Almost no one wears mountain shoes barefoot. Instead, they wear socks. Even though they are feet, the exposed skin needs to be protected from chafing
In particular, when it comes to speed hiking and fastpacking, the season, field conditions, duration, speed, and compatibility with shoes are all factors that come into play when choosing socks, but breathability, grip, shock absorption, and arch support are key factors. We'll focus on these points and provide a comparative review of some of the most popular socks this summer. Trail runners will also find this useful
table of contents
Items tested and evaluation criteria
We selected and compared candidates to find the best socks for activities such as fastpacking, speed hiking, and trail running, which involve walking faster than regular mountain climbing and longer than trail running. The assumed seasons were roughly spring, summer, and fall, but we focused on socks that would be worn for long periods of time, from the start to the end of the hot summer. We chose socks of interest from the standard round type, five-finger type, and tabi type
- For fastpacking (up to trail running)
- Suitable for three seasons: spring, summer and autumn
- Socks that can be worn for long periods of time
Here are the five models that were selected
- injinji Trail Midweight Mini Crew
- Feetures ELITE LIGHT CUSHION MINI CREW
- YAMAtune Spider Arch 2toe Non Slip
- R×L WILDWOOL
- FITS ultra light runner no-show
Test environment
The test was conducted in mid-July, before the end of the rainy season. The conditions were varied, including not only trails with large ups and downs, but also soft grass and hard asphalt roads. The shoes used were Sportiva Bushido 2. The evaluation was based on the following four points
- Breathability: If you wear shoes for a long time, your feet will get sweaty. Check whether the shoes have good breathability
- Grip: We looked at whether the foot was able to grip the inside of the shoe without slipping when landing or pushing off
- Impact and abrasion resistance: This is judged by whether the shoe protects the heel and other parts of the foot from impact and abrasion, mainly when landing, and reduces fatigue
- Arch support: We evaluated the arch support, which has a significant impact on performance and fatigue resistance
Test Results & Spec Comparison Table
If you find it difficult to see the table on the lightweight display for smartphones, click here.
| comprehensive evaluation | AAA | AAA | AA | AA | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| item |  |
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 |
 |
| Here is ◎ |
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| Here is △ |
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| Breathable | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Grip | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Impact and abrasion resistant | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Arch support | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Specifications | |||||
| Actual weight (both left and right, g) |
57 | 33 | 46 | 52 | 31 |
| material |
Coolmax, nylon, lycra |
Nylon, polyurethane | Nylon, polyester, polyurethane | Merino wool, nylon, polyester, polyurethane | Wool, nylon, polyester, Lycra Bandex |
Impressions of each model
injinji Trail Midweight Mini Crew
Here is ◎
- touch
- Breathable
- Shock resistance
- elasticity
Here is △
- Because they have five fingers, it takes time to put them on
The world-famous five-finger socks "injinji" are amazing for their soft feel and precise stretch!
Injinji is a manufacturer specializing in five-finger socks that was founded in San Diego, California in 1999. First, I would like to talk about the fabric material
This luxurious pair of shoes is a blend of Coolmax, a moisture-wicking, quick-drying material that absorbs sweat from your feet and keeps them dry; Cordura, a fiber that is waterproof and abrasion-resistant and said to be seven times stronger than nylon; and Lycra, a fiber that is highly stretchable and reproducible (the ratio is 32% Coolmax, 58% nylon, and 5% Lycra)
When I tried them on, they were slightly thick but very soft, with a smooth, dry feel. Perhaps due to the stretchiness of the Lycra, they fit snugly around the foot, and even five-finger socks can be worn quite smoothly. The ankle fit was particularly comfortable, and thanks to the double cuff (double-folded opening) and mesh top lock (finely woven mesh panel), there was almost no need to worry about dust, gravel, etc. getting into the socks or slipping them down. The arch support was also just right
The soles of the feet are made of fluffy terry knit (like towel fabric), which helps improve cushioning. The five-toe socks provide a firm foothold and prevent slipping inside the shoes. They are durable, moisture-wicking, and quick-drying, ensuring a comfortable fit even in harsh field conditions
Features: ELITE LIGHT CUSHION MINI CREW
Here is ◎
- touch
- Cushioning
- arch support
- Prevents slipping
Here is △
- I want more durability
A well-balanced feature set with a variety of functions. (Photo shows the no-show type.)
