Practicing yoga in regular socks can be pretty challenging and sometimes even a little dangerous, depending on what type of surface you’re on and how slippery things get. But, if the idea of walking barefoot through a public space makes you cringe and want to scrub your feet clean, or if you struggle to keep your feet from sliding in your yoga practice, or if you run cold and have a hard time keeping your tootsies warm, then this posts for you!
Fortunately, many innovative companies have designed socks just for yoga and other practices that you would do in a similar setting – like Pilates, barre, and tai chi. The socks we’ve wrangled up for you here all have specially designed non-slip grip along the bottom to help prevent sliding while you’re practicing yoga. Many people comment that they love wearing socks around their house for extra stability and stickiness, especially if you have a slippery floor.
Which Style Of Yoga Socks Is Best For Me?
There are many types of yoga socks available in the market. There are 3 common types that you can choose from:
Closed-Toe
Socks with a closed-toe design are ideal for those who practice Pilates and Yoga. They also work well for beginners. These socks can be worn on several occasions, and they go well with any outfit. However, these socks don’t allow air circulation, which may cause blisters.
Open Toes
These are also known as toeless socks that come without an opening at the toe area but instead have a rubberized sole that helps provide traction when doing exercises such as lunging forward and backward. Open toes are great for anyone looking to improve balance and coordination. However, open-toe designs aren’t recommended for advanced yogis as they may not offer enough support.
Five-toe
Lastly, there’s this five-toed design is a hybrid of two types of socks. These yoga socks have grip locations on the sole as well on each separate toe. They help you deliver both comforts as well as performance! They’re a bit weird to get accustomed to, but once you do, you’ll probably want to stick to them!
What Things To Look For When Buying Yoga Socks?
There are many things to look for when buying yoga socks. Here’s our list of top tips to make sure you’re getting the best pair possible:
1) Choose A Size That Fits You Well
The first thing to consider when choosing yoga socks is size. If you wear shoes that fit properly, it will be easier to find a good match for your foot shape. Also, remember that most socks stretch, so try sizing down one size than going up another. This way, you’ll avoid having to buy more pairs later on.
2) Consider the type of Socks
Your first step in choosing yoga socks should be to determine the type of socks that will work best for you. You can buy a pair of five-toes or closed-toes socks, and that should do it for you! Just make sure to know this before you go shopping, so you don’t end up buying pairs of both types.
3) Consider Your Foot Shape And Type Of Practice
If you plan on using your new socks during exercise classes, check out the sock manufacturer’s website before purchasing. Some manufacturers sell different styles based on whether you prefer flat soles or cushioned heels. Flat soles tend to be better for running, whereas ballet dancers usually prefer cushiony heels.
4) Check Out Reviews & Ratings Before Purchasing
Reviews and ratings are critical because they give you insight into how others feel about the product. It’s always helpful to see what customers think about a particular brand. The same goes for reviews – if someone has used the product and had positive experiences, then chances are you’ll enjoy it too.
5) Don’t Forget About Comfort
When shopping for yoga socks, you should pay attention to the material used. Cotton tends to absorb sweat and become uncomfortable after extended use. Instead, opt for materials made from nylon or spandex. Both options keep feet dry and comfortable throughout class.
If you’re new to yoga, it’s best to start by choosing one style of sock that works for you. If you’ve been practicing yoga regularly for some time now, however, you might find yourself wanting something different. In either case, try out a few pairs before making a final decision. Here are our top picks based on your needs:
Best Yoga Socks Reviewed
In addition to grippy socks, these yoga socks also help to absorb sweat and provide a layer of protection between your feet and the potential fungus on the floor from other sweaty feet.
Beyond that, each pair below has a little something different to offer. Some come in an array of colors, and some are hand-dipped in eco dyes for an ombre effect; others slip between your toes to help increase the flexibility of the feet. See which ones are right for you!
1. QING OUTDOOR Yoga Socks for Women
The QING OUTDOOR socks are cotton and terry cloth to help absorb sweat and resist bacteria and fungus for odor protection. They have ballet slipper straps built in to help hold the socks in place throughout activities.
It’s listed that they use environmental dye and eco-friendly grips that are evenly distributed from heel to toe to prevent sliding. These come in women’s sizes 6 – 10.
Like the Rahabsox, these have a 100% satisfaction guarantee. However, theirs is 90 days. Based on user feedback, these provide an excellent grip for yoga and work well. Some users did mention their straps broke after a few uses.
2. Great Soles Ombre Grip Socks
Women in New York created great Soles. The company uses industry-leading silicon dot technology to provide lots of grips. Each of their socks is hand-dipped in eco-friendly dyes, with 6 color options – making each unique.
Their socks are made of 73% cotton, 25% polyester, and 2% elastane and have a ribbed compression arch for a bit of additional support and a heel grip on the inside of the heel to help hold the socks securely in place.
Great Soles come in one size designed to fit women’s sizes 6-10. They have a 100% satisfaction guarantee, good for an entire year. Overall, these socks get great feedback for use during yoga.
3. Toesox Bellarina Half Toe Grip
Toesox is made with 90% organic cotton, 8% elastane, and 2% other fiber. Each sock has a heel tab to provide extra grip and extra protection to the Achilles tendon – which doesn’t necessarily matter if you’re barefoot in yoga but would be nice if you were wearing ballet shoes. The socks also have built-in arch support.
Unlike many other socks on our list, these have a unique 5 toe construction that allows you to spread and move your toes naturally without restriction. This makes them a win for some and a painful loss for others.
A few users have been disappointed with the quality, while others think they were great and wished they would have bought them sooner. Toesox comes in a variety of colors and sizes.
In summary, we recommend this product because it provides a comfortable fit, absorbs moisture, and helps keep odors at bay. It does not slide around or fall off quickly as most other products do. We love how versatile it can be worn in any activity you plan to engage in. They’re great for anyone who doesn’t like their feet on show, especially if you’re attending a yoga class.