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Reviews > Footwear > Footbeds and Insoles > Spenco OAS Day Hiker > Jennifer Williams > Long Term ReportLong Term Report: Spenco Day Hiker FootbedsTESTER BIO
Backpacking Background:
PRODUCT INFORMATION
Product Description: The Spenco Day Hiker Footbeds are shoe insoles from Spenco's Outdoor Adventure Series specifically designed for hiking and backpacking. See a detailed description in my Initial Report. Field information: Central and Northern California Coasts: I wore the Spenco Footbeds on multiple day hikes in state parks ranging in elevations from sea level to 6000 feet (sea level to 1800 meters). The hikes were mostly on maintained trails with gradual elevation gains. The first two hikes, in the redwoods along the bay area peninsula, were on dry, dirt trails with occasional rocky sections. Temperatures were around 65 F (18 C) and the weather was sunny and slightly breezy. Theses hikes were each approximately 6 miles (9.7 km). The third hike, near Pacifica, was after a rain and the 4-mile (6.4 km) trail was a fairly muddy in some areas. The temperature was about 60 F (16 C) and the weather was cloudy and a bit foggy. On all hikes I carried a small daypack weighing about 5 lbs (2.3 kg). During this final testing phase I used the footbeds exclusively in a pair of Teva Steep XCR trail shoes since I did not have a chance to try them in my heavier hiking boots again. On all of the hikes I wore a pair of lightweight trail running socks or lightweight hiking socks. Long Term Evaluation: The Spenco Day Hiker Footbeds have continually performed very well over the course of this test. I have taken them through warm, dry conditions and into the wet rainy season with no problems. I have not noticed any changes in the way they feel or perform during the final testing phase. They stayed breathable and did not cause my feet to sweat more than normal. As the season got colder and rainier I started wearing slightly thicker socks and did not notice a difference in how the footbeds felt. On all of my hikes the footbeds have maintained their supportiveness under my arches. I have not noticed any of the cushioning wearing out yet and my problem areas under my big toes continue to be much more comfortable than they used to be while hiking . The Spenco Footbeds also seem to be very durable. I have hiked many miles in them and have not seen any frayed or worn places in the tops of the footbeds. I frequently remove them from the shoes in order to air them out and all of the different padding sections on the bottom are in place and still look pliable without any cracks. Cosmetically, they have the typical dirt and sweat stains, but nothing excessive, and they do not smell bad at all yet. Summary: They have proven to be versatile across a range of terrain and activities. I found them supportive, with cushioning in all the right places, while hiking over hard rocky terrain and soft mucky terrain. They were comfortable during day hikes and a lightweight backpacking trip and I even used them for a bit of trail running without any discomfort. I do not notice a significant difference in the level of fatigue my feet feel after a long hike, but the pressure points that used to bother me are more comfortable with the Spenco Day Hiker Footbeds. I will definitely buy another pair of these footbeds when this pair wears out.\par Likes:
Dislikes: None Thank you to BackpackGeatTest.org and Spenco for the opportunity to test these footbeds.
Reviews > Footwear > Footbeds and Insoles > Spenco OAS Day Hiker > Jennifer Williams > Long Term Report | |||