jinnmix lightweight colorful long barrel running socks test run review
Preface: The JINNMIX Light Power Colorful Running Socks series is the latest professional running gear brand derived from the Shanghai Yijin brand. I had previously worn Yijin's short sports socks and had a great experience. So, as a runner, I bought their professional running socks as soon as they came out. I feel compelled to share my experience, even though I usually don't like writing. I would like to thank JINNMIX Light Power and Uncle K for giving me the opportunity to review these running socks.
1. Receiving and Inspection
The packaging is very distinctive, with a mint green box featuring a rose-red track and a distant view of the charming scenery of Shanghai's Bund. My son loved it so much that he asked to play with the box. I must say, the packaging and the socks share a unified style, closely adhering to the theme of trendy and flashy.
The main long running socks come in two styles: Fireworks and Starry Sky. Fireworks features a base of emerald green with a gradient of bright red and orange, while Starry Sky has a theme of black and blue gradients clashing with purple and pink. Both are so cool and dazzling that I found it hard to choose which one to wear for my first run.
Speaking of colors, there's no need to elaborate on the shape since all socks look similar. However, the foot part of Starry Sky and Fireworks seems to have many intricate features. I didn't understand them at first, but later I discovered their ingenious functions.
From visual inspection and touch, my first impression of the Light Power running socks was that they are thick, almost like my football socks. They are quite different from the thin and tight running compression socks I had experienced before. I was puzzled by the heavy and solid texture, wondering why they were made so sturdy.
2. Experience
I am 174 cm tall, weigh 70 kg, wear size 41 leather shoes and size 42 running shoes, and have been running for 10 months. My best 10KM time is 43 minutes and 48 seconds, and my best half marathon time is 1 hour and 39 minutes. I haven't run a full marathon yet. I wore these socks four times, covering a total distance of 46KM.
2. Routine run along the Funan River, 10 km, night, cloudy, mixed road conditions;
3. Routine run along the Funan River, 10 km, night, wet and slippery, mixed road conditions;
4. Jogging on the track at Southwest University for Nationalities, 5 km, evening, cloudy, rubber track.
I was quite bold to debut the Starry Sky socks at the Wenjiang Half Marathon on September 25, which is a big no-no for runners to change gear on race day. My confidence came from my previous experience with the Light Power mid-calf running socks—Green Light. The soft and warm feeling made me believe that Starry Sky wouldn't disappoint.
At 6:30 in the morning, I was strutting around Wenjiang's streets, filled with the aroma of steamed buns and soy milk, wearing my Starry Sky socks (this scene deserves full marks). A young lady even came up to me and asked where I bought my socks. Without a doubt, the Starry Sky socks scored high on appearance.
After an hour of mingling in the crowd, I finally stood at the assembly point, adjusting my gear. At this point, the socks and my legs started to feel comfortable. The greatest comfort came from the warmth and softness underfoot, like stepping on a thin layer of cotton. However, it wasn't loose or wobbly; it felt like my feet were being gently held from the instep to the arch. Things were looking good.
Finally, we set off, running, running, running... everything else faded away. Due to an injury, I had stopped running for two months, and the lack of systematic training caught up with me after 10KM. By 13KM, my pace dropped significantly, and by 20KM, I was struggling at a pace of 5:50. I felt like a piece of coal about to burn out, constantly stopping at aid stations to drink water, pour water over my head, and apply ice. I was soaking wet, dragging myself forward like a drowned rat.
At 19KM, while battling with myself every second, I kept reminding myself to lean forward, breathe with my abdomen, synchronize my breathing with my arm swings, lower my arm swing height, and shorten my stride to conserve energy. Despite everything, I found my greatest support came from my Starry Sky socks. My feet should have been swelling by then, but the socks' wrapping effect kicked in. The intricate features I mentioned earlier started to work, acting like custom-made ankle braces, stabilizing my soles, insteps, arches, and ankles. The tight sock cuffs prevented sweat from running down my legs. It turns out the dense texture I had questioned earlier wasn't just for winter warmth. The manufacturer said the socks are designed to wick sweat, dry quickly, and protect the ankles while promoting blood circulation.
Three days later, during a recovery run and a routine run near my home, I had already gotten used to the Starry Sky socks. Initially, they felt thick and warm, but as I ran, they became soft, light, and stable without slipping. As for the sweat-wicking function mentioned by the manufacturer, I didn't notice it since my feet don't usually smell after a game.
Later, I went to the school track and wore one Starry Sky sock and one Fireworks sock to see if there was any difference. There wasn't. By then, the socks had broken in with my shoes, becoming a seamless part of my running gear.
3. Summary
Advantages:
1. Cool! Ever since I started wearing Starry Sky and Fireworks, people have been asking where to buy them. I might as well become a distributor.
2. The reasonable support and locking mechanism are full of technological content, not just flashy gimmicks. The socks are designed for left and right feet, so don't wear them incorrectly like I did. The features on the soles, arches, insteps, and ankles will truly shine and come to your rescue during tough runs.
3. The anti-slip function is evident. The thick soles are not just for cushioning and warmth (the manufacturer says the knitting method is special).
4. The water-resistant sock cuffs are useful for some people. A runner friend in Beijing once complained about his shoes getting wet from excessive sweating, causing heel blisters. I suggested wearing long socks to block the sweat. Now, I think Light Power Starry Sky and Fireworks can solve this problem.
Disadvantages:
1. The three black horizontal stripes on the upper part of the sock cuffs make the calves look bulky, which many people question. I think the design should be adjusted. A. Reduce the three stripes to one, and make it narrower, about 0.6-0.8 cm. B. Change the horizontal stripes to vertical stripes, with varying widths, and place one on the front and one on the back of the leg.
2. The weight of the socks, although an important quality indicator, should be considered in terms of energy consumption during marathons. Some runners' socks can weigh 100-150 grams when wet, which can affect performance. I suggest reducing the weight while maintaining quality and sweat-wicking properties. Currently, the socks weigh 87 grams; reducing this would be better.