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Injinji Tetratsok Crew Socks - Performance and Outdoor
Series
Long Term Report
5 December 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 Tetratsoks upon receipt met most of my expectations. For full details on
my initial observations, please see my Initial
Report and Field
Report.
Field Information
Date: October 21, 2006
Location: Garcon Point Trail, Avalon, Florida
Weather: Temperatures began at 55 F (13 C) and reached a high of 75 F (24 C)
during the day. No precipitation was experienced during this trip.
Socks Worn: Performance with Avia Nevados Greylock Light Hikers
This trip was a dayhike through a local nature preserve. Elevations
for the entire hike ranged from 5 ft (1.5 m) above sea level to 15 ft (4.5 m)
above sea level. The trail at several points has brush that narrowed the trail
to less than 2 ft (61 cm) wide, which causes the brush to rub against whatever
clothing is being worn.
Date: November 10-12, 2006
Location: Hurricane Lake Campground, Munson, Florida
Weather: Temperatures reached a high of 70 F (21 C) during the day and dropped
to 40 F (21 C) the first night and 30 F (-1 C) the second night. During the
day on the second of the three days, we experienced pretty significant rainfall
(about 2 in (5 cm) in less than 2 hours).
Socks Worn: Performance with Avia Nevados Greylock Light Hikers
This trip was an overnight in a local state forest campground. While this is
an organized campground, the camping area I was in is a primitive camping area.
Numerous dayhikes were conducted throughout the area.
Date: November 25, 2006
Location: Big Lagoon State Park, Pensacola, Florida
Weather: Temperatures ranged from 45 F (7 C) at the beginning of the hike to
a high of 60 F (16 C) at midday. This was a very sunny day, with no discernable
cloud cover at all.
Socks Worn: Performance with Avia athletic shoes
There are several nature trails in Big Lagoon State Park, and on this trip I
hiked two of them, for a total of 6 mi (9.6 km). There are several areas that
are open to full sun for extended periods of time, and in a few locations the
trail narrows somewhat with brush. Elevations ranged from 5 ft (1.5 m) above
sea level to 15 ft (4.5 m) above sea level.
Date: December 3, 2006
Location: Naval Live Oaks Preserve, Gulf Breeze, Florida
Weather: Temperatures ranged from 40 F (4 C) to 55 F (13 C).
Socks Worn: Outdoor with Avia athletic shoes
The trail I hiked on this trip is 2 mi (3 km) one direction on a linear trail,
so I actually hiked 4 mi (6 km). The trail is over sandy ground, shaded by live
oaks (a type of old growth oak tree.)
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 120 trail mi (193 km) on the Tetratsoks,
approximately 60 mi (97 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?
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 throughout the testing period.
- 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 [5 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 have endured 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”?
I have become more accustomed to the concept of "toe socks"
over the course of this testing series. While hiking, walking, or just generally
moving around, I completely forget I'm wearing toe socks. However, if I stop
for any length of time, I do notice the material between my toes. If I take
my shoes/boots off during these stops, the issue doesn't seem to bother me
nearly as much.
- 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. Later in the testing period, I did experience some
cooler weather than I had anticipated. The socks, for the thinness of the
material, actually helped provide a surprising amount of warmth. I was pleasantly
surprised by this, having prepared by bringing extra socks along which I
ended up not needing.
- 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 has been machine-washing, but both versions do
dry out quickly with just air drying. Even with the socks soaked, I can wring
them out, hang them up, and they are dry within 2 to 3 hours.
- 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
(my feet and shoes don't end up smelling any different than with any other
socks I currently use.)
- 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 heel
versus traditional heels in my other socks.
The Good and The Bad
Pros
- Toe sock concept becomes more tolerable with more use
- Comfort and fit
- Arch construction on the Outdoor version
Cons
- Toe sock concept takes a while to get used to
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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