Founded in 2002, FEETURES is a sock manufacturer based in North Carolina, USA. They offer a wide range of socks, including different lengths, colors, and cushioning options. By the way, there are three types of cushioning alone: ULTRA LIGHT (thinnest cushioning and lightest weight), LIGHT CUSHION (high-density cushioning for minimal bulk. Lightweight and comfortable to wear), and MAX CUSHION (thickest cushioning and maximum performance. Comfortable even in high-impact areas). This time, I chose the middle option, LIGHT CUSHION
The feel of the shoes is similar to the injinji, being quite soft and comfortable. They're stretchy overall and fit snugly around the top of the foot. The toe area has a seamless design, which is quite comfortable. However, I was surprised by the detailed functionality. The material is nylon and polyurethane, but it incorporates the manufacturer's original nylon-based material, iWick® fiber, which wicks away sweat, keeping you dry and odor-resistant. When I ran in them, I noticed the arch support provided by the patented "Targeted Compression" with pinpoint compression. I could feel the arch of my foot being supported from below, especially when landing and pushing off
In addition, to reduce blisters and calluses, the socks are designed to fit different body structures. The heels feature a Y-heel design that prevents the socks from slipping down inside the shoe, making them easy to put on and take off. These are very well-balanced sports socks
YAMAtune Spider Arch 2toe Non-Slip
Here is ◎
- arch support
- Grip strength that makes it easy to kick
Here is △
- Not very breathable
- Not very stretchy and a bit tight
The tabi style socks with silicone rubber on the soles provide unbeatable grip, but on the flip side, they are not very breathable
This pair of shoes is from YAMAtune, a long-established manufacturer based in Higashikawa, Hokkaido, which was founded in 1959. The toe is a tabi-style "2toe" model, which allows the big toe to move independently
The range of motion of the big toe is particularly wide when pushing off, making it easy to put the leg forward. The thickness is medium. The fiber composition is also displayed, and the manufacturer specifies that it is 71% nylon, 21% polyester, and 8% polyurethane. It also appears to contain the aforementioned stretch fiber "Lycra."
When you put them on, you'll notice that they have a fairly strong elasticity. The sole of the foot is made of shock-resistant silicone rubber to prevent slipping. The arch of the foot also features a highly elastic "Spider Arch System" as an arch support system. The grip and elasticity are quite strong, making it easy to walk in
However, I'm a bit concerned about breathability. Unlike the usual round type, these are tabi-style socks, so I think they are somewhat breathable, but I feel like the silicone rubber on the soles of the feet is hindering ventilation. (Though this may depend on the shoes and individual differences.) They tend to get a little stuffy
RxL (R L) Socks WILDWOOL (Wild Wool)
Here is ◎
- touch
- Breathable
- Cushioning
Here is △
- Arch support is less elastic
- Weak foot grip
The RxL socks were excellent in terms of breathability and durability, but I think they need to improve the grip on the soles of the feet
Founded in 1982, RxL Socks is based in Fujimi City, Saitama Prefecture. They are the world's first sock manufacturer to acquire patented technology for three-dimensional right-left socks. We've selected their durable "WILD WOOL" socks
The materials used are merino wool, nylon, polyester, and polyurethane, but the main selling point is the blend of merino wool, which is resistant to rain, sweat, and humidity, and highly durable Cordura® nylon, making the boots seven times more durable than the previous model. Additionally, the Achilles tendon and toe areas are reinforced with nylon thread
When I put them on, they felt generally soft, but a little rough to the touch (especially on the soles of my feet). They're slightly thicker than medium overall, but they're breathable and don't seem to get stuffy. The toe area is slightly thicker, and they hold my ankles firmly to prevent gravel and other particles from getting inside the socks
The Air Fit method, which uses only the backing thread in the arch area and pursues a thin design that improves fit, supposedly achieves natural arch support. However, to be honest, I'd like a little more support. Also, the grip isn't very strong. (Though I understand that shoe selection and individual preference may vary.) I think further improvements are needed
FITS Ultra Light Runner No-Show
Here is ◎
- Thin and lightweight
- Breathable
Here is △
- Thin, so cushioning is lacking
Thin and lightweight fit. Arch support is also important, as is flexibility around the ankle
FITS was founded in Tennessee, USA in 2010. We chose the ultra-light runner no-show socks, which are made from merino wool
This thin and lightweight glove combines the smoothness of merino wool with the stretchiness of Lycra spandex for a perfect fit. The material is 66% wool, 27% nylon, 5% polyester, and 2% Lycra spandex. The ankle area is particularly stretchy, preventing slippage. Because of its thinness, despite being a rounded glove, I found it easy to move my toes, and the breathability was also excellent
However, more ingenuity in cushioning placement, even just in the heel or toe area, would likely reduce the strain on the feet. The knitting appears to be designed with the arch in mind, but I think more arch support would be better, and I get the impression that some people would prefer more grip. This time, the evaluation was based on fast-packing, which prioritizes cushioning and long-term use, so it cannot be denied that the evaluation criteria were a little unfavorable. I would like to add that this would be a very well-balanced option for trail running
summary
The condition of socks is surprisingly important to consider during activities. Mountain socks require a variety of factors, including foot sweat, grip (which directly affects performance), cushioning including arch support, impact resistance, and abrasion resistance. However, thicker fabrics or silicone rubber on the soles for anti-slip purposes can sometimes affect breathability
It's hard to generalize, but if we're talking about materials alone, I'd say Merino wool is the best for comfort, polyester for quick drying, Lycra for stretch, and Cordura for durability. It seems like the weaving method and other factors contribute to better cushioning and arch support in these socks. While there are pros and cons in the finer details, I the Injinji Trail Midweight Mini Crew and the Features ELITE LIGHT CUSHION MINI CREW are both great models, no matter which you choose. Ultimately, the model with the best overall balance is likely to be the most user-friendly and highly rated sock.
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