A Day Hiker Reviews Injinji Socks for Sock-Off 2011

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!

Injinji is Next up in Sock-Off 2011: Pre-Hike Rundown

Injinji offers patented Performance Toesocks™

So far I have reviewed Point6 socks as well as Thorlo socks for the ultimate sock showdown, better known as The Great Sock-Off 2011.

Next up for review is Injinji! I will be putting my Injinji Outdoor Series Toe Socks to the test this weekend and then offer my opinion on their performance.

After two rounds of reviews I have Point6 in the lead. Thorlo socks are a quality product I just felt the 100% merino wool Point6 socks were more comfortable, better fitting and had better moisture wicking qualities than the synthetic fiber Thorlo socks did. We shall see if wool retains it’s crown as the superior fiber this week!

I will be hitting the trail once again. This time wearing Injinji Outdoor Series Toe Socks made with natural moisture wicking NuWool™ which is supposed to adjust with the temperature, keeping feet warm in cold weather and cool in hot weather. Just as in the previous weeks I will put my Injinji socks to similar tests, evaluating their pros and cons, and then compare them to see which sock reigns supreme!

As with the previous socks I’ll be hiking one of my favorite trails, the 8 mile Sag Valley Yellow Trail. A loop starting at the Swallow Cliff parking lot, the wide trail hugs the base of the bluff as it heads eastward, eventually circling southwest to McClaughry Springs and then to the top of the moraine above McClaughry woods. The trail then weaves down through the Laughing Squaw Sloughs and continues west across the Sag Valley, named for the former Saganashkee Swamp.

Injinji Performance Toesocks – Outdoor Series Crew Toesock

The Gear:

Injinji Outdoor Series Toe Socks in Keen Targhee II’s

The Criteria:

• Price and availability
• Comfort and Fit
• Padding and Support
• Durability
• Overall Performance on the trail

Point6 is ahead in my book… Can Injinji top them? Who knows? Follow hashtag #Sockoff2011 on twitter for more information!

But don’t just take my word for it! Remember to read Adam’s reviews at his blog HikingTheTrail.com, and Dave’s reviews at his blog DaveCreech.com, and of course you know where to find mine right? So stay tuned for the results!

Better yet, instead of just reading about it… Why not participate? Get up, get out, and get hiking! You can Get The Outdoor Gear You Need At Up To 70% Below Retail At The Clymb.com So join today and get yourself a pair of Injinji socks and participate in The Great Sock Off 2011!

A Day Hiker Reviews Thorlos Socks for Sock-Off 2011

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 is the next sock up so I donned my Thorlo-CoolMax Synthetic trail running socks and hit the 8 mile Sag Valley Yellow Trail once again. Field testing my Thorlo-CoolMax Synthetic trail running socks with the following criteria in mind:

• Price and availability
• Comfort and Fit
• Padding and Support
• Durability
• Overall Performance on the Trail

This is not my first time wearing Thorlo-CoolMax Synthetic trail running socks, in fact I own more than a few pair. However, this is the first time I have systematically and methodically tested them based on pre-defined criteria and as with last weeks review… I was more than a little surprised at my findings.

Thorlo-CoolMax Synthetic trail running socks

Price and availability:

My Thorlo-CoolMax Synthetic trail running socks set me back $13.99, which is actually pretty inexpensive as far as hiking socks go. I purchased them from Dick’s Sporting Goods but you can find them just about anywhere including REI, The Sports Authority, Campmor or if you really like a bargain, you can do like I do and Get The Outdoor Gear You Need At Up To 70% Below Retail At The Clymb.com

Comfort and Fit:

As I said I have worn Thorlo-CoolMax Synthetic trail running socks before and I am used to their fit, which can be a little loose. If you’ve never worn them before the first thing you will notice is their thickness. They are quite thick, perhaps twice as thick as the wool socks reviewed last week, yet they are still comfortable.

Padding and Support:

I expect padding and support from a hiking sock and Thorlo excels in this category. My Thorlo-CoolMax Synthetic trail running socks offered supportive cushioning across the instep as well as under foot without being bulky or constricting. Thorlo definitely has the upper hand in this category.

Durability:

Just as last week, 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 have to be honest here… I came into this thinking the Thorlo-CoolMax Synthetic trail running socks would run the table in this contest and yet I have to report… I’ve had a change of heart. Although Thorlo claims their all synthetic fibers help pull moisture away from the foot, unlike natural fibers like wool which tend to absorb your sweat and cling to your foot, I found the exact opposite to be true. My feet were much drier after hiking in my Point6 socks from last week than they were after hiking the same hike in my Thorlo socks this week. Although still a good sock I think  overall Thorlo socks did not do as well as I expected in The Great Sock-Off 2011 and I may have a new favorite.

We’ll see what happens with the next contender… Stay tuned for the next Great Sock-Off 2011 review featuring the Injinji Outdoor Series Trail Toesock!

Full Disclosure: I purchased the Thorlos socks used in this review myself, they were not provided to me by the manufacturer nor their distributors. I was not compensated in any way to provide an opinion on their products, services or website. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own.

What do you think of the Thorlo-CoolMax Synthetic trail running socks?  Do you have any questions about them?  Leave me a comment and let me know!

Thorlos is Next up in Sock-Off 2011: Pre-Hike Rundown

Last week brought us the first round of reviews in the ultimate sock showdown, The Great Sock-Off 2011.  Adam Dave and I put our Point6 socks to the test on the trail and then offered our opinions on their performance.

