Somewhere in the mid-to late-2000s, I came across Injini socks at REI. I was used to hiking in traditional wool socks and, worse, the whole two-set of socks, where you had a liner sock and then a heavy wool sock over it. Toe, heel, and ball of my feet blisters were an everyday occurrence when hiking and backpacking. On longer trips, my feet would be so awful-looking that I wanted to cry.
Once I tried Injini socks, I never went back. I immediately had no more blisters between my big toe and second toe—none. I wore one layer of socks and went into aggressive tread trail runners, leaving heavy hiking boots mostly behind. No longer were my feet hot, sweaty, and sliding. It’s been a major love affair for me, in the 15- —to 18-year range now. (I will spare my readers photos of my feet back then.)
In October of 2008, I had been hiking up at Mount Rainier all day, and I do not remember why I took a photo of my feet in front of REI’s website. Hahahaha. I was really in love with my first pairs.
On average, I buy 7 pairs a year and use them for 1 to 3 years. The one thing that can kill them is having too long big toenails or not filing nails. With time, that is usually what finally wears out. You can darn them if you are adept with a fine needle.
When I first started, I often wore the crew height, about halfway up my lower legs. However, I now wear Injini socks year-round, even at home. I have questionable fashion choices and live in cotton capri pants year-round. I found that what worked great was knee-high socks or boot socks. I had two pairs of tall Injini I picked up years ago and wore out this year. Kirk knows what a lucky man he is to have a wife wearing knee-high socks under capri pants! Add in some Topo Athletic Rekovr felt shoes. How can anyone resist me?
With a new pair on, in brown. Free Golden Retriever fur included!
The Boot Orginal Weight will be between boot height (as in boots that woodland firefighters wear) to knee height, depending on your lower leg length. I wear size 10 women’s shoes, and I am not tall (I am 5’4″, and while I choose to wear a 30″ inseam in jeans, I am 29″, but I like my shoes to be covered in the back). So for me, they hit just below my knees, and fully cover my lower legs. On taller people, with long legs it could be shorter.
I wear a size Medium in Injini socks, which are unisex. A medium fits sizes 9 to 11.5 in women and 8.5 to 10 in men.
They currently have 7 colors, though black was out of stock in my size. They retail for $18 a pair. This isn’t cheap, but you are buying quality.
I picked up 2 pairs in brown.
I also picked up a pair in green.
Injini ships relatively fast when ordered directly. In the US, orders of $60 and up get free shipping. These are sold on their website, and neither Amazon nor REI carry them.
These have a mild compression effect and fit nicely and snugly. They stay up, don’t slide down, and wear well under hiking pants, leggings, and jeans. The toes are properly articulated as well.
~Sarah
Definitely going to try these. Thanks.