Every year, often in late summer, I buy 6 or 7 new pairs of toe socks. I have walked and hiked in toe socks for at least 18 years now.
When I first started wearing socks, Injini had just come on the market. Their socks aren’t cheap, and honestly, I am lucky to get a year out of a pair. Part of it is how much wear and tear I put into them. I have only worn toe socks for the past 10 years. Even at home. For everything.
It matters that much to me – the comfort level is huge with toe socks. I used to get blisters on my toes from a combination of too-narrow toe boxes and my toes overlapping and pinching. When I first started wearing Injini socks, I felt hopeful. I have had nearly no blisters since I swapped over. I used to carry a first-aid kit of Band-Aid blister products on every hike. I swapped to Keen and Topo shoes with wider toe boxes and separate toes, and life became good on the trail.
And I really love wearing incredibly loud socks, paired with capri pants. Is it fashionable? Due, no. But people notice it – it’s a great conversation starter.
But back to the Injini issue. Each pair of socks (for crew height) runs me $15 for plain, to 20 and up a pair. When I travel by plane or long car rides, I wear knee-high ones, and those are $18.00 a pair. The problem is, if I wear them daily, I wear out the part under my big toes.
And to get Injini socks now (the ones I like), I have to order directly from them. They used to have a larger presence on Amazon but have faded.
So I got looking around to see if I could find “everyday” pairs that were similar – and I found the Ao Magic socks. Now, these are your basic, China-made generic socks for sure, with a fake brand name. But did that bother me so much? Not really. Because what matters is how they fit.
They come in 3-packs on Amazon for $27.99. That puts them at under $10 a pair. Far, far more affordable. I, of course, ordered the loudest outdoor ones. There are 9 sets to choose from.
Two days later, they showed up. I took off a pair of my Injini socks that I had punched through the big toe (due to the cost, I wear those socks until they are absolutely trashed, far past when I should toss them).
I have big feet for being short. I wear size 10 women’s (3 kids will do that to you!). I don’t have wide feet, but my toe area is wider (Wide shoes are too wide). I also broke my right big toe in college, and wrecked it again about 3 years ago while doing a coastal hike.
The socks are very stretchy, whereas Injini are not. They’re also lighter. Coolmax for the win, I suppose. They are unisex, and you buy based on your foot size. I wear a Medium in these, which fits women’s 9-11, so I’m in the middle of the size range.
When I pull them on, they sit high on the calf, whereas Injini fits mid-calf. I prefer a higher sock (because of those capri pants).
They went on easily, with no struggle. If you have worn toe socks, you know how they can be a bit of a struggle, as each toe must sit perfectly.
Each toe area sat right, no wiggling toes around.
And always, Golden Retriever fur will say hello.
I liked the socks enough that I bought another set, in new prints, so I can toss some of my annual worn-out socks.
I’ll still buy Injni socks for the knee-high ones, as they are compression socks for travel, but these may well become my everyday socks and for easy hikes.
~Sarah
