Description
Date Arrived	August 1, 2005
Manufacturer	Spenco
Year of Manufacturer	2005
Website	http://www.Spenco.com
MSRP	None listed
Warranty	One Year, Unconditional
Size	#3 (Mens US 8-9, Womens US 9-10)
Specifications	This series is recommended for Light Hiking / Trail Walking, this being defined by Spenco as a 1-Day trip carrying 0-25 lbs (11 kgs).

Personal Information
Name	Mike Lipay
Age	50
Gender	Male
Height	5 ft 8 in / 173 cm
Weight	185 lbs / 83.9 kg
Email	hikingATwesternpaDOTus
City, State	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Background	I've been hiking and backpacking with the Boy Scouts since the '60s, although currently I hike more solo, with my kids, or as a trail guide for a local outdoor group. I am no ultralight backpacker, my pack (external frame) weighs 29-40 lbs (13-18 kgs) loaded (not including food), though I am always on the look out for ways to cut down on the weight. I'm a low-techie, preferring a hiking staff to trekking poles, compass to GPS, fire to fuel; but I do carry some techie stuff as well, recently swtiching over to a digital camera from film, and an UV sterilizer from a filter pump.


Note	During this phase of the test I switched the Spenco Day Hikers from a low-height shoe to Dolomite mid-height boots. The reason for the change was to use boots more appropriate to the rougher terrain I would be covering during these tests.
Dates of test	Nov. 5, 2005
Length of Trip	1 day
Weather	65°F (18°C) dry, cloudy
Location	Charles F. Lewis Natural Area, Johnstown, Pa
Terrain	Distance: 4.0 miles (6.4 km) Elevation change: 1,340 ft (408 m) The Charles F. Lewis Natural Area sits on the eastern side of the Connemaugh Gorge, this trail is an easy up-and-down hike with only a few steep changes in elevation. The trailbed is composed primarily of packed soil with some areas covered with pine needles. The hike was after a major wind and rain storm, leaving many of the trails blocked with downed trees and branches, requiring a good deal of climbing over the downfall.
Field Test	What I noticed on this trip was the difference in performance of the Spenco Day Hikers over the varying terrain. Mild to moderate climbs and descents offered no challenge to these insoles, as in past hikes. However, when the grade became steeper my feet began to develop hot spots, fortunately none turned into blisters. What did impress me was the speed with which my feet recovered as soon as I hit gentler grades or flatlands, every time my feet recovered within a few minutes.
Elevation Profile

Dates of test	Nov. 20, 2005
Length of Trip	1 day
Weather	28°F - 54°F (-2°C - 12°C) morning snow, overcast
Location	Baughmann Rocks, Ohiopyle, Pa
Terrain	Distance: 8.3 miles (13.4 km) Elevation change: 1,510 ft (460 m) Distance: 8.3 miles (13.4 km) - Elevation change: 1,510 ft (460 m) - Baughmann Rocks is located on the western side of the Laurel Highlands, above the rapids which form Ohiopyle, unlike the prior hike this one has continuously changing elevations, many quite steep. The trailbed is a combination of packed soil and rocks.
Field Test	This hike pushed the Spenco Day Hikers to their breaking point. The steep elevation changes, rocky trails, and length of the hike combined to make my feet quite sore, with many hot spots - by the end of the hike one blister had formed at the ball of my foot. While my feet did recover once I was off the trail it did take a considerable amount of time this trip.
Elevation Profile

Conclusion	My purpose on these final tests was to determine under what conditions the Spenco Day Hikers would fail, and I did accomplish this to my satisfaction. Spenco advertises these footbeds as appropriate for "walking trails and light terrain," my tests have definately shown just where that line is drawn. I will draw the line at about 6 miles (9.7 km), elevation changes of little more than 1,000 ft (305 m), trails of anything from sand through rocky terrain. Aside from determining just how much abuse the Spenco Day Hikers could handle, I also found their weak point - on descents the footbeds grasp the socks, but allow the feet within to slide. This is where the hot spots originate as the foot slides against the material of the sock. My suggestion would be to increase the lip at the toe of the insole, but I'm no foot expert. What I will do is wear liner socks to reduce the rubbing. The Spenco Day Hikers will become a permanent part of my equipment from now on. Without a doubt these are far superior to standard shoe insoles, and better than all of the other brands I've tried to-date. quote from Spenco's website and packaging

Conclusion

My purpose on these final tests was to determine under what conditions the Spenco Day Hikers would fail, and I did accomplish this to my satisfaction. Spenco advertises these footbeds as appropriate for "walking trails and light terrain*," my tests have definately shown just where that line is drawn. I will draw the line at about 6 miles (9.7 km), elevation changes of little more than 1,000 ft (305 m), trails of anything from sand through rocky terrain.

Aside from determining just how much abuse the Spenco Day Hikers could handle, I also found their weak point - on descents the footbeds grasp the socks, but allow the feet within to slide. This is where the hot spots originate as the foot slides against the material of the sock. My suggestion would be to increase the lip at the toe of the insole, but I'm no foot expert. What I will do is wear liner socks to reduce the rubbing.

The Spenco Day Hikers will become a permanent part of my equipment from now on. Without a doubt these are far superior to standard shoe insoles, and better than all of the other brands I've tried to-date.

*quote from Spenco's website and packaging

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