~Leesa
I’ve been trying out two pair of Injinji liner socks over the last month or so, in many different ways. I received a white and a tan pair of crew length liners from the Tetrasock group. This is considered a first layer sock to be worn with an outer sock. 5 separate toe sleeves for your toes of thin, anti-friction membrane that is lightweight and breathable. The theory is that keeping the toes from rubbing together, reduces the risk of blisters.
I first wore the socks on a cool morning hike, with a pair of hiking sandals. I didn’t wear regular socks over them – mainly because I knew it would warm up, and I wanted to see how the socks looked and fit. I am so happy to report that the socks fit perfectly, didn’t slide down, or twist at all. I wore them for about 5 hours, which included hiking about 10 miles. My feet were very comfortable and stayed dry and warm. After a short time of wearing them, I didn’t even feel the toe sections. The fabric is very light, and doesn’t bunch up between my toes.
NuBamboo Injinji Sock Liner
My next use was on a day hike, where I wore a light weight, wool blend sock over the Injinji liners. What a huge difference! I usually end up with very warm feet, that perspire quite a bit in socks and hiking shoes, if it is warm out. This time, my feet stayed dry, and felt so much better. The liners didn’t feel damp to the touch once I removed them either. They did a great job of wicking away moisture, that is for sure. After washing them, I was pleased to see that they maintained their fit.
I’ve worn them 6 or so times in the same manner, with the same results. My feet stay dry and comfortable, without overheating. I am very happy with the durability of the socks, after a few washings.
An interesting fact about these sock liners is the use of NuBamboo in the composition. The tan liners are 75% NuBamboo, and 25% Nylon. Using bamboo has become very popular, as it is a a sustainable resource and has less impact on the environment when raised than cotton, or petroleum based fibers. It is smooth to the touch, wicks moisture very well, and holds up well to wear.
The white liners are made using CoolMax technologies.
I am looking forward to wearing the Injinji liners as the weather cools and I get to put on my snowshoes. That should be a good test – fairly high exertion, and cold temperatures. I’ll report back on how they handle the cold – and if my feet stay warmer while wearing the liners.
Update 1/30/10
I’ve worn the Injinji Tetrasocks for over 20 times so far, and am still impressed with the comfort they provide. One of my concerns when they arrived was how long they would continue to stay ‘up’. Because they are fairly thin, I wondered if they would lose their elasticity, and start to slide down my legs and into my footwear. That, to me, is one of the most annoying things in a pair of socks. So far, both the tan NuBamboo and the white CoolMax socks are holding up to washing and wearing.
I found the tan socks are my preference when hiking in cool to moderate temperatures. It wicks moisture away from my foot, keeping my feet dry and less likely to smell after a good hike. Depending on the weather, I wear different types of socks over the Injinji. I don’t like a lot of bulk in my footwear, so I tend to go with the thinnest combination appropriate. Usually that means a light wool blend outer sock.
The CoolMax (white) socks have a somewhat softer texture, and do not fit as snug to my leg. Thankfully, this does not mean they slide down. For some reason, I still remember being a kid, and how irritating it was when my socks would end up bunched up inside my snow boots. Not a good feeling in the winter. Back to the present… these socks feel so good, that at times I forget I have them on. They provide a great liner for heavier socks, keep my feet cool and comfortable and wash up nicely. I wore them quite a bit while snow shoeing and they kept my feet from perspiring too much. I did notice the socks didn’t smell that great when I took them off after a long trek. Once they were off my feet, my feet didn’t seem to smell as bad as the socks though. Upon washing, both smelled as good as new though. I’d say that is one of the best features – no matter how dirty and smelly they get, they wash up wonderfully!
I’ll continue wearing the Injinji and update this review again soon. I’m curious now to see how long they can handle frequent use, and washing. It was very easy to get used to the separate ‘toes’ in the socks, and after putting them on, I never even noticed the difference.
Update 3/9/10
Winter appears to be either taking a break, or ending early in Maine. Either way, I am not complaining. I love the snow, but am tired of the cold and wind. I want to see some sunshine! The Injinji socks have been a definite bright spot this winter. They do what they claim – keep my feet dry, comfortable and help to keep them warm. They’ve been washed numerous times and are beginning to look a bit worn. Most of the wear is in the heal area, which doesn’t surprise me, as that is where my foot moves the most inside my shoes. There is some discoloration in the white pair in this spot, and just a slight ‘roughness’ to the fabric in both pairs. I continue to wear them, and find that other than what I just mentioned, they still continue to be great sock liners. I love how they keep my feet feeling dry after snowshoeing for a few hours. I wore the sock liners while I was out on the ice for a day of icefishing. It was bitterly cold (about 12 F) and windy that day. I wore the liners, and a thick pair of wool blend socks, inside of my heavy duty Baffin boots. My feet stayed nice and warm, yet I never felt like my feet were overheating or perspiring. Most people say keeping your head warm, keeps your body warmer. I am pretty sure that for me, its my feet. I love how the CoolMax and NuBamboo work to keep my feet dry, and thus warm. Thanks to Injinji for the opportunity to review these. I plan on continueing to use them for a long time to come.
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