Comparative impressions: How easy it is to walk? Are you not going to get tired? What I learned when I compared the insoles for mountain climbing

Have you replaced the insoles of your mountaineering boots?

Speaking of insoles, they are usually included as standard in mountaineering boots. It is certainly an item that is said to be a genuine manufacturer and does not feel particularly inconvenient, as long as it is an item that does not need to be prepared again. When climbing, where equipment costs a lot, few people may even have to use replacement insoles.

However, no matter what shoes you wear, this is a urgent problem for those who experience some kind of discomfort or problem. Perhaps that's why I'm not the only one who feels that the number of insoles on sale continues to increase year by year.

It is not just intended for cushioning (shock absorption) or breathability, but in recent years, many models have been introduced that incorporate biomechanics (structural mechanics) and provide functionality such as supporting and correcting the entire foot, and mountaineering and outdoor models have also been introduced to prevent knee pain and reduce fatigue. I feel that this is a sign that many climbers suffer from foot problems such as knee pain. The habits of foot shape and walking vary widely, and the worries you want to resolve and the types of requests you want to fulfill are different for each person. That's why it can be said that it is an item that is difficult to choose based on the manufacturer's selling points alone.

So this time, I'll compare these functional insoles and compare the most well-suited items suitable for mountain climbing, and write about their impressions and differences. Medical knowledge and scientific examinations are not possible, and it is inevitable that there will be differences in impressions depending on the environment and the person at the time. Please use this as an example only.

table of contents

• About the items we compared and tested this time
• Test results and spec comparison table
• Impressions of each model
• Detailed reviews of each item (Page: 2)
• Summary (Page:2)

Insoles compared this time

Mountaineering boots always come with genuine insoles, but most of them are standard and minimal. In a sense, this is only natural, as a mountaineering boot manufacturer, it is not possible to create shoes (or insoles) that are suitable only for people with specific foot shapes, and they are able to accommodate a wide range of foot shapes. In contrast, functional insoles vary in arch height, heel cup depth, structure, and thickness depending on the manufacturer and model. Also, the shape of the foot, such as width (foot width) and height of the instep, and the area where you feel pain and fatigue vary, so this model from this manufacturer is a model that is generally available to you! The difficulty in choosing an insole is that it is not possible to make a clear conclusion. If you want to match your foot shape, you can only choose a made-to-order molding model, but in this review we will be covering the following ready-made models that are relatively easy to use.

• SIDAS OUTDOOR 3D
• SHOCK DOCTOR Ultra 2
• SUPERfeet GREEN
• Solbothane Escube Skeleton Trekking

Test environment

The test period is approximately four months from May to the end of August 2018. The test was conducted mainly in the mountains of Okuchichibu, the Central Alps and the Southern Alps. The walking distance for each test is approximately 5-15 km, and each model is compared throughout the day, and the comparison is performed by swapping different models for mountain climbing. In addition, detailed test conditions are added in a detailed review of each item.

Five indicators are set as follows for evaluation items. The evaluation figures for the test results are based on the impressions of myself (no medical knowledge, just an office worker) who conducted the test.

1. Weight: The weight of the climbing boots will affect the accumulation of foot movement and fatigue
2. Support: Fits your feet, adjusts the arch to the correct shape, and supports your bone structure
3. Comfort: breathable and prevent foot displacement inside the shoe
4. Shock absorbing: Heel cup wraps around the heel to increase shock absorbing ability
5. Price: This may be the most important point when introducing it! ?

Test results and spec comparison table

Impressions of each model

SIDAS OUTDOOR 3D

French manufacturer Sidas started out in the development of insoles for ski boots, and has expanded its share of sports and medical insoles. As he has been involved in developing sports insoles for many years, it is characterized by the fact that it offers special insoles for each event, including running, golf, soccer, baseball, and tennis. In this context, "Outdoor 3D" is available for mountain climbing, and while the pop back design is a plain-colored microfiber surface, it uses microfiber to enhance grip inside the shoe. Overall, it has soft and cushioning, making it comfortable to wear. The arch of the arch is soft and has little support, but on the other hand, it can be said that it fits comfortably into a variety of foot shapes, regardless of whether you have a high or low arch. There is also a heel cup, but this one is soft and seems to be a model that emphasizes shock absorption rather than support throughout.

When you actually put it on your mountaineering boots, it's comfortable to wear. Three layers of EVA foam with different hardness have a moderate elasticity for each part, enveloping the entire sole of the foot. The softest EVA pad is placed on the back of the heel cup (corporate symbol), creating high shock absorption. I mentioned above that it has weak support, but this model is recommended for those who are first introducing functional insoles, as it does not interfere with the feet more than necessary and does not give off a sense of discomfort. If I had to point out the drawback, I think it would be that the wrinkles remained when setting the shoes on them, and there are concerns about their durability.

