My feet were in rough shape by the time I discovered Injinji. I had run multiple ultra races, and had little luck with various socks. I had tried them all at this point three years into running ultra marathons. My last race the 100km at Sulphur Springs with lots of pounding and muddy trails left my feet mangled and I was desperate for something more to help them out on the trails.
Looking down at my feet that had still yet to heal from the 100km three months prior I walked into Running Free and grabbed myself my first pair of Injinji crew trail socks. These were something so different from the normal socks I usually wear, but I was desperate, trying to find anything that would “save my feet”.
I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the “toe” aspect of these socks, because well, I have weird shaped toes that aren’t perfectly straight and I wasn’t sure how the socks would fit over my weird toes. However, they somehow fit just perfectly, almost like a glove, but smooth and soft. They were easy to put over my feet, and once they were on they felt actually wonderful. I wore them around the house to “get used” to them, although I really didn’t need to because I really didn’t notice that they were covering every single toe.
I did a few runs in the socks and tested them out, I like the way the felt on my feet, and they didn’t slide around in my shoes either, and my feet felt dry and not as irritated as they usually are. So my plan was to wear them at my next ultra race Tally in the Valley on July 26, 2025. This also just so happened to be the hottest, and most humid day of the year thus far. I had signed up for the 6 hour race, which was as many 7km loops as I could manage in 6 hours.
It was one of the hottest days I have ever experienced, and I put my feet through the wringer to really test those socks out. I was sweating profusely, and constantly dousing myself in water and ice which was constantly dripping into my socks and shoes. However, despite everything else bothering me, my feet really didn’t. I usually change my socks at the half way point, but after about 5 laps in, which was about 35km, my feet were the only thing that were really feeling good. At the 6 hour mark I had managed 7 laps which was 49km. I felt awful all over, due to the extreme heat, sweating, and the chafing everywhere on my body.
The real test was when I removed the socks after the race, they were definitely drenched from the sweat and water I had keep pouring on myself, but my toenails were all intact! I didn’t have the blisters I usually do, and I didn’t squeal as I removed my socks afraid of what else was going to come off in the sock!
I think I tested these socks out in the most brutal of conditions, and my feet were in great shape after which is saying a lot. I wish I would have known about these socks at the start of my ultra running journey. I know for sure they would have saved me a lot of toenails and blisters and painful miles.
I have become a huge fan of these socks, I even find lately that when not going for a run I search these socks out and wear them just day to day around the house. Another thing that I did love about these socks was the patterns that are available. I usually just wear black and white for my running attire, so it’s always nice to add some colour through some colourful socks.
