Injinji Socks When Climbing

Anyone ever climb in approach shoes (or rock shoes for that matter) while wearing Injinji socks in the alpine? 

I'm worried the fabric between toes could actually prove to be detrimental to sensitivity or even painful to the space between toes if compressed when say....jamming your foot into a crack? 

tia,

jcs

if you’re worried, then just don’t do it. Seems simple enough. 

ugh...okay...i'll provide more info on what i thought was obvious, but apparently not.

The key word being 'alpine'. I'm looking to not only save weight through dual purpose gear, but to be as comfortable as possible while doing it.

So lets spell it all out...  Alpine typically means some type of an approach. right? Injinji might be great for preventing hot spots/blisters while hiking, but not for climbing. and i'm trying to save a few ounces in addition to time without having to stop and swap socks for different functions.

jcs  

My partner wears them climbing ALL the time (in the gym and outside). He seems to be fine with them. That said, he does have a very high pain tolerance over all, and never complains about pain even when expected. My feet hurt no matter what I wear, or not wear. I'm intrigued by the Injinji socks, but my main concern is it would take me half a day to coerce the non-obedient toes into the correct individual little pouches. I do have big bunions/deformed feet to deal with though. 

Probably try them out in the gym first before you take them out on big days?

Are your toe socks thin? Do they make thick to socks? My point is that while you might want toe socks on the approach/hike (i do!), but they are now too tight to climb in, you can probably do without the socks altogether for your climbing shoes, no? i cant really imagine that if the socks between your toes are so tight that you are losing sensitivity or are in pain that the proper layering stack is to have the socks on to start with. Anyways, if you are dead set on certain socks for climbing, that don't work for hiking, just tape each individual toe prior to hiking to prevent blisters. the tape must be lighter than a separate pair of socks.

Jake woo wrote:

Are your toe socks thin? Do they make thick to socks? My point is that while you might want toe socks on the approach/hike (i do!), but they are now too tight to climb in, you can probably do without the socks altogether for your climbing shoes, no? i cant really imagine that if the socks between your toes are so tight that you are losing sensitivity or are in pain that the proper layering stack is to have the socks on to start with. Anyways, if you are dead set on certain socks for climbing, that don't work for hiking, just tape each individual toe prior to hiking to prevent blisters. the tape must be lighter than a separate pair of socks.

any old school wanna be alpinista knows the value of wearing a thin wool sock when climbing in the alpine. so yes, i am dead set on wearing socks.

the only pain or tightness i'm concerned about is when the shoe is jammed in a crack or pocket thus squeezing the toes together. would the fabric existing between the toes cause pain i wonder?

tape is my standard, but am trying to avoid this tedious option. this isn't a raid race.

thanks for sharing

Not Hobo Greg wrote:

regular? What is regular these days? Nobody cares Gregory.

jcs

Hi jcs - 

Like you, I've long been wearing socks for most of my big long (alpine-ish) days. At some point, I realized there just wasn't much of a downside in terms of climbing performance so I started wearing sock for basically all outdoor climbing and then the gym too. Now, I pretty much always climb in socks unless I forget a pair. I (and my feet) sweat plenty, so it is just more comfortable. I originally wore pairs of thin running socks, which worked fine. 

At some point, I got blisters between my pinky and ring toes (not necessarily from climbing, but just from the cumulative abuse that I put my feet through). I switched to toe socks in an effort to mitigate this and now use toe socks for most climbing. I can't say I notice any difference (good or bad). But, the aforementioned blisters have eventually gone away. Anyway, I have never experienced any pain due to the use of toe socks. This includes a high percentage of crack climbs.

 - Chris

injinji take time to get use to

they create different areas of pressure that need time to build up callus

five toe are better for foot strength if used for awhile

much less sweaty shoes as they wick away foot moisture

the fabric between the toes feels so good 

Even in the alpine a spare pair of socks isn't a huge weigh penalty and having an extra pair to change into after the approach could be beneficial.  Ive done a bit of ultra running and have found toe socks effective in preventing bisters.  If I was doing something long enough for that to matter like a car to car of the grand I would likely bring the toe socks for the approach and no socks for the climbing.  If it was cold enough to want socks then I would probably change socks when I put my climbing shoes on.  

Try the toe socks at the gym and see what happens.  If u have loose enough shoes then it might help??  guessing if the shoes are sized for any performance at all they be too tight though between the toes.

If you’re going to climb in socks, they should be argyle.

yes to socks on multi pitch and alpine routes.  Protect the ankles and happy feet.  Pro-tip is bring an extra pair with you to change into.  I prefer heavy crews that protect your ankles from fly bites and brush.  

I have a few pairs of Injiji toe socks. Usually wear them with my Fivefingers toe shoes. Just wish I could find some crew height with nice blue/red stripes at the top for maximum dork factor.

but really, I have worn them with my climbing shoes and it was totally fine. They make a thinner version, much preferred IMO. I also routinely wear thin no-show liner type socks with my climbing shoes, has really cut down (basically eliminated) the overpowering stench problems I used to have.  I don't climb hard or have much opportunity to do anything alpine though, so ymmv

I do it regularly on alpine and multi pitch climbs and really like it

I hike in/approach with Injinji liner + Lightweight Darn Tough for a comfy and bulletproof blister-free hike (that was my PCT setup for over 2000 blister free miles) and when I get to the base, I put the darn tough in my approach shoes. On long colder days, it gives a bit of warmth while maintaining foot precision and comfort.

They're synthetic, and they will smell like death after a few days in the alpine, but it's worth it!

Not quite what you are asking but I wear a liner-sock version under a normal sock in my ice/alpine boots. I love them. I’m just about to put on a pair of running ones and go for a run.