From 4LPH41337.com

Reviewing the Injinji Performance Tetratsok

Contents 1 Features 2 Materials 3 Josh's Take 4 Mike's Take 5 Jack's Take 6 Jordan's Take 7 Laura's Take 8 Joanna's Take

Features

From Injinji.com

Proven in the simplest and most extreme conditions, the Performance
series tetratsok is becoming the choice interface for amateur and
professional athletes alike. Engineered with AIS: technology and
constructed with a wicking fiber made of CoolMax® and a resistant
outer shell of durable nylon, the Performance tetratsok protects,
prevents and out performs any ordinary tube closed sport sock.

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.

Materials

Josh's Take

I first wore a pair of these at the Bull Mountain Mock race last December, and the race started out in chilly weather. One of the things that shocked me about the Injinji Performance Tetratsoks was that when I put them on I could feel the breeze flowing through them, but during the mock race my feet never got cold. Admittedly, I brought a pair of extra socks just in case, because I was concerned about the temperature. I never brought them out of my pack! I had zero blisters at the end of the 12 hour day.

Since then I've done quite a lot of training in different types of Injinji Tetratsoks, and the Performance Tetratsoks are the staple. I train in them, I race in them, and I even walk around the house in them. The individual toe sleeves were odd at first but it only took a couple of times in them to get used to it. Now I prefer it--the tactile response and the increase in sensation while walking around shoeless is quite nice.

Back to adventure racing in them though--I used to pack a couple of pair of socks in my bag for after water crossings and such. After all, wearing a wet pair of socks for an entire race can leave your feet pretty bad off. Let's look at the track record for the Injinji Performance Tetratsoks:

• 30-Hour Atlantic Coast Conquest - Still unsure how long they would hold up, I packed an extra pair of the Performance Tetrasoks in my backpack. The ACC was in the swamps along the coastline of northeast Florida. My feet were around, under, and splashing through water the entire race. I never got the sensation that I needed to treat blisters, so did not end up taking of my socks to change into the dry ones ever. After finishing, I took my shoes off to reveal they had a ton of sand in them! My feet hurt from the pounding the race dolled out, but they weren't blistered.
• 24-Hour Wild, Wonderful 24 - Packed an extra pair for after the initial rafting leg. For the remaining 22 hours of the race, I wore the second pair. Booyah!
• 24-Hour Impossible Panther - Stopped packing extra pairs of socks. Confident in their ability to deliver and they did.
• 5-Hour Siege On Fort Yargo - Hah, you think I'm concerned about socks any more? Nah, these suckers are golden.
• 24-Hour Odyssey One Day - Liberation. One pair of socks the entire race. No extras needed.

Summary:

Two big toes up for the Injinji Performance Tetratsoks. They are cool in the heat, curiously warm in the cold, and go a long way in stopping blisters from forming under a wide array of activities and over long distances. Getting them wet does not seem to compromise their qualities; what more can you want for an adventure racing sock?

Mike's Take

I started out skeptical of the Injinji's, thinking they just looked funny and couldn't be that good. I have fat little toes that all crowd together, are prone to blisters, and have all kinds of problems when wet for extended periods. But as others had good things to say about them, I thought I'd give them a shot.

I started wearing them on a few training runs in January and quickly got over the feeling of sock between my toes. It's really not that bad and in fact, now I think they're comfortable. Besides numerous shorter runs and a sprint race, I've now used them in several 12+ hr training sessions, a ~10hr mock race, two half marathons on back-to-back weekends, and a 24hr race. These events have spanned cold (30's) rainy nights to hot (90+) days. My feet/socks/shoes have been wet for most of the duration of these events (except half marathons). Only during the 24hr race did I change out wet socks for dry ones, and only because we could get rid of our wet shoes/socks early on.

Since using the Injinji's I've had ZERO major, or even moderate, foot/toe issues. I still get minor blisters from time to time, but nothing that would slow me down. My only complaint is that I have difficulty putting them on with my fat, crowded toes. But, the extra minute it takes to put them on is well worth the benefits of uninjured toes when I take them off later.

Bottom line, they look funny and feel weird when first put on, but they're ultimately quite comfortable and work amazingly well in all conditions for stopping blisters and irritation.

