Okay it's the middle of May and only half of my fig trees are starting to wake up,when should I give up on them? Some of the ones still not showing life have wrinkled tips,should I cut them off? or just wait?

I'm in the same boat as you. I'd wait on cutting any branches. Some of my trees are leafing out and the others are, or, still look dormant. This winter was so cold and the spring has been unusually cool which I think has caused them to be in a deep Cinderella sleep. Just give them time and I'm sure they will wake up. Patience.

I'd wait myself.

Agree, give them some time.  I still have two or three yearling trees in pots here in the Houston area that are just barely starting to wake up, believe it or not.

Hi Willofig,
I would wait until July. Those thick stems are energy reserves.
So wait and if you have the choice between root shoots and leaves popping on the stems, keep the ones on the stems.
Of course, those stems could be toast and by July if nothing is popping than you can expect them to be toast.
We are still in May, so it is too soon to be sure.

In 2011, I began removing some branches until I just knew I shouldn't have removed the last one... But of course it was too late . So I stopped and let the tree have more time to recover.
On a branch that remained, I got some 8 figs and nothing else from the tree that year . So I always think that with more patience, I would have 8 more ... So now I'm patient .