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Injinji Tetratsok Crew Socks - Performance and Outdoor
Series
Field Report
10 October 2006
 
Tester Bio
Name – Anthony (TJ) Smith
Age – 31
Gender – Male
Height – 5’ 10” (1.78 m)
Weight – 175 lb (79 kg)
Shoe Size – 9.5 US
Email Address – tjsmith1946@gmail.com
City, State, Country – Pensacola, Florida USA
Backpacking Background
I have been camping for a little over 5 years now, mostly car camping. I have
recently begun backpacking, and I am constantly adding new gear to my “collection”
in an effort to get my gear list tailored more towards backpacking. Most of
my backpacking trips are short duration, not more than one or two nights. My
current pack weight is around 15-20 lb (7-9 kg) without food and water, depending
on if I'm solo camping or taking my son along. I am a dedicated hammock camper
and have tailored my personal gear to that aspect of camping.
Product Information
Year of Manufacture – 2006
Manufacturer URL – www.injinji.com
Stated Weight – N/A
Weight as Delivered – Outdoor version - 1-7/8 oz (54 g); Performance version
- 2-1/8 oz (60 g)
Size Tested – Medium (Men's 8-10.5 US), Length Crew. Also available in
quarter length.
MSRP – $16 USD for Outdoor version, $11 USD for the Performance
From Injinji's Website: As your feet face the elements, the Outdoor Series
tetratsok is an interface system specifically designed to perform and adapt
to any type of terrain. Engineered with AIS:technology and constructed with
Injinji’s exclusive natural wicking Nüwool™, the tetratsok
provides exceptional comfort and performance unlike any other athletic wool
sock. Injinji's definition of AIS:technology from their website is "Anatomical
Interface System (AIS) is engineered to separate your toes with a thin, anti-friction
membrane that is both lightweight and breathable. Seamless in construction,
the Tetratsok forms to every contour of your foot. This allows for true restriction
free movement from your heel to five toes, encourages healthy circulation, and
eliminates skin on skin contact between your toes to prevent blisters from developing."
The only difference I noted in construction descriptions between the Outdoor
Series and the Performance Series are in the construction materials: 70% Nüwool™
, 25% Nylon, 5% Spande-flex for the Outdoor and a combination of 70% Coolmax®,
25% Nylon and 5% Lycra® fabrics for the Performance.
The performance series is listed for running, walking, track and field, cross
training, and multi-sport. The outdoor series is listed for trail running, hiking,
trekking, adventure sports, and mountain biking
Initial Information/Observations
The Tetratoks upon receipt met most of my expectations. For full details on
my initial observations, please see my Initial
Report.
Field Information
Date: August 11-12, 2006
Location: Blackwater River State Forest, Munson, Florida
Socks Worn: Outdoor Version with Avia Nevados Light Hiker boots
Weather: Temperatures reached a high of 95 F (35 C) during the day and dropped
to 71 F (21 C) that night. No precipitation was experienced during this trip.
This trip was an overnight camping trip in the state forest. Total elevations
for this trip ranged from 30 to 60 ft (9 to 18 m) above sea level.
Date: August 16, 2006
Location: Various locations throughout Santa Rosa County, Florida
Socks Worn: Performance Version with Avia athletic shoes
Weather: Temperatures ranged from 80 F (27 C) to 90 F (32 C) during this trip.
Skies were mostly sunny, and no precipitation was experienced.
This "trip" was a geocaching expedition. I traveled to several different
locations throughout the area in search of geocaches. Distances from parking
to each cache ranged from 100 yd (91 m) to 2.5 mi (4 km).
Date: August 31, 2006
Location: Juniper Creek Trail, Harold, Florida
Socks Worn: Outdoor Version with Avia Nevados Light Hiker boots
Weather: Temperatures ranged from 75 F (24 C) at the beginning of the hike to
a high of 91 F (33 C) at midday. This was a very sunny day, with no discernable
cloud cover at all.
The Juniper Creek Trail is listed as 8.8 mi (14 km) in length, and is a linear
trail. Having hiked this trail several times before, I am very familiar with
the topography and ecology. There are several areas that are open to full sun
for extended periods of time, and there are numerous other areas where the vegetation
has grown in to almost close off the trail if it hasn't been maintained recently.
Date: September 6, 2006
Location: Karick Lake Loop Trail, Baker, Florida
Socks Worn: Performance Version with Avia Nevados Light Hiker boots
Weather: Temperatures ranged from 76 F (24 C) to 87 F (30 C), with sunny skies
experienced yet again.
The Karick Lake Loop Trail makes a 4 mi (6.4 km) circuit around Karick Lake
in the Blackwater River State Forest, the largest state landholding in the state
of Florida. The area is averages 75 ft (23 m) above sea level, with some minor
elevation changes along the trail. Most of the trail is also relatively close
to the water of the lake, so some cooling is noticeable at these locations.
Date: September 12-13, 2006
Location: Ocala National Forest, Ocala, Florida
Socks Worn: Both versions, worn with Avia Nevados Light Hiker boots
Weather: Temperatures reached a high of 84 F (29 C) during the day and dropped
to 71 F (21 C) both nights. No precipitation was experienced during this trip.
This trip was a car-camping type trip in the Ocala National Forest. I did not
do any backpacking to the campsite for this trip; however, I did wear the socks
for both days of this trip.