SUPERfeet GREEN

Superfeet has received 40 patents both in the United States and abroad for its shape and functional design, based on a medical background such as podiatric medicine. We are also a unique manufacturer that offers models with different shapes and support, based on the color of the product itself and the color name. Of the many models available, the green we reviewed this time seems to be the most supportive model, and it is no exaggeration to say that it is now a representative mountain climbing insole. Despite its medical background and functional design, it has a simple appearance, and the impression that it feels a little stiff when touched. The deep heel cups are particularly impressive, unlike any other. Rather than placing cushion pads made of soft material, it seems that wrapping around the fat layer on the heel will increase the natural impact absorption of the foot.

When I actually put them on my mountaineering boots, the effect was that they felt lighter the moment I put them on, but when I walked a distance in the mountains, I felt a completely different feeling of fatigue in my legs. I think the reason lies in the unique fitting method. Normally, insoles are cut to suit each climbing boot and foot shape, but as mentioned on the official website, the key point is not to fit perfectly. "The insole moves 2-4mm inside the shoe," I think this is because the insole is synchronized with the movement (difference) of the foot inside the shoe, keeping the heel always inside the heel cup. Although the insole moves inside the shoe, there is no discomfort while walking and I felt that it naturally supports my feet. If I were to list a weak point, I guess it's thickness. The thickness of the toe part is 4mm measured, which is the thinner of the models we reviewed this time, but the heel part is thick, so there is a concern that it will affect the comfort of the shoes. When used with low-cut trekking shoes, it felt like it would be shallower to wear, and when I tightened the shoelaces, I felt that the instep was tightened. This is just my personal opinion, but the company's lineup also includes a thin, black model, so if you're interested, I think it's better to choose that model.

SHOCK DOCTOR Ultra 2

Shock Doctor is in the same group as McDavid, who develops a large number of protective gear aimed at athletes. Both the front and back have a flashy look, with foams of different hardness, materials and colors arranged in perfect position. What catches the eye is the shock dome located on the midfoot. By supporting the three arches on the soles of the feet (horizontal arch, inner vertical arch, outer vertical arch) it absorbs impact and reduces the strain on the feet, knees, and lower back, but when worn, it feels like it fits naturally to the soles of the feet without any discomfort. This makes it seem possible to kick off and land while walking without losing the shape of the arch, but the impression is that it is like thrusts up from below just as you put your weight on the soles of your feet. For some people, this thrust-up sensation may feel strange.

The arch supports well, yet moderate flexibility, I think it matches a variety of foot shapes. When I actually wore it, I felt more effective than the shock dome was the three-dimensional structure on the toes. Unlike the shock dome mentioned above, it does not absorb shock, but it is located at the base of the toes, preventing the foot from slipping inside the shoe, and also allows it to snag perfectly when applying force to the toes, contributing to the grip and strength in difficult areas that require grip. Personally, I felt that the insole is more suitable for hard situations with rocky ridges and chain areas than trekking.

Solbothane Escube Skeleton Trekking

A brand that has received high praise in the fields of sports and medicine for its artificial muscle "Solbothaiin". Taking advantage of this technology and the characteristics of Solbothaiin, it has been widely used in the industrial field as a vibration-proof and impact-resistant material for precision equipment such as HDDs (hard disk drives). Personally, I have a strong image of cushion pads for blisters and bunions, and my wife especially uses cushion pads for blisters every time she goes on a mountain trip (lol).

The flexibility of the Solvo insole was the most impressive of the items I reviewed this time. When I actually used it on the mountains, thanks to its flexibility, I was able to perform a series of movements from landing my feet to kicking off, allowing me to continue walking without affecting my knees or hips.

Even if it is made to order, it is around 10,000 yen, which is a relatively easy item to use among mountaineering equipment. Of the items we reviewed this time, three items are in the same price range. In terms of ease of installation, it's Solvo Skeleton trekking, but the problem is the weight. If it is to be used on a daily basis, I don't think that the choice is a mistake, but my honest impression is that it is not clear when you think about mountain climbing. Also, considering the support, I feel that it's not enough, so if you spend around 5,000 yen, you will be able to expand your options and purchase an insole that suits your own purposes.

Next page: Go to detailed reviews of each item

On the previous page, we introduced a ranking of the models we compared, a list of ratings and specs, and recommendations based on them. From here, we will explain what criteria were used to evaluate the evaluation and why it was evaluated in that way.

Detailed reviews of each item

weight

There is not much difference in the weight of the insoles from each company, and the difference is probably around 10-30g at most. Personally, I don't feel that I need to be so nervous about insole products. Insoles specializing in shock absorption are made of EVA material, like SIDAS Outdoor 3D, and are simple and lightweight, while insoles with increased support, like Shock Doctor Ultra 2, are made of plastic stabilizers, which add a little weight. There is no doubt that the presence or absence of a stabilizer is the deciding factor in weight, but in the case of insoles, I think that the specific gravity is greater than the weight of the product.

