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Injinji Liner Crew Review

If you're looking for an ultra lightweight liner, this comfortable toe sock comes highly recommended
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Injinji Liner Crew Review
Credit: Jon Oleson
Price:  $12 List
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Manufacturer:   Injinji
By Jon Oleson ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Jun 5, 2023
70
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#6 of 16
  • Comfort - 25% 9.0
  • Wicking and Breathability - 25% 9.0
  • Warmth - 20% 5.0
  • Durability - 20% 3.0
  • Drying Speed - 10% 9.0

Our Verdict

If you need a good liner for the gear bag, the Injinji Liner Crew is our top choice. Not only does this sock hug the feet and toes like a second layer of fuzzy skin, but it also wicks away moisture keeping your feet happy and warm. While synthetic socks can feel like a plastic bag on the foot, these babies are snug as a bug in a rug and perform well under a thicker sock. The affordable price balances the lack of durability in this thin, ultra-lightweight liner. Our testers loved wearing them in all types of conditions, with or without an over sock. Although they perform best as a liner, they are comfortable enough to wear on their own in moderate or wet weather, making them a versatile addition to your wardrobe. Our review of the top-ranked hiking socks shows how it stacks up versus competing products.
REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Hugs foot and toes
Warm for a thin sock
Can be worn alone or as a liner
REASONS TO AVOID
No cushion
Less durable

Compare to Similar Products

 
injinji liner crew
This Product
Injinji Liner Crew
Awards Top Pick Award
Best Liner
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Hiking Socks
Top Pick Award
Best Lightweight Hiking Sock
Best Buy Award
Best Bulk Value
 
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$48 List
$33.95 at Amazon
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Bottom Line This reasonably priced liner will perform well alone or under a thicker sock when temps dropOur favorite hiking sock for long hauls in cooler weatherA lightweight hiking sock that is well-suited to warmer weatherA lightweight Merino wool blend hiker that comes in a 3-pack and boasts a great valueThe thickness of this sock and lack of breathability make it better suited for lounging around home or camp in the wintertime
Rating Categories Injinji Liner Crew Darn Tough Hiker Fu... Darn Tough Light Hi... Danish Endurance Un... Alvada Thermal Warm...
Comfort (25%)
9.0
8.0
9.0
7.0
3.0
Wicking and Breathability (25%)
9.0
7.0
9.0
9.0
3.0
Warmth (20%)
5.0
8.0
3.0
5.0
9.0
Durability (20%)
3.0
10.0
7.0
6.0
9.0
Drying Speed (10%)
9.0
4.0
9.0
7.0
4.0
Specs Injinji Liner Crew Darn Tough Hiker Fu... Darn Tough Light Hi... Danish Endurance Un... Alvada Thermal Warm...
Material 75% Coolmax EcoMade polyester, 21% nylon, 4% Lycra spandex 66% Merino wool, 32% nylon, 2% Lycra spandex 54% nylon, 43% Merino wool, 3% Lycra spandex 30% Merino wool, 36% nylon, 33% acrylic, 1% elastane 80% Merino wool, 15% polyester, 4% nylon, 1% spandex
Sock Thickness Lightweight Midweight Lightweight Midweight Heavyweight
Tested Length Mid-calf High calf Lower calf Mid-calf Mid-calf
Time to Dry 60 min 180 min 100 min 140 min 180 min

Our Analysis and Test Results

Normally we prefer natural fabrics for their superior wicking ability, comfort, and warmth. However, the wizardry that has produced these synthetic socks left us impressed. The Injinji Liner Crew is made from 75% CoolMax fabric, a polyester specifically designed to wick away moisture and enhance breathability. This combines with 21% EcoMade nylon, a stretchy fabric produced from 97% recycled material. The other 4% is Lycra, adding to the stretchy, foot-hugging capabilities of this liner sock.

Performance Comparison


injinji liner crew - testing out the injinji liner crew in tropical climes. excelling at...
Testing out the Injinji Liner Crew in tropical climes. Excelling at wicking and breathability, it stayed comfortable as a stand-alone sock in all but cold conditions.
Credit: Jon Oleson

Comfort


This sock fits like a glove, literally. It hugs the foot and wicks away moisture, even from between the toes. Its strengths are wicking and breathability. The 200-needle-count stitching lends durability despite the thinness. The result is that your foot (and toes) will stay dry and comfortable over the miles. The main drawback is that there is no cushion. You may want to look for a different sock if you're carrying a lot of weight.


