacking trip mostly on maintained trails with gradual elevation gains. Trails will vary between dry and rocky to damp and sometimes muddy conditions with occasional stream crossings. Temperatures will be between 50 to 90 F (10 to 32 C). I typically carry a small day pack weighing about 5 pounds (2.3 kg). If the footbeds feel supportive enough I might use them in sturdier hiking boots on a short, lightweight backpacking trip.

I will use the footbeds almost exclusively in the Teva Steep XCRs that I am currently testing. However, I will also try the footbeds in my sturdier Montrail Torre GTX hiking boots (see owner review). I might also try them in an old pair of Merrell trail runners just to see how they feel in different shoes.

Test Plan:

My test plan for the Spenco Day Hiker Footbeds will include a thorough evaluation of the supportiveness and durability of the footbeds. Specifically, do they provide enough arch support for my flat feet without providing too much support and preventing any pronation? Do the footbeds keep my feet stable without allowing them to over-pronate or slip around in the shoes? Are they supportive in the heel area and help my heels act as shock absorbers? Do the footbeds stay in place inside the shoe? Do they deteriorate if they get wet? Do the surfaces hold up after extended wear or do they wear out or fray where I trimmed them? Do they remain supportive for many hikes? How long does the cushioning remain comfortable before they wear out?

I will also review the comfort of the footbeds, including aspects specific to my type of feet (flat arches, low volume) as well as general comfort issues. Specifically, do the footbeds provide enough cushioning under the balls of the feet and the big toes? Because of my over-pronation there is typically a lot of pressure on my big toe that other footbeds do not provide cushioning for. The diagram on the Spenco website claims that there is extra cushioning and indicates that there is cushioning under the big toe which might provide relief. Generally, are the footbeds flexible enough to bend with my foot instead of being stiff? Do the footbeds make my feet sweatier than normal?

Read more reviews of Spenco gear
Read more gear reviews by Jennifer Williams

Reviews > Footwear > Footbeds and Insoles > Spenco OAS Day Hiker > Jennifer Williams > Initial Report