Name:	Lynne Durham
Gender:	Female
Height:	5' 10" (1.78 m)
Weight:	153 lb (69 kg)
Age:	43
Email:	lynnedurham AT yahoo DOT com
Location:	Benton Harbor, Michigan, USA
Shoe size:	Women's US 10

BACKPACKING EXPERIENCE
I am a backpacking novice -- my first trip was in 2002. I have hiked and car camped all of my life, mostly in the relative flatlands of the lower and upper peninsulas of Michigan, but also in areas east of the Continental Divide, such as South Dakota, New England, Kentucky, Florida, Ohio, Indiana, and more. In September, 2004 I did my first solo backpacking trip and in October, 2004 I did a single-day, rim-to-rim hike of the Grand Canyon. So far, all of my camping and backpacking has been 3-season, but I plan to expand to winter camping. I keep my pack weight to 25% of bodyweight or less but I always bring optional or comfort items. My other outdoor experience includes trail running and snowshoeing; I am a paddling, climbing and adventure racing novice.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Item name:	Bite Xtension 2 Sandals
Manufacturer:	Bite Footwear
Manufacturer's Web site:	http://www.biteshoes.com/
Year of manufacture:	2005
MSRP:	USD79.99
Manufacturer claimed weight:	N/A
Actual weight as received:	Right: 12.1 oz (343 g) Left: 12.2 oz (346 g) Total: 24.3 oz (689 g) just a tad over 1.5 lbs (0.68 kg)
Available sizes (per the Web site):	US Women's 5-11 (whole sizes only) and US Men's 7-16
Manufactured:	In China, of all man-made materials.

INFORMATION FROM THE PACKAGE
The sandals arrived in the Bite shoe box. There is a size conversion chart on the bottom of the box, which allows one to easily see that a US Women's 10 is equivalent to a UK Women's 7.5, a European Women's 41 and a Japan/Korea Women's 265. There is a full-color label on one end of the box, showing the sandal in the packaged color (in this case, natural/navy/taupe). There is also a sticker touting the sandals' 45-day comfort guarantee, an offer I find to be a generous guarantee.

Claims and specifications from the outer packaging:
UPPER

Xtension 2 pulley strapping system secures the foot to the midsole
Quick-drying lightweight Durahide upper
Dual buckle design provides a snug, adjustable fit
Forefoot straps hold foot securely around metatarsal heads

OUTSOLE

Burst outsole with multidirectional grip
Thin, responsive outsole for lively ground feel
Enerflow system transfers energy from heel to toe
Contoured phylon midsole cradles the foot for support
ATS heel pad for soft impact, forefoot PE Launch Pad for lift
Medial post featuring Grey Matter to eliminate pronation
Motion control stabilizer & spring bar for exceptional foot control
Arch shank gives extra support and stability
Toe Guard protection for security

Before the sandals arrived, I wondered if they would fit correctly. In some running shoes, I take a Women's 10.5 rather than a 10. When I open the box, the sandals are packaged in plastic. A small, loose cardboard, 4-panel brochure is on top. The brochure contains information on the fit guarantee and important fit suggestions:

Wear for one hour on a carpteted surface first to be sure of the fit
Perform the fit test at the end of the day or after exercise, when feet are at their most swollen
Try the sandals on with any socks you may wear with them
Try on both sandals

Since the sandals arrived two days after I completed a 50-mile (81 km) trail run, my feet were plenty swollen to perform the fit test. First I tried them on with barefeet:

Photo of Barefeet in Bite Xtension 2 Sandals

Then with relatively thin running socks:

Bite Xtension 2 Sandal worn with running socks

Then with midweight hiking socks.

In all cases, the sandals felt great. My daughter pointed out that they may even be too big. However, the manufacturer suggests bigger is better.

Using their system, I determine that the sandals are a good fit for me.

In addition to this brochure, there is a hangtag connected to one of the sandals. This hang tag makes additional claims, including the claim that "Allowing your toes to grasp the footbed builds strength and increases indurance" (sic). On the inside of this hangtag there is a fabulous exploded-view graphic and text describing how each part of the outsole and insole work to give you "...the cushioning, stability, support and security of a running shoe...." The copy blocks are each numbered, unfortunately, the exploded view pieces are not correspondingly numbered or I would feel more confident in my description of the parts of the shoe.

After reviewing the manufacturer's fit criteria and performing the suggested tests, I feel the sandals fit quite well. Now they are ready to see the outside world.