You can read Adam’s Point6 sock review at his blog HikingTheTrail.com

And Dave’s Point 6 sock review can be found at his blog DaveCreech.com

My Point6 sock review was rather surprising, especially considering that I was advocating synthetic fibers coming into this debate! Quite frankly Point6 did better, much better than I expected a wool sock to do!

Now Adam, Dave and I will be hitting the trail again. This time wearing Thorlos synthetic fiber socks and putting them through their paces. Just as last week all three of us will put our socks to similar tests, evaluating their pros and cons, and then compare them to see which fiber reigns supreme! Will it be wool? Or will it be synthetic?

Once again I’ll be hiking one of my favorite trails, the 8 mile Sag Valley Yellow Trail. A loop starting at the Swallow Cliff parking lot, the wide trail hugs the base of the bluff as it heads eastward, eventually circling southwest to McClaughry Springs and then to the top of the moraine above McClaughry woods. The trail then weaves down through the Laughing Squaw Sloughs and continues west across the Sag Valley, named for the former Saganashkee Swamp.

The Gear:

Thorlo-CoolMax Synthetic trail running socks in Keen Targhee II’s

The Criteria:

• Price and availability
• Comfort and Fit
• Padding and Support
• Durability
• Overall Performance on the trail

Point6 put in a strong performance last week… Can Thorlo match it? Who knows? Follow hashtag #Sockoff2011 on twitter for more information!

But don’t just take my word for it! Remember to read Adam’s Thorlos review at his blog HikingTheTrail.com, and Dave’s Thorlos review at his blog DaveCreech.com, and of course you know where to find mine right? So stay tuned for the results!

Better yet, instead of just reading about it… Why not participate? Get up, get out, and get hiking! You can Get The Outdoor Gear You Need At Up To 70% Below Retail At The Clymb.com So join today and get yourself a pair of wool socks and a pair of synthetic socks and participate in The Great Sock Off 2011!

A Day Hiker Reviews Point6 Socks for Sock-Off 2011

I wrote a guide a while back outlining some points to consider when choosing the right hiking socks.

A guide which caused quite the debate on twitter and eventually spawned The Great Sock-Off 2011.

Point6 was the first sock up so I hit the trail at Swallow Cliff wearing a pair of Point6 Hiking Tech Light Mini Crew socks in order to evaluate their pros and cons and see how well they would measure up in the ultimate sock showdown… The Great Sock-Off 2011!

I decided to hike one of my favorite trails, the 8 mile Sag Valley Yellow Trail. Field testing my Point6 Hiking Tech Light Mini Crew socks with the following criteria in mind:

• Price and availability
• Comfort and Fit
• Padding and Support
• Durability
• Overall Performance on the Trail

Knowing that I came into The Great Sock-Off 2011 as an advocate for synthetic fiber socks, I think you’ll be surprised at my impressions.

Point6 Hiking Tech Light Mini Crew socks

Price and availability:

My Point6 Hiking Tech Light Mini Crew socks set me back $18.95, which I think is a bit pricey but not completely out of line for a hiking sock. On the plus side I was able to purchase them locally from a skiing/snow-boarding shop near my office called Alpine Accessories. From what I understand neither Adam or Dave were able to find them locally, and honestly… I think I just got lucky. Chances are if you go to look for them you’re not going to find them either… However, Point6 has a great website so you can shop easily and conveniently from home. Or if you’re a bargain hunter like me, 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:

I have to admit. I really thought that my Point6 Hiking Tech Light Mini Crew socks would fall flat in this area. I truly thought this would end up being the achilles heel for them. Perhaps I’m showing my age here, but before Point6 when I thought of wool socks I thought of heavy, uncomfortable, scratchy potato sacks on my feet. Imagine my surprise when I slipped on my well fitting, light-weight, soft and sleek Point6 socks… I really can’t stress enough just how comfortable they are. The material, the fit, the function, it’s like the sock was tailored for my foot, and where I thought this sock would do the worst ended up being one of my favorite features!

Padding and Support:

I expect padding and support from a hiking sock and Point6 did not dissapoint. My Point6 Hiking Tech Light Mini Crew socks offered supportive cushioning across the instep as well as under foot providing just the right amount of support and padding where I needed it, without being bulky or constricting.

Durability:

Honestly I have to say this is a wash. My hike was only 8.5 miles, 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 have to admit I was pleasantly surprised by my Point6 socks. I expected them to be heavy, hot and itchy when in fact the 100% Merino Wool was well fitting, lightweight and durable. I advocated synthetic fibers going in to The Great Sock-Off 2011 so I really didn’t expect the Point6 socks to fit and feel as well as they did. Overall Point6 socks did better than I expected and they are definitely a heavy contender for The Great Sock-Off 2011 crown (at least in my mind) and I would recommend them without hesitation.

But don’t just take my word for it! Remember to read Adam’s review at his blog HikingTheTrail.com, and Dave’s review at his blog DaveCreech.com, and of course remember to stay tuned for the next Great Sock-Off 2011 review featuring the Thorlo-CoolMax Synthetic trail running sock.

Better yet, instead of just reading about it… Why not participate? Get up, get out, and get hiking! You can Get The Outdoor Gear You Need At Up To 70% Below Retail At The Clymb.com So join today and get yourself a pair of wool socks and a pair of synthetic socks and participate in The Great Sock Off 2011!

Full Disclosure:  I purchased the Point6 socks used in this review myself, they were not provided to me by the manufacturer nor their distributors. I was not compensated in any way to provide an opinion on their products, services or website. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own.