Do you ever wonder if its just a gimmick when a sports company offers an alternative for women?
We do.
Earlier this year, Injinji released their Womens-Specific range of toe socks. They claim that these lightweight no show toe socks ‘better accommodate the female foot’ and offer ‘increased heel-to-toe stretch’. There is a two-way stretch through the mid-point of the arch to provide better compression through the female foot, and the toe pockets have been re-designed for a ‘better, snugger fit’. It all sounds great – but is it marketing-speak or can these socks cut the mustard?
Earlier this month, we asked one of our super-customers to compare the new ladies-specific Injinji Performance 2.0 Lightweight No Show Women’s Toe Socks to the existing unisex toe socks. We like open, honest, and candid reviews (see this one from last month) and welcome criticism and feedback. We’re not all about sales, sales, sales; we care about our customers so its important to get an unbiased review from customers just like you… So without further ado, here’s Cath’s review.
Injinji Performance 2.0 Lightweight No Show Women’s Toe Socks – A Review
I have to admit to being a bit sceptical when I was asked to review Injinji’s women’s socks to see how they compare to unisex toe socks. I wear both ToeToe and Injinji toe socks on a regular basis and have never noticed a major problem with wearing a sock which wasn’t specifically designed for girls. I run almost exclusively in Vibram FiveFingers, usually with a lightweight liner.
First Impressions
My first impression when I took the socks out of the packet was that I liked the funky pattern (not that anyone’s going to see it once I’ve got my shoes on!) but that the fabric felt quite thick, especially for a sock described as “lightweight” with “ultra-thin” cushioning.
The Fit
Getting the sock on was easy – the toes and heel fit in the right place first time with no need for adjustment. This is where I sometimes have issues with unisex socks – the toes tend to be a bit long and I have to tug on them to get them to fit snugly. Oddly, the ribbed band which is meant to support the arch sat too high on my foot but this didn’t cause any discomfort or chafing. The thick feel of the fabric was noticeable between the toes but overall, the sock felt snug – it hugged my foot without being constrictive.
As soon as I donned my Fivefingers, I completely forgot the socks were there – just what I demand of a toe sock. I’m always a bit wary of socks described as “no show” in case they’re too short and don’t protect my ankle from the cuff of my shoe, but these socks are a perfect length – they do show over the top of both FiveFingers and “normal” shoes but this doesn’t bother me as I prefer the protection this provides.
Buy Women’s Injinji toe socks from Feetus.co.uk
Blister Prevention
While running, the socks stayed in place perfectly, felt comfortable and prevented the blisters I get if I run without socks.
On Test
The initial test run was a 4-miler on a cool Spring morning, and the socks kept my feet nice and warm, which makes me wonder how they will hold up to Summer conditions. However, when I got home I discovered just how good the “moisture management” properties are – the socks were damp on the outside but when I took them off, my feet were totally dry. In comparison, after a similar run, both my ToeToes and my feet feel damp.
Overall, I liked these socks. I was surprised to find that the women’s socks do fit better than the unisex version and was very impressed with the wicking properties. In Summer, I would probably continue to use my ToeToes – even though they don’t wick as well as the Injinjis; they’re much thinner and cooler so I would expect my feet to sweat less in them. However, this particular Injinji sock looks set to become a favourite in the cooler months and if there were a thinner version it could well become the only sock in my drawer.
So… by the sounds of it, the Injinji Women’s-Specific toe socks do exactly what we expect.
Way to go Injinji! Keep up the good work!
