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

More extensive manufacturer's information - including fit information - is available in my Initial Report.

SUMMARY

The Bite Xtension 2 sandal is marketed specifically for running. I was attracted to the idea of a running sandal because running without socks appeals to me -- it sounds like your feet would feel cooler and less confined. However, I was not able to run in these sandals without socks or I would experience blisters. Additionally, trail debris, road debris, and sand would collect between my foot and the footbed whether I used socks or did not use socks.

It does not seem as if I am made to run or hike in sandals. However, on a more casual basis such as neighborhood or trail walks of less than 3 miles, these sandals are comfortable and durable.

FIELD CONDITIONS

In addition to the conditions encountered during the extensive use in my field testing phase, the Bite Xtension 2 sandals have seen further use under the following conditions:

Rocky, rooty, steep forest trails in Michigan
Tough, rocky trails near the Grand Canyon's North Rim
Desert trails in the Red Rock Canyon area
On asphalt roads, both with and without socks
Indoors on both carpeted and uncarpeted surfaces, both with and without socks

Weather conditions have ranged from chilly (low 40s F [4 C]) to hot (85 F [29 C]). During the long-term phase of this test, these sandals were used primarily in dry conditions.

FIELD ACTIVITIES

During the long-term phase of this test, the sandals have been used for the following activities:

Hiking on established trails, with and without pack. Highest pack weight during the final testing period was approximately 15 lbs (6.8 kg)
Off-trail travel through relatively easy to traverse terrain
Trail running with socks
Road running and walking with socks
Trail maintenance
Office work

FINAL IMPRESSIONS

In addition to all of the usage reported in my field report, these sandals have been subjected to a wider variety of terrain during the long-term phase of the test. My most pressing question for further testing at the end of the field testing phase was to determine whether I would be able to use these sandals sockless for extended mileage without blistering. Unfortunately, I was not able to do so...for anything over approximately 3 miles, I encountered blistering unless I wore socks. However, when I wore socks with the sandals, the blistering issue was totally nonexistent.

Additionally, during the long-term phase I experienced another issue: insufficient lateral support for my needs on technical trails.

PERFORMANCE EFFICIENCY

During the long-term phase, these sandals were used on some more technical terrain, like the Ken Patrick trail near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon (shown in picture at right). This maintained trail is rocky in places. I wore the Xtension 2 sandals with socks on this trail. During the hike, I alternated running (mostly on the flatter areas and the downhills) and fast hiking (mostly on the uphills).

As during the field testing phase, I found these sandals to provide good traction and general comfort.

However, for this type of terrain the sandals provided inadequate lateral support for my needs. While moving over the rocky ground, my foot would tend to shift from side to side on the footbed. I felt like I was expending considerable energy just to keep my foot stable on the footbed.

Additionally, as during the field-testing phase, trail debris tended to gather between the footbed and my foot. I was unable to remove the debris by simply trying to "shake it out" and instead had to remove the sandals to remove the debris.

DURABILITY
All told, I estimate that I have worn the Bite Xtension 2 sandals for more than 200 miles during the overall testing period. The bottom outsole shows only light wear in the toe and heel area. There is no fraying of the webbing that makes up the pulley system. Other than the dirty appearance that shows these sandals have been well loved, there are no other signs of wear -- no loose stitching in the sandal forefoot area, no cracking in the footbed material. All buckles still click into position easily and securely.

As other testers have mentioned in their reports, the heel strap does tend to loosen while wearing. That had not proved to be an overall problem for me during the test: the loose strap did not seem to affect function in my usage. However, the loosening issue has increased slightly over the course of the test. Thus I can say that as the sandals became well used, the heel strap loosened more quickly during usage.

Overall, the Bite Xtension 2 Sandals are a great addition to my hiking footwear wardrobe. Worn with socks on less technical trails and on roads, they are comfortable and supportive, even while doing long miles (20 miles/32 km) under pack weight (up to 30 lbs/14 kg). For my needs, the sandals do not offer enough lateral support on technical trail. Finally, my feet seem doomed to be unable to hike or run without socks. I do not consider this a flaw of the sandal, but instead of my foot shape and needs.

THIS IS COOL

Easy to fit with the pulley system, very adjustable
45-day comfort guarantee
Well cushioned, comfortable
Stable and supportive
Less foot sweat means less smell

THIS COULD BE IMPROVED

Blister issues when worn without socks for 3 miles (5 km) or longer
Trail debris and sand do not slide out of the sandal as easily as they slide into the sandal. They seem to get caught between my foot and the sandal's footbed, right under my foot's arch
Not enough lateral support for my needs on technical trail

REVIEWER BIO

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 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. I have been backpacking since 2002. I put in extensive mileage day hiking and trail running with a pack, as I train for ultramarathons and adventure racing events. I have competed in both sprint- and expedition-length adventure races and gone as far as the 50-mile distance in ultramarathoning. I have day hiked from rim to rim in the Grand Canyon. During nearly all of my trail activities, I have always worn trail runners.

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

Long Term Report

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