Related Articles
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
No matter which activity you’re doing, socks with extra traction on the bottom can help prevent your feet from slipping and sliding, giving you more control and stability. Though they do often cost a little more than regular socks, the difference is one you’ll feel right away. Before purchasing a pair, here’s everything you need to look for in the best socks with grip.
What Are the Best Socks With Grip?
From fit to the type of material they’re designed with, read on for our guide to purchasing the best pair of socks for you.
Fit:Your socks should fit tight, but they should still feel comfortable. You want them to be fitted under the arch of your foot and around the heel, while still letting you move your toes freely. On cheaper-made socks that don’t fit right, the material can bunch up while inside your boot or shoe, which can affect the way you walk, run and perform during a game.
Some brands focus their fit down to individual socks for both the left and right foot, which is a huge help when finding the right pair. Socks that come in different sizes, much like shoes, are another big advantage over a one-size-fits-all pair.
Material: Lower-quality material is something you’ll feel right away. It’s scratchy, stiff, overstretches and can leave feet feeling sweaty and fatigued. To deal with things like sweat, heat and painful friction, companies often use a blend of different synthetic materials that can help wick away sweat, like polyester, nylon and acrylic. Lycra is another material to help with stretch, and can last a long time without losing its fit and shape.
For the grips, they’re often made from rubber, and can get stickier over time after multiple washes. Over time, the pads themselves can come off after heavy use. Overall, you should expect years of use for a well-made pair of socks with grip.
Traction and Grips: Most of today’s athletic socks feature traction in contact zone areas of your feet. Narrowing down the grips to where your toes and heel hit the floor (or even within a shoe) can streamline the stability right where it’s needed most. It’s not a dealbreaker, and a sock with grips all over will still get the job done. Some socks also offer grips on the inside as well as the outside, which is really helpful for sports where cleats are involved.
Cost: These are going to be pricier than regular socks, but they provide superior performance and better protection against sweat and blisters. We’ve selected four favorites for your feet below.