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
Upon inspection of the Bite Xtension 2, the arch area looks a bit lower than I usually prefer. The gray midsole is firm, yet much more cushiony than I expect it to be -- pleasantly so. Pressing into it with my thumb is easy, but it feels firm and immediately returns to shape. The Burst outsole (pictured earlier in this report) also has a curved "hinge" of sorts near the toe area, I assume to facilitate the bending of the toes. Despite lack of explicit directions in the fit brochure, it is easy to figure out how to work the pulley system for fit. The Toe Guard juts up from the sole approximately 0.5 inch (1.27 cm). Will it be adequate toe protection on the trail?

My first extended experience in the sandals is a full day at work (carpeted surface, not much walking), followed by a 3-mile (4.83 km) run on asphalt. My desire is to run without socks -- that's what initially attracts me to the sandals -- and so I attempt this run without socks. Overall, the run went very well. The sandals are suprisingly comfortable. The sandals keep my foot stable laterally (side to side). The cushioning works well to absorb the shock of my feet hitting the road.Unfortunately, about 1.5 miles (2.42 km) in to the run, I develop a hot spot and by the time I return home, my heel is sporting a new blister.

TEST PLAN: LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS
I will use these sandals as my primary footwear for most outdoor activities. During the test period, I currently have several trips planned, including trips in Michigan, Kentucky, and Arizona. This means the sandals may be subjected to:

Rocky, rugged conditions
Well-maintained forest trails
Steep sand dunes
Smooth, well-worn sandstone
Wet, muddy trails
Creek/river crossings
Rain
Hot, humid conditions
Cool or even cold conditions

Additionally, I plan to use the sandals -- in conjunction with other shoes -- during a 72-hour adventure race in June in Michigan. The sandal will most likely be used during canoeing, rafting and hiking sections of the race.

TEST PLAN: ACTIVITIES
This period will include at least 1 weekend backpacking trip along the North Country Trail, a long-weekend backpacking trip in the Mammoth Cave National Park area, a 4-5 day backpacking trip along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and dozens of dayhikes. Additionally, the sandals will be tested during two adventure races, one a sprint race (8 hours) and one a multi-day race. The sandals will be used as trail runners, hikers and/or during water portions of the races. All trips will occur during the spring, summer and early fall.

TEST PLAN: QUESTIONS
As the test moves forward, I hope to address some specific issues:
Fit:

Does the fit system allow the sandals to stay well-fitted through hours of use, or do the sandals require regular readjustment?

Comfort:

Do these sandals provide adequate arch support for backpacking? Dayhiking? Trail running?
Will wearing socks while I run prevent the appearance of blisters?
Will simply taping or putting moleskin on my heel allow me to run in the sandals without socks?
Can adjusting the sandals differently help prevent blisters, yet keep the sandals properly sized?
Are the sandals comfortable enough to run in for hours at a time?
Is the cushioning adequate for long-distance needs?
How comfortable is the shoe when wet?
Does dampness increase the possibility of hot spots?

Performance:

Can I get these sandals on and off quickly?
Does the Toe Guard adequately protect the toes?
How does the sandal perform in sand dunes? It seems like the open design would allow the sand to sift out easily...does this help me avoid the black toenails I inevitably experience when hiking or running in sand?
Does the Burst outsole adequately grip a variety of surfaces as claimed? Does it offer better performance on one terrain versus another?
Is the open design a hindrance -- does too much trail debris getunder the foot? Or does it allow trail debris to slip out as easily as it slips in?
How does the sandal handle perspiration? Is the airflow such that perspiration dries very quickly? Or will it feel like a slimy mess?
Do the Motion Control Stabilizer and Spring Bar provide adequate lateral (side-to-side) stability on a variety of trail surfaces?

Durability:

Can the sandals withstand extended, single-event use? (For example, a 3-day race) Or does the insole area become compressed when subjected to such constant pressure?
Can the sandals withstand the extensive mileage I put on my shoes?
As a woman over 150 lbs (68 kg), I am very heavy for a runner. Are these sandals durable enough to withstand the force of a larger runner?

BENEFITS (so far)

Easy to fit with the pulley system, very adjustable
45-day comfort guarantee
Well cushioned, comfortable
Stable

LIMITATIONS (so far)

Possible limitation: lower arch than I prefer?
Possible limitation: heel strap causing blisters?

Thank you to Bite Footwear and BackpackGearTest for the opportunity to evaluate these sandals.

Read more reviews of Bite Shoes gear
Read more gear reviews by Lynne Durham

Initial Report

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