Jack's Take

With the most sensitive feet on the team (after Joanna!), did have a blister on the back of the heal (giving the track record, having only one blister is actually a good thing for him). This seems to have been an isolated incident due to debris that made it into the sock (which I ignored). They've eliminated my toe blisters that used to be a problem between my pinky toe and the next toe over. The heel blister hasn't returned. I don't race or train in any other sock. Injinji is now the only exercise sock for me.

• First, the "toe" thing. Yes, they feel odd the first time you try them on. Took me about 30-60 minutes to forget about them. Now, I don't even notice it. Get a pair and get over it--you'll be glad you did.
• In the hot weather, my feet stay cool to comfortable.
• In the cold weather, they are comfortable (perhaps I get better blood flow with the thinner sock--as opposed to my old Smartwool choice).
• When wet, it doesn't seem to matter, as they dry fast and don't slop around like thicker socks. When your feet are wet, it does take a few extra seconds to put on a dry pair, but in my opinion, they're worth it. I've done a couple of 24hr races in only one pair of socks, with no issues. I've done a few races where I've changed them out for a dry pair. Either way, you'll be happy with these socks.

Jordan's Take

After you get used to aiming your toes into the proper spots, these socks are amazing. I have taken them through the most disgusting, worst conditions imaginable and did not suffer any ill effects.

Examples:

• Mount Cheaha 50k - My feet were wet for hours due to heavy rains, mountain runoff, and multiple river crossings. Finished the race in 5:15 and my feet felt as good as they can after 50k of abuse. No blisters, or abrasions.

• Atlantic Coast Conquest - 24 hours of hiking through the most disgusting mud Florida had to offer. I unfortunately decided to change my socks after 20 hours, the Injinji's had performed amazingly well but they looked disgusting. Mud was caked on them, and I thought maybe a clean pair would be for the best. I had a spare pair of Smartwool socks and almost immediately my toes started rubbing and I ended up with a painful blister in between my toes at an inopportune time.

The long and short of it is, I wear these when I don't want to worry about my feet. They can take the abuse and don't complain.

Laura's Take

While planning for a trip to China, my Injini socks were on the "Must Pack" list to be able to have while training here. They have performed well in America and have continued to this same track record in the East. I have worn them for 3 runs and during a few treks around the city. My feet continue to be blister free. It is a bit shocking though, when I wear them into a Chinese home and remove my shoes before entering. The individual toe sleeves are quite a surprise for the Chinese!

Joanna's Take

Before trying out my new Injinjis, I had become convinced I was doomed to suffer permanent and painful blisters during and post all races, including the short, measly 5K runs. The closest to comfort I had found was in a pair of Smartwools I had picked up at REI, but after about 12 hours in the rain and after countless stream crossings at the 2008 Overmountain Extreme, I was once again subjected to forcing my swollen, oozing feet into a skinny pair of bike shoes at transition.

Then came along the Injinjis. Having been a die-hard fan of toe socks back in the 1990's, I was ecstatic when Josh handed me my bag full of Injinjis. I promptly wore them at my next race and was amazed when, after hours-on end of wet, soggy feet I came out clear and blister free. A few times I managed to convince myself my feet had become invincible and went back to my former race socks, after which I thoroughly regretted it and swore to never make that mistake again. I have a reputation for bringing rain and/or water to the races with me, so it never ceases to amaze when - after 24 hours of wet shoes, socks, and feet - I pull off my Injinjis to find my pruney toes blister-free. I love these things so much that I even wear them with my flip-flops to the airport. Needless to say, I definitely make a fashion statement when I do and have to suffer the glares of prissy old women who don't seem to approve of socks with capris and flip flops, but who cares! They keep my toes clean through the security line and my feet warm on the frigid plane.

As the guys mentioned above - the feel of fabric between your toes may sound like a strange one, but I never even notice it at all. It's almost a comfort to feel the Injinis around my toes because it lets me know my feet are safe. It's also easy to get them mismatched in the wash, but Injinji makes this simple for you by putting a convenient little red tag on the right side of the right sock and the left side of the other. One thing I would like to see improved though is the Injinji's endurance. As much as I like to use them, and as much wear and tear as I put on them, I would like for them to be able to hold up a little bit longer. A few of my pairs already have holy toes after only a few months use, but even though, I would never give up my Injinji's just because of that. It could be that it's just a trade off that has to be made for blister-proof socks. Wearing my Injinji's during a race means that A - I'll never be slowed down by having to stop and change my socks during a race and/or treat any blisters and B - that the team will never lose time again due to me limping along behind with feet too tender to put weight on.

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