Product Review: Injinji Socks

True to my word, I am indeed getting back to VFF running (I mean in addition to that time I ran to the bar dressed as a turtle). So on Friday morning, I headed out the door for 2.5 miles of “barefooted” goodness. I was a little nervous about how my legs would feel following the run, given that it’s been so long since I’ve really worked all those forgotten foot and calf muscles, but by some miracle that can't possibly have anything to do with my own biomechanical efficiency, I felt great.

In all seriousness, though, I do think that having made significant changes to my stride this spring when I started using the Vibrams prepared me well to get back into them. As a forefoot striker now, I had to make very few changes to my stride to run comfortably in the Fivefingers. What I’m saying is, Shalane Flanagan ain't got shit on me. (You'll note I'm not using my go-to professional runner reference, Kara Goucher, because ever since she emailed me, I feel weird that she's, like, a real human and stuff).

One thing I did change, however, is how I wear my Fivefingers. Since I first tried them in February, I’d always worn them barefoot, since duh, you can’t fit socks into the toe pockets. Imagine wearing mittens to go bowling. Also, imagine going bowling – weird. Anyway, while my forays into the barefoot running movement were always… barefoot, this was not without consequence. Time after time, I was plagued with blisters and hot spots on the soles of my feet and toes. Specifically the pad of my foot below each pinky toe became a water bed, if water beds were made of footskin and filled with lymphatic fluid. And, that’s revolting.

So wasn’t I delighted to discover Injinji socks!

In truth, I’ve actually had a pair of these since August, when I bought a couple pairs at my favorite outdoor gear shop in Maine. But since I am only just getting back to my Vibram running, I’m only just getting around to reviewing these socks. Here is what their website says about the logic behind them:

The key design principal in the development of the Tetratsok was to create the best possible interface that allowed the entire foot to perform naturally and freely inside our shoes, just like being barefoot. Everything about the conventional tube sock works against your feet’s natural form and function.

That’s all well and good, but my principle concern is “how can I squish a socked foot into a shoe with toe slots in it?” Interface, shminterface, what matters is that these socks work with Fivefingers!

In short, they’re extremely comfortable, and made Vibram running infinitely better for me. By eliminating the pressure and friction on the ball of my foot with a little layer of comfort, I am proud to report I am blister-free today! Best of all (and this fascinates me, since I don’t quite understand how it’s possible) these are seamless; if I were making toesocks, I would make two pieces and sew them top to bottom with a seam running between the toes. Obviously that would be highly uncomfortable. Which is why I am not in the business of sock manufacturing.

Injinji socks are marketed not just to Vibram runners, but to everyone, and as such, can be worn (I presume, though I haven’t tried) inside your regular running sneakers. As socks go, the fabric is about the smoothest and most comfortable I’ve encountered (a blend of that CoolMax stuff with some Lycra), so I see no reason why I couldn’t wear these as regular, all-around socks. I mean, I have been known to wear Under Armor socks with Frye boots to work (classy), so why not toe socks with sneakers? The world is my oyster!

But I'm drawing the line at flip flops...