Injinji Footwear offers patented Performance Toesocks™
If you’ve been following my blog you know that I wrote a guide a while back outlining some points to consider when choosing the right hiking socks which caused quite the debate on twitter and eventually spawned the ultimate sock showdown… The Great Sock-Off 2011!
Point6 was the first sock tested and you can read my evaluation of their pros and cons and see how well they measured up in my review here – A Day Hiker Reviews Point6 Socks for Sock-Off 2011
Thorlo was the next sock up and you can read my evaluation of their pros and cons and see how well they measured up in my review here – A Day Hiker Reviews Thorlos Socks for Sock-Off 2011
Injinji is the last sock up so once again I hit the 8 mile Sag Valley Yellow Trail, this time field testing my Injinji Outdoor Series Toe Socks with the following criteria in mind:
- Price and availability
- Comfort and Fit
- Padding and Support
- Durability
- Overall Performance on the Trail
Now I know what you’re thinking, because I was thinking it myself… Toe socks? What’s the reason for toe socks? Well… Besides the kitsch factor anyway?
But it turns out the folks at Injinji are focused more on function than fashion! The anti-friction fibers of their Injinji Outdoor Series Toe Socks wick moisture preventing chafing & blistering while the seamless individual toe sleeves eliminate skin on skin friction to help prevent corns and blisters while also increase stability, gripping and balance!
Injinji Performance Toesocks – Outdoor Series Crew Toesock
Price and availability:
Injinji Outdoor Series Toe Socks will set you back about $16.00, which is middle of the road as far as hiking socks go. They seem to be available just about anywhere including REI, The Sports Authority, Backcountry or if you’re tired of paying retail, you can do what I do and Get The Outdoor Gear You Need At Up To 70% Below Retail At The Clymb.com
Comfort and Fit:
Since Injinji socks have toes they are foot specific. I have to say that putting them on for the first time was a bit awkward, however with that being said once you have them on you realize just how comfortable they actually are!
Putting on Injinji toesocks for the first time can be awkward
The sock forms to every contour of your foot and is the most comfortable fitting sock of the three I tried.
Padding and Support:
This is the one area I found Injinji lacking in. The socks are quite thin… Too thin for my tastes. I prefer more padding in a hiking sock and I just didn’t find it in my Injinji Outdoor Series Toe Socks. If there had been a little more padding on the sole of the foot and at the heel I would have really appreciated it.
Durability:
As in previous tests, I have to say this is a wash. A hike of 8.5 miles is not nearly long enough to test the true durability of any sock. However I will update this after several more hikes, and several more washes to let you know how they held up.
Overall Performance on the Trail:
I was pleasantly surprised by my Injinji Outdoor Series Toe Socks. My knee jerk reaction upon seeing them was to scoff and yet Injinji’s unique design allows for natural free movement while eliminating skin on skin friction to prevent blisters which is the perfect combination for hiking!
In fact, if they simply had a bit more padding on the sole I would have ranked them as the winner overall and found a new favorite hiking sock. Alas as they are I have to declare them a very, very close second after Point6 and one of my two new favorite hiking socks!
Next week I’ll recap all three socks reviewed in the Great Sock-Off 2011 and officially declare the rankings so stay tuned!
Full Disclosure: The Injinji Outdoor Series Toe Socks used in this review were provided to me by the manufacturer at no charge however this did not influence my review in any way. I always give my honest opinion, finding, belief, or experience on the products I review. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own.
What do you think of the Injinji Outdoor Series Toe Socks? Do you have any questions about them? Leave me a comment and let me know!
Diary of a Day Hiker 
How funny. I just purchased the injinji toe socks for running last week because of the great reviews on Amazon. A little creepy, but can’t wait to try these myself.
They take a bit of getting used to at first, especially when putting them on! But it’s well worth the effort! I really liked these socks, as I said not only were they really comfortable, Injinji’s unique design also allows for natural free movement while eliminating skin on skin friction to prevent blisters which is the perfect combination for hiking! I would recommend them to anyone!
Thanks for stopping by and offering your input Gerard! I really appreciate it! 🙂
Thank you for trying out our Injinji Toesocks! Your feedback is very important to us, and we will take it into consideration in the future! Enjoy your toesocks 🙂
– Injinji
Thank you for making such a fantastic sock! I really love them and Injinji has definitely made it’s way into my must have gear for hiking! As I stated in the piece my only real complaint was the lack of any real padding on the sole and at the heel, but overall you have a great sock and I will recommend them to everyone!
Thanks for stopping by and offering your input! I really appreciate it 🙂 and you definitely have a new customer!
I will be hopefully testing them out soon. Just gotta get back out to the trail. I like you laughed at the silliness of having a special little sock for each of my toes. I have talked to a few marathon friends who just love them. One question I have for you is did you notice the toe separation for the whole hike or did it fade away and you forgot you where wearing them? Your post has me even more optimistic about trying them out. Thanks again for another great post.
Adam
I really think you’re going to like them! I know I did! You don’t notice the toe separation once you get used to them… Actually, you do… But not how you think. It’s not uncomfortable at all, rather it actually makes for a more comfortable hike as there is no skin on skin contact between your toes making for a cooler, drier toe box with less rubbing and chafing, and I don’t know if this was intended by Injinji or not but my balance and stability seemed improved as well!
Honestly I think you’re going to be pleasantly surprised, as i was at just how great they are!
Thanks for stopping by and offering your input Adam 🙂 as always it is really appreciated!
Hmm, if I succumb to toe footwear will I be tempeted to purchase a pair of the ridiculous looking running shoes? I have been a scoffer, but your review will make me try a pair. What do you think of them as a liner, considering the thinness? I like to hike with a liner. Personal choice.
Granted… They are kinda funny looking! But once you get past the fact that you’re wearing a pair of socks with toes, it’s all good! Besides the benefits far out-weigh that moment of embarrassment you feel when putting them on 🙂
I don’t think they would make a good liner though… They aren’t that thin. Close, but not that thin unless you tend to buy your boots a half size larger than you need! However! You did just give me a great idea… I think if you use an insole along with the Injinji socks you may just end up with the perfect hiking combo!
I’m going to test this theory and I’ll let you know what I come up with 🙂
Thanks for stopping by and offering your input John 🙂 I really appreciate it!
Excellent blog! As for a liner I think they would be too thick. It made me remember some military socks I have been wondering about too. There are some at this site http://www.pxsupply.com and I wonder if you would ever see the military with these kinds of socks? Would be kind of funny seeing a bunch of soldiers laying in their bunks with those on I must admit lol.
They make thinner ones to use as liners.
I’m buying a pair of these as a birthday gift for a friend. His shoe size is 10.5. The medium fits 8 – 10.5; large fits 11 – 13.5. Will the medium be too tight? Which size should I buy?
Get the large. My shoe size is 10 and the large fits me well.
I bought the thinnest Injinji I think (Performance Lightweight) and wore them hiking at the Grand Canyon as a liner with a pair of Fits over them. It was gutsy cause I’d never tried either brand before. It was great and they were not too thick. Plus, they stopped my problem with blisters between the toes!
@vicki – I’m going to have to try that because I get bad blisters between my toes too.
I tried the Injinji running socks today for my first hike of the season. They were fabulous! So comfortable, and I had absolutely no irritations on my toes, much less blisters, that I always have. These may be my go-to socks now for all my hiking!