Injinji Trail Midweight Mini-Crew Review

The Injinji Trail Midweight Mini-Crew is a toe-sock that boasts blister resistance and allows you to spread your toes on the trail. We love it for its exceptional comfort and level of cushioning that'll keep your feet dry on short and ultra-distance runs. Our experts reach for this sock whenever hard, dry, or technical trail for huge distances is the goal for the day.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

With a moderate level of cushioning our feet felt quite happy on the trail. Underfoot rocks, sharp roots, uneven terrain, and long hot days didn't have any effect on us while treading over harsh terrain. The quarter length height provides excellent protection as well, keeping dry sand and particulates from getting inside.

The most obvious and unique feature of this contender is its toe-sock construction. Each toe fits securely in its own pod, which has been said to prevent blisters. In our testing, we did not have any, so the claim rings true so far. We find this sock to be incredibly comfortable, with high praise from each member of our testing group.

Built with a synthetic construction (not merino wool) it surely feels just as comfortable to wear. We tested this sock on 13+ mile runs in the Grand Canyon, and while traversing across high mountain ridges in the mountains that made for 20+ mile days. Days ranged in temperature from low 40's to high 90's. In all conditions, with a low profile shoe on, it passed all our tests.

The 39% COOLMAX materials offer exceptional breathability while the Nylon (58%) and Lycra (3%) add durability and stretch to securely keep it in place, especially on the downhills. The ability to spread your toes helped us with balance, which added to the overall comfort of our running experience. The material is thick around the cuff and through the toes and heel, making for impact points that are nicely cushioned for long days.

Fit

With a toe-sock style fit, we appreciate how well the material conforms to each toe. The sock is true to size and has enough lycra and nylon to securely stay in place. If you're ordering a pair, don't worry about sizing up or down, and we recommend the higher ankle cut for added protection.

Like many high-quality socks, it has specific areas of cushioning and compression to keep the sock in place. Upon flipping it inside out, we see enhanced cushioning around the ankles, heel, and forefoot, which are all high impact zones. The toe pods are nice and roomy, fitting the foot of each of our testers well.

The seamless construction stays in place while elasticized areas around the arch and ankle keep the sock in place. The toe-construction inherently prevents bunching, making the fit that much more specific. Overall, we love the fit and will continue to wear it every day.

Wicking & Breathability

During our runs in the Grand Canyon (when temperatures peaked at 95 degrees Fahrenheit) we had a great opportunity to look at breathability. This again occurred when we tested it while in rain and snow, on a cooler day in the southwest Mountains of Colorado. Through it all, the Injinji Trail Midweight Mini-Crew proves to be a titan in moisture management. The high proportion of nylon built into the design makes for excellent wicking. The fibers are knit to a perfect weave that isn't so loose that it slips but isn't so tight that it doesn't breathe.

During our hot run, we wore shoes with appropriate ventilation. Other socks with a thicker or tighter knit construction easily get hot on these days, but not with these awesome socks! We are pleasantly surprised that our feet stayed dry and cool, even with a moderately cushioned sock, after 15-miles of running in the Grand Canyon during hot weather.

During our wet days, the sock did hold moisture, and when the temperature dropped, our feet felt colder than it would in Merino Wool when standing around. However, as soon as we launched off to get going again, it dried quickly and our feet stayed warm for the rest of the run.

Slip Prevention

With a toe sock construction, it's not surprising to report that it doesn't slip or bunch. Given the exceptional fit, your foot will stay in place. Additionally, the materials are thicker around the bottom of the sock, adding more friction than socks with a super tight-knit construction that is typically more slippery.

Durability

Another super plus! After putting in over 60+ miles on this sock, we see next to no wear and tear. This is after trashing it in both the deserts and the mountains after weeks and weeks of constant wear. The only sign of use we see is some compaction in the heel. We do wonder about the long-term durability of this sock in the toes, as the material is quite thin, but we have yet to learn what'll happen after we test it for a longer period of time.

The Injinji Trail Mini-Crew is constructed with a whopping 58% Nylon, which doesn't only making it excellent at wicking away moisture, but incredibly durable. When inspecting the fibers closely after our initial short-term testing window, we are happy with the results. Sand, dirt, and grim has been ground into them over the weeks, but after numerous washes, 60+ miles of running, and constant use, we're happy to stand behind its durability. The fibers look intact, not pilled or compacted, and look almost new!

Value

For a high-quality toe sock that's reputable among the ultra-running community for excellent durability and performance, we're happy to say it's of high value. The synthetic construction paired with our durability testing and experience shows that it could potentially last a long time, much longer than thinner or socks with less durable construction. If those seeking a toe-sock that'll crush the miles with you, while adding a little extra protection, this is one we can't help but recommend.

Conclusion

The Injinji Trail Midweight Mini-Crew is growing a legacy with runners for all distances. If you're looking for a toe sock that is comfortable, padded, and built for long or hard miles on the trail or the pavement, you'll be impressed with this one. We highly recommend it, especially for those that love to spread their toes.