Synthetic socks are ordinarily inferior in the warmth category. We found the unique blend of the Injinji Liner to be better than other synthetics at retaining warmth, whether wet or dry. Due to the higher nylon and lycra content and high needle count, this sock also maintains its shape on the feet and toes. In fact, because it hugs the foot so well, it almost felt like we weren't wearing a liner when tested under a thicker sock. It's more like a second layer of fuzzy skin.

injinji liner crew - while the injinji liner crew socks tended to sag a bit, they fit...
While the Injinji Liner Crew socks tended to sag a bit, they fit like a glove on the foot and there was no bunching in our shoe.
Credit: Jon Oleson

Wicking and Breathability


Due to the unique blend of synthetic materials and construction, the Injinji socks excel in this category.


While this sock does not integrate ventilation stitching or paneling like other lightweight award winners, the type and thinness of the material support wicking and breathability. And, because the sock goes between the toes, it wicks away moisture from the whole foot. A common complaint with synthetic socks is a tendency to wick well from where the sock contacts the skin but leave sweat between the toes. The toe sock remedies this well and will provide superior blister prevention, whether used on its own or under a thicker sock.

injinji liner crew - here you can see why the injinji liner crew is so breathable. this...
Here you can see why the Injinji Liner Crew is so breathable. This sock is thin without any sort of cushion.
Credit: Jon Oleson

Warmth


No doubt about it, this sock is thin. It's not designed to keep your foot warm in cold weather by itself. However, it will help keep your foot warm under a thicker sock by wicking away moisture from the skin, especially if used with wool which will further wick the moisture out and away. While the Injinji Liner can be worn alone in warmer weather and is warmer than we expected, it's meant to be a liner for a reason.


While not suitable for cold weather as a stand-alone sock, we did find that this liner was relatively warm when wet, especially compared to thicker, more cushioned socks in the lightweight category. The Injinji Liner also provided decent warmth as a sleeping sock (when dry) and when lounging around the cabin after a long day.

injinji liner crew - using the injinji liners under a thicker sock proved suitable for...
Using the Injinji liners under a thicker sock proved suitable for blister prevention on long hikes. Paired here with our top contender for warm weather sock, the Smartwool Classic Mountaineer.
Credit: Jon Oleson

Durability


Due to the thinness, the Injinji Liner is not the most durable sock in the lineup. That said, they'll last a long time if used as intended, as a liner under a thicker sock. If you wear them on their own or walk around “barefoot,” you can expect them to wear more quickly. And, due to the 200 needle count stitching and synthetic material, they are relatively durable for such a thin sock.


One feature that supports this category is the cost. This liner is quite affordable, so you can buy a couple of pairs for the price of most other award-winning socks. They're also extremely lightweight. You could easily throw two pairs in your pack without even noticing and wear one as a liner on the trail, and save the other pair to lounge around or sleep in after a long day.

injinji liner crew - after several adventures, the injinji liners are showing a bit of...
After several adventures, the Injinji Liners are showing a bit of wear, but our testing still didn't produce any holes.
Credit: Jon Oleson

Drying Speed


This sock performed the highest in our drying speed tests. Lay them on a rock in the sun, and these puppies will be dry as a bone in no time. The synthetic fabrics and thinness combine to this effect.


In our tests, this sock took less than an hour to completely dry in 70-degree weather — much faster than any other sock we tested. When hiking in flip flops, we noticed that the sock also dried quickly on the foot. This makes it a good option for hiking in warm, wet conditions. If the needle got below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, they weren't quite as comfortable when wet. We'd recommend a medium-weight sock for those types of conditions.

injinji liner crew - drying out the injinji liner lakeside while escaping the mosquitos...
Drying out the Injinji Liner lakeside while escaping the mosquitos on the North Country Trail.
Credit: Jon Oleson

Should You Buy the Injinji Liner Crew?


There are three conditions in which we would recommend this sock. The first is as a stand-alone sock in warm weather, wet or dry. The second is if you need a sock to wear with flip flops (an especially stylish option). Or three, if you need a liner under a thicker sock in any condition. This could either be in cold weather under a thicker sock or for blister protection underneath a more cushioned sock in warm or hot weather. If you think any of these scenarios sound like something you'll encounter, scoop this well-priced puppy up.

injinji liner crew - the injinji liner crew is the only flip-flop capable sock that has...
The Injinji Liner Crew is the only flip-flop capable sock that has received an award.
Credit: Jon Oleson

What Other Hiking Socks Should You Consider?


The Injinji Liner Crew is an excellent choice for an ultralight or liner sock, and it's also a great choice if you are prone to blisters. The Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew is a great lightweight option if you need something that will offer comfortable cushion over miles with weight on your back. The Wigwam Hiking Outdoor Pro is a warm and cushioned synthetic option. Whatever your needs, you should be able to find a sock to suit your adventure among our impressive list of award-winning socks.

injinji liner crew - trail running on the north country trail in the injinji liner crew...
Trail running on the North Country trail in the Injinji Liner Crew socks.
Credit: Jon Oleson

Jon Oleson