Date: September 24, 2006
Location: Section hike of the Jackson Red Ground Trail, Baker, Florida
Socks Worn: Outdoor Version with Avia Nevados Light Hiker boots
Weather: Temperatures ranged from a low of 80 F (27 C) at the beginning of the
hike to a high of 89 F (32 C). No precipitation was experienced, although the
day was overcast.
Like the Juniper Creek Trail, the Jackson Red Ground trail provides a similar
ecology and topography. For gear testing, there are several locations where
the brush closes in quite close to the trail.
Date: September 27, 2006
Location: Naval Live Oaks Preserve, Gulf Breeze, Florida
Socks Worn: Performance Version with Avia athletic shoes
Weather: Temperature ranged from 73 F (23 C) to 85 F (29 C). The sun remained
in full force for the duration of this hike, with no clouds visible.
This hike was on a 2.2 mi (3.5 km) loop trail through old-growth live oaks.
The trail itself is fairly well maintained, with little chance for snagging
of clothing. However, there are several open areas that expose hikers to direct
sunlight.
Date: October 3, 2006
Location: Naval Live Oaks Preserve, Gulf Breeze, Florida
Socks Worn: Outdoor Version with Avia athletic shoes
Weather: Temperatures ranged from 84 F (29 C) to 88 F (31 C), however the heat
index reached near 105 F (40 C) due to humidity levels approaching 90%. In addition,
the trail through this area does not provide much shade, so sun exposure also
raises the apparent temperature.
I have utilized both versions of the Tetratsok with the two types of shoes
I most commonly wear, my Avia Nevados Light Hiker boots and my Avia athletic
shoes. I have accumulated approximately 80 trail mi (129 km) on the Tetratsoks,
approximately 40 mi (64 km) per pair. Both have been worn in similar conditions
to ensure an equal comparison between the two versions.
The following items have been addressed from my test plan:
- How well do the socks hold up to repeated wearing? Does the material stretch
out and cause the socks to sag, or does it retain its elasticity and stay
in place?
So far, both versions have held up well to repeated wearing. I
have not noticed any stretching of the materials, and neither pair has had
a loss of elasticity.
- How well do the socks fit with a variety of shoes? Do they work as well
with hiking boots as they do with trail shoes?
I have found that both styles have fit well with both types of
shoes I wear on the trail. I have found the Outdoor version seem to offer
a bit more cushioning for my feet when traveling longer distances (over 3
mi [ km]).
- Do any “thin spots” develop, especially in areas like the heel?
I have not noticed any "thin spots" developing in either
pair. Both appear to be enduring the testing quite well.
- How does the “toe sock” concept fit, comfort-wise? Is it terribly
uncomfortable, or do I forget I’m wearing “toe socks”?
Still being a relative newcomer to the "toe sock" concept,
it has taken me quite a bit of adjustment to wear these socks. I have not
noticed them being uncomfortable while I'm moving around, but I can definitely
tell I have something between my toes while I'm taking rest breaks and my
feet are still. One solution I have found for this is to remove my shoes and
the socks while I'm taking a break. This has also allowed my feet to "breathe",
which appears to have offered the added benefit of allowing the socks to dry
out a bit when my feet have been sweating.
- According to the website, there is a 3-ply construction in the arch. How
does this feel on my arches? Does it actually provide a noticeable benefit?
I have noticed the arch construction more on the Outdoor version
than the Performance version. It has actually made my arches a bit less sore
than they usually become after hiking.
- Injinji claims the material of the socks keeps your feet cool in the summer
and warm in the winter. While I won’t experience the winter during the
anticipated test period, do they actually keep my feet cool during the summer?
I have not noticed a considerable difference between the Tetratsoks
and my usual hiking socks. My feet appear to sweat just as much as they normally
do during warmer weather.
- My feet tend to sweat quite a bit (ok, so my socks are usually SOAKED.)
How well do these socks wick the moisture away?
Both versions of the Tetratsok have appeared to wick moisture
away from my feet quite well. They do become damp after wearing them for more
than a couple hours continuously. However, when removing them for breaks,
stops, etc they do appear to dry out quite quickly.
- Along with #8, how quickly do these socks dry out when wet, either from
wearing in wet conditions or from washing?
The socks dry out fairly quickly after wearing, as stated above.
All the washing I have done so far has been machine-washing, but both versions
do dry out quickly with just air drying.
- Do the socks develop an odor when worn for extended periods of time? Or
do they appear fairly odor-resistant?
I have not noticed any unusual odors develop with either version,
even after wearing for an extended period of time. While I would not say they
are "odor-resistant," I have not had them develop unexpected odors.
- Does the anti-slip in the heel actually keep my heels from slipping around?
Or is it a sales gimmick?
I have not really noticed a difference with the anti-slip heal
versus traditional heels in my other socks.
Test Plan
The Tetratsoks will continue to be tested in a variety of locations throughout
Northwest Florida and Southeast Alabama. During the testing period, expected
weather conditions for the remainder of the period should range from a high
near 85 F (29 C), and lows approaching or just below 50 F (10 C). I also anticipate
varied levels of precipitation, from bright sunny days with low humidity all
the way to torrential downpours. The terrain throughout the testing area ranges
from very sandy soil to old and new growth pine forests as well as areas of
marshy bogs.
I will continue to address the above listed items for the remainder of the
testing period.
My thanks to Injinji and BackpackGearTest for allowing me to test this item.
Read more reviews of Injinji gear
Read more gear reviews by Anthony Smith
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