Injinji Compression Socks Review and Giveaway!

http://www.injinjistore.com/

Ok... the more I look at the picture of the lone floating leg above, I can't help but think of the leg lamp from A Christmas Story!  If you don't know what I'm talking about, you are really missing out... so check out the DVD :-)

Anyway, distracted before I even started.  I've done a few reviews on Injinji Toesocks before... covering both the Performance Series and the Outdoor Series.  Injinji's are basically the only sock I run in (when wearing socks) just because of the great performance and the comfort of the toe sock style.

That being said, I was happy to have an opportunity to try out the their compression toe socks.  AND.. even happier to give away a pair to a lucky reader, but more on that later.

I hadn't really heard about compression socks until a friend said she used them to recover after runs.  I wear compression type shirts and pants in the winter, mostly to keep warm.  So, I posted a question to the Barefoot/Minimalist Runners group on Facebook, asking if anyone ran in them or just used them for recovery.  The question I asked was "Over the calf compression socks..who uses them, and do you wear them for running, for recovery, to look stylish in Bermuda shorts and Birkenstocks?"    It was kind of a mixed bag as some people wore them for running, but most used them for recovery only.  The best answer came from Barefoot Ken Bob Saxton who said  " I was told they would help me recover between two marathons I did in 2 consecutive days. I wore them on the plane ride (1st marathon was in Indiana, 2nd was in California) and while sleeping. Not during the marathon. It didn't work. I failed to achieve my goal in the second marathon. I had planned to run a little more than 5 hours, but I finished in a little less than 5 hours."  Ha! that cracked me up. 

Well.. the gist is, wearing compression socks as a recovery tool can help increase blood circulation and help with soreness and overall recovery of your legs.  

Yeah.. my wife digs this look...

So...  I decided to try these after a particularly rough run... I think it may have been my first run over 10 miles.  I did find that when putting them on, the compression provided a certain soothing comfort... enough so that I wish they were waist high!  I do most of my running in the early morning, and then stand at my standing desk while working all day.  So, having these on while working was very comfortable.  Personally, I do feel a difference when I wear these after longer runs or when my calves are sore.  And of course, with the Injinji individual toe sleeves, my toes were happy as well.

Here are the specs and details on the construction from Injinji:

• Coolmax/Nylon/Lycra blend
• 65% COOLMAX freshFX     15% Nylon      20% Lycra
• Reduces Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (Doms)
• Accelerates Recovery Of Muscle Force Capacity
• Machine wash on warm or hand wash your toesocks after each use, and line dry

 You can find a pair of these at REI, or on Amazon, and the retail for around $38.  Yes... a little pricey for socks, but as a recovery tool (and fashion statement), I think they are a good value.  Granted, I have not tried other brands of compression socks, but I was a really happy with the fit and the results. 

So... would you like a pair?  I have one pair to giveaway to a lucky reader.  Unfortunately I only have one size, so if you wear a Mens size 8-10.5 shoe, or Womens 9-11.5, these are perfect!  

I'm also trying out Rafflecopter for entries, so I hope this makes it easier for all to participate.  Follow the instructions on each option below to earn entries.  Contest will close on Saturday, September 1st, at 10PM MST.  Winners will be selected at random from all entries using random.org.   Contest limited to residents of  the U.S. and Canada. 

Good luck and happy trails!!

Jeff

a Rafflecopter giveaway