Comparative Review: What's the best place to run on tough terrain? I tried comparing the high-performance 5-finger socks

Complete comparison of five finger socks to support comfortable driving

Recently, running socks have a variety of colors, making them fashionable, and are becoming more sophisticated to achieve even higher performance. It's easy to choose based on your appearance, but when you run around the mountains freely, the burden on your feet is quite significant. Choosing socks is not a compromise for a comfortable trail running life.

Of these diverse running socks, five-finger running socks have been increasingly popular recently because they are less likely to get stuffy and easier to keep up. I know many friends who don't usually wear them, but wear five fingers when they run on trails, where they get wet and get very impactful. Of course, it will be useful for hiking and fast packing in terms of dealing with the same terrain.

So this time, we've picked out some of the models that interest you, including high-performance models that average around 2,000 yen per pair, and extremely cheap models that cost around 980 yen for three pairs, and compared them from a multi-faceted perspective as usual. Even though differences that you can't see from their appearance, when you actually wear them and run, you will find that the comfort and ease of running are very different depending on the material, how tight they are, and whether or not they have anti-slip. We will introduce each of the features, so we hope that this will be useful for you to discover the best buys.

table of contents

• About the items we compared and tested this time
• Test results and spec comparison table
• Overall Review: Recommended models by type
• Detailed reviews of each item (Page: 2)
• Summary (Page:2)

About the five-finger socks compared this time

The following six models of five finger socks compared this time are:

• Tabio Trail Run 5-Finger Short Socks
• R×L SOCKS TRR-35G Merino wool socks 5 fingers [Short length/non-slip]
• ITOITEX Running Socks 5 fingers short
• CW-X CW-X Parts 5-finger socks (short)
• C3fit Paper Fiber 5 Finger Socks
• Workman Arch Power Assist Short 5-Finger Socks

In this comparison, the selection is a wide variety of materials, including mainly synthetic fibers, a blend of cotton and synthetic fibers, merino wool, and, particularly, a blend of washi fibers. In addition, we have evaluated performance that differs depending on the structure and sewing, whether or not there is a slip (Tabio, R×L, and Workman models are non-slip), and deodorizing properties, focusing on the following seven points.

1. Barefoot feeling (comfort): Rather than the general "comfort," it emphasizes barefoot feeling (how much it makes you forget the feeling of "wearing socks")
2. Ease of drying (quick drying): Ability to quickly release large amounts of sweat
3. Not only does it not easily get stuffy (breathable): Just like quick-drying, it not only quickly releases sweat, but also makes you forget how stuffy it feels
4. Does not slip (hold feeling): Whether your feet are less likely to get rampant inside your shoes when braking or stepping on
5. Shock absorption: how much impact it absorbs, especially when braking?
6. Not easy to fatigue...Contribution to reducing fatigue and preventing injuries, such as the arch of the arch and ankles
7. Durability: How difficult it will not wear or sag after intense movement and long-term use

Test environment

June to July 2018. To maintain uniformity in the test, the course and shoes were adjusted to match the environment. We tested the 10km trail lap course with Altra shoes, running three rounds per pair. In addition, I continued to run through the river, through the bushes, and use a lot of side steps, and consciously overuse them.

Test results and spec comparison table

comprehensive evaluation	★★★	★★	★★	★★	★★	★
item	Tabio Trail Run 5-Finger Short Socks	C3fit Paper Fiber 5 Finger Socks	ITOITEX Running Socks 5 fingers short	RxL SOCKS TRR-35G Merino wool socks 5 fingers [Short length/non-slip]	CW-X CW-X Parts 5-finger socks (short)	Workman Arch Power Assist Short 5-Finger Socks
Reference price	2,376 yen	2,160 yen	1,944 yen	2,376 yen	2,484 yen	980 yen
This is ◎	Good overall balance	A balance of quick drying, breathability and durability	Quick drying, breathable, feeling of bare feet (light)	It combines both the feel and sweat removal, good overall balance, soft anti-slip	Support for arch and ankle area, quick drying, durability	Cost performance, non-slip, cushioning
This is △	None in particular	It's easy to slip depending on the compatibility with shoes	Durability (especially fingertips) and compatibility with shoes makes it easy to slip.	Quick drying	It's easy to slip depending on the compatibility with shoes	Breathable, quick drying
Barefoot feeling	★★★☆☆	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆	★★★☆☆
Ease of drying	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★☆☆☆	★★★★☆	★★☆☆☆
It's not stuffy	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★☆☆	★★★☆☆	★★☆☆☆
It's not easy to slip	★★★★☆	★★☆☆☆	★★☆☆☆	★★★☆☆	★★☆☆☆	★★★★☆
Shock absorption	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆	★★★☆☆	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆	★★★★☆
It's not easy to get tired	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★☆☆☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★☆☆
Durability	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★☆☆☆	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆
material	33% polyester, 22% cotton, 15% unspecified fiber (deocell), 14% nylon, 13% wool, 3% polyurethane	Nylon, unclassified fibers (paper), etc.	Inner surface: Unspecified fiber (washi), silk Exterior: Unspecified fiber (washi), silk, nylon, polyurethane	Merino wool, nylon, polyester, polyurethane	Polyester, cotton, etc.	Cotton, polyester, nylon, polyurethane

Overall Review: Recommended models by type

After repeated testing, Tabio trail running five finger short socks . There are no flaws such as comfort, quick drying and breathability, support for the arch and ankle, anti-slip on the soles of the feet, and reinforcement of the toes. Personally, I think the reinforcement of the sole arch is excellent. It can be used for practice, races, and summer to winter, regardless of the season, so you'll want to have one pair.

Tabio Trail Run 5-Finger Short Socks

If it's just one-shot race, ITOITEX running socks with 5 fingers and short short is interesting. It dries quickly and breathable, and the skin remains dry even when wet, and it feels extremely strong in rainy weather or in laces with poor drainage. It's also surprisingly light and is the most comfortable pair to wear with bare feet (also available with Vibram Five Fingers). However, durability is especially weak in the fingertips, and if there is room inside the shoe, it can cause holes. Don't forget to wear a spare pair for long-distance races.

ITOITEX Running Socks 5 fingers short

If you want a more comfortable and durable feel while also drying quickly, try C3fit Paper Fiber 5 Finger Socks . This model has a better balance of durability, quick drying and support than ITOITEX However, since there is no anti-slip function, plantar fatigue may occur depending on the compatibility with shoes.

C3fit Paper Fiber 5 Finger Socks

If you use it hard during practice, you'll be the best value . This pair of shoes can be used up to 50km races. However, since it is a blended material mainly made from cotton, it feels natural to wear while it is dry, but when wet, the discomfort doubles, and breathability and quick drying are not expected. I would like to think of it as a practice method.

The CW-X CW-X parts 5-finger socks (short) are gentle on beginners and those who are not practicing . The brand is famous for its sports tights, but the compression that applies its functionality is stunning and supports the arches of the ankles and arches. In ultra-long distance races, I would like to use it as replacement socks for the second half.

CW-X CW-X Parts 5-finger socks (short)

Finally, if you want to imagine a comfortable running in mild weather than speed and harshness, the RxL SOCKS TRR-35G is . It fits well and has a gentle texture from the merino wool, making it a pair that can be worn in everyday life. Furthermore, soft, non-slip material will be more effective than long lace. However, since it is made of thick fabric, it cannot be expected to dry quickly, and you should avoid using lace in the event of rain.

RxL SOCKS TRR-35G

Next page: Go to detailed reviews of each item