Supportability

Many functional insoles are shaped to wrap around the heel with heel cups, giving them a thicker arch to support the arch of the sole. These two are essential points when measuring the support of the insole. First, let's look at the depth of the heel cup, and the deepest result was Shock Doctor Ultra 2 , followed by Super Feet These two models have a plastic stabilizer attached to the back, allowing the heel to remain firmly held even when the foot is tilted inward or outward. SIDAS Outdoor 3D also has a heel cup, but the entire piece is made of soft EVA material, so I got the impression that it was not just a feeling of wrapping around the heel, but rather that it was just hitting the heel.

Next, the arch of the arch was also the highest and most solid arch of the Shock Doctor Ultra 2 , followed by Super Feet This is just my own foot topic, but the Superfeet is high up to the bottom of the arch arch, while the Shock Doctor Ultra 2 is taller than that, up to the inside side of the foot (the top of the arch arch). In the first place, this part seems to play a role in preventing the inner vertical arch of the foot from collapse and becoming flat during fatigue, but Shock Doctor Ultra 2 has support not only from the bottom but also from the sides.

Comfort

Here we will review breathability that affects the environment inside the shoe, as well as foot displacement inside the shoe. It is common to compare breathability based on materials, but since EVA materials for this insole are made from various companies, there is no significant difference in material. However, SIDAS Outdoor 3D and Shock Doctor Ultra 2 , there are ventilation holes on the surface, so it may be said that it is more breathable than the other two items, but my honest impression is that it is hard to say for sure from this test alone.

Next, regarding the foot displacement inside the shoes, this also shows differences depending on the surface material (fabric) and the manufacturer's unique ingenuity. Among the many synthetic materials, the only SIDAS Outdoor 3D , which uses Goat Bag PV. It feels smooth to the touch, but I was surprised that my feet didn't move. Also, what I personally admired was the shape of the base of the toes of Shock Doctor Ultra 2 It has a protrusion that looks like the "Y" character inverted, and when your toes get caught, it prevents your feet from slipping inside the shoe. Super Feet which claims to be a unique fitting method that does not fit perfectly with the shoes , the feet move in conjunction with the insole inside the shoe, so I didn't feel any displacement at all.

Shock absorbing

What we learned about shock absorption through this review is that there are at least two methods to increase shock absorption. One is a method of wrapping around the heel with a heel cup to create the natural shock absorption of the foot, and the other method of using soft cushioning material. Of the four items reviewed this time, the former are Super Feet and Shock Doctor Ultra 2 , and the latter is Solvo Skeleton Trekking SIDAS Outdoor 3D is a bit in between and I get the impression that it is a bit closer to the latter. I think it depends on which one is better, but personally, I found that the former (structure that increases the natural shock absorption of the feet) was completely different when walking long distances. The latter (using cushioning material) allows you to feel the cushioning properties from the start of walking, but I felt that it was becoming weaker and less rebound over long distances and long periods. If I were to choose one myself, I would choose a type that emphasizes cushioning, while a type that increases the natural shock absorption of the feet.

price

It's easy to install and cost-effective. Whether it's expensive or cheap, it's not the best option if you're still unhappy with performance and effectiveness. Fortunately, most ready-made insoles are sold at similar price ranges, and are generally around 5,000 yen.

Even if it is made to order, it is around 10,000 yen, which is a relatively easy item to use among mountaineering equipment. Of the items we reviewed this time, three items are in the same price range. In terms of ease of installation, it's Solvo Skeleton trekking, but the problem is the weight. If it is to be used on a daily basis, I don't think that the choice is a mistake, but my honest impression is that it is not clear when you think about mountain climbing. Also, considering the support, I feel that it's not enough, so if you spend around 5,000 yen, you will be able to expand your options and purchase an insole that suits your own purposes.

summary

An insole with a variety of characteristics. The effects and how you feel of this will vary from person to person, but if you are feeling any problems with your feet while climbing, we highly recommend that you introduce it. Also, fitting with the climbing boots is important when purchasing, so we recommend that you purchase them in a physical store, rather than choosing the insole alone. This is just an impression from amateur mountaineering enthusiasts, but we hope you will use it as a reference when choosing an insole.

Saito Hiroaki

Lives in Saitama Prefecture. Fascinated by the Shimono Corridor of Kurobe Gorge, he has been obsessed with mountain climbing since he turned 30 and is still in the process of developing the area. I use my natural curiosity and exploration as a front, and I try to enter the mountains if I have time to cover my lack of experience points. He has a strong desire for material things and is always happy and sad when he makes impulse purchases that he doesn't think about the future. We will share the charm of the gear with such trials and errors.

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