Alameda Runners – Get After It!

A couple pairs of injinji toesocks showed up at my door a few weeks ago.  I looked at them with some dismay as I knew Mike, the other Alameda runner was in Pennsylvania and it would be up to me to try them out.  When a runner sees an odd looking sock, we automatically think blisters.  The socks are odd looking because they have finger sleeves or pockets for your toes.

Fearing blisters, I tried the socks on to wear around the house for a few hours.  It took me a minute to get my toes into the correct toe slots.  It reminded me of putting finger gloves on a 2 year old.  After I got the socks on, I had this weird sensation between my toes.  It felt odd because I am not used to things between my toes.  After a few minutes the sensation went away and the socks became comfortable.  I really liked the way they felt.

Okay, I like these socks, time for a run.  I tried the socks out on a 4 mile run for my first try.  I really liked them.  I quickly built them up to 13 miles and picked a moderately hilly half marathon for my first try with the injinji socks on.  I do a lot of trail half marathons and always get blisters.  I picked a small race with just under 2,000 feet of climbing.  I don’t get blisters from going up the hills.  I get them from going down the hills.  I did not get a blister when running the half marathon!  I really like these socks a lot.  In fact they are my favorite socks for my long runs.

You may ask why they are my favorite socks for long runs and not my favorite socks.  The reason I don’t wear them for my short runs is because I run at lunch.  It takes an extra minute to get my toes separated and into the socks.  When I am on a tight schedule, every second counts.  It is well worth the extra seconds when I am going on a long run.  Today I went on a long run of 16+ miles and I started off with wet toes because I stepped into a puddle before I put my shoes on.  I ran with no problems.

Sock facts: (New term to be trade marked by alamedarunners)
Toe slots – The socks have slots to separate your toes.  Not only does this feel good, it has a practical purpose too.  The toe slots help prevent chaffing and blisters.
Metatarsal stretch bands – The bands go all the way around your foot near the front of the arch.  These bands keep the sock snug around the front of the foot to prevent sliding and bunching.
Heel box – This is a sneaky stretch material that we I could barely notice.  I don’t know how they do it but keeps the sock snug to the heel.
Ankle band – The ankle band is snug too.  The sock does not move around the top.
Snug package – All of the details put together make this a complete sock.  Toe slots, snug metatarsal area, form fitted snug heel and snug ankle area keep the sock from moving around under any conditions.

The price may seem to be a little stiff at $10 to $16 per pair, depending on the style you choose.  My favorite, the Performance Midweight Mini-crew goes for $16.  Good running socks are in this range, mostly at the lower end but the socks do last a long time and they will outlive a few pair of running shoes.

I love my injinji running socks.  I wear them for all long runs.  I wish I could put them on a bit faster so I could wear them for triathlons.  Perhaps I could speed up the process with practice but I have enough to worry about during a triathlon transition.  Try these socks out.  You will not regret it.

*Ted’s disclaimer – I have no obligation to say anything good or bad about any product on my site.  I call it like I see it.  If I feel something is worth trying, I will say so.  I pay for something that is a dud, I will say so.  I do not plan on giving up my career in engineering for one in marketing.  My comments about the socks are my observations from wearing the socks and looking at them while